BRIEFING 2: LOG BOOK & PROPOSAL WRITING ERT 445 – FINAL YEAR PROJECT BRIEFING 2: LOG BOOK & PROPOSAL WRITING

CONTENTS OF BRIEFING FYP Log book Introduction of Proposal Proposal writing guideline Summary

FYP LOG BOOK The FYP log book is a combination of general guidelines for the FYP and also a journal to record all FYP activities throughout the two semesters. This book is an important mechanism for the Coordinator/Supervisor to evaluate a student's attitude and ability and also to monitor the status of the student's project throughout the semester.

Students are required to write clearly and honestly all activities performed and then to summarize their work every week. This is essential since part of the final marks received by the students on their FYP will be based on what they have recorded in this log book. Students are highly encouraged to maintain a separate file/folder to compile all their findings/printouts/datasheets as a complement to this log book.

Log book must be presented to your supervisor to be revised at least A REMINDER TO STUDENTS Log book must be presented to your supervisor to be revised at least EVERY TWO WEEK.

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSAL Purpose of PROPOSAL?? to help you (as student) to focus and define your research plans. they may well change substantially as you progress in the research they are an indication of your direction and discipline as a researcher

PROPOSAL WRITING GUIDELINE

Must have… Title page Table of content Executive summary – max of 1 page Introduction – 2-3 pages Problem statement – max of 1 page Research Questions – 3 Questions – 1 Page (with objectives) Objective – at least 3 objectives – 1 page (with objectives) Scope of Study – 1 page Literature review – 15 to 20 pages Methodology – 10 pages Gantt chart – 1 page Milestones – 1 page Expected resulted – max 1 page Reference - min of 10 latest ref within 5 years (2011-2016)

Title Page

Introduction Required contents Introduction (background of study) It tells briefly about the introduction of the study with current issues related to study. Problem statement Address the problem to be resolved Motivation to conduct the study Objectives Stating the purpose of the project carried out. It lists the goals for study to be conducted. Must write in form of point ( 1.,2.,3.). At least 3 objectives

Introduction The purpose of the Introduction section is to provide the reader with information that they cannot be expected to know, but which they will need to know in order to fully understand and appreciate the rest of the report. It should explain why the project is addressing the problem described in the report, indicate an awareness of other work relevant to this problem and show clearly that the problem has not been solved by anyone else.

Example: Project entitle “Nutritional Analysis in Edible Bird Nest” Your Introduction section should end with a clear statement of the research questions problem your project is trying to answer. These will reflect the aim of your project, but will be different in that they explain the problem you are attempting to solve. Example: Project entitle “Nutritional Analysis in Edible Bird Nest” Explain

EBN Functions/benefits Previous data Percentage of rate/value Usage Cultivation area High usage but lack of information on nutritional content Address problem that not been solved yet & statement of the research question

Problem statement Research study is done to solve a problem. So it is very important for you to explain What is the problem to be solved? Why this problem need to be solved? You need to convince the reader that the problem to be solved, do exist and should be settled.

Overall Goals & Objectives After explaining the problem statement, then you need to specify what you want to do to solve the problem. Overall Goals - Explaining the end result that we want to achieve. It is written in the form of a general statement in a short sentence. Example: The aim of this research is to produce bioethanol from paddy straw using novel thermophilic yeast Overall goal of this study is to develop ultra high sensitive and selective Nano Lab-On-Chip Medical Diagnostic System using integrated Microfluidics and silicon nanowires based transducer for low concentration and single bio-molecule label-free detection that lead to any related diseases using Invitro Clinical samples.

Objectives - States how the goal can be achieved Objectives - States how the goal can be achieved. They are stated to be more focused For example: To analyze, to design, to develop, to formulate, to propose, to evaluate, to investigate, to analyze, to calculate, to categorize, to compare, to contrast, to criticize, to differentiate, to discriminate, to distinguish, examine, experiment, arrange, assemble, collect, compose, construct, create, design, develop, formulate, manage, organize, plan, prepare, propose, appraise, assess, attach, choose compare, defend, estimate, judge, predict, select, support, evaluate

Example of Objective: 1) To investigate the effect of inorganic silicon nanowires at various sizes for sensitivity measurement of the reaction between nanowires and bio-molecule samples. 2) To assess the performance of surface modification of in-organic material (silicon) for better attachment of bio-molecule marker on the inorganic nanostructure surface for immobilization and hybridization process. 3) To compare the sugar contain in leaf, seed and branch of Leucaena leucocephala

Example: DEVELOPMENT OF BIOMASS BRIQUETTE FROM BANANA PEEL This project is carried out to evaluate the potential of biomass briquette developed from banana peel. The specific objectives of this study are: To determine the physical characteristics and moisture content of banana peel To assess the suitable methodology/procedure in order to produce high quality biomass briquette. To evaluate on density, power consumption, calorific value and mechanical characteristic of banana peel briquette produce.

SUMMARY Introduction: Serve as a frame for the rest of the report / thesis Literature review: What are background, related theories, previous study Methodology: How did you study the problem?

Print and write all your details in forms (Rubric 1, 2 and 3) DATE OF SUBMISSION INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND OF STUDY, PROBLEM STATEMENT, OVERALL GOAL, OBJECTIVES, LITERATURE REVIEW & REFERENCES 28 September 2017 (Thursday) Before 5.00pm in front of my room 2 copies Print and write all your details in forms (Rubric 1, 2 and 3)

RUBRIC 2 PO2 - Ability to Identify and Formulate Problem (To be Evaluated from Problem Statements and Research Objectives) Name of Student : Matric No: Project Title: Name of Supervisor: NO CRITERIA EXEMPLARY PROFICIENT ACCEPTABLE UNACCEPTABLE SCORE 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Concise description of research background Provides thorough, relevant, clear and concise description of research issues with excellent variety of sources used. The information is articulated in a smooth and logical manner. Provides a good background to the research issues using considerable number of sources. The information flow is sufficient.   Provides a fair background to the research issues using considerable number of sources. The information flow is acceptable. Demonstrate incoherent description of research issues. Poorly written and the information flow is haphazard. Specific statement of problems Clarity in the statement of problem with clear focus on research issue. Demonstrate good statement of problem based on the specific research issue. Demonstrate fair statement of problem based on the vaguely identified research issue. Lack of focus in the statment of problem and not connected to research issue. X2 Clarity of research questions Provide at least 3 strong and clear statement of research questions. Provide 3 good statement of research questions. Provide 3 fair statement of research questions. Most of the 3 statement of research questions are not clearly stated. Clarity of objectives statement Provide at least 3 strong and clear statement of research objectives with higher taxonomy level (C5/C6 level). Provide 3 good statement of research objectives with higher taxonomy level (C5/C6 level). Provide 3 fair statement of research objectives comprising of high/low taxonomy levels Most of the 3 statement of research objectives are not clearly stated and do not meet high taxonomy level (C5/C6 level). Semester 2017/2018

Semester 2017/2018 NO CRITERIA EXEMPLARY PROFICIENT ACCEPTABLE UNACCEPTABLE SCORE 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Clarity of scope of study.   Clarity in the statement of the scope of study with clear focus on research work. Demonstrate good statement of the scope of study with clear focus. Demonstrate fair statement of the scope of study with vague focus. Lack of focus in the statment of the scope of study. TOTAL SCORE /60 TOTAL MARKS = 60 ×10%= Semester 2017/2018

And finally…. Any questions?