HU 164 Research Methods and Techniques Prof. Dr. Abdelsamie Moet Fall 2012/13 Pharos University in Alexandria Faculty of Engineering Course Outline Lect1

HU 1642 HU 164 Research Methods and Techniques The course addresses effective methods of research. Students learn how to arrange their ideas and how to present them properly, with emphasis on scientific and technical tools.

HU 1643 Learning Outcomes The main objectives of this course are to help students: –To identify and define a research problem; –To develop and write a research proposal for their discipline area; –To use information systems effectively; –To write a critical review of the relevant literature; –To choose and apply an appropriate experimental design to a particular research problem, if required; –To understand and apply a range of standard techniques for data acquisition; –To prepare a well written and concise research report

ProducerUser Research U R 1 of 3 None Both must learn what is “Good Research”

HU 1645 Essential Steps of the Design Process ated Identify the need Define the criteria (from the customer) Explore/ Research/ Investigate Generate alternative solutions Choose a solution (based on pros and cons) Create a detailed design Modeling/ Development/ Execution Testing and Evaluation Redesign and Improvement. User

HU 1646 Both must learn what is “Good Research” HU164

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8 2 Hours 1 HR Lecture 1 HR Self-learning Presentation

HU 1649 Grades Quizzes10 Research Proposal10 Weekly 10 Final Intra-term Exam20 Final Exam50

HU HU 164 Research Proposal: Developmental Steps Selection of Research Problem –Consult Faculty- Consult a “friend/relative” –Pick your own - Internet Obtain Approval Problem Definition Literature Review Research Plan Suggested Data Acquisition Techniques Suggested Data Analysis Techniques Milestones Expected Difficulties Anticipated Results Information Literacy

HU Research Proposal Reporting Weekly: –Power Point slides and Print-out –Start first progress report with a few slides –Then add more next report –Etc Final Presentation (to be scheduled) Progressive

HU Proposed Theme : Sustainable Urban Environments Design urban communities that provide a high quality life-style that meets the needs of more people with a reduced carbon and ecological footprint. Ecologically friendly and healthy urban environments require integration of –innovative multi-functional energy efficient buildings, –healthy personal and public transportation systems, –appropriate accessible green space, –integration of local food systems, and –incorporation of the natural environment into interior and exterior living space. Sustainable urban ecosystems foster physical and mental well- being, individual economic prosperity, more efficient per capita consumption of water and energy, a higher return on public investment in municipal infrastructure and more opportunities for development of creative and ecologically responsible non-renewable materials cycling and natural resource utilization.

HU Proposed Theme: Green Technology Innovate changes in daily life through material production and process development that provide a healthy quality of life without compromising the ecosystem, human health. Green technology includes –life cycle analysis, –source reduction, –resilience engineering, and –responsible decision making which can simultaneously promote economic development within the context of environmental stewardship. Compelling issues in green technology include –new means of generating and evaluating energy and –energy efficiency, –environmentally friendly and –energy efficient building materials, chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate use and generation of hazardous substances, and –green nanotechnology.

HU Text Book Research Methodology: An Introduction, Wayne Goddard, Stuart Melville, Juta Academic, 2004

HU Lecture Topics Lecture 1:Course Outline Lecture 2:Information Literacy Lecture 3: Definitions Lecture 4: Problem Definition Lecture 5:Research Planning/ Cost & Milestones Lecture 6: Data Acquisition and Error Analysis Lecture 7:Data Analysis Lecture 8:Communicating Research Lecture 9:Research Ethics and Intellectual Property

HU Reference Books Lindsay D. “A Guide to Scientific Writing” Longman, 1995 Coley S M and Scheinberg C A, "Proposal Writing", Newbury Sage Publications, 1990 Ralph Berry. “How to write a Research Paper”, Pergamon, 1986 Alley, Michael, The Craft of Scientific Writing, 3rd edition (New York: Springer-Verlag, 1996

HU Online Sources Maricoba Center for Learning and Instruction National Center for Supported electronic Text (NCSeT) 109/methodology-mainmenu-68/45-overview Stanford University Policy, Retention of and Access to Research Data. Research Policy Handbook, RPH Advice on Writing Proposals Carnegie Mellon University Proposal Template, University of Johannesburg esearch/Documents/Masters%20Research%20Proposal%20Te mplate.pdf

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