1. Research Design and Methods (METHODOLOGY)
Dr. Mohammad Zulafif Rahim
Dr. Syariful Syafiq Shamsudin
Took about 25 minutes

2. Research Cycle Theory Choose Topic Design Study Plan and strategy
Collection of
Data
Analyse
Interpret
Inform
Others
(Research Report)

4. Research Plan Portray What you intend to do Specific Aims
Why it is important
Background and Significance
What has been done so far
Preliminary Studies
How you are going to do it
Research Design and Methods

5. Main Content
“Describe the research design and analyses to be used to accomplish the specific aims of the project.”
“Describe the methodology include how the data will be collected, analyzed, and interpreted.”
“Describe any concepts, approaches, tools, or technologies to be used for the proposed studies.”

6. Main Content
“Discuss the potential difficulties and limitations of the proposed procedures and alternative approaches to achieve the aims.”
“provide a tentative sequence or timetable for the project.”

7. Main Points That You Must Get Across
Research design, if carried out successfully, will accomplish Specific Aims
Methods are feasible and well developed
Approach is original

8. Main Points That You Must Get Across
Data will be analyzed correctly
Enough subjects/specimens will be tested to lead to conclusive results
Limitations are of minor concern only
Study can be accomplished in requested time

9. Outline Start with an outline D. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
D1. Overview
Flowchart
Brief description
D2. Aim 1
Rationale
Design

10. Basic Flow Chart Symbols

11. Incomprehensive Flow Chart
Yes
Selection of the suitable quality assessment tools
Determination of the source of the quality issues
Quality assessment of the company
Implement the process optimization strategy to the industry No
Improve the quality?
Conclusion

12. Comprehensive Flow Chart
Start
Research problem
Literature review
FYP 1
Methodology
Materials selection
Parameter selection
Process selection 
EDM process according DOE Layout
Finishing condition
Materials rate removal (MRR)
Surface roughness (SR)
Roughing condition
Materials rate removal (MRR)
Electrode wear ratio (EWR) B A

13. Comprehensive Flow Chart (Cont.)
Data analysis.
By using Design Expert version 9 to find optimum value B
Is the repeatability of result acceptable? No
FYP 2
Yes
Investigation the surface morphology and chemical analysis
By using ( SEM,EDX, XRD and Raman Spectroscopy)
Correlate with sparking condition
By using Oscilloscope to measure current and voltage feedback signal
Result and discussion
Conclusion and recommendation

14. Design/Approach Briefly describe Design of study Choice of specimens
Choice of interventions/independent factors and outcome assessments

15. Measurements
Describe techniques and equipment for measuring all variables
Use illustrations
Demonstrate that measurements will be accurate, precise, sensitive, specific

16. Novel Methods Emphasize what is new about your methods
Point out advantages to using your proposed techniques over other approaches

17. Data Analysis Describe approach for data analysis in detail
Conclusions &
Interpretation
Raw Data
Analysis should not
be Black Box

18. Data Analysis If using analytic statistics, specify
Statistical parameters and tests
Assumptions of tests
Alpha level
Alpha = probability of falsely rejecting null hypothesis
Reference if statistical approach is not well known

19. Power Analysis Remember that you need to determine
How many specimens are needed to have a certain probability of detecting an effect?

20. Keep in Mind...
Goal is to demonstrate that enough data will be collected to support analysis
Mean value should be obtained from at least 3 samples/speciments

21. Number of Specimens in Research Plan
State assumptions and the reason of the number of sample selection
Specify primary outcome variable
Specify factor(s) or independent variable(s) of interest

22. Number of Specimens in Research Plan
State proposed statistical test or interval estimation
Examples:
Analysis of variance
Linear regression
Note that each test has specific formula for power/number of specimens

23. Expected Results and Interpretation
Remember to discuss expected results and interpretation of analysis
Research
question
Close
the
loop
Theory = intellectual construct used to explain findings
Hypothesis = derived predictions of theories
Studies often generate more questions than answers
Interpretation of
results to answer...
Study
design
Analysis of
findings
Collection of
information

24. Limitations
Include segment on potential difficulties & limitations at one of following locations
Under each Specific Aim
End of entire Research Design and Methods section
As they occur in methods
Use limitations to point to future studies

25. Timetable
Include timeline or timetable at end of Research Design and Methods
Give enough detail for evaluation
Make certain it is reasonable

26. Ending
Close Research Design and Methods with overall statement about significance of studies
Be enthusiastic

27. Summary: Successful Research Design and Methods
Bright idea
Well developed and clearly described methods
Appropriate data analysis
Large enough sample size
Plenty of time to do the work
Only minor limitations
Clear pathway to strong conclusions