This is a presentation slide I prepared for a workshop in my university UTeM for young researchers on how to write a good research proposal. A certain content in the slide is in context with our University or Malaysia's rules/guidance of applying the grant, but the rest is I am sure, should be a general guidance.

1. How to Write
a Good Research Proposal
Prof. Madya Dr. Azma Putra
Centre for Advanced Research on Energy (CARe)
ViBRO Research Group

2. Azma Putra @2018How to Write A Good Research Proposal

3. Azma Putra @2018How to Write A Good Research Proposal
Why do we have to do research?
Expanding understanding and knowledge
Defining academic, career, personal interest
Establishing valuable connections with other researchers
Developing critical thinking, leadership, time management, team work
and communication skills

4. Azma Putra @2018How to Write A Good Research Proposal
Teaching
Spreading the knowledge
Expanding the knowledge
Research
Applying the knowledge
Consultation

5. Azma Putra @2018How to Write A Good Research Proposal
Before Writing Your
Research Proposal
• How will your research contribute to the
country, society or research community?
• Why is your research worth to be funded?
The impact of the research comes first,
then followed by the clarity of your proposal.

6. Azma Putra @2018How to Write A Good Research Proposal
Where are we?

7. Azma Putra @2018How to Write A Good Research Proposal
A good research proposal:
RULE OF THUMB
Must be concise, succinct
Can be well-understood by the review panel of different field
Must show that you know what you ‘want’ to do
Must present clear research gap

8. Azma Putra @2018How to Write A Good Research Proposal
Content of Research Proposal
Executive Summary
Literature Review
Hypothesis
Objectives
Methodology
Budgeting

9. Azma Putra @2018How to Write A Good Research Proposal
Executive Summary
Must attract attention of reviewer panel
To highlight on why your research is important
Components:
Short Background/Intro
Objectives
Problem Statement
Methodology
Expected Outcomes

10. Azma Putra @2018How to Write A Good Research Proposal
Literature Review
1. Start with short background to set a context
2. Continue with literature reviews of key publications
(Last 5 years is preferable to show your research is contemporary)
3. The literature review must be closed with the identification of the
research gap or questions to be answered (problem statement)

11. Azma Putra @2018How to Write A Good Research Proposal
Research Gap
Existing Studies
Existing Studies

12. Azma Putra @2018How to Write A Good Research Proposal
Research Gap
Existing Studies
Existing Studies
Your Research

13. Azma Putra @2018How to Write A Good Research Proposal
A scientific ‘guess’ of the outcomes of
untested scientific processes
• Be testable
Research Hypothesis
• Be measurable
You have something to be proved
scientifically. You haven’t tested it, and that is
why you want to do a research

14. Azma Putra @2018How to Write A Good Research Proposal
What do you want to achieve at the end of your research?
Research Objective
SPECIFIC
MEASUREABLE
ACHIEVEABLE
RELEVANT
TIMELY
What, Why, Where, Who, Which?
The outcomes can be measured quantitatively
Possible, realistic to be obtained using
the proposed methodology and capability
Must have a meaningful and significant
outcomes
The outcomes must be achieved within the
duration of the research project

15. Azma Putra @2018How to Write A Good Research Proposal
Research Methodology
What will you do to achieve the objectives?
Govern the
mathematical model
Validate the model
through experiment
Objective: To model the noise radiation from a vibrating perforated panels
Methodology:
Parametric study to
observe behaviours

16. Azma Putra @2018How to Write A Good Research Proposal
MethodologyFlowChart
Governing Mathematical Model
Literature Review
Parametric Study
Satisfied
Results?
The simulation results show the
effects of holes on noise radiation.
Relation with the radiation from the
solid panel can be justified.
Experimental Validation
Good
Agreement?
No
Yes
Yes
No
Start
Finish
Simulating the results using the
governed math model by changing
certain parameters and observing the
behaviours of the noise radiation.
The experimental results show good
agreement of all behaviours shown
from the prediction model.
If not all, explain the limitation of the
experiment or the model.

17. Azma Putra @2018How to Write A Good Research Proposal
• Explain the methodology systematically and in details in your proposal
• Provide important images or diagrams to amplify your explanation
Chapter 5 Radiation efficiency of a perforated plate 113
bo
do
Sa
So
Figure 5.9: An array of holes in a plate.
h =
k
tp +
πdo
(5.16)
Example image in ‘governing mathematical model’
• Do not leave the panel with ‘doubts’
• Specify all resources (materials, equipments, etc) you will use in your research

18. Azma Putra @2018How to Write A Good Research Proposal
Research Budgets
• Follow the guidance set by UTeM/sponsor
• “To obtain significant outcomes, with the smallest amount of money”
• It is preferable to utilise equipment already in labs, rather than purchasing
new expensive instrument
• Give details of all your planned spending:
What material do you want to buy? What for?
What conference do you want to attend?
When? How much?

19. Azma Putra @2018How to Write A Good Research Proposal
Research Team
Show that you are capable of conducting the research:
• Your experience handling research grants
• Your publications
• Your academic qualification
• Good to start with internal grant to build up your
credibility as a researcher
For young researcher:
• Involve experienced researcher in your team (or your mentor)

20. Azma Putra @2018How to Write A Good Research Proposal
Some HighlightsFigure 2(i) shows examples of natural fibers from paddy, sugarcane and coir fibers to be employed as sound
absorbers [6]. Figure 2(ii) is the typical sound absorption coefficient from fibrous material which shows good
absorption performance at medium to high frequency (above 1kHz). The absorption at low frequency can be
improved by having the air gap behind the absorber or by increasing the thickness.
(i)
10
1
10
2
10
3
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
frequency [Hz]
absorptioncoefficient,α
(ii)
Figure 2. (i) Natural fibrous materials from: (a) paddy, (b) sugarcane and (c) coir; (ii) typical sound absorption
coefficient for fibrous sound absorber.
3. Alternative ‘non-fibrous’ absorbers
3.1 Micro-perforated panel
Dah You Maa in 1975 came up with a new type of sound absorber vanishing the presence of fibrous
material, which is a panel perforated with micro holes known as micro-perforated panel (MPP).The MPP is
constructed with sub-milimeter holes which are separated by distances much larger than their diameters, but
small compared to the wavelength of impinging sound wave. For effective absorption, the MPP should have
a hole diameter between 0.05 and 1 mm, a perforation ratio between 0.5 and 1.5% and located in front of a
rigid wall (see Figure 2(a)) [7]. Made from solid panels, MPPs can provide optically attractive appereance
and easy to be cleaned.
The MPP works like a Helmholtz resonator and therefore absorbs effectively the sound energy at low
frequencies. However, the maximum absorption frequency bandwith is only around the resonance and is
thus quite narrow as seen in Figure 3(b).
Rigid wallMPP
D
do
t
(a)
(b)
Figure 3. (a) Arrangement of a MPP and (b) trend of absorption coefficient of a MPP.

21. Azma Putra @2018How to Write A Good Research Proposal
Some Highlights
3.2 Natural material with hollow structure
Apart from fibrous-type materials, unmodified natural materials with hollow structures are also available and
could be potential as acoustic absorbers.The candidates for this type of materials includes reeds and
bamboos.
Reed has a long history of use for roofing and report has shown that a lifespan of 40–60 years can be
achieved by thatched roofs composed of reeds [8]. Bamboo has also been used for hundreds of years as
building structure or furnitures and can stand with temperature and humidity. Figure 4 shows reed and
bamboo and their cross-sections.
Due to their durability performance, this project thus proposes an investigation on the possibility of these
materials to be an alternative ‘non-fibrous’ acoustic absober. The materials will be arranged in different
configuration such that the sound absorption mechanism is possible. Micro-perforated holes will also be
introduced to the structure to allow more absorption at low frequency. The mathematical model will be
developed and the underlying physics will be explained.
(a) (b)
Figure 4. (a) Reed and (b) Bamboo and their cross section view.
4. Research hyphothesis
The hollow path in the structure can be used to trap the sound and the friction loss inside the hollow results
in sound absorption. This applies when the materials are arranged with the cross section facing the sound
incident.
For the reed, the non-uniformity at the innner side of the hollow can act like pores which add more
absorption. For bamboo, beside friction loss of sound travelling in the hollow, more absorption can be
achieved by introducing the micro-holes along its length allowing absorption mechanism at low frequency
similar to that for the established MPP. The air gap in the arrangement between individual reed or bamboo
can also increase absorption particularly at high frequency. This is expected to cover a wider frequency
range of sound absorption, i.e. from low to high frequency.
With micro-holes introduced along the length of the reed or bamboo, they can also be arranged in
transverse direction which can save spaces in the perpendicular direction away from the wall plane.
(This is explained in details in the methodology section)
Research questions to be answered:
a. What is the effect of the hollow diameter and length on the acoustic wave propagation?
b. What is the effect of hole diameter and perforation ratio on sound absorption?
c. Can the proposed system cover wider frequency range of sound absorption from low to high frequency?
Besides sound absorption measurement, mathematical model will also be developed to explain and to
determine the controlled parameters defining the absorption coefficient.

22. Azma Putra @2018How to Write A Good Research Proposal
Some Highlights
micro hole
hollow path
Figure 5. Individual section of material perforated with micro-holes.
Two arrangements will be investigated:
(i) Axial arrangement i.e. the cross section of the material is facing the sound incident.
Absorption at medium to high frequency is expected due to friction loss when the sound
travels inside the hollow plus at low frequency due to the presence of micro-holes along the
structure. Absorption mechanism at high frequency can also happen due to the air gap
between individual structures. See Figure 6.
air gap
individual hollow structure
holder
(a)
sound
incidence
(b)
Figure 6. Axial arrangement of the sound absorber: (a) cross-section view and (b) side
view; direction of incident sound.
(ii) Transverse arrangement i.e. the sound impinges the material along length of the structure.
Only the surface facing the sound is perforated. The back surface therefore acts like a rigid
wall and the sound absorption mechanism at low frequency is the same as that for the
established MPP. Again, the air gap between the materials will provide absorption at high
frequency. See Figure 7.
sound
incidence
air gap
Figure 7. Transverse arrangement of the sound absorber.

23. Azma Putra @2018How to Write A Good Research Proposal
Some Highlights
4. Number of PhD and Masters (by research) Students
The research is proposed to train 1 (one) M.Sc student.
5. Impact on Society, Economy and Nation
As the system is made from natural material, it serves as sustainable and also green products.
The production, from raw materials to installation, will have very minimum amount of CO2
release which is in line with the goal of Malaysia to reduce 40% carbon emission by 2020
compared to 2005 level.
The system can also potentially commersialised as a new sustainable and green acoustic
absorber for big construction industry to medium scale e.g. acoustic treatment for home theatres.
D
ACCESS TO EQUIPMENT AND MATERIAL / KEMUDAHAN SEDIA ADA UNTUK KEGUNAAN BAGI
PENYELIDIKAN INI
Equipment
Peralatan
Location
Tempat
1. Portable signal analyzer, 4 channels.
2. Free-field acoustic microphones; ½”
3. Impedance tube system
1. Reverberation chamber
2. Semi-anechoic chamber
3. PULSE signal analyzer
4. Acoustic microphones
Laboratory of Measurement and
Instrumentation,
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM)
Laboratory of Acoustics,
Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM),
43600 Bangi Selangor

24. Azma Putra @2018How to Write A Good Research Proposal
Some Highlights
E BUDGET /BELANJAWAN
Please indicate your estimated budget for this research and details of expenditure according to the
guidelines attached.
Sila nyatakan anggaran bajet bagi cadangan penyelidikan ini dan berikan butir – butir perbelanjaan lengkap
dengan berpandukan kepada garis panduan yang dilampirkan.
Budget details
Butiran belanjawan
Amount requested by applicant
Jumlah yang dipohon
oleh pemohon
Amount approved by VC/Dep.VC
(R&D)/Director of RMC
Jumlah yang diluluskan oleh Naib
Canselor/ TNC (P&I)/Pengarah RMC
Year 1
Tahun 1
(RM)
Year 2
Tahun 2
(RM)
Year 3
Tahun 3
(RM)
Total
Jumlah
(RM)
E(i) Vote 11000 -
Salary and wages
Upah dan Elaun
Graduate Research
Assistance (GRA)
M.Sc student:
RM 1,500/month for
24 months
18,000 18,000
36,000
Please Indicate the overall Budget
Sila nyatakan bajet secara
keseluruhan
E(ii) Vote 21000 -
Travelling and
Transportation/
Perjalanan dan
Pengangkutan
First year:
National or regional
conferences
Registration: RM2,000
Accomodation: RM2,000
Second year:
Attending International
conference (ICSV2014,
Beijing, China).
Ticket: RM3,500
Accomodation: RM2,500
4,000
7,000
11,000
Please Indicate the overall Budget
Sila nyatakan bajet secara
keseluruhan

25. Azma Putra @2018How to Write A Good Research Proposal
Some Highlights
Budget details
Butiran belanjawan
Amount requested by applicant
Jumlah yang dipohon
oleh pemohon
Amount approved by VC/Dep.VC
(R&D)/Director of RMC
Jumlah yang diluluskan oleh Naib
Canselor/ TNC (P&I)/Pengarah RMC
Year 1
Tahun 1
(RM)
Year 2
Tahun 2
(RM)
Year 3
Tahun 3
(RM)
Total
Jumlah
(RM)
E(vi) Vote 29000 -
Professional Services
Perkhidmatan Ikhtisas
Printing
Binding
500 500
250
1,250
E(vii) Vote 35000 -
Accessories and
Equipment
Aksesori dan Peralatan
Two units of
¼” acoustic microphone
@RM8,200
(to conduct two-channel
impedance tube method
to have better accuracy at
high frequency.
At the moment our home-
made impedance tube in
the laboratoty UTeM only
has ½” microphones)
MATLAB software with
standard toolbox; student
version (as this will be
used by the GRA student)
@USD350=RM1,050
**Quotation and specification are
attached
16,400
1,050
17,450
TOTAL AMOUNT
JUMLAH BESAR
48,400 26,800 75,200

26. Azma Putra @2018How to Write A Good Research Proposal
Download my slide!

27. Azma Putra, PhD
Researcher and Educator
AZMA PUTRA
+60194483009
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka
Hang Tuah Jaya 76100, Durian Tunggal
Melaka, Malaysia
azma.putra@utem.edu.my
@azmaputra
in Sound and Vibration
+60 234 6873
Institute of Sound and Vibration Research
Structural Vibration, Noise, Vibro-Acoustics
M.Sc & Ph.DUniversity of
Southampton, UK
2004 - 2008
B.EngITB, Indonesia
1997 - 2002
Asessment of vibration on Plant Piping SystemPetronas LNG, BIntulu
2012 - 2015
Analisis of Motor-Gear Box VibrationMalakoff Power
2015
Vibration Analysis on Main Lube Pump OilPetronas IPC, Kerteh
2015
CONSULTANCY
Department of Engineering Physics
QUALIFICATION
Mobius Institute Certified Vibration Analyst: Category III
2015-2020 ISO 18436-2
Measurement of vibration levels of pipelines and categorize them into: ’acceptable’,
’concern’ and ’problem’ followed by analysis and proposed solutions.
Operating Deflection Shape (ODS) measurement and simulation to observe the vibration behaviour of
motor-gearbox system running coal fuel on a conveyer.
EMPLOYMENT
University of
Southampton, UK
2008 - 2009
Institute of Sound and Vibration Research
Vibro-Acoustics Project collaborated with University of Liverpool and University of Salford, UK
Research Fellow
Universiti Teknikal
Malaysia Melaka
2009 - present
Research area: Vibration, Vibro-Acoustics
Associate Professor
Apple, Inc. Apple Distinguished Educator
2015 Class 2015. Excellence in transforming teaching and learning with technology.
Taught subjects: Mechanical Vibrations, NVH, Dynamics, Numerical Method
Vibration Analysis on a Limestone Secondary Crusher UnitCIMA, Bahau
2013
Vibration measurement and analysis to detect root cause on a main oil pump unit having high vibration
amplitude during normal operation.
The new installed unit was founded to have resonance problem as the floor
significantly vibrates during the operation. Measurement was taken on the
600k 95 15 2
Research Grant as
Project Leader
(in RM)
Number of Published
Scientif Papers
Number of Graduated
Ph.D and M.Sc
research students
Number of Awards:
Best Researcher in Publications 2013
Best Staff for E-Learning 2015
Researcher and Ed
AZMA PUTR
+60194483009
Melaka, Malaysia
azma.putra@utem.edu.my
@azmaputra
Institute of Sound and Vibration Research
Structural Vibration, Noise, Vibro-Acoustics
M.Sc & Ph.DUniversity of
Southampton, UK
2004 - 2008
B.EngITB, Indonesia
1997 - 2002
EDUCATION
Asessment of vibration on Plant Piping SystemPetronas LNG, BIntulu
2012 - 2015
Analisis of Motor-Gear Box VibrationMalakoff Power
2015
Vibration Analysis on Main Lube Pump OilPetronas IPC, Kerteh
2015
CONSULTANCY
in Sound and Vib
Department of Engineering Physics
QUALIFICATION
Mobius Institute Certified Vibration Analyst: Category III
2015-2020 ISO 18436-2
Measurement of vibration levels of pipelines and categorize them into: ’acceptable’,
’concern’ and ’problem’ followed by analysis and proposed solutions.
Operating Deflection Shape (ODS) measurement and simulation to observe the vibration behaviour of
motor-gearbox system running coal fuel on a conveyer.
EMPLOYMENT
University of
Southampton, UK
2008 - 2009
Institute of Sound and Vibration Research
Vibro-Acoustics Project collaborated with University of Liverpool and University of Salford, UK
Research Fellow
Universiti Teknikal
Malaysia Melaka
2009 - present
Research area: Vibration, Vibro-Acoustics
Associate Professor
Apple, Inc. Apple Distinguished Educator
2015 Class 2015. Excellence in transforming teaching and learning with Apple technology
Taught subjects: Mechanical Vibrations, NVH, Dynamics, Numerical Method
Vibration measurement and analysis to detect root cause on a main oil pump unit having high vibration
amplitude during normal operation.
Apple, Inc. Apple Professional Learning Specialist
2018 Certified Consultant of Apple South East Asia