2. 1. Research Report Writing
2. Online Journals & Resources
3. Bibliography Software
4. Saving your work
5. Plagiarism
6. Presentation
7. Poster & product exhibition
3. 1.0 Research Report Writing
A report is a form of professional
document
Different readers will be looking for
different information
They may have different levels of
understanding
They may only need an overview
4. 1.1 Report Style
So:
Follow a standard format
Think of your readers’ needs
Make it easy for them to extract
information
5. 1.2 Basic Structure
Title page
Abstract
Contents, Lists of Figures & Tables
Nomenclature
Aims and objectives
Introduction
*Middle sections (not to be used as heading)
Conclusions & Further works
References
Appendices
6. 1.3 Middle sections
Review of Literature
What others have done.
Identifying the GAP
How you would fill the gap
Likely addition to knowledge
Methodology
How you did it
Results
Your lab data. Analysis & findings.
7. 2. Online Journals & Resources
Web of Science
Web of Knowledge
Google Scholar
Video and Audio learning resources
Illustrations: Pictures, Charts, etc.
8. 3.0 Bibliography Software
Cite while you write
Endnote & MSWord
Endnote
Online access
Importation of Citation
Adopting a standard style.
MSWord standard writing skill (Do it yourself).
9. 3.1 MS Word (Workshop)
Writing enhanced with soft skills
Use MS Word 2007 upward
REFERENCES tab could help with
Table of contents
List of figures or captions
Bibliography (select preferred style)
Footnotes, etc.
[Need some hours of interactive practice]
10. 4. Saving your work
Old style
Your PC
Flash
Drives (cloud/internet)
Google
Drop box
Sky (MS)
E-mail
Advantages: no virus or corruption of PCs.
You are on-the-go with your work.
11. 5. Plagiarism
Avoid copying and cheating.
Give reference to the source of text, figures,
tables, charts, designs, CAD drawings,
computer programs, equations, etc.
Software packages (online) to check against
plagiarism.
Declaration of originality (examples online).
12. 6.0 Presentation
Worth at least 10% of total marks
10minutes + 5 minutes for questions
PowerPoint available
You do not have to include everything
Tell a coherent story
Present your results clearly
13. 6.1 Structure
Title page
Introduction
Aims and objectives
Methodology: how things were done
Results: data analysis & findings
Conclusions
Further work
Questions
14. 6.2 What not to say
o First I did this,
o Then I did this,
o But that didn’t work.
o So I tried this,
o And that didn’t work either,
o So in desperation I tried this last week,
o And it worked!
o But now I’ve run out of time.
15. 6.3 Using PowerPoint
Do not put everything on the screen.
Speak your work.
Let the people read.
Be very clear – graphs, figures etc.
Make text legible.
Avoid spelling mitsnakes
Use animations & graphics with wisdom.
16. 6.4 Audience
Start well
Pitch it at the right level
Maintain interest
Eye contact
Interaction
Humour
Variety
Emphasis
17. 6.5 Questions
Try and provide an answer
Admit if you don’t know / don’t
understand
Agree to disagree
Don’t fight
18. 6.6 Yourself
Prepare well in advance.
Rehearse.
Avoid “erms”.
Positive approach.
Don’t panic.
Examiners want to build you.
19. 7.1 Poster Design
Assembly of major constituent parts of research
results or findings.
Graphical summary of the work.
Major Statement
CAD drawings, Charts, Equations, etc.
Major Further Work
Major Publications from the work
Display / Exhibition.
20. 7.2 Product exhibition
Designed and fabricated machine/device.
User’s manual.
List of accessories.
Proper documentation/copies.
Installation and pilot systems.
Commercialization.
21. 8 Summary
Plan for writing-up and presentation.
Use standard referencing style.
Use software and web-based resources.
Time is money. Time is short.
Make your product worthwhile.
Prepare for success.
Do it.
22. Appreciation
The support of the Mechanical Engineering
Department is gratefully acknowledged.
for time & resources made available for the seminar.
