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1. Industrial Campus UTeM
December 12, 2012
Research Methodology
Mohd Khairi Bin Mohamed Nor
Nona Merry Merpati Mitan

2. Outline
• Part 1: Research process
• Part 2: Writing a research proposal/report
2

3. Outline
• Part 1: Research process
3

4. What is research?
Research is systematic, because it follows certain steps that are logical in
order. These steps are:
•Understanding the nature of problem to be studied and identifying the
related area of knowledge.
•Reviewing literature to understand how others have approached or dealt
with the problem.
•Collecting data in an organized and controlled manner so as to arrive at
valid decisions.
•Analyzing data appropriate to the problem.
•Drawing conclusions and making generalizations.
4

5. Which of these can be
classified as research?
• Encik Samad prepared a paper on
“computer usage in secondary schools”
after reviewing literature on the subject
available in his university library and
called it a piece of research.
5

6. Which of these can be
classified as research?
• Encik Muthu says that he has researched
and completed a document which gives
information about the age, of his students,
their SPM results, their parents income and
distance of their schools from the District
Office.
6

7. Which of these can be
classified as research?
• Encik Lim participated in a workshop on
curriculum development and prepared
what he calls, a research report on the
curriculum for building technicians. He did
this through a literature survey on the
subject and by discussing with the
participants of the workshop.
7

8. Consider the following case
which is an example of research
• A general manager of a car producing
company was concerned with the
complaints received from the car users
that the car they produce have some
problems with rating sound at the dash
board and the rear passenger seat after
few thousand kilometers of driving.
8

9. • He obtained information from the company workers to
identify the various factors influencing the problem.
• He then formulated the problem and generated
guesses (hypotheses).
• He constructed a checklist and obtained requisite
information from a representative sample of cars.
• He analyzed the data thus collected, interpreted the
results in the light of his hypotheses and reached
conclusions.
9

10. • You will notice in the example above that
the researcher went through a sequence of
steps which were in order and thus
systematic.
• • Secondly, the researcher did not just jump
at the conclusions, but used a scientific
method of inquiry in reaching at conclusions.
• • The two important characteristics of
research are : it is systematic and secondly it
follows a scientific method of enquiry. 10

11. Research concepts
• A way of thinking.
• Hunting for facts or truth about a subject.
• Organized scientific investigation to solve
problems, test hypotheses, develop or invent
new products.
11

12. Research process
• Phase 1: Deciding what to research
• Phase 2: Planning a research study
• Phase 3: Conducting a research study
12

13. Research Process
THE RESEARCH PROCESS
Phase PHASE I PHASE II PHASE III
Main task DECIDING PLANNING UNDERTAKING
WHAT HOW COLLECTING
(research (to gather evidence to (the required
questions to answer the research information)
answer?) question)
Operational
steps/research 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
journey
13

14. Details Research Process
• Phase I: Deciding what to research
Step 1 Formulating a research problem
• Phase II: Planning a research study
Step 2 Conceptualising a research design
Step 3 Constructing an instrument for data collection
Step 4 Selecting a sample
Step 5 Writing a research proposal
• Phase III: Conducting a research study
Step 6 Collecting data
Step 7 Processing and displaying data
Step 8 Writing a research report 14

15. Proses Penyelidikan
Kenalpasti
masalah
Kajian
Literatur
Hipotesis,
Objektif dan Experimen
Skop
Penulisan
Reka Bentuk Analisis
15

16. Interactions with Supervisors
• Relying heavily on our supervisor
– step by step supervision
• Relying everything on ourselves
– no interaction with supervisor
• Supervisor provides the initial basic
knowledge for the student and student
continue to develop new ideas on the subject
– then continue regular discussions with
supervisor to overcome research problems.
16

17. Supervisors and Students
Role of Supervisors
• Determine topic and scope.
Role of Students
• Confirm the research or project • Write a research/project proposal
proposal. • Get relevant literature on the
• Specify the correct literature to be research topic
read by students. • Study and formulate
• Provide the necessary hardware or (mathematical eqns., techniques,
Laboratory apparatus. etc.)
• Verify whether proposed algorithm • Develop simulations (write
or methodology is correct. • programs)
• Determine the results given are • Develop hardware (if relevant)
enough or not. • Carry out experiments
• Read students thesis and feedback • Write a thesis
the necessary modifications or
improvement
• Give the relevant marks and grades.
17

18. Outline
Part 2: Writing a research proposal/report
18

19. Writing report …
• Most crucial step.
• Communicate the findings to the readers.
• A badly written report can spoil all your
hard work you have done.
19

20. Format umum
Introduction (Pengenalan)
Methodology (Kaedah)
Results (Keputusan)
Analysis (Analisis)
Discussion (Perbincangan)
Conclusion (Kesimpulan)
20

21. Komponen tesis
1. Awalan
2. Abstrak dalam bahasa Melayu dan Inggeris
3. Pendahuluan
- Pernyataan Masalah
- Objektif
- Skop
4. Kajian Kepustakaan
5. Metodologi (Bahan dan Kaedah)
6. Hasil Kajian, Keputusan dan Perbincangan
7. Kesimpulan
8. Rujukan
9. Lampiran
21

22. Abstract
• Summary highlight of your own research.
• Cover briefly your introduction, objective, methodology
and conclusion.
• Include implication.
• Passive verbs and past tenses.
• The third person (he, she, they) should not be used.
• No abbreviations.
• Standard nomenclature.
• No citations.
22

23. Introduction
• Develop an outline (`chapterisation`).
• Try to make a link for each paragraph.
• Narrow down your idea.
• Remember the citation.
23

24. Objective(s)
• The goals you set out to attain your project.
• Inform a reader of what you want to achieve through your
project.
• Clearly and specifically.
Objectives should be listed under two headings:
1. Main objectives
2. Subobjectives
24

25. A Script for Writing Qualitative Objective(s)
The purpose of this (strategy of inquiry, such as ethnography, case study, or
other type) study is (was? will be?) to (understand? describe? develop?
discover?) the (central phenomenon being studied) for (the participants, such
as the individual, groups, organization) at (research site). At this stage in the
research, the (central phenomenon being studied) will be generally defined
as (provide a general definition).
25

26. A Script for Writing Quantitative Objective(s)
The purpose of this (experiment? survey?) study is (was? will be?) to test
the theory of (theory name) that (compares? relates?) the (independent
variable) to (dependent variable), controlling for (control variables) for
(participants) at (the research site). The independent variable(s) will be
defined as (provide a definition). The dependent variable(s) will be defined
as (provide a definition), and the control and intervening variable(s) will be
defined as (provide a definition).
26

27. Literature Review
• Integral part of the research process and
make valuable contribution to almost every
operational step.
• Time consuming
• Daunting
• Frustrating
• Rewarding
27

28. Literature Review (2)
•Functions:
a. It provides a theoretical background to your study.
b. It helps you to establish the links between what you are proposing to
examine and what has already been studied.
c. It enable you to show how your findings have contributed to the existing
body of knowledge in your profession. It helps you to integrate you research
findings into the existing body of knowledge.
28

29. Literature Review (3)
Help in four ways:
1.Bring clarity and focus to your research
problem.
2.Improving your research methodology.
3.Broadening your knowledge base in your
research area.
4.Enabling you to contextualize your findings.
29

30. How to review the literature? (4)
1. Searching the existing literatures in your area
of study.
2. Define your idea in as general terms as
possible by using general sources.
3. Search through the secondary sources.
4. Search through the primary sources.
5. Organize your notes.
30

31. Sources (5)
1. Books
2. Journals
3. Internet
31

32. Sources (6)
Journals
32

33. Internet resources (7)
Online journal

34. Internet resources (8)
Web Search Engine
Others

35. Literature Review (Previous studies)
Table 1-2 The previous studies on the pyrolysis of bromine containing plastics
Samples Types of brominated flame retardants Techniques Results References
ABS Decabromobiphenyl and tetrabromobisphenol-A Macro pyrolysis 10 ppb of Br dibenzofuran at 400 oC in R. Luijk and H. A. J.
nitrogen atmosphere Govers (1992)
[49]
Printed circuit board Unknown Fixed bed reactor 72.3% of Br in product gas and mainly as Y. C. Chien, et al.
wastes HBr and bromobenzene (2000) [53]
ABS Epoxy type flame retardant Pyrolysis at 450 oC with PP FeC removed bromine compounds in oil. T. Bhaskar et al.
and ironoxide-carbon (2002) [54]
composite catalyst
Electronic scrap Epoxy resin and brominated polystyrene Pyrolysis GC-MS at 450 oC 1.4-5.2% Br-methane, 0.8-5% Br- M. Blaszó, et al.
and 600 oC phenols, 0.1-1.6 Br2-phenols. 29- (2002) [55]
70 (peak area/mass sample) of
Br2 styrene, 21-106 (peak
area/sample mass) of Br3 styrene.
ABS Epoxy type flame retardant Pyrolysis at 450 oC 7120 ppm and 6150 ppm in oil T. Bhaskar, et al.
(2003) [56]
ABS Epoxy type flame retardant Pyrolysis at 450 oC with PE, 1000-4000 ppm bromine in oil M. Brebu, et al. (2004)
PP, PS, PVC and/or [21]
PET
HIPS DDO-Sb(5) Pyrolysis with calcium 1410 ppm decreased to 490 and 190 ppm T. Bhaskar et al.
hydroxide-carbon (or 7 mg to 3 mg and 1 mg) (2006) [57]
composite sorbent
with PE, PP, PS,
PVDC and PET
HIPS DDO-Sb(5), DDO-Sb(0), DDE-Sb(5) Pyrolysis with ammonia More than 90 wt% of initial bromine in M. Brebu et al. (2007)
And DDE-Sb(0) samples could be recovered. [45]
35

36. Previous studies
The presence of brominated compounds in the liquid products of pyrolysis is
highly undesirable. Some efforts to debromination of plastics have been done
by Fe-C catalyst [54] and Ca-C sorbent [57] and atmosphere modification with
ammonia [45].
There are a lot of investigations of diantimony trioxide in brominated flame
retardants [44-51] but no report exist on synergistic effect of diantimony trioxide
in bromine containing high impact polystyrene with presence of polyolefins
such as PE, PP and PS.
36

37. Methodology
• Procedures:
Clear and concise.
• Equipment/Tools:
Specification, manufacturer series, capacity
and software.
• Materials:
Specify all materials involved in your
research, amount (if necessary with the
manufacturer series). 37

38. Example of Experimental
setup
Temperature program
450 0C
5 0C/min
Materials :
- Polycarbonate (PC)
- CD and DVD disks RT
- Vegetable cooking oil (VCO)
Residue: XRD
Gas: GC-TCD
Liquid: GC-FID,GC-AED, GC-MSD
38

39. Example of design process
Product Project Product Conceptual Product
Discovery Planning Definition Design Development
Product
Support
39

40. Results and Discussion
Methods of communicating and displaying analyzed
data:
1. Text
2. Tables
3. Graphs
4. Statistical measures
• Never fabricate data.
• Validity and reliability of data.
• Consistent (uniform) – Units: measurements; numbering: section/sub-
sections; referencing.
• All Figures & Tables must be referred to as close as possible in Text.
40

41. Discussion (Text)
• Should be thematic;
• follow a logical progression of thought; in order to your methodology.
• written around various themes of your report;
• findings should be integrated into the literature citing references – using an
acceptable system of citation;
• layout should be attractive and please to the eye.
41

42. Discussion (Tables)
Tables present large amounts of detailed information in a small space*.
A table has five parts:
Table X.Y: Attitudes towards uranium mining by age
Attitude towards Age of respondent
Total
uranium mining < 25 25-34 35-44 45-54 55+
Strongly
favourable
Favourable
Uncertain
Unfavourable
Strongly
unfavourable
Total
Source: ……Hypothetical data Supplementary notes
42
The Chicago Manual of Style (1993:21) in Ranjit Kumar, 2011.

43. Graph
10
Volume of liquid product , mL
8
6
4
DVD
VCO
2 DVD/VCO exp
DVD/VCO average
0
60 120 180 240 300
Degradation time , min
Figure X.Y. Cumulative volume of liquid product from DVD 43

44. Statistical measures
• Use of statistical measures is dependent upon
the type of data collected,
your knowledge of statistics,
the purpose of communicating the findings, and
the knowledge base in statistics of your readership.
44

45. Discussion (Figures)
- Clear, following the sequencing.
- Related to text (proper location).
45

46. Ethical Issue
• Personal disclosure.
• Authenticity.
• Credibility.
46

47. References
 Consistent (uniform).
 Follow the standard.
 For internet sources, do not forget to put retrieve date.
Four referencing system according to Butcher*:
1. The short-title system;
2. The author-date system;
3. The reference by number system;
4. The author-number system.
* Butcher in Ranjit Kumar, 2011
47

48. Tips to use grammatical tenses*
Present tense when referring to previously published work.
Past tense when referring to your present results (Normally, we go back & forth
between the Present & Past tenses).
ABSTRACT
Past tense because you described what you did & what you found.
INTRODUCTION/DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION
Present tense if you refer to previously published work.
RESULTS
Past tense if refer to Tabs & Figs (Ideas should be presented in Present tense).
*Kamaruzaman Jusoff, 2012
48

49. References:
1.Mohd Noor, M. Jailani. , Mohd Nopiah, Z. and Mohd Ihsan. A. K. A.,
2004, Kaedah Penyelidikan Kejuruteraan, Malaysia, Thomson.
2.Kumar, R., 2011, Research Methodology: A step-by-step guide for
beginners, Singapore, Sage.
3.Creswell, J. W., Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed
Methods Approaches (3rd edn), 2009, USA, Sage.
4.Jusoff, K., High Impact/IF Journal Writing Workshop: Made Easy.
AKEPT-KPT/UTHM Writing High Impact Journal Workshop, 26-27
September 2012, Johor, Malaysia.
5.Khalid, M. B., Kursus Kaedah Penyelidikan UTM, 26 March 2003,
UTM, Malaysia.
49

50. 50

51. Problem statement
Objective
51

52. 52

53. Thank you
53

54. Types of tables
test
54

55. Jadual
Jadual X.X: Peratus Ketumpatan,  untuk sampel
No. Sampel  Peratus  (%)
55

56. Research
1. Research: a way of thinking
2. Research process
3. Reviewing literature
4. Formulating research problem
5. Identifying variable
6. Constructing hypothesis
7. Writing a research report
56