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11
Successfully Conducting Your Successfully Conducting Your Undergraduate Research ProjectUndergraduate Research Project
ByBy
D. Darshi De SaramD. Darshi De Saram
22
StructureStructurePreparing yourselfPreparing yourselfConceptualisingConceptualising
Selecting the topicSelecting the topicScope of workScope of workResearch methodologyResearch methodology
Mobilising resourcesMobilising resourcesLiterature searchLiterature searchData collectingData collectingAnalysisAnalysisWritingWritingOral Exam and PresentationOral Exam and Presentation
PerfectingPerfecting
44
The New Type of TaskThe New Type of Task
Creating somethingCreating something
Something publishableSomething publishable
Once published, it would remain in your nameOnce published, it would remain in your name
55
ConceptualisingConceptualising
Selecting the topicSelecting the topic
Scope of workScope of work
Research methodologyResearch methodology
66
Selecting a TopicSelecting a Topic
Topic that interests youTopic that interests you
Related to your work (if you study part-time)Related to your work (if you study part-time)
A supervisor who will matchA supervisor who will match
MentorMentor
FriendFriend
Match your ways of workingMatch your ways of working
77
Scope of WorkScope of Work
Research must be focused and dig deepResearch must be focused and dig deep
The width is not very importantThe width is not very important
If you go for width, you will not have enough If you go for width, you will not have enough resources to go deepresources to go deep
Examiners will only reward you for the depthExaminers will only reward you for the depth
99
Scope of WorkScope of WorkThe objectives of this study are:The objectives of this study are:
a)a) To study and critically analyse how the quality is To study and critically analyse how the quality is managed in the Construction Industries of Sri managed in the Construction Industries of Sri Lanka and overseas (specially in the Southeast Lanka and overseas (specially in the Southeast Asia region).Asia region).
b)b) Assess inputs/steps required today by the Assess inputs/steps required today by the Construction Industry in Sri Lanka to improve the Construction Industry in Sri Lanka to improve the management of quality.management of quality.
c)c) Propose how an improved Quality Management Propose how an improved Quality Management System could be implemented and maintained in System could be implemented and maintained in the construction industry of Sri Lanka and the construction industry of Sri Lanka and highlight the benefits that can be derived.highlight the benefits that can be derived.
1010
Scope of WorkScope of WorkObjective – best to be given in one sentence.Objective – best to be given in one sentence.
Do not bite what you cannot chewDo not bite what you cannot chew
E.g.:E.g.:
Develop “Quality Measurement Matrices” for the Develop “Quality Measurement Matrices” for the construction coordination processes given in Table 2construction coordination processes given in Table 2
The objectives of this research are to test the two The objectives of this research are to test the two hypotheses H1 and H2.hypotheses H1 and H2.
1111
Research MethodologyResearch MethodologyQuantitativeQuantitative
Difficult to go deepDifficult to go deepEasier to conduct surveysEasier to conduct surveysEasier to handle and Easier to handle and analyse dataanalyse dataYou have less controlYou have less controlEasier to arrive at a wrong Easier to arrive at a wrong conclusionconclusion
QualitativeQualitativeEasy to go deepEasy to go deepDifficult to conduct surveysDifficult to conduct surveysDifficult to handle and Difficult to handle and analyse dataanalyse dataYou have lots of controlYou have lots of controlEasier to arrive at a good Easier to arrive at a good conclusionconclusion
Mix the two methodsMix the two methodsFirst do a small, qualitative surveyFirst do a small, qualitative survey
Follow with an extensive quantitative surveyFollow with an extensive quantitative survey
1212
Mobilising ResourcesMobilising Resources
Literature searchLiterature search
Data collectingData collecting
AnalysisAnalysis
WritingWriting
Oral Exam and PresentationOral Exam and Presentation
1414
Literature SearchLiterature Search
Regular workRegular workRegular contact with the supervisorRegular contact with the supervisor
Research students/staffResearch students/staff
Reinventing the cartwheelReinventing the cartwheel
New publicationsNew publications
A few interviews with industry personnelA few interviews with industry personnel
1515
Data CollectingData CollectingReality:Reality:
Questionnaires – lucky if 10% returnsQuestionnaires – lucky if 10% returns
Whom to contact? Difficult to get interviews quickly.Whom to contact? Difficult to get interviews quickly.
Research students/staffResearch students/staff
Part-time students:Part-time students:UndergraduateUndergraduate
MSc and other postgraduateMSc and other postgraduate
1616
AnalysisAnalysisBoth a science and an artBoth a science and an art
Only practise can improveOnly practise can improve
Cognitive competencies (ability to identify)Cognitive competencies (ability to identify)
Discuss with the supervisorDiscuss with the supervisor
Present the data as you keep receivingPresent the data as you keep receiving
Explicitly ask for opinion/advice on analysisExplicitly ask for opinion/advice on analysis
Research students/staffResearch students/staff
Ask them to critique your workAsk them to critique your work
1717
WritingWritingStart earlyStart early
Make a structure, because you need a mapMake a structure, because you need a mapChapter 1: Proposed titleChapter 1: Proposed title
1.1 Section title (proposed)1.1 Section title (proposed)
1.2 Section title (proposed)1.2 Section title (proposed)
Chapter 2: Proposed titleChapter 2: Proposed title2.1 Section title (proposed)2.1 Section title (proposed)
– 2.1.2 Subsection title (proposed)2.1.2 Subsection title (proposed)
2.2 Section title (proposed)2.2 Section title (proposed)
Chapter 3: Proposed titleChapter 3: Proposed title
1818
WritingWritingWrite only what you really need to achieve the Write only what you really need to achieve the objectiveobjective
You may least expect somethings they really want to seeYou may least expect somethings they really want to see
Show the structure to the supervisorShow the structure to the supervisor
Explicitly ask for adviceExplicitly ask for advice
Regular output to the supervisor chapter-by-chapterRegular output to the supervisor chapter-by-chapter
Make use of CILL, English ClubMake use of CILL, English Club
Never wait till the last momentNever wait till the last moment
1919
Oral ExamOral ExamRead the dissertation wellRead the dissertation well
You can convince others, only if yourself is convincedYou can convince others, only if yourself is convinced
List your weaknesses and answers you will giveList your weaknesses and answers you will give
WeaknessWeakness Defence/Escape RouteDefence/Escape Route
Keep calmKeep calmRemember that you have studied in depthRemember that you have studied in depth
It is a discussion between well informed professionalsIt is a discussion between well informed professionals
2020
PresentationPresentationYou need to tell 3 times:You need to tell 3 times:
Tell them what you are going to sayTell them what you are going to say
Tell them what you need to sayTell them what you need to say
Summarise what you told themSummarise what you told them
Take command and be confidentTake command and be confident
Do not put too much information on any slideDo not put too much information on any slide
Do not exceed the timeDo not exceed the time
Practise your presentation many timesPractise your presentation many times
2121
PerfectingPerfecting
Possible when time is on your sidePossible when time is on your side
Getting proofread by a native English speakerGetting proofread by a native English speaker
Writing a publicationWriting a publication
International JournalInternational Journal
International ConferenceInternational Conference
2222
SummarySummary
Preparing yourselfPreparing yourself
ConceptualisingConceptualising
Mobilising resourcesMobilising resources
PerfectingPerfecting
2323
SummarySummary
Bite what you can chewBite what you can chew
Research must be focused and dig deepResearch must be focused and dig deep
Use all the resourcesUse all the resources
Have a mapHave a map
Have a programme and be on top of timeHave a programme and be on top of time
You can convince others, only if yourself is You can convince others, only if yourself is convincedconvinced