UMBP0010 Research Methodology

Research Proposal Presentation and Thesis/Viva Preparation

Dr. Muhammad Hanif Ramlee, 7th April 2020

Research Proposal Presentation and Thesis/Viva Preparation

Dr. Muhammad Hanif Ramlee, PhD, BEng

Presentation Outlines

• My Profile

• 1.0 Introduction

• 2.0 Research Proposal

• 3.0 Preparation of Thesis

• 4.0 Tense in Proposal and Thesis

• 5.0 Proposal Defense

• 6.0 Viva Voce

My Profile Dr. Muhammad Hanif Ramlee, MIET (UK), PhD

(UTM), BEng (UTM)

• B.Eng. in Biomed. Eng (UTM, 2012)

• PhD in Biomed. Eng (UTM-UPMadrid, 2015)

• Post-Doctorate (UKM, 2016)

Current Position:

1. Senior lecturer and Chair for Student Development, SBEHS, FE, UTM

2. Deputy Director of Medical Devices and Technology Centre (MEDiTEC)

My Profile Expertise:

Biomechanics, biomaterials, rehabilitation eng. And biomedical design

Teaching course:

1. Intro to Biomed Eng

2. Statics and Dynamics

3. Lab 2, CDIO Lab and PBL Lab

4. Solid Mechanics

5. Rehabilitation Eng.

6. Biomed. Systems Design

7. Biomechanics

8. Research Methodology

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Research Process

This is a simple flow of research process:

1.0 Introduction

1.2 Level of Research

Level of research according to Degree level:

• Learning process in conducting a simple research/analysis with correct methodology

Bachelor

• Intensively solving a problem using more advanced methodology

Master

• Conducting many analysis with advanced methodology and proposing a new method/device/material/policy/technique

PhD

2.0 Research ProposalW

hat

is r

ese

arch

pro

po

sal? Ideas Scope

WrittenObjective

Plan Literature

In General:A research proposal is a written workable wellplanned ideas within a specific scope to achievetargeted objective

2.1 Research Proposal in Different Level

Bachelor

• Title

• Simple problem statement

• Objective

• Scope

• Significance

• Literature

• Materials and Methodology

• Expected Results

• Conclusion

Master/PhD

• Similar like Bachelor but more intensive and deeper

• How relevant is your study to community?

• What is specific and suitable method and procedure?

• How many samples?

• Benefits? Something new?

• How many papers want to publish? It is contribution to knowledge.

2.2 Content in Research Proposal

In our school practise, there is no template for research proposal.

But these are the important elements need to be included:

Chapter 3

•Data collection: CT scan of bone

•3D model development

•Finite element analysis

Chapter 4 | Results and Discussion

•3D model

•Stress and displacement

Conclusion

References

Title

•Concise and relevant within content

Chapter 1 | Introduction

•Background of study

•Problem statement

•Objective

•Scope

•Significance of study

Chapter 2 | Literature Review

•Eg: Anatomy of bone and tissue

•Eg: Previous study

2.2 Content in Research ProposalChapter 1 Introduction

Components:1.Background of study2.Problem statement3.Research objectives4.Scope5.Significance of study

2.2 Content in Research ProposalChapter 1 Introduction

1. Background of Study• Explain some data from previous works that related to your

study.

2.2 Content in Research ProposalChapter 1 Introduction

1. Background of Study• Explain similar study from previous published report.

2.2 Content in Research ProposalChapter 1 Introduction

1. Background of Study• Why you need to conduct such study?• Mention a bit about your research is to solve something

2.2 Content in Research ProposalChapter 1 Introduction

2. Problem statement• Identify the current problem that have been faced by many

researchers/users in worldwide

2.2 Content in Research ProposalChapter 1 Introduction

2. Problem statement• It is suggested to state at least 3 problems• Each problems should be explained in a single paragraph• If 3 problems, means you need to have at least 3 paragraph• The simple process as shown:

Explanation of the problem

Quote or rephrase wording from literature with

reference

State on how to solve the problem

2.2 Content in Research ProposalChapter 1 Introduction

3. Objective• Based on the problem statement, you need propose

objectives to solve the problem• Make it in a point form, example:

1. To develop a 3D model of bone from CT images via segmentation process

2. To analyse the model via finite element method for accessing stress and strain

3. To propose a new design of implant for treating ACL injury

2.2 Content in Research ProposalChapter 1 Introduction

3. Objective• Should start with ‘to’ and follow with action verb

Using SMART criteria to develop objectives

S: Specific

• Significant

• Simple

M: Measurable

• Meaningful

• Manageable

A: Attainable

• Appropriate

• Achievable

• Aligned

• Action-oriented

R: Relevant

• Realistic

• Result-oriented

• Resourced

T: Time-bound

• Time-oriented

• Tangible

2.2 Content in Research ProposalChapter 1 Introduction

4. Scope of study• Only one paragraph• Answering what, when and how• The sequence: What you do, how you do and when is the

sequence

2.2 Content in Research ProposalChapter 1 Introduction

5. Significance of study• The significance/importance of your study to the

world/community/environment/knowledge• We are not doing a research if the outcomes are not

important

2.2 Content in Research ProposalChapter 2 Literature Review

What is literature review?• It is your review/comment/thought that coming from your

reading/understanding on what you have read• The flow is below:

Search for literature (papers, book etc)

Read and understand

Capture important information

Write it in your words

Example of sub-topic in chapter 2

2.2 Content in Research ProposalChapter 3 Methodology

Must include:1. Flow chart2. Gantt chart3. List of materials4. Specific method

1. Flow chart

2. Gantt chart

2.2 Content in Research ProposalChapter 4 Expected Results

Must include:1. Your expectations from this study2. Your hypothesis

Eg: It is expected that this study can provide a valuable biomechanical information of stress and strain to researcher and doctors for treating fracture.

3.0 Preparation of Thesis3.1 What is thesis/dissertation?

What is thesis/dissertation?• A written work resulting from original research, especially one

submitted for a higher degree in a university. –Collins Concise Dictionary

& Thesaurus

• Two important elements in your thesis:1. A worthwhile problem or question which has not been

previously answered, but has been identified in your thesis2. Contribution to new knowledge

3.0 Preparation of Thesis3.2 Elements that examiners looking for

The examiners will read your thesis only (not all works that you have been done) to find answers for the following questions:1. What is the student’s research question?2. Is it a good question? Has been answered before?3. Did the student convince the examiners with good answer?4. Did the student follow right procedure to do research?5. Did the student have strong fundamental knowledge?6. Did the student analyse findings correctly?7. Has the student made contribution? Papers?

3.0 Preparation of Thesis3.3 Supervisor’s Expectation

First draft by chapters

Revision

Final draft

Proof read

Viva

3.0 Preparation of Thesis3.4 Content in Thesis

Conventional

• Chapter 1 Introduction

• Chapter 2 Literature Review

• Chapter 3 Methodology

• Chapter 4 Results

• Chapter 5 Discussion

• Chapter 6 Conclusion

• References

Publications

• Chapter 1 Introduction and Thesis Overview

• Chapter 2 Literature Review

• Chapter 3 Article 1

• Chapter 4 Article 2

• Chapter 5 Article 3

• Chapter 6 Conclusion

• References

Guidelines for thesis can be accessed from https://sps.utm.my/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/THESIS-GUIDELINES-070819.pdf or can download from elearning.

UTM thesis template can be found in the elearning.

My suggestions1. Start writing even your are still in semester 12. When you get idea (maybe during reviewing article), write it

on the spot. Make it point form and cite. Later you can modify the sentences.

3. Spend at least 5 minutes a day to write a sentence for your thesis. Do it everyday!

4. Remember, your thesis cannot be completed in 1 month! You must start now.

5. Your proposal can be converted into thesis later. So write your proposal carefully.

4.0 Tense in Proposal and Thesis

Proposal

• Intro and problem statement: present, future and past tense

• Obj: present

• Scope: future

• Significance: future

• Literature: present, future and past

• Method: future

• Results: future

Thesis

• Intro and problem statement: present, future and past

• Obj: present

• Scope: past

• Significance: future

• Literature: present, future and past

• Method: past

• Results: past

5.0 Proposal Defense

The flow prior to proposal defense

Send draft to SV

RevisionCompleted

Proposal

SV fill up form to

nominate examiners

Proposal and form submit to

school

Call for defensePD in which sem?

1. Master – sem 22. PhD – Sem 2 or 3

Requirement to seat PD:1. Research

Methodology course

2. General course by UTM

5.0 Proposal DefenseWhat are normally happen in PD?1. Presentations with max 15-25 minutes, depend on chair.2. Q and A is around 30-45 minutes.3. Examiners will look deeper on the submitted proposal, but during

defense they may not go deep on your slide. Make sure your proposal is good.

4. Normal question from examiners; fundamental issue, problem statement, how you can meet the objective, etc

5. If you don’t know to answer, just admit it. Don’t try to ‘goreng‘. 6. PD is a platform to get recommendation from examiners who are

experts in your research field. Good examiners will suggest something, not to make you fail.

6.0 Viva Voce

Fill up notification

form in GSMS

SV will approve

and nominate examiners

Send draft to SV

RevisionCompleted

Thesis

Thesis and form

submit to school

Call for viva

The flow to seat viva voce

6.0 Viva VoceWhat are normally happen in viva?1. Presentations with max 15-25 minutes, depend on chair.2. Q and A may up to 8 hours. Some cases happened! Don’t surprise with

it.3. Examiners will look deeper on the submitted thesis. They will ask

many questions during QnA session. For PhD, more fundamental theory will be asked.

4. Normal question from examiners; fundamental issue, problem statement, how you can meet the objective, what is the limitation etc

5. If you don’t know to answer, just admit it. Don’t try to ‘goreng‘. 6. Viva is a platform to test you orally either you are eligible to get

Master/PhD degree.

Assignment:1. Prepare a concise and detail of Gantt chart2. Submit through elearning3. Due is 20 April 2020

Wish you all the best for your studies!Good luck!