RESEARCH METHODOLOGY FOR MPHIL AND PHD (UEMP 6013)

  • COURSE INFORMATION

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    This foundational course introduces the principles of research methodology that are applicable to any engineering discipline, with emphasis on Mechanical Engineering (ME), equipping students with the knowledge and skills to conduct systematic and rigorous academic research. It covers research philosophy, problem formulation, literature review, methodology and design, data collection, statistical analysis, proposal and thesis preparation, professional ethics, and research management. The course is delivered through lectures, active learning, and research-led teaching with emphasis on problem-solving and application. By the end, students will be able to design and justify research plans, apply appropriate data collection and analysis methods, and prepare proposals that demonstrate methodological rigor and ethical integrity.


    COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
    1. Analyse a research problem using critical thinking competency by defining challenges, evaluating significance, and outlining objectives systematically.
    2. Formulate original research problem independently using integrated problem-solving competency by critically evaluatiing literature, surfacing gaps, assumptions and biases, and aligning questions with the selected SDG focus where appropriate.
    3. Exhibit compliance with the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) using normative competency by applying ethical codes, and responsible use of AI in preparing the research proposal.
    4. Compose a review paper using critical thinking competency by synthesising and discussing literature with evidence-based arguments.
    5. Deliver a professional research proposal presentation by effectively using collaboration competency with inclusive digital communication tools and respectful Q&A practices.

  • SYLLABUS

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    INTRODUCTION
    • What is knowledge
    • Philosophy of knowledge
    • Types of research
    • Introduction to Scientific methods
    • Why / Purpose of research?
    • Level of research ; Master or PhD
    • Research Process

    RESEARCH ETHICS
    • Ethics and Integrity in Research
    • Ethical Principles & History of ethical principle -
    • Helsinki declaration
    • Scope of Clinical and Non-Clinical research

    PROBLEM FORMULATION
    • What is research problem?
    • Why need to formulate the research problem?
    • Step in formulating research problem
    • How to identify the research problem?
    • Formulation of Problem Statement
    • Formulation of Aim/Purpose statement
    • Formulating research question and / or hypothesis
    • Identify research objectives
    • Scope of research: criteria for Masters vs Doctoral Level of research.
    • Expected outcome of research
    • Significance and importance of research

    LIBRARY AND INFORMATION RETRIEVAL SKILLS IN PSZ
    • Learn how to optimize the usage of the UTM library.
    • What the library can do for you.

    LITERATURE REVIEW
    • Analysing and identifying various kinds and levels of credibility of literature sources
    • Rationale for literature review
    • Approaches of Literature review (systematic literature review)
    • Framework of literature review
    • Writing critical review (research areas, research issues, research gap)
    • Managing reading material
    • Making proper citation and referencing

    RESEARCH DESIGN
    • Relationship between methodology & design
    • Critical review on solution approach (alternative techniques, issues and trend)
    • Purpose of research design
    • Developing Conceptual and operational framework
    • Types of research design (Theory building/ testing/extension; Inductive/deductive)
    • Steps in Research Design
    • Statistical data analysis and interpretation

    ETHICS AND RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT OF RESEARCH
    • Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) and Ethics
    • Fabrication, Falsification and Plagiarism
    • Malaysian Code of RCR

    ACADEMIC WRITING
    • Writing research proposal, format
    • Tips on writing, general structure, citations, reference style, appendices,
    • Presentation of data in tables and graphs
    • Presentation and commentary of results (interpretation of results and findings)
    • Significance of findings and comparison to existing works
    • Procedures in writing thesis and journal articles
    • Review of UTM Thesis format
    • Preparing and making oral seminar presentation

    RESEARCH MANAGEMENT
    • Roles of student and supervisor and examination panels (Chairman, Internal / External Examiner)
    • Graduating on Time (GOT)
    • Rules and regulation
    • Ethics of doing research
    • Funding for research
    • Project planning (research project management: planning, schedule and monitoring (milestone and deliverables)

  • SLIDE

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PRESENTATION (not more than 15 minutes)

For the Excel map, please show your Excel map and briefly explain how you grouped or classified the knowledge or information from your reading. What is the most exciting new knowledge you discovered from your reading.

Please show the progress you have made on your proposal. It is sufficient to write starting from Chapter One. It would be even better if you use the UTM thesis format. Clearly present your proposal title, objectives, scope and significance of the study. Additionally, show the writing structure or sub-topics you plan to include in the literature review chapter. Briefly explain the step-by-step process of your study and the methods you will use to obtain your results.

For review paper writing, please show the progress of the review paper you have written so far, including the structure of your review paper. Ensure that your review paper aligns with the knowledge grouping you organized in your Excel map.

Good Luck !!!

  • ASSESSMENT

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    Assignment #1: Codename: Excel map
    • Based on the number of papers you used in your literature review and the Excel map you created.
    • Submit in MS Excel table.
    • Minimum 50 references.

    Assignment #2: Codename: Proposal
    • Write your research proposal in a complete and structured format that includes the title, problem statement, objectives, scope, significance of the study, literature review, and methodology.
    • Minimum 50 references.
    • The proposal must contain a minimum of fifty references and follow the official thesis format of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM).
    • Abstract, list of figures, and other additional sections are not required.
    • Submit the proposal in PDF format.

    Assignment #3: Codename: Review paper
    • Write a short review paper using the Jurnal Mekanika format.
    • Minimum of 25 references.
    • Submit the paper in PDF format.

    Presentation: In class or join "The Engineer Story".
    • Based on your presentation content, slide quality, and your ability to defend your ideas professionally.

    NO FINAL EXAM FOR THIS COURSE.
    * Students must attend no less than 80% of the lecture hours required for the subject and submit all required assignments.

  • REFERENCES

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    1. Engineering Ethics (4th Edition), Charles B. Fleddermann, Prentice Hall; 4 edition (August 14, 2011)
    2. Engineering Professionalism and Ethics, 4th Edition, The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia, 1995
    3. Occupational Safety And Health Act and Regulations, Laws of Malaysia Act 514, MDC Publishers SdnBhd, Kuala Lumpur 2003.
    4. Ethical Problems in Enginering, Alger P.L, John Wiley & Son 1965
    5. Professional Ethics, Bayles, M.D, Wadsworth Pub. Co, California 1981
    6. The Professional Engineers in Society by S. Colin
    7. Factories and Machinery Acts with Regulations, MDC Publ. Sdn. Bhd., 1997
    8. Wu Min Aun, Industrial Relations Act, 1967 (Updated till 1980), The Industrial Relations Law of Malaysia, Heinmann Education Books (Asia) Ltd., 1985.
    9. Safety at Work, 4th Edition, J. Ridley (Editor), Butterworth, Heinmann Ltd. 1904, UK.
    10. Ethnics in Engineering, Mike W. Martin and Roland Schinzinger, 4th Edition, Mc Graw-Hill Companies, Inc., New York, 2005.Thiel, D. V. (2014).
    11. Research methods for engineers. Cambridge University Press.Bethea, R. M. (2018).
    12. Statistical methods for engineers and scientists. Routledge