Preparing theDesign Project/Thesis Proposaland the IntroductionPolytechnic University of the PhilippinesComputer Engineering Department

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Design Project SchedulesJuly 1- Aug 23 Thesis title deliberation by the Thesis AdvisersAug 24 Parents Gen. AssemblyAug 24 Posting of final list of approved thesis title by the committeeSept 7 Submission of Chapter 1Sept 14 Submission of Chapter 2Sept 21 Submission of Chapter 3Sept 28 Submission of Docu (Ch 1-3)Sept 30 Oct 5 - Defense

What is a research project?

Research.

1.a. the systematic investigation into and study of materials, sources, etc, in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions. b. an endeavor to discover new or collate old facts etc by the scientific study of a subject or by a course of critical investigation. (The Oxford Concise dictionary )What is research?

What is research?Research is the manner in which we solve knotty problems in our attempt to push back the frontiers of human ignorance.

Research is a way of thinking.

Characteristics of ResearchResearch begins with a question in mind of the researcher.Research demands the identification of a problem, stated in a clear, unambiguous terms.Research requires a plan.Research deals with the main problem through appropriate subproblems.Research seeks direction through appropriate hypotheses and is based upon obvious assumptions.Research deals with facts and their meaning.Research is circular.

Applications of ResearchFrom the viewpoint ofThe service providerThe administratorManager/PlannerThe consumerThe professional

How many people are using the serviceor the product?

Why do some people use the service/product while others do not?

How effective is the service product?What are the needs of the community?

What types ofservice/product are needed by the community?

How many service providers are needed? Am I, a consumer,getting value for money?

How good are theservice providers?

What are the long-term effects of theproduct I am using? Which is the mostEffective interventionfor a particularproblem?

What is the relation-ship between X andY?

How valid is a particular theory in thepresent theory?

Types of ResearchFrom the viewpoint ofApplicationPure researchAppliedresearchDescriptive researchExploratoryresearchQuantitativeresearchCorrelationalresearchExplanatoryresearchQualitativeresearchObjectivesType of inform-ation sought

Where do I start?

Basic or Pure research acquisition of knowledge or formulating a theory and not necessarily practical application

- understanding the factors that influence human performance in man-machine systems.

- performed in well controlled and artificial situation.

Applied research more concerned with finding answers to practical problems than theory development.

Research FactorsArea of interest

The project that you intend to do should be within your area of interest or field of specializationNature and size of the problem

The nature and size of the problem that your project intends to solve can be done within the time frame you have set for yourself.

Economy

Consider the cost that the project will incur. The project you have in mind could make use of the locally available materials instead of the imported ones.Capabilities & limitations

The nature, description and specific use/s and beneficiaries of your project study are clear.

Uniqueness

The project study is something new or an invention which responds to a specific technological need/problem or an innovation which contributes to the improvement of the existing technologiesGood documentation

It is critical that you spend some time documenting your daily activities when engaged on a research project Effective time management

Research is labor intensive

Research CriteriaSpecificMeasurableAttainableRealisticTime-bound

Finding a Problem

In general, scientific problems fall into 3 distinct categories:

Filling a gap in existing research.

Resolving contradictory experimental results.

Explaining the occurrence of an unexplained fact.

How do you know whether or not your topic is a good one?

General Rules

If possible, choose a topic that interests you.Be sure your topic is neither too broad nor too narrow for the assignment you have been given.Choose a topic about which there is likely to be information available in the library and/or on the Internet.If you are selecting your own topic (rather than choosing from a list provided by your instructor) make sure your instructor approves your topic before you start your research.

Stage 1Define Stage 2Plan Stage 3 Conduct Stage 4 Analyze Stage 5 InterpretDevelop IdeaReview LiteratureState ProblemDevelop HypothesisDefine VariablesDesign ExperimentsDef. Controls & ApparatusDefine ProceduresSelect SubjectsPretestExperimentCollectDataReduceDataCalculateStatisticsEstimateParametersTest HypothesisDraw InferencesGeneralizeResultsReportExperiment

Chapter 1Contents

IntroductionStatement of the ProblemObjectives (General and Specific) Scope and LimitationsProject Rationale/Significance of the StudyDefinition of Terms

How to Write the IntroductionThe introduction should not be long as long as the following questions are answered:What was the problem or what is the research all about?Why was it necessary to solve the problem or work on it, or why is the problem/work important, or why did I do the work?What were the findings of previous authors who worked on aspects related to the problem or what has been done about it before I started the work?What did I expect to accomplish(objectives) or prove (hypothesis)?

Statement of the Problem

a clear, concise, well-supported statement of the problem to be overcome could include data collected during a needs assessment that would illustrate the problems to be addressed must be based onfact

Statement of the Problem

use objective languagethe observations you make about the problem are from the perspective of an observer looking at it dispassionately, without his or her own qualitative or subjective views being expressed

Stating the ProblemState the problem clearlyDiscuss problem by giving information:- why it is a problem- how long it has been a problem- the situation in which it is encountered- other pertinent information3. Cite previous works or review relevant to the problem

IntroductionStatement of the Problem Guide Questions

What is happening? Describe the problem/needs you want to address by providing data/statistics, historical information, etcWhy is it happening? Describe the causes of the problem or circumstances creating the need by providing literature reviews, historical informationWhat is being done or what will be done? Identify approaches or solutions to the problem

Statement of the Problem

If you have found a thesis statement, try fitting it into one or more of the following: Most people believe that ___________, but a closer look will show that __________. What we know about _________ is that __________; what we dont know is _________.

Statement of the Problem

If you have found a thesis statement, try fitting it into one or more of the following (cont):If we (do not) understand __________, we will (not) understand __________. The researcher is analyzing/comparing ___________ so that he can explain/understand __________.

ExampleStatement of the Problem There is currently a lack of research available on the questioning techniques used by early childhood teachers during oral reading time. Therefore, a study to support that an Early Childhood teachers perception of the importance of higher cognitive questioning techniques impacts the implementation of the questioning techniques done in the classroom. To accomplish this study, kindergarten and pre-kindergarten teachers will be interviewed and observed during oral reading time.

ExampleMain Problem

How to reduce if not eliminate the inaccuracies and/or inconsistencies of the present attendance/time monitoring system of the faculty and staff?

Specific Problems

The time/attendance record of the faculty and staff which is the basis of salary computation is unreliableThe available commercial computer software for attendance monitoring is very expensiveThe computation of salaries/honorarium is done manually which is a very slow process.

IntroductionObjectives

statements of the intended outcomes of the projectprojects the major anticipated findings that will form the major conclusions of the research; thus, they serve to guide the work to be doneObjectives and conclusions should match; i.e. if you state an objective, you should expect to produce a conclusion stating how, or if, the objective was met.

IntroductionObjectives

addresses the Statement of the Problemspecific, measurable outcomes (quantitative/objective )must not confuse objectives with methods (what to do, not how to do something)

IntroductionObjectives

if subjective/qualitative, must be supported by quantitative/objective proofQuantitative: The project aims at increasing the speed of Quick Sort twice as much byQualitative: The project aims at developing a computer-aided instruction that will improve the learning attitude of students.

IntroductionGeneral Objective

provide a short statement of the development goal being pursued by the research

IntroductionSpecific Objectives

operational in nature unequivocal; must be precise and have only one interpretation objectives against which the success of the project will be judged

IntroductionGeneral objective:

The general objective of this project is to develop an affordable amd comprehensive computer-aided instruction courseware in Data Structures that is adaptive to the needs and preferences of the learner.

ObjectivesSpecific objectives:

Develop a set of instructional design principles for instruction and to evaluate those principles using existing evaluation methods Survey courseware prices and produce an affordable option.Implement the Data Structures curriculum as defined in IEEE Computer Society.Develop a learner analyzer module that will assess the learner's knowledge scope of the topic, learning pace, and interface preferences.Develop content knowledge base from which the learner analyzer will gather content to be delivered to each type of learner.

IntroductionScope and Limitation

This section describes the scope of the project and what the size of the sample.The characteristics of the sample size will be specified in this section including the limitations of the project in any possible areas.Defines what the study is all about

Scope and LimitationsScope & Limitation Example 1:

The techniques demonstrated in Critters are most useful for animation and mouse interaction, though they are not limited to those areas. This section discusses some of the strengths and limitations of Critters. Many of the limitations could be avoided by adding new primitives, but in most cases the additions would not take advantage of the strengths of geometric computation.

IntroductionScope & Limitation Example 2:

One major limitation is that Critters has no way of using text. Although it can respond to single keypresses and mouse clicks, it has no support for drawing characters or manipulating strings. Interfaces to host operating system services such as the file system or process control are also unavailable.

IntroductionScope & Limitation Example 3:

The project is not a feasibility study of implementing Computer-aided Instruction (CAI) in the preschool. Though the teaching methodologies are studied, it is not the intention of the researcher to analyze the efficacy of the present curriculum.

IntroductionScope & Limitation Example 4:

It is not the intent of this thesis to find alternative methods of long distance education, but to seek out ways to supplement, complement, and enhance the education for students at ADMU.

Significance of the Study

Presents the value of the study, not only to the researcher but also to other stakeholders.Must contain explanations or discussions of any or all of the following:The rationaleTimeliness and/or relevance of the studyPossible solutions to existing problems or improvement to unsatisfactory conditionsWho are the beneficiaries and what are their benefits.Possible contribution to the body of knowledge Possible implications

IntroductionRationale/Significance of the Study Example 1:

The development of a learner analyzer would allow computer-aided instruction systems to adjust to the needs and preferences of learners. This has the potential to become the method of analyzing learners and design a course curriculum pattern, pacing, and interface that well suits different users.

IntroductionRationale/Significance of the Study Example 2:

This project will benefit NPS by providing a set of validated guidelines for web-based instruction. It will assist professors in designing better courses over the web (and perhaps, from anywhere in the world).

Definition of Terms

Defines the words that have other meaning when used in the study.Can be define according to the definition of dictionary.

Example

Students - a person who are officially enrolled in PUP.

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