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Semester 1

Research Methods for Engineers 5 (CIVE11051)

Subject

Civil Engineering

College

SCE

Credits

10

Normal Year Taken

4

Delivery Session Year

2023/2024

Pre-requisites

Course Summary

This course provides an introduction to research and research methods in general. This is done through a consideration of the process of research and a detailed overview of the methods which are appropriate to the students in the programme. The course will also consider practical aspects of research dissemination using visual (poster) and written documents.

Course Description

Course topics include:Problem identification and framing- Research is presented as a transformative process, moving the doer and the user of research from a position of need to knowledge. The nature of this 'need' or demand is understood, allowing the student to appreciate their research domain in terms of who the beneficiaries are, why the research is needed and what difference it will make. This allows research to be 'framed' and generates candidates for the aims and research questions for investigation.Literature and industry context- Before a plan for research is finalised, and before the research intentions are understood, the specific context of both scholarly theory and industry practice need to be appreciated. Traditionally this is known as the 'Literature Review', though we will explore the use of that term and appreciate its fuller purpose. Sessions here will consider the process of literature discovery and identifying gaps in the knowledge of the problem domain. This part of the course will also focus on the reviewing of literature and critical writing.Academic publishing and dissemination- In combination with the previous topic of understanding the problem domain context, this part of the course will provide additional value through a review of the academic publishing process, from writing, to peer-review, open-access, impact and contribution. This part of the course will allow a broader and more nuanced understanding of the purpose of academic and research, allowing students to place their own work, its needs and contributions in a wider and more holistic context. It will also introduce the concept of research ethics, from both the view point of protecting the research subject and also of integrity in research practice.Research philosophy and methodology- The possible approaches to research are extremely broad and choices are made dependent on the problem itself and what is hoped to be achieved. This session will first explore the pluralism in research, understanding that there are 'natural science' and 'social science' paradigms. It will consider the issues of how we know, or epistemology, together with more philosophical issues such as how we know what exists or ontology. Students will understand how these concepts affect how they might approach their investigations and lead to questions over interpretivist or positivist frameworks.Research methods- As a direct follow-on from methodology students will then understand the more pragmatic aspects of how research is to be done. Methods will be presented from deductive or inductive and exploratory or explanatory viewpoints. The concepts of qualitative or quantitative study are explored and understanding of common research methods, particularly for quantitative work, will be provided.Analysis tools- Some common tools associated with qualitative and quantitative research are presented. Students will understand that the tools chosen will match the research paradigms previously set. Instruction in the use of statistical tools and thematic analysis in particular will be provided.Interpretation, making sense, conclusion and contribution- The whole purpose of research is explored again which results in the understanding that research has no value if its outcomes are not explored and its contribution not captured. This process is referred to as 'making-sense' and is as important in qualitative as quantitative work. The interpretation and making sense phase of research leads to concepts such as discussion and conclusion in academic writing; or executive summary and recommendations in technical writing.Academic dissemination- Finally the course will provide guidance and instruction in the process of academic writing and the production of a final thesis or dissertation.- Other forms of dissemination will also be covered, including conference poster and presentationThe course will be assessed by the preparation of a Literature Review that includes:- An encapsulation of a relevant problem area or 'research domain' that allows a problem identification and definition- A clear identification of both the beneficiaries of their proposed work and what the benefit will potentially be- An understanding of the academic and industrial context of their proposed work

Assessment Information

Written Exam 0%, Coursework 100%, Practical Exam 0%

Additional Assessment Information

Coursework: 100%

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