WRITING FINAL YEAR PROJECT

BY: NORZILA OTHMAN

Final Year Project is aim at introducing engineering applications to students through research.

For your Final Year Project (2+4 credits) define your research statement through the title of the research work within your scopes (time limit, research apparatus and tools availability, manpower available and data resources availability)

Types of Final Year Project: Research Study - focus on the behaviour, phenomenon or characteristics of an event or process. Findings are in the form of data, observation and analysis which will elevate the understanding of the subject. Design and Build - focus on the design and build according to a certain specification, standards and technical requirements. Expected finding is a design and build. Model Development- focus on the development and application of a model, could be physical, theoretical or numerical in particular field of interest. Case Study - involves the study on a particular case or topic. Expected finding is in the form of critical summary on the subject. Industrial-based Innovation and Problem Solving - based on industrial innovation and problem solving. Findings are in the form of industrial needs and requirements subjected to Faculty regulations.

Student Responsibilities: constantly meet supervisor to discuss the needs and improvement of your research (at least once a week) be pro-active - take the initiatives to solve the arising problems before discussion with supervisor record everything in terms of log book and draft of thesis and summarize them in seminar paper and the final chapters of thesis.

CHARACTERISTIC OF GOOD THESIS

Material focus & specific Material presented is original Title, abstract, keyword reflect the content Clear objective Variable, parameters, method clearly defined Result well presented, discuss and interpreted No inconsistence in tables, figure, references Conclusions logical & clearly Citation in writing & list of reference consistent

STRUCTURE OF THESIS
ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION LITERATURE REVIEW RESEARCH METHOODOLOGY RESULT & DISCUSSION CONCLUSION RECOMMENDATION REFERENCES APPENDICES

ABSTRACT It is a brief summary which include the research question, the rationale for the study, the hypothesis (if any), the method and the main findings. Descriptions of the method may include the design, procedures, the sample and any instruments that will be used. Important to attract readers.

BACKGROUND (CHAPTER 1)
Must chart out what other have done in the field being investigated (summary of work) In figure type, table, brief explanation Explain on the background from general information (first paragraph) to specific issue.

PROBLEM STATEMENT
Describe the present situation What is wrong with the present What need to be done (idea that reflect your title)

OBJECTIVE
Worded in clear sentences Specific & measurable Ensure that the method adopted, the result presented & conclusion are consistent with objective Ex: to determine concentration to optimize condition to quantitatively

SCOPE OF WORK
Inform the nature of the study (field, lab, survey, simulation/modeling) Extend different test conducted Limitation of study A brief research (flowchart)

LITERATURE REVIEW
Provide thorough & comprehensive review of studies reported in literature Establish weakness & gaps in the current body of knowledge All references used must be cited in the reference list Students are advised to used current info from journal (2001-2011)

Problems encountered by students in LR: Lacking focus and organization Being repetitive and citing irrelevant references Failing to cite influential papers, keep up with recent developments, critically evaluate cited papers Depending too much on secondary sources

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Methodology tells how you plan to tackle your research problem. Provide your work plan and describe the activities necessary for the completion of your project - Gantt chart Provide sufficient details to ensure the methodology is sound and another researcher could continue or implement relevant study. Demonstrate knowledge of alternative methods and show that your approach is the most appropriate. Describe how you will collect and analyze your data.(Sampling location Sampling procedure Sample preparation Experimental set up & procedures

For quantitative studies, the methodology typically consists of design, variables, instruments and procedure.

RESULT & DISCUSSION

Present & Discuss experimental result Show result in tables, chart, graphs Scatter plot Line plot (continuous observation) 4 main discussion *state what can be obviously seen in the figure (qualitative) *Explain the result quantitatively *provide possible explanation *Comparison of observed data with theoretical/previous work

CONCLUSION
The objectives outline in the beginning of the thesis had been fulfilled

Make the strongest and most important statement from your observations so that the reader remembers your work. Refer back to problem posed, and describe the conclusions that you reached from carrying out this investigation, summarize new observations, new interpretations, and new insights that have resulted from the present work. Include the broader implications of your results. Do not repeat the words in the abstract, introduction or discussion.

RECOMMENDATION
Based on problem & question that need further investigation Starting point for future research

References Appendices

PLAGIARISM

Copying or stealing someone elses words or ideas and claiming or presenting them as if they were your own. However, within this definition there are many different types of plagiarism

Academic plagiarism occurs when a student presents another person's words or ideas as his own in an academic paper without attributing the source

The most important thing to do when writing an academic paper is to cite your sources as soon as you've added their words or ideas into your paper. It is also important to keep good records when taking notes from research. it is important for a student to know how to quote, summarize and paraphrase properly.