Mohammad Ali Jinnah University

Islamabad Campus

Department of Mechanical
Engineering

Research Methodologies - ME5703 (Core)

Credits: 3
No. of Sessions per week: 1
Session Duration: 170 min
Semester: Spring 2015
Course Instructor
Dr. Azfar Khalid
Faculty Office-2, 2nd Floor, E Block
Phone: 272
E-mail: azfar.khalid@jinnah.edu.pk

Class Timings
Wednesday: 1800-2050

Office Hours
Wednesday: 1700-1800

Catalog Data
Course Objectives
This graduate level course provides a comprehensive introduction to research methodologies,
research theories and protocols. Students in the course learn about nature of applied research and the
iterative process of research writing. The course teaches students about writing research papers,
dissertations and proposals. The course will motivate students to engage in independent studies, and
work collaboratively under supervisor. Throughout the course, students will learn how research
projects can emanate from specific intellectual interests and recognize the process of knowledge
creation.
In summary, the course helps graduate students become novice researchers, and it encourages them
to continue looking for opportunities even after the completion of course to further develop their
research skills. The fundamental objective of the course is to develop an understanding of the
fundamental principles of research methodology which can be utilized for research conduction all
through their academic and professional career.

Textbook
1. Research Methods: A Modular Approach, Sherri L Jackson, 2nd Edition, 2010.
2. Your Research Project, Nicholas Walliman, 3rd Edition, SAGE, 2011.

Reference Material
3. Research Methods for Business Students, Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis, Adrian Thornhill, 5th
Edition, Pearson, 2009.

Department of Mechanical
Engineering

Mohammad Ali Jinnah University

Islamabad Campus

4. Research Design, John W Creswell, 4th Edition, SAGE, 2014.

5. Research Methods, William M. K. Trochim, 2nd Edition, Biztantra.
6. Selected lecture notes.

Course Outline
WEEK 1: Fundamental Characteristics of Science, Technology and Scientists: Scientific Thinking skills
WEEK 2: An Introduction to Research, Research Process and Environment
WEEK 3: You as a Writer, Research Planning and Preparation
WEEK 4: Formulation of Research Topic, Reading a Research Paper
WEEK 5: Formulation of Research Design
WEEK 6: Literature Search and Review I
WEEK 7: Literature Search and Review II
WEEK 8: Scientific Methods in Research
WEEK 9: MID TERM EXAM
WEEK 10: Quantitative Research Methods
WEEK 11: Qualitative Research Methods
WEEK 12: Research Papers (Types and Structures)
WEEK 13: Dissertation Writing
WEEK 14: Ethics in Research, Plagiarism Policies
WEEK 15: Citation Styles and Methods
WEEK 16: Time Management Skills in Research
WEEK 17: Defining, Measuring and Manipulating Variables, Reliability of research
WEEK 18: END TERM EXAM

Computer Usage
MS office, Bibliography software (End Note).

Mohammad Ali Jinnah University

Islamabad Campus

Department of Mechanical
Engineering

Projects /Design Activities

To encourage students to write research papers, it has been made mandatory as a final project. The
projects will be executed in groups and contains research work of the related research areas. The project
will be incorporated into the course as the final visual presentation and a final report in the form of
Journal or Conference paper. Format of the final paper will be provided by instructor at later date. All
figures, tables and references should be included in the paper. Instructions on making the relevant
research visuals will be provided in the class.

Evaluation Methods
1. Assignments

5%

2. Project

30%

3. Quizzes

10%

4. Midterm Exam

20%

5. Final Exams

35%

Miscellaneous Instructions:
a) Absentees in Quizzes will be marked ZERO.
b) All students will submit their projects in both hard and soft form.
c) Submitted work for this course must be original.
d) Any form of cheating will lead to CANCELLATION of Assignment/ Quiz/project. Beware of the
power of Turnitin.
e) Please keep reading your e-mails and keep visiting portal daily so as to remain in picture and
knowledgeable about any new class instructions.