7001ENG

Research Methods for Engineers

Week 6: Presentation Methods
David Thiel
Griffith School of Engineering
 Statistics Quiz Summary
(max 20 Marks)
• 4000ENG Mean value 12 + 8
• 7001ENG Mean value 10 + 12
• 7001ENG on-line Mean Value 7 + 9

2
 Assignment 1: 20%
Abstract & Literature Review
This is 20% of the marks for the course
Issued: 7th August 2019
Due Date:4pm, 5th September 2019

The earlier you submit, the earlier you will

receive feedback. You should plan ahead!!

3
 Assignment 2: 60%
• Issued: 15th August 2019
• Due Date: 4pm, 4th October 2019
• Submit to learning@Griffith SafeAssign.
• Maximum six pages on the template.
Aim:To write a comprehensive paper with a
research plan based on extending the
research outlined in the journal paper you
have selected at the start of the course.
4
 Assignment 2
• In undertaking this exercise, you must demonstrate the following:
– Technical knowledge of the research topic
– A review of the previous work in the field (a literature review in which at
least 5 references which have been carefully analysed etc)
– A research plan including
• a research hypothesis,
• an outline of the planned methods to be used,
• the method of gaining and analysing the data,
• the statistical methods needed to prove your hypothesis.
– A time plan/schedule with 5 intermediate milestones with deliverables
– the research team needed to implement the plan,
– A cost estimate covering the salaries, equipment, travel etc.
– A correctly formatted list of references.
• You must demonstrate an understanding of the lecture material and the
workshops conducted during the course. Obvious inconsistencies with the
lecture material will degrade the final score significantly.
5
This will be covered in the next lectures
 Workshops Week 6, 7 & 8
• Student presentations
• Wednesday workshop is to review power
point presentation slides.
• Then your presentations begin!

6
 Preparing a Power Point
Presentation
• Maximum number of slides – one per
minute!
• Optimal number of slides – one per 2
minutes
• Use slides as a reminder of what you will
say.
• During your presentation, do not read what
is on the slides.
• 80 words maximum on each slide.
7
 Preparing a Power Point
Presentation
• Font size? (large!)
• Graphs? (large!)
• Colours? (clearly distinguishable, high contrast,
minimal background colour – not dark)
• Movies? (check on the presentation computer
before your talk – usually they don’t work!)
• Pictures? (not too dark)
• Lighting? (Keep the room lights up so you can
see the audience)
8
 Images
• You MUST acknowledge the source of
image if it is not yours including
– MS word image library
– Pictures taken from web sites
– Pictures taken from colleagues
– Graphs taken from papers etc
• Reference must be given in words and in
the caption

9
 Organisation: 10 minute talk
• Title slide (Name and affiliation) 1
• Introduction (Wider research context) 1
• Main text (method, apparatus, results) 4-6
• Conclusions + Thankyou 1
• References 1

• Blue is number of slides in each section

10
 Organisation: 2 minute talk
• Title slide (Name and affiliation) & Outline
& Wider research context. 1
• Main text (method, apparatus, results) 1
• Conclusions + Thankyou 1
• References 1

• Blue is number of slides in each section

11
 Nervous?
• Hints for overcoming nervousness:
• Memorise the first 2-3 sentences (opening
sentences).
• Make sure you have key words on your
power point to trigger your memory.
• Do not start speaking until the title slide is
visible to the audience.

12
 Being Polite! Before you speak
• Introduce yourself to the session chair
before the session starts.
• Load your presentation before the session
starts.
• Wait for the chair to introduce you before
you speak.
• Switch off your mobile telephone.

13
 Being Polite! During your talk
• Thank the chairperson for the introduction.
• Speak clearly
• Pretend you are talking to the back row of seats
in the room (project your voice).
• Acknowledge your co-authors in Slide 1.
• Rigidly stick to the allocated presentation time.
• Clearly indicate the presentation is finished by a
slide and say “thank you” to the audience.
• Do not invite questions from the audience. (This
is the role of the chair person)
14
 Being Polite! After your talk
• Go quickly back to your seat.
• Do not discuss your paper with others
during the next talk.
• If necessary, leave the room (politely – do
not slam the door).
• Once the session is complete, thank the
chair person.

15
 Why References?
• For scientific rigour.
• In case someone in the audience has
made a major contribution to the field.
• So the audience can follow up on your
previous publications.

16
 Student Workshops
• 2 minute talks (next two weeks of classes)
• I will send out a schedule:
– 4000ENG students Week 6 (Thursday & Week 8)
– 7001ENG on-campus students in Week 7
– 7001ENG on-line students (evening presentations).
• You will only have one chance (one time slot) to present
and to gain feedback. This is highly valuable feedback
for your final assignment presentation.
• Please send me your powerpoint slide on the day before
your scheduled class.
• The first class of presentations is Thursday this week.
17