| Title: | Engineering Research Skills |
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| Long Title: | Engineering Research Skills |
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| Field of Study: |
Interdisciplinary Engineering
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| Valid From: |
Semester 1 - 2019/20 ( September 2019 ) |
| Module Coordinator: |
DES WALSH |
| Module Author: |
NIAMH POWER |
| Module Description: |
The learner develops a project brief from a broad area of engineering research, identifying areas where further research is required. The project brief is to include development of aims and objectives for the research project. The learner will develop engineering specific research skills including design of experiments. The learner will also be introduced to a range of advanced problem solving techniques. |
| Learning Outcomes |
| On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to: |
| LO1 |
Develop a project brief with aims and objectives in an identified area where further research is required. |
| LO2 |
Design experiments, analyse experimental data, validate results, and present the findings. |
| LO3 |
Apply problem solving techniques such as risk assessment and decision analysis to engineering problems. |
| LO4 |
Apply advanced data analysis techniques to datasets in an engineering context. |
| Pre-requisite learning |
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
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Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list. |
| No incompatible modules listed |
Co-requisite Modules
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| No Co-requisite modules listed |
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
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| No requirements listed |
Module Content & Assessment
| Indicative Content |
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Research Methods
Engineering research methods; literature review, project planning and management, research methodology, written and oral communications, plagiarism, research ethics, project brief (aims and objectives), intellectual property and technology transfer in research.
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Project Brief
Identify areas where further research is required. Outline project aims and objectives and present a work schedule demonstrating how these aims/objectives will be achieved. The work schedule should be achievable and demonstrate the scope, feasibility, technical complexity and appropriateness of the proposed work.
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Design of Experiments
Introduction to structured approaches to the design of experiments, including data analysis, validation of results and error analysis. Develop an experimental design plan to critically evaluate the number and range of required experiments.
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Problem Solving Techniques
Problem solving techniques for engineering including statistical approaches to risk assessment (logic frequency, statistical models, judgement and Bayes Theorem) and decision analysis (primitive models and drawback, decision trees).
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Data Analysis Techniques
Data mining for the extraction of consistent patterns and/or systematic relationships between variables from large datasets. Application of techniques such as genetic algorithms, regression analysis, and clustering to engineering problems.
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| Assessment Breakdown | % |
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| Course Work | 100.00% |
| Course Work |
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| Assessment Type |
Assessment Description |
Outcome addressed |
% of total |
Assessment Date |
| Project |
Apply risk assessment and decision analysis techniques to an engineering problem |
3 |
25.0 |
Week 9 |
| Written Report |
Develop a project brief complete with aims and objects |
1 |
25.0 |
Week 12 |
| Project |
Apply data analysis techniques to an engineering problem; design an experiment and conduct related analysis for an engineering research proposal. |
2,4 |
50.0 |
Week 13 |
| No End of Module Formal Examination |
| Reassessment Requirement |
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.
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The institute reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment
Module Workload
| Workload: Full Time |
| Workload Type |
Workload Description |
Hours |
Frequency |
Average Weekly Learner Workload |
| Lecture |
Delivery of engineering research skills |
1.5 |
Every Week |
1.50 |
| Lecture |
Preparation of project brief |
0.5 |
Every Week |
0.50 |
| Independent Learning |
Application of research skills |
5.0 |
Every Week |
5.00 |
| Total Hours |
7.00 |
| Total Weekly Learner Workload |
7.00 |
| Total Weekly Contact Hours |
2.00 |
| Workload: Part Time |
| Workload Type |
Workload Description |
Hours |
Frequency |
Average Weekly Learner Workload |
| Lecture |
Delivery of engineering research skills |
1.5 |
Every Week |
1.50 |
| Lecturer-Supervised Learning (Contact) |
Preparation of project brief |
0.5 |
Every Week |
0.50 |
| Independent Learning |
Application of research skills |
5.0 |
Every Week |
5.00 |
| Total Hours |
7.00 |
| Total Weekly Learner Workload |
7.00 |
| Total Weekly Contact Hours |
2.00 |
Module Resources
| Recommended Book Resources |
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- Tony Greenfield and Sue Greener 2016, Research Methods for Postgraduates, 3rd Ed., John Wiley & Sons [ISBN: 9781118341469]
- Peter Levin 2011, Excellent Dissertations, Student Friendly Guidelines, 2nd Ed., Open University Press [ISBN: 9780335238637]
- Gina Wisker 2008, The postgraduate research handbook, 2nd Ed., Palgrave London [ISBN: 9780230521308]
- John A. Sharp, John Peters, Keith Howard, and John Peters 2002, The Management of a Student Research Project, 3rd Ed. [ISBN: 978075468548]
| | Supplementary Book Resources |
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- Edited by Andrew Knight, Les Ruddock 2009, Advanced research methods in the built environment, Wiley Blackwell [ISBN: 9781444309515]
- Robert K. Yin 2014, Case study research: design and methods, 5th Ed. [ISBN: 9781452242569]
| | This module does not have any article/paper resources |
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| Other Resources |
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Module Delivered in
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