Guide to research projects for engineering students: planning, writing and presenting
Detailed item info
Description
Presents an Integrated Approach, Providing Clear and Practical Guidelines Are you a student facing your first serious research project? If you are, it is likely that you'll be, firstly, overwhelmed by the magnitude of the task, and secondly, lost as to how to go about it. What you really need is a guide to walk you through all aspects of the research project, from planning and conducting your research project to writing and presenting it. Guide to Research Projects for Engineering Students: Planning, Writing and Presenting is the guide you need to do the job efficiently. Specifically Designed with Engineering and Technical Science Students in Mind The book is organized into three sections, broken down into concise chapters that focus on a specific topic and the skills required. The section on planning shows you how to choose a project, research a topic, write a project proposal, plan the project, select methods and methodologies, and keep records. The section on writing provides help on writing the different sections of a research report as well as introduces you to the strategies and language conventions required for writing an effective research report. Finally, the section on presenting covers creating effective figures and layout, preparing for a project presentation, and the dos and don'ts in delivering a presentation. Advice on how to use IT tools effectively is given throughout the book. * Contains highly practical content-includes tips on how to conduct research, write it up effectively, and avoid common errors and pitfalls in grammar and style * Offers guidance on using IT tools (which are indispensable in research) * Includes pertinent examples of best practices on conducting research and research writing The authors have drawn on their many years of experience teaching engineering students, either in supervising engineering students in their research projects or teaching technical communication skills.
Key Features
Author(s) Carmel Lee-Hsia Heah, Eng Choon Leong, Kenneth Keng Wee Ong
Publisher Apple Academic Press Inc.
Date of Publication 29/07/2015
Language English
Format PDF
ISBN-10 1482238772
ISBN-13 9781482238778
Subject Technology: General & Reference
Publication Data
Place of Publication Oakville
Country of Publication Canada
Imprint Apple Academic Press Inc.
Content Note 43 black & white illustrations, 42 black & white tables
Dimensions
Weight 430 g
Width 156 mm
Height 235 mm
Spine 15 mm
Description
Table Of Contents Introduction Cognitive skills Role of supervisor Writing skills Information and technology skills Reference Frequently asked questions (FAQs) PART I Planning Choosing a research project Before you choose a research project Basic considerations for choosing a research project Advice for undergraduate students Advice for postgraduate students Reference Researching a topic Keywords Sources of information Types of information Writing a research project proposal Purpose of a research proposal Structure of a research proposal Other considerations Tips on writing style and language in a research proposal Checklist for writing a research proposal References Planning a research project Phases of a research project Project management Be accountable Be focused on your objectives Be realistic Keep interested Tips on making a Gantt chart References Research methodology and research methods Research methodology Research methods References Keeping research records Purpose of keeping a research log Contents in a research log Using a research log Writing a research log Recording literature searches Hardcopy versus electronic copy Things to avoid in keeping a research log Rules on keeping a research log References PART II Writing Starting to write Starting to write Writing at the beginning of a project Managing your writing Avoiding procrastination Grammar, punctuation and word usage guide Common grammar problems Common sentence problems Common punctuation problems Commonly misused and confused words and phrases Reference Do's and don'ts of technical writing Do's of technical writing Don'ts of technical writing Reference Strategies for writing a good report or thesis Learn from others Start early Write the first draft quickly Use a template Revising and checking for plagiarism Writing the introduction and literature review Components of an introduction Strategic use of steps in the different parts of an introduction and literature review Common logical pitfalls in an introduction Some key language features of an introduction and literature review Writing the literature review as a separate section or chapter Checklist for introduction and literature review References Other references Writing the materials and methods Components of materials and methods Some considerations in writing materials and methods Some key language features in materials and methods Checklist for materials and methods References Writing the results and discussion Components of results and discussion Organizing results and discussion Common logical pitfalls in results and discussion Some key language features of results and discussion Tips on typing equations Checklist for results and discussion References Writing the conclusion Functions of a conclusion section Components of the conclusion section Illustration of a conclusion section in a research paper Language features of the conclusion Do's and don'ts in writing the conclusion section Checklist for writing the conclusion References Writing the abstract and front matter Components of an abstract Some key language features in an abstract Some considerations in writing an abstract Checklist for writing an abstract Parts of front matter Checklist for an abstract and front matter References Referencing Features of two main referencing systems In-text citations End-of-text citations References Using sources and avoiding plagiarism Using sources Avoiding plagiarism Checklist for avoiding plagiarism References Revising and editing General advice before you revise How to revise References PART III Presentation How to create figures Purpose of figures
Author Biography Eng-Choon Leong is currently an associate professor at the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. He has more than 300 publications in international journals and conferences and is a recipient of the 2004 ASTM Best Practical Paper for Geotechnical Practice Award and of the 2012 Koh Boon Hwee mentor award. Carmel Lee-Hsia Heah is a senior lecturer at the Language and Communication Centre at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore and formerly a senior lecturer in professional communication at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Canada. Her research interests include EL teaching and learning, ELT and engineering curriculum and course design and Language for Special Purposes. She has done significant research work in ELT pedagogy and course development as well as professional communication skills training. Her research output includes co-authored textbooks and an English grammar reference book. Kenneth Keng Wee Ong is a lecturer at the Language and Communication Centre at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. He teaches courses at graduate and undergraduate level on research writing and technical communication. He has also received the Dean's Commendation for Research award in 2010 and 2011 conferred by the National Institute of Education, Singapore. His current research interests include bilingual language processing and semantic/conceptual representation, second language vocabulary acquisition and computer-mediated discourse analysis.
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