Learning Outcomes:
Upon successfully completing this module, you will be:
1. Constructing an appropriate research framework to conduct the research in a timeframe and that incorporates novelty and originality.
2. Developing a critical thinking, critical reading, critical analysis, writing, presentation skill, as well as the research design and management skill for the research projects.
3. Using tools, resources, techniques, and approaches of research as appropriate for a specific research project and have the confidence to apply them.
4. Identifying the relevance of an available information source and developing a coherent overview of the state-of-the-art (SoTA) that supports your research in the context of Civil Engineering.
5. Constructing robust and appropriate main objective and major tasks that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time bound (SMART guidelines).
6. Conceiving and developing a research topic and the most appropriate methodology for its execution.
7. Developing and communicating a coherent research proposal.
8. Advancing in the understanding of research themes in a specialist area of Civil Engineering.
9. Engaging of the demands and requirements of autonomous learning.
Indicative Module Content:
1. Introduction to Engineering Research
2. State-of-the-art (SoTA). Literature reviews: Search process (topics, keywords, bibliographies – relevance)
- Introduction to information resources (examples include journals, library resources, digital archives); online academic tools (Science Direct, Web of Knowledge, Scopus).
- Systematic reviews (e.g. Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis – PRISMA method).
3. Research approaches
- Quantitative research
- Qualitative research
4. Critical thinking and reading
5. Critical analysis, critical writing and writing strategies (e.g. literature map)
6. Research design: i) Research questions: Identification, hypotheses; ii) objectives, major tasks, and effectiveness; and iii) impacts.
7. Elements of a research proposal
8. Academic writing
9. Research Methods
10. Project management, Data management, Ethics & integrity.
11. Research Proposal presentations