Industrial Engineering
Project 1B
IEPR102
Topic Formulation
Topic Formulation
Presented by: Sandile Msiza
sandile@[Link]
IEPR102: Intake 2-2026 Assessments
Type Date Weighting
Assignment 1
Week 7 20%
(Draft Report)
Assignment 2
Week 10 20%
(Final Report)
Final
Week 14 60%
(Presentation)
Beginning The Research
Beginning The Research
• Every research begins with an initial idea about something to investigate.
• This idea pinpoints a problem that needs to be solved.
• Identifying this problem can be the hardest part of research.
• This identified problem leads to the formulation of a topic.
• The formulated topic raises significant questions in the mind of the
researcher.
• Probably 1 or 2 “big” questions, and several other minor questions.
How to Generate the Research Topic
How to Generate the Research Topic
• Browse text books and handouts
• Review lecture notes, textbooks
• Discuss options with teachers, other
researchers
• Critical reading of published papers
Factors To Consider In The Choice Of A Research Topic
Factors To Consider In The Choice Of A
Research Topic
Novel:
• When considering a research topic, the researcher must focus on
one that has not been investigated before.
• In the event that the problem has been studied before, he/she
must inject originality into it by coming up with other research
design, using a different data-gathering tool or a different scheme
for analyzing the research data.
Factors To Consider In The Choice Of A Research Topic (cont.)
Factors To Consider In The Choice Of A
Research Topic (cont.)
Interesting:
• The researcher needs to consider his interest in the choice of a
research
• problem. Interest counts a lot in the conduct of a study. If a researcher is
not
• interested in the topic, it will be difficult on his part to put his heart and
soul in it.
Factors To Consider In The Choice Of A Research Topic (cont.)
Factors To Consider In The Choice Of A
Research Topic (cont.)
Relevant:
• The results of the study on a given problem should be of practical value
to the researcher and also significant to others in the field.
• This means that once the study had been completed, its findings,
its conclusions and recommendations can be used in improving
practices or
• Will the results add knowledge to information already available in the
field?
Factors To Consider In The Choice Of A Research Topic (cont.)
Factors To Consider In The Choice Of A
Research Topic (cont.)
Feasible:
• This means that a problem that an investigator is going to work on can be
completed without undue amount of time, money or effort.
• Feasibility of research also means that the researcher has the necessary
competence or expertise to conduct the study on the chosen problem.
• Is the topic too broad? (e.g. the effects of TV violence on children)
• Can the problem really be investigated? (e.g. availability of information)
• What costs and time are involved in the analysis?
Factors To Consider In The Choice Of A Research Topic (cont.)
Factors To Consider In The Choice Of A
Research Topic (cont.)
Reasonable:
• Data can be collected to answer the problem posed by the researcher.
• Can the data be analyzed? (Can the data be measured?)
Ethical:
• A problem is said to be ethical when it does not involve physical or
psychological harm or damage to human beings or organizations.
• In other words, a study on a particular topic should not put people or institutions
in a bad light.
Making a Topic Original
Making a Topic Original
Geographically:
• Certain theories may have been tested in one area but have not
received the same attention elsewhere. Thus, you may find research
focused on technologies in the USA. Undertaking similar research in
South Africa would provide you with the basis for an original study.
Making a Topic Original (cont.)
Making a Topic Original (cont.)
Socially:
• You may find that certain social groups have not received as much
attention as others.
• Existing work may focus exclusively upon men, and exclude women, or
you may find a certain theory that has not been applied to the elderly, or
to the physically disabled for example.
Making a Topic Original (cont.)
Making a Topic Original (cont.)
Temporally:
• A theory may have been developed a number of years ago, thus its
relevance in contemporary society could be investigated.
• Comparing the findings would be an original study in itself.
• You may also come across a study that took place some years ago.
Collecting more up to date data may also form the basis for an original
project.
Making a Topic Original (cont.)
Making a Topic Original (cont.)
Contextually:
• You may find existing theories from outside the field of the built environment
studies that is yet to be applied to the built environment context.
Alternatively:
• You could revisit existing research using new theories and assess whether such
theories have greater explanatory power.
Making a Topic Original (cont.)
Making a Topic Original (cont.)
Methodologically:
• You could collect different data to explore a phenomenon.
• An example may be if you find a theory that has been tested
quantitatively, and apply a qualitative research design, or if you collect
data using in-depth interviews rather than questionnaire surveys.
Examples of workable research topics
Examples of workable research topics
• Comparative Analysis of Workplace Layout Alternatives for Improving
Productivity and Ergonomics in a Local Informal Manufacturing
Business
• Analysis and Optimization of Material Handling Systems in a Small-Scale
Manufacturing Facility in Johannesburg
• Application of Lean Manufacturing Principles to Improve Process
Efficiency in a Small-Scale Food Production Facility
• Design of an Improved Workstation for Reducing Ergonomic Risk in a
Small-Scale Production Environment
Thank You!