3.

Research Proposal

[Link]
[Link] of Research
3. Research Proposal Development
[Link] in conducting Research
[Link] Research Findings
[Link] Ethics

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Research proposal Development is an important and significant
component of research process. It includes the first few important
steps of Research Process shown below.
I II III IV
Review of Literature
Review Concepts
Definition and theory
Formulate Design
of Research
Hypothesis Research
Problem
Review Previous
Research finding

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1. Research Proposal preparation which
includes the Research design is done
iteratively with literature review as shown
in the previous figure.

2. The proposal should be done intelligently

with sufficient time and work. However, it
may not be rigid, reasonable small
adjustments can be expected even during
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the research work. 3
Typical Research Process

Note that the procedure is generally not rigid but flexible. The
chronology may change and some steps may need to be
repeated as shown in feedback.
There may also be some other procedures slightly deferent
from this depending on research problem and field of study.
Yet, this procedure represents a typical scientific research
procedure.
1/7/2021 This procedure shall be discussed one by one. 4
 Thesis Research Proposal structure are usually
provided by Universities to their students. The
following is a typical structure.

[Link] Title page:-

2. Abstract
3. Introduction:
Background, Problem statement, Objective, Relevance (merits
and utilities).
4. Methodology
Literature survey, relation to previous works, Unique aspects of the
research, … Materials and Methods
5. Schedule
6. Budget
7. References
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3.3 Process in Proposal Preparation
3.3.1 Research Problem Identification and Definition/description.
[Link] Important Characteristics of Research Problem
Research topic selection should be based on the
following two key characteristics.

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3.3.1 Research Problem Identification and Definition/description.
[Link] Important Characteristics of Research Problem

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3.3.1 Research Problem Identification and description.
[Link] Important Characteristics of Research Problem

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3.3.1 Research Problem Identification and description.

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3.1 Research Problem Identification and description.

Conventional Motors
Modeling
Specialized Motors
Back EMF method
Sensorless Control
Electric Drives Observer,
Intelligent methods, …
Sliding mode control
Intelligent/modern Control
Supervisor and Student Fussy
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Student…
3.3.1 Research Problem Identification and description.

• Books, proceedings, journal papers, …

• Theory of one’s own interest
• Curiosity to Daily problems
• Observation of Technological changes bringing
opportunities of investigation (computer for example)
• Recent trends
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• Unexplored areas 11
3.3.1 Research Problem Identification and Definition

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3.3.1 Research Problem Identification and Definition
[Link] search Problem description

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3.3.1 Research Problem Identification and Definition
[Link] search Problem description

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3.3.1 Research Problem Identification and Definition

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3.3.1 Research Problem Identification and Definition/description.

Finally two points to note before proceeding to proposal

preparation are:-
- To be sure that, the topic is in the interest of researcher
for effectiveness and successful completion of the work. If
he/she is working only because he/she is compelled to
do, then he/she may not be able to face and overcome
the obstacles which come at every stage in research.
- To reexamine the feasibility and the compatibility of the
problem and specify the problem in detail and in precise
terms (avoid ambiguous and redundant phrases and
words)
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3.4 Literature Review
3.4.1 Why Literature Review
Once Research Problem is identified and defined against
various questions the next step is further literature
review as part of preparation.
The followings can be objectives of extensive literature
review:-
- Examine the feasibility and the compatibility of the research
problem again
- Specify the problem in detail and in precise terms (avoid
ambiguous phrases and words)
- Put clear demarcation between what others did and what the
research on hand is to addresses and specify the possible
advantages in performance and/or cost
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To set general and specific objectives of the research work 17
 3.4 Literature Review
3.4.2 Source of literature Review
a. Review of existing fundamental concepts and theories in the
area. For Engineering research, Engineering fundamentals like electric machines
design, operating principles, analysis, etc for research on Electric machines.

Source of such concepts and theories are usually books, collection of research
publications.

b. Review Previous Research findings. This more focused on the research

topic. If we are dealing with sensorless techniques, for example, various sensorless
techniques are reviewed. It is very essential to know whether the defined problem
has already been solved, status of the problem, techniques that are useful to
investigate the problem and other related details.

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3.4 Literature Review
3.4.2 Source of literature Review
Source of information on previous research findings are:-
- Research article journals
IEEE journals and conference/workshop Proceedings (Journal/proceedings of Electrical
Power and Energy Society, Journal of European Power Electronics, … control
Engineering Society, ….)

- Advanced level books on the chosen topic,

Latest editions of text books usually include recent developments.

- Reprint/preprint collections available with the supervisor and nearby experts

working on the topic chosen and

- Internet
From internet the researcher can get/obtain
• list of research paper topics and location of source journals/proceedings for
purchase.
• various public domain scientific and nonscientific topics described.
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However, reliability and accuracy of the obtained data information is a problem.19
3.4 Literature Review
3.4.2 Source of literature Review
Reference Collection and annotation for/during review
Reference collection and keeping the collected materials
annotated systematically is necessary for subsequent use.

Current status and trends of research work in the

chosen topic can be identified by reading the relevant
journals and participation in discussions, conferences,
seminars and workshops.

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3.4 Literature Review
Literature review can lead the researcher back to
problem redefinition.
Literature review/survey helps the researcher to:-
• Focus/sharpen the problem definition,
• Reformulate the problem or even lead to defining other
closely related problems,
• Understanding of the problem chosen properly
• Acquire proper theoretical and practical knowledge for the
investigation of the problem,
• Understand and describe how the present research problem
relates and differs with the previous research works
• Know whether the proposed problem had already been
solved or not
• Set objectives of the research
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Typical literature review format
Authors in reference [1] have demonstrated that permanent magnet
synchronous motors can be controlled sensorless using back EMF method. In
this method, the three phase inverter terminal voltages are measured and
compared to generate a proper pattern of inverter switching. The authors have
demonstrated that this method is effective for speed above 10% the rated
voltage with improved error as speed increases.
There are three problems with this method. One problem is that it can not be
used in low speed (less than 10% base speed). The second problem is that it
requires voltage sensor which is usually difficult and expensive. The third
problem is that the method is used only for trapezoidal flux distributed
permanent magnet motor. It is not effective for permanent magnet
synchronous motor whose flux is distributed sinusoidal.
Authors in [2] have proposed sensorless control method using high frequency
current injection to the motor. The injected current frequency is between the
inverter carrier frequency and the fundamental frequency. The difficulty with
this method is possible torque ripple due to the injected frequency current and
the difficulty in filtering the carrier frequency component current as it is
affected both by the carrier frequency and the fundamental current. …
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3.5 Hypothesis Formulation

At this stage the researchers’ contribution comes. He/s

has to see a solution different from the previous
works.
3.5.1 Characteristics of good hypothesis:-
• The hypotheses should be pragmatic and
scientifically
• It should be by the subsequent research
steps.
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 3.6 Research Design
We can understand a Research Design as the selection of methods
and techniques of
• gathering facts and data, experimental set up/model/population
used to generate data and
• processing and analyze the data with in cost and time budget in
the context of testing hypothesis.

Effective Research Design is critical for

• Reliable conclusion
• Feasibility of the research (resource and time requirement …)
• Comprehension of the research works flaw if any, progress
follow up, … by the researcher and supervisor alike
Research design during proposal preparation my be changed
during the actual execution of the research depending on the
problems encountered and more understanding.
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3.6 Research Design
It is the process of answering the following questions
(i) Refine the previous problem definition and Relevance
a) What is the study about?
b) Why is the study being made?
(ii) Where will the study be carried out?,
Field, Laboratory, Digital/analogue Model, …
(iii) What type of data is required?
Primary data, secondary, both, …
(iv) Where can the required data be found including
techniques?
Generate in laboratory, field measurement, model,
interview, Interview, questionnaire, …
(v) What periods of time will the study include?
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Breakdown of activities in the available time frame, 25
3.6 Research Design
(vi) What will be the sample design?
Prototype, random, systematic, …
(vii) How will the data be analyzed?
Statistical, graphical, software requirement, …
(viii) In what style will the report be prepared
Thesis , Journal Paper, conference paper, seminar, …

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Once You have Written the Proposal You
have to be able to:-
• Develop a narrow, focused thesis
statement.
• Be able to say in one sentence what
your research objectives are
• Be able to say in one sentence what
your research methodology is
• Be able to say in one sentence what
your contribution is
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3.7.1 Research Proposal Cover page

The title of your research proposal should state

your topic exactly in the smallest possible
number of words.
• your name,
• the name of your
department/faculty/college,
• University, the name of
• your advisor(s) and
• date of delivery under the title.
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3.7.2 Introduction

- The introduction is the part of the proposal that provides

readers with the background information for the research
proposal. Its purpose is to establish a framework for the
research, so that readers can understand how it is related to
other research.
- Relevance of the research problem should be described.
- The introduction should cite those who had the idea or ideas
first, and should also cite those who have done the most
recent and relevant work.
- You should then go on to explain why more work is necessary
(your work)

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Abstract
- Brief and concise
- What is to be done (Problem statement )
- How (Methodology)
- Relevance to the area (Objective)

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 Key in Proposal Evaluation
Problem statement
- What is to be done
- Clear on Scope
- Support by previous work
- New idea contribution
- Interesting and timely
- feasible

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 Key in Proposal Evaluation
Methodology
- Clearly describe experimental or
research activities
- Describes justification for the proposed
approach
- Described how data will be collected,
handled and analyzed
- Describes research facilities and tools to
be used
- Outline scope and sequence of activities
within the time frame and resource
available

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 Key in Proposal Evaluation
Research Objectives
- In line with problem statement
- Represent expected outcomes

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