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ECEg4342 Research

Methods & Presentation

Chapter 2: Presentation Skills

By
H. A. Suud
Research and Project Proposals
Project proposals are documents designed to present a
plan of action.
Outline the reasons why the action is necessary
Convince the reader to agree with and approve the
implementation of the actions recommended
The purpose of a project proposal is to determine if a
proposed project is.
Feasible
Practical

Worth pursuing

It is usually prepared for people who are not familiar


with either your organization or your project.
The project plan will give the reader all the
information needed about you and the activity you
have in mind.
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Contents of a project proposal:
1. Title
The title of the project is very significant.

2. Introduction (WHAT is this about?)


Provides a general introduction to the phenomena or
issue of interest
The issue or problem under investigation is described,
and background and/or context for understanding the
nature of the issue is provided
Answers to two main questions:
What is the project all about?

Why is the project important or worthwhile?

3. Statement of the problem


A clear, concise statement of the problem to be solved
by the proposed research or project, usually in one to
three sentences.
Justifications
H. A. Suud and explanations belong in the
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4. Objectives
A concise statement identifying the purpose or
products of the research. The objective(s) should be
phrased in positive terms (e.g., to develop, to
determine, to measure, rather than broad generalities,
such as, to investigate, to study).
5. Background of the problem
A statement indicating the researcher's
understanding of the underlying principles involved
and supporting the approach being taken.
This section should be written so that a person with a
technical background, not necessarily in the subject
being researched, can understand it.
It should define key terms, such as, processes,
equipment so the reader quickly grasps the picture.
Images are often very helpful in this process. This
section should explain the options for approaching
and solving the problem, then explain which
H. A. Suud
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6. Literature review
After identifying a problem to be researched, detail
survey of what has been done in the area is important
This section revises the literature to see the gap
between your research or project and things that have
been done.
7. Methodology
The plan or approach intended to be used

Should be fully described and specify in detail how the


research project will be structured and performed to
meet each research objective.
The methodology must identify major operational
phases and relate these phases to manpower
requirements, time schedule and cost estimates.
Example: Applied Research (problem oriented)
Principles or theories to be used in the solution.

Possible solutions of problem.


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Critical
experiments to
test the
applicability
of the theory.
The kind and
range of
variables to be
tested.
Experimental
facilities
available.
Criteria to be
used for
acceptance or
rejection of
possible
solutions.
H. A. Suud
Data analysis
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8. Proposed design
It is a good idea to come up with a graphical design
for your methodology
This section clearly shows the design with flowcharts.

Video Clip Frame


extract

Image
resizing

N
RGB to Gray o

Edge
Detection End
of Audio
Clip? Yes database
Feature
Extraction

Neural
Networks
Store
Classified Sign Recognized
alphabet
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9. Deliverables
Presents the end results of the project which can be a
software, a report with recommendations or just the
methodology
10. Proposed time frame
Presents the time required for each of the
methodology mentioned.
11. Budget schedule
The amount of budget required with details is
presented in this section.
12. References
Books, Journals, the Internet could be included as
reference which have been surveyed to write the
proposal

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Budget schedule

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1. Author Names
2. Reference title
3. Publisher
4. Year

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Technical Report Writing
Associated Lesson Concept:
Engineers spend a great deal of time writing technical
reports to explain project information to various
audiences.
The Importance of Writing:
Engineers perform technical writing to communicate
pertinent information that is needed by upper
management to make intelligent
Upper Managementdecisions that will
effect a companys future. Decision
Control

Detailed
Knowledge

H. A. Suud Project Engineer


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Many engineers spend between 1/3 and 1/2 of their
work time engaged in technical writing.
proposals technical reports
regulations progress reports
manuals emails
procedures memos
requests
Technical Writing:
Technical writing is a type of expository writing this is
used to convey information for technical or business
purposes.
Technical writing is NOT used to:
entertain
create suspense
invite differing
interpretations

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Technical Reports:
Engineers write technical reports (also called
engineering reports) to communicate technical
information and conclusions about projects to
customers, managers, legal authority figures, and
other engineers.
A technical report follows a specific layout and
format as specified by the American National
Standards Institute (ANSI).

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Layout and Format
Analogy:
Think of the layout and
format of a newspaper.
Stock market information
is found in a specific
location in a newspaper
(layout), and is presented
in a table format.
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Text

H. A. Suud
Front Cover

Title Page

Back Matter
Front Matter

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Abstract

Table of Contents

List of Tables and Figures

Summary

Introduction

Methods, Assumptions, and


Procedures

Results and Discussion

Conclusion

References
Technical Report Layout

Appendixes

List of Symbols, Abbreviations,


and Acronyms
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Back Cover
Front Matter
The front matter is used to help potential
readers find the report.
Once found, the front matter will help the reader
to quickly decide whether or not the material
contained within the report pertains to what they
are investigating.

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Front Matter
1. Cover*
2. Label*
3. Title Page
4. Abstract
5. Table of Contents
6. Lists of Figures and Tables
*May be an optional element
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Front Matter: Cover*
A cover and label are used if
the report is over 10 pages
long.
The cover (front and back)
provides physical protection
for the printed report. Plastic
spiral bindings and thick,
card-stock paper are
recommended.
*May be an optional element
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Front Matter: Label*
A label is placed on the cover to identify:

Report title and subtitle


(if a subtitle is
appropriate)
Authors name
Publisher*
Date of publication

*MayH.beA.an optional element


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Front Matter: Title Page

The title page provides


descriptive information that
is used by organizations
that provide access to
information resources (i.e.,
library).
A title page duplicates the
information found on the
front cover (if one is used).
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Front Matter: Abstract

An abstract (informative style) is a short summary


that provides an overview of the purpose, scope,
and findings contained in the report.
Purpose - identifies the issue, need, or reason
for the investigation
Scope - reviews the main points, extent and
limits of the investigation
Findings - includes condensed conclusions
and recommendations
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Front Matter: Abstract
no more than 200 words*
provides an in a nut shell
description without providing
underlying details
contains no undefined
symbols, abbreviations, or
acronyms
makes no reference by
number to any references or
illustrative material

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Front Matter: Table of Contents
The table of contents
lists the title and
beginning page
number of each major
section within the
report (excluding the
title page and the
table of contents).

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Front Matter: List of Figures and
Tables*
A list of figures and
tables helps the
reader to locate
illustrations, drawings,
photographs, graphs,
charts, and tables of
information contained
in the report.

*May beSuud
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Text
The text is the part of a technical report
in which the author describes the
methods, assumptions, and
procedures; presents and discusses the
results; draws conclusions, and
recommends actions based on the
results.

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Text

Introduction
Methods, Assumptions, and Procedures
Results and Discussion
Conclusions
Recommendations*
References

*May be an optional element


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Text: Summary

States the problem,


method of investigation,
conclusions, and
recommendations
Contains no new info
that is not contained in
the report
Does not contain
references
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Text:
Introduction

The Introduction
prepares the reader to
read the main body of
the report.
This page focuses on
the subject, purpose,
and scope of the
report.
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Text: Introduction

Subject - defines the topic and associated


terminology; may include theory,
historical background, and its
significance
Purpose - indicates the reason for the
investigation, objectives
Scope - indicates the extent and limits of the
investigation
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Text: Methods, Assumptions, and
Procedures
The methods, assumptions, and procedures
used in the investigation are described so the
reader could duplicate the procedures of the
investigation.
Information in this section includes:
System of measurement
Types of equipment used and accuracy
Test methods used
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Text: Methods, Assumptions, and
Procedures
Methods
How did you discover the
problem?
What measuring tools were
used?
What measurement system was
used?
Assumptions
What do you think, but cannot
substantiate as fact?
Procedures
How did you gain a better
understanding of the problem?
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Text: Results and Discussion

The results and discussion section describes


what you learned about the problem as a result of
your research, identifies the degree of accuracy
related to your findings, and gives the reader your
view of the significance of your findings.

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Text: Results and Discussion
Results
Explain your findings
with help of graphs or
tables , simulations
etc.
Discussion
How accurate are your
findings?
What is the significance
of the results of the
research?
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Text: Conclusion
Restatement of Results
What are the factual
findings that resulted from
your research?
What are you implying as a
result of these findings?
Concluding Remarks
What are your opinions
based on the findings and
results?

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Text: Recommendations*
A section called recommendations is often
included in reports that are the result of tests and
experiments, field trials, specific design
problems, and feasibility studies.
The author may recommend additional areas of
study and suggest a course of action, such as
pursuing an alternate design approach.

*May be an optional element


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Text: Recommendations*

Additional Studies
Is there information that
still needs to be learned?

Suggested Actions
What does the author
want the reader to do with
the information?

*May be an optional element


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Text: References
The references
section is the place
where the author cites
all of the secondary
research sources*
that were used to
Develop an understanding
of the problem
Support the information
contained in the report
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Back Matter

The back matter supplements and clarifies the


body of the report, makes the body easier to
understand, and shows where additional
information can be found.

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Back Matter
Appendixes*
Bibliography*
List of Symbols, Abbreviations, and
Acronyms

*May be an optional element


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Back Matter: Appendixes*
Anything that cannot be left out of a report, but is
too large for the main part of the report and would
serve to distract or interrupt the flow belongs in the
appendixes. Examples include:
Large tables of data Detailed explanations and
Flowcharts descriptions of test
techniques and apparatus
Mathematical analysis
Technical drawings
Large illustrations

*May be an optional element


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Back Matter: Appendixes*

*May be an optional element


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Back Matter: List of Symbols, Abbreviations,
and Acronyms*

If more than five symbols,


abbreviations, or
acronyms are used in the
report, they are to be listed
with their explanation.

*May be an optional element


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Tips for Writing
Create an outline of your report before
you write it.
Write the body of the report first. Then
write the front and back matter.
Have someone proofread your report.

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Plagiarism
Plagiarism can be:
1. Unauthorized use of the language and
thoughts of another author and the
representation of them as one's own
2. Submitting someone elses text as ones
own or attempting to blur the line
between ones own ideas or words an
those borrowed from another source.
3. Carelessly or inadequately citing ideas or
words borrowed from another source.

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Intellectual Challenges
To avoid plagiarism, we can have outline
as follows:

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Oral presentation
Importance of presentation
Presentation is a part of research by
definition
The higher your position is, the more
presentations you have to make
Presentation is also an important part
of professional practice or life
Good presentation skill contributes to
professional success
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Nature of presentation
Speaker Vs audience
Speaker
wants to convey something
One person
Familiar with the topic
Audience
May want to listen and benefit
Many persons
May not be familiar with topic
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Plan your presentation -
Structure
1. Tell them what you are going to present
Overview, introduction, motivation
20%
2. Your main presentation
Main body of your talk 70%
3. Tell what you told them again
Summary 10%
Dont forget:
Few main points
Design your presentation around time
Dont collect facts tell a story
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Presentation Delivery
Plan ahead
(know the room; technical
equipment; )
Know the introduction by heart
Concentrate before your talk
(Recall your main points)
Speak freely (dont read and dont
recite)
Dont use formal notes (the most cheat
cards)
H. Use humor (but needs to be clean,
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Attitude/Style
Keep good time
Be enthusiastic
Be dramatic
Voice
Speak loudly and clearly
Avoid monotony
(change volume, speed, rhythm; make
pauses)
Mannerism
Look at your audience
Keep eye contact
Move, but dont pace
Use gesture and body language

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Interact with audience
Questions to audience (not frequently)
Be open to questions
Ending a point and beginning a new
point
Slow down and higher volume
Short pauses
Appropriate expressions
Dealing with nervousness
deep breathe, slow down, and confess it
Language (English)
Keep it simple
Emphasize the key points
Check the difficult pronunciations
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