{"id":3804,"date":"2026-08-15T07:45:54","date_gmt":"2026-08-15T07:45:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/people.utm.my\/zulkurnain\/?page_id=3804"},"modified":"2026-09-19T03:06:48","modified_gmt":"2026-09-19T03:06:48","slug":"research-methodology-in-electrical-engineering","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/people.utm.my\/zulkurnain\/research-methodology-in-electrical-engineering\/","title":{"rendered":"Research Methodology in Electrical Engineering"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
School\/Faculty:<\/strong> <\/td>Electrical Engineering\/Engineering<\/td><\/tr>
Program name:<\/strong><\/td>Master in Electrical Engineering <\/td><\/tr>
Course code:<\/strong><\/td>MKEE 1013<\/td><\/tr>
Course name:<\/strong><\/td>Research Methodology in Electrical Engineering<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Credit hours:<\/strong><\/td>3<\/td><\/tr>
Pre\/co requisite:<\/strong><\/td>Nil<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Course synopsis<\/strong>:<\/td>This course discusses the fundamental processes in conducting an academic research, particularly in the field of electrical engineering (EE). Among the topics that will be covered are introduction to research and its philosophy, problem formulation and research objective, literature review, research methodology and design, data collection procedures and data analysis, research management and ethics. Another important aspect that will focused is on technical writing that can be utilized for scientific publications, research proposal and thesis. Despite the specific application on the field of EE, the general principles can be used in other discipline.<\/td><\/tr>
Course coordinator<\/strong>\/
Lecturer<\/strong><\/td>
Prof. Dr. Zulkurnain Abdul Malek
P06-101 (UTM JB)
+6012-7167607
zulkurnain@utm.my
people.utm.my\/zulkurnain<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Mapping of the Course Learning Outcomes (CLO) to the Programme Learning Outcomes (PLO), Teaching & Learning (T&L) methods and Assessment methods:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
No.<\/td>Course_Learning_Outcomes (CLO)<\/td>PLO (Code)<\/td> Taxon.\/
Generic Skills<\/td>		T&L methods<\/td>Assessment methods<\/td><\/tr>
CLO1<\/td>Comprehend the process in conducting academic research<\/td>PLO1
PLO2
<\/td>		C3, P1, A2
C4, P5, A3<\/td>		Lecture, active learning<\/td>T, F<\/td><\/tr>
CLO2<\/td>Formulate research problem from research papers<\/td>PLO1
PLO3
PLO5<\/td>		C4, P4, A3
C5, P6, A2
C6, P4, A3
CS1-CS4<\/td>		Lecture, active learning<\/td>T, F<\/td><\/tr>
CLO3<\/td>Design suitable techniques\/ methodology for the proposed research<\/td>PLO2
PLO6 <\/td>		C6, P4, A3
C6, P4, A4
LL1-LL3<\/td>		 Lecture, active learning <\/td>PRR, Pr<\/td><\/tr>
CLO4<\/td>Communicate, and express knowledge and ideas effectively in oral and written presentations.<\/td>PLO4
PLO5
PLO6<\/td>		CS3, P1, A5, EM3
C5, P5, A4, CS1-CS4
C4, P2, A2, LL1-LL3<\/td>		Project-based learning<\/td>PRR, Pr<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Details on Innovative T&L practices:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Active learning<\/td>Conducted through in-class activities<\/td><\/tr>
Project-based learning<\/td>Conducted through design assignments. Students are to develop a research proposal as thought in the course involving the literature review analyses, method design and plans for implementation. Compliance to the research proposal specifications need to be given in the form of oral presentation and written reports.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Weekly Schedule:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Virtual ClassRoom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

SUBMIT ASSIGNMENT 1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

SUBMIT ASSIGNMENT 2<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students are expected to turn-on their cameras during lectures as if they have entered the Virtual ClassRoom. Thank you for your cooperation.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Week_Dates_Hrs
1<\/strong>
31 Jul-1 Aug
16 hours<\/strong><\/td>		Introduction to MKEE 1013<\/strong> (1 hr)<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Chapter 1. Introduction to Research<\/strong> (1 hr)
What is research?
Purpose of research, Type of research
Worldwide Scenario of Research Activities
Breaking the knowledge boundary
Level of research: Research Contribution (MEE of PhD)
Research outputs

Chapter 2. Hypothesis, Problem Formulation, and Objectives<\/strong> (5 hrs)
Overview of the research process
What is Hypothesis?
What is a research problem: Step in formulating a research problem
How to identify the research gap?
Formulation of Problem Statement
Research question and \/ or hypothesis
Writing Research objectives
Research Scopes
Research outcomes

Lecture Video 31 Jul 9am-1pm
Lecture Video 31 Jul 2pm-5pm

Assignment 1<\/span> <\/strong>(on Problem statement and objectives) (10%)<\/strong>
DUE DATE:<\/strong><\/span> 5pm<\/span>
Submit Assignment 1
<\/strong>

Chapter 3. Literature Review<\/strong> (5 hrs)
What is literature review?
Rationale for literature review
Framework of literature review
How to look for literature: sources; quality of sources; databases.
Information search methods: internet search, library search
Managing reading material: Writing critical notes; making sense of information; Making proper referencing

Information Search
Endnote
Turnitin1
Turnitin2

Lecture Video 1 Aug 9am-1pm
Lecture Video 1 Aug 2pm-5pm

Assignment 2 <\/span><\/strong>(on LR) (10%)<\/strong>
DUE DATE:<\/strong><\/span> 5pm
Submit Assignment 2
<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Chapter 4. Research Design<\/strong> (updated)<\/span><\/em> (4 hrs)
What is research design?
Understanding research resources
Purpose of research design
Selecting and developing research instruments
Evaluation of research methodology and design
Building research design matrix
Gantt Chart and milestones
<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Assignment<\/span><\/strong> 3<\/strong><\/span> (on Research Design) (10%)
DUE DATE:<\/strong> <\/span> 5pm
Submit Assignment 3<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td><\/td><\/tr>
2<\/span>
21-22 Aug
16 hours<\/strong><\/td>		Chapter 5. Data Collection And Analysis<\/strong> (updated)<\/span><\/em> (4 hrs)
What is data collection?
Types of data: primary vs secondary. qualitative and quantitative
Methods, tools and techniques for data collection
Types of data analysis
Steps in data analysis
Connecting research objective to data analysis
Quantitative and Qualitative analysis

Assignment 4 (on data and analyses) (10%)
DUE DATE:<\/strong> <\/span> 5pm
Submit Assignment 4
Please use Power<\/span> Point Slides<\/span> to present this assignment<\/em>
<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Chapter 6. Technical Writing I (Overview of scientific writing)<\/strong> (5 hrs)
What is scientific publication?
Motivation to publish during study
Scientific databases: Scopus, WoS, Google Scholar
Journals: Types, Impact factor, Quartile Citations, h-index; Journal selection
Other publications: Conference Proceedings, Book Chapters, Research Monographs
Types of articles: Original research, Review, Letters
Editorial processes<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td><\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Chapter 7. Technical Writing II<\/a><\/strong> (Mechanics of writing)<\/strong> (5 hrs)
Format of scientific papers: IMRAD
Formulating Title
Writing Structured Abstract
Writing Introduction Section
Writing Method Section
Writing Results and Discussion Section
Writing Structured Conclusion
References

Lecture Video 11 Sep 2pm-5pm
Lecture Video 12 Sep 9am-1pm<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Assignment 5 <\/strong>(on Technical Writing) (20%)
DUE DATE:<\/strong> <\/span> 5pm
Submit Assignment 5

Lecture Video 21 Aug 9am-1pm
Lecture Video 21 Aug 2pm-5pm
Lecture Video 22 Aug 9am-1pm
Lecture Video 22 Aug 2pm-5pm<\/td><\/tr>
3
11-12 Sep
16 hours<\/strong><\/td>		Chapter 8. <\/strong>Thesis<\/strong> <\/a>(2 hrs)
What is MEE\/PhD Thesis?
Structure of Thesis: Conventional, Journal paper compilation
When to start writing
Format and styles
Submission and examination and correction<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Chapter 9. Research Proposal<\/strong> (8 hrs)
What is Research Proposal?
Types of Research Proposal
Funding for research
Components: Objective, Method, Outcomes, Budget
Writing a winning proposal
Defending Research Proposal

Assignment 6<\/strong> (on Research Proposal) (40%)
Thesis Manual
DUE DATE:<\/strong> <\/span> 5pm
Submit Assignment 6

Sample of A Complete Proposal & Its Presentation Slides

Another sample of research proposal<\/a> (Warning: Not UTM Thesis Format!<\/span> and some components in Chapter 3 are missing)

In-Lecture Sample Presentation Slides for Assignment 6 (max 20 slides)<\/em>

Chapter 10. Research Management<\/a><\/strong> (2 hr)
Project planning
Intellectual properties: publications, patents, copyrights, start-ups.
Ethical issues: Fabrication, falsification, plagiarism. Examples of high-profile cases<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td><\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Course Summary and Revision<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Submit e-ppp
<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
Starting <\/td><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Transferable skills (generic skills learned in course of study which can be useful and utilised in other settings):<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n