WRITING YOUR M.

SC PROJECT PROPOSAL

Dr. R. Abu

Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ibadan, Ibadan

STANDARD FEATURES OF M.Sc RESEARCH
PROJECT PROPOSAL

1. INTRODUCTION
2. LITERATURE REVIEW (LITERATURE SURVEY)
3. METHODOLOGY ( or MATERIALS AND METHODS)
4. EXPECTED RESULTS
5. TIMELINE AND BUDGET
6. CONCLUSION
7. REFERENCES
 1.0 INTRODUCTION
 1.0 INTRODUCTION
This includes study general background and basic definitions. It contains
problems statements, objectives of the research ,research justification, and
scope definitions.
 The following are the key subsections of a good introduction :
- General Background
1.1 Statement of Problems ( Research Question/Gaps to be filled)
1.2 Objectives ( General or Specific)
1.3 Scope of the Study
1.4 Justification/Motivation
1.5 Expected Contributions
 Chapter 2: The Literature Review
 The Literature Review : This refers to a patient, careful ,systematic study
and investigation in certain fields of knowledge with a view of finding the
existing state of knowledge (What has been done?, How was it done?,
When was it done? And What left Undone? )
 It is a critical appraisal of relevant or related previous work on the subject
matter
 It can also be described as a critical and painstaking evaluation of ALL
scholarly research works ( Past or Recent) in a particular field of study
 Literature Review aimed to answer the following questions :
 What has been done in this field of study?
 When was it done ?
 What are the existing findings/Implications?
 So far ,what are the existing gap/lacuna/vacuum?
 In the beginning and even throughout the work , it is
expected that all journal /conference proceedings
/other materials are carefully Studied and critically
reviewied.
The Literature Review
 As students , there is need to understand that there are two key
aspects of literature review :

The Literature Review

Reporting Review Aspect

Aspect

Listing Aspect Extracting the most relevant ones for

Citation Aspect ( Havard Style)
( Havard Style) reporting purpose
 Benefits of Reviewing The Literature
 It provides a platform for foundational knowledge in researcher’s
current field of study
 It exposes research students to similar works that have been done
and the Methodology /Materials & Methods/Software adopted for
the study
 It enriches students writing skills which is very useful while
reporting his/her research findings
 It gives the student researcher the opportunity of identifying the
Famous/Key researchers in his/her research field of study. These
famous researchers can be contacted through emails or GSM for help
in shedding light on ways of overcoming certain challenges.
 LITERATURE REVIEW REPORTING
 The literature review chapter should be between 7-15 pages and
sometimes less than 7 pages ( Please Note That Literature
Review is not a Copy and Paste Exercise !!!).
 It may have subsection 2.1,2.2,2.3,2.4 e.t.c and sub-subsections
2.12,2.21,2.31,2.41,e.t.c
 In Literature Review, “We must Hear your voice”
 It features the State of Knowledge/work done in the specific of study
 Existing Findings/Implications are well elucidated in this subsection
 The concluding paragraph of a good literature review write up should state
the existing gaps/lacuna intended to be filled and why it is necessary
 Citing References
One Author
• It is used for solving differential equations that model physical phenomenon (Reddy,
2006).

Two Authors
• The plate bending element is one of the most important structural elements that were
developed at early 1960s (Clough and Felippa, 1968).

More than Two Authors

• The Plate bending elements are developed based on two most common plate theories, viz.
Kirchhoff plate theory and Reissner-Mindlin plate theory, which are simpler to solve and
of lesser computational time (Wang et al., 2000).
Chapter 3: METHODOLOGY (MATERIALS /METHODS)

 Procedures and instruments utilized

in conducting the research are
described

 Detailed explanation of how the

research was carried out?

 What are the Methods:

Experimental/Computer
Simulation/Design procedures used
in the study?

 What are the Materials ,

Equipment, Software and Facilities
used for this study?
4.0: EXPECTED RESULTS
 These are expected research
outcome/findings
 The results are based on research objectives
 5.0 : TIMELINE AND BUDGET
TIMELINE
January 2008 January 2009 January 2010

Months→ 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36

Research Proposal

Literature Review

Compilation of Charts,
References, tables, etc.

Development of Finite
Element Model
Computer Program
Development

Model Validation

Writing of Report

Correction of Report by
Supervisor
Editting and Binding of
Report

Oral Examination
 BUDGET

Estimated Cost
S/N Item (Naira)
1 Laptop 170,000.00
2 Printer 57,000.00
3 Modem and data purchase 15,000.00
4 Software purchase and training 20,000.00
5 Journal 50,000.00
6 Books 40,000.00
7 Photostatting of relevant materials 12,000.00
8 Computer stationery and consumables 60,000.00
Total 444,000.00
6.0 : CONCLUSIONS
7.0 REFERENCES
 All references cited must be properly listed and vice versa in
UI standard format (Havard Style)
 References are expected to be listed alphabetically according
to the surname of the authors cited.

 Reference sources are textbooks , journals , conference

proceedings, magazines, encyclopedia, internet (Google
scholar, Google books , Youtube , journals websites)
Reasons for Proper Referencing
 To indicate the sources of information, ideas and facts
obtained from specific sources
 To refer interested readers/researcher for detailed sources of
information
 To honestly acknowledge the works done by certain authors
 To avoid PLAGIARISM which is a criminal offence
( Claiming the authorship of works not yours)
 To convince your would-be readers that the work has a
reliable platform
 Referencing Format
 Textbook
• Bathe, K.J. 1996. Finite element procedures. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc.
• Fish, J. and Belytschko, T. 2007. A first course in finite elements. England: John Wiley & Sons,
Ltd.
• Zienkiewicz, O.C. and Taylor, R.L. 2005. The Finite element for solid and structural mechanics. 6th
ed. Oxford: Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann.
 Thesis/Dissertation/project
• Abu, R. 2004. Finite element for plate bending using linear strain triangular element. M.Sc.
Project. Dept. of Mechanical Engineering. University of Ibadan, Nigeria. vi+50pp.
 Journal
• Ashwell, D.G., Sabir, A.B. and Roberts, T.M. 1971. Further studies in the application of
curved finite elements to circular arches. International Journal of Mechanical Sciences
13:507-517.
• Batoz, J.L., Bathe, K.J. and Ho, L.W. 1980. A study of three-node triangular plate bending
elements. International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering 15 (12): 1771-1812.
Referencing Format
 Conference proceedings
 Oladejo, K.A., Abu, R., and Bamiro, O.A. 2012. Model for
deflection analysis in cantilever beam. 2012 Faculty of
Technology Conference, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, with
the Theme:Technological Innovation and Commercialization for
Sustainable Development. 23rd – 27th September, 2012. 171-178.
 Online materials
 Hexagon Software, Berlin (2005). “ZAR6”
http://www.hexagon.de/zar6_e.htm (Accessed March, 2007)
 BENEFITS OF RESEARCH PAPER
PUBLICATIONS (Journals, Conference
proceedings, e.t.c.)
 Self fulfillment / Acceptability of your work
 Contributions to global knowledge
 Your name become a reference point (e.g citing your
work/name)
 Boosting foreign postgraduate admission/Scholarship
opportunities
 Employment/Consultancy opportunities in research and
academic institutions
 Opportunity for accelerated promotions in some establishments
 Enrichment of your Resume ( CURRICULUM VITAE)
THANK YOU