Debre Markos University

College of Technology

A SIMPLIFIED GUIDE TO WRITE TECHNICAL

RESEARCH

Prepared by:
Dr. Ruvel J. Cuasito, Sr.,
PECE and
Dr. Bimrew Tamrat

Date:
23/01/2015

Table of Contents
I. What Research Is...................................................1
1.1.Basic steps of a research project......................1
1.2.Selecting a Research Topic................................1
2. Developing Research Proposal..............................2
2.1.What is a research proposal?............................2
2.2.Where to start to develop a research proposal?3
2.3.What should be included in a research
proposal?.................................................................3
2.4.General pointers of research proposal..............9
2.5.What criteria are used to review my research
proposal?.................................................................9
3. Developing the Full-Blown Research......................9
3.1.Chapter 1 The Introduction.............................9
3.2 Chapter 1 Activities:........................................16
4. Chapter 2 Review of Related Studies................18
5. Chapter 3 Methodology....................................18
6. Chapter 4 Results and Discussions...................20
8. Bibliography........................................................23
9. Appendices..........................................................23

10......................................................Curriculum Vitae
23

I. What Research Is
o Research is:
the

systematic

process

of

collecting

and

analyzing information (data) in order to increase

our understanding of the phenomenon about
which we are concerned or interested.
I.1.

Basic steps of a research project

o Find a topicWhat, When
o Formulate questionsWhat, Why
o Define populationWho, When
o Select design & measurementHow
o Gather evidenceHow
o Interpret evidenceWhy
o Tell about what you did and found out

I.2.

Selecting a Research Topic

o What are some considerations when selecting
a research topic?

I.2.1. Considerations in Selecting a Topic

o Personal interest / Passion
o Importance / Contribution to the field
o Newness / Relevance

o Feasibility
- Tradeoff between rigor and practicality
- Time constraints
- Ethical constraints
- Organizational support
- Economic factors
- Availability of Subjects
I.2.2. Sources of Research Topics
o Peer-reviewed journals in your field
o Personal experiences
o Work setting experiences
o Existing literature
Recommendations for future research
I.2.3. Refining Your Topic
o Refinement needed for effective and
efficient research
- Narrow your topic
- Identify a theoretical framework
- Specifically and unambiguously define
terms
- State research questions and
hypotheses
o A literature review will help you
- See if your idea has been tried

- Include all relevant constructs

- Select instruments
- Anticipate common problems

2. Developing Research Proposal

2.1. What is a research proposal?

A research proposal is a written plan for a specific
research project. Proposals are developed to enable
the researchers to design and organize a particular
project. The plan is essential to ensuring that careful
consideration is given to why the research is needed,
and to what methods will best suit according to the
purpose of the study. A research proposal typically
includes the following:
Background and rationale of the study
Review of related literature/studies
Statement of the problem
Objectives and expected outcomes of the
study
Methodology

 Work plan (Gantt Chart)

Proposed budget

2.2. Where to start to develop a research

proposal?
The preliminary point for developing a research
proposal

is

to

identify

the

research

problem

or

questions. Ideas for research can come from many

sources, including issues arising from the experiences,
and challenges encountered by relevant practitioners
and enthusiasts and or questions arising from relevant
literatures and studies. Once an idea or research
concept is considered, it is important to start by
undertaking a literature search and reading some
relevant research works that has been written relative
to the research concept of interest. It is also helpful to
consult

research

adviser/experts

for

possible

refinement of the research problem and to identify

resources which may help in addressing the research
questions. The feasibility of the research idea/concept
should

be

Breaking

taken

careful

down research

consideration
questions

into

this

time.

series

of

questions or identifying various stages which may be

inherent in answering the research questions.
2.3. What should be included in a research
proposal?
The overall structure of a research proposal is
generally standard. However, funding bodies and other
committees may have particular requirements that it is
essential

that

this

requirements

carefully

for

specific

should

instructions

to

be

read

suit

the

fundamental requirements. The typical elements of a

research proposal include:
Background and rationale of the study this
section answers the question: Why is this research
needed? It includes the detailed review of relevant
researches and the need for further study in some
similar area of interests. It should strengthen the
argument as to why the research is important to
be undertaken.
Example:
Unfortunately,
structured

with

the

programming

progress
technique,

of

the
most

computer programmers have become very

concerned

with

programming

standards

regarding form and structure, and very little

attention seems to be now given on how the
program is actually coded. Although these
standards

have

contributed

positively

to

reducing program complexity, there are also

some disadvantages on their applications. One
of these is the overhead in execution time and
memory space used by a particular language to
effect the module call (Stevens et al, 1979).
Overuse of these modules or subroutine calls
on a program may be detrimental to its
execution efficiency and this can bloat the cost
of systems operation. In fact, there are times
when the cost of running a program may far
exceeds writing it. This is especially true when
the program in question is to be used many
times, and if many of the program runs are
given large amounts of input (Aho et al, 1983).
In this case, a fast program is necessary, and
some forms of overhead, no matter how small
may need to be avoided

 Statement of problem and objectives of the

study this section answer the question: What do
you want to accomplish? The purpose of any
research study is to address a research problem or
question. It should include a concise statement
about the desired outcomes that will be achieved
during the conduct of research. While the study
should have general statement of purpose, it is
also important to include specific objectives that
must be specific, measurable, achievable and
meritorious.
Example:
There is a need to determine the effect of
subroutine calls and find out if it is indeed
detrimental on the execution efficiency of a
program. By conducting performance evaluation
experiments,
whether

it

is

different

hoped

that

program

the

question

constructs

or

structures really affect the execution speed of

programs and how much the effects of the
subroutine calls are specific to language of
implementation can be answered.

 Significance of the study this is brief section

which should answer the question: Why is this
research needed? This section should describe the
importance of the research for the furtherance of
learning and to the economy. The research should
present compelling arguments and clearly show its
significant impact to various stakeholders.

Example:
With

the

awareness

on

the

effect

of

subroutine calls on the execution performance of a

program,

programmers

and

students

can

be

guided in the design and actual coding of their

programs.

This will give computer programmers

and students an idea of the execution-costs, in

unit of time, of some program structures as
compared to the simple sequential structure. This
can help them attain a good program design to be
able to save on the cost of program development
or implementation depending on the nature of the
software application. Also, realizing the kind of
effect that subroutine calls can cause to a
programs execution speed can give idea to future
studies on how compilers should be developed to
counter whatever these effects are, or how the
costs of these subroutine calls can be reduced
should these be proved to be very significant.
Objectiveso The function of objectives is to give direction
to the research.

o Its content includes statements of results the

research is expected to achieve.
o As a manner of presentation, the following
are usually observe:
Objectives are written in listed form using
numbers, letters, or any form of separators
or identifiers.
The infinitive form of verbs should be used.
The presentation should be neutral.
Objectives may be classified as general or
specific.
If an objective is dependent on another, clear
presentation and distinction should be made.
Objectives should be within the scope of the
problem. Only one topic should be addressed
by an objective.

Example:
This study aims to determine the effects of
subroutine

calls

on

the

execution

speed

of

program. Specifically, the objectives of this study are

to perform experiments to be able to:
1.

estimate the cost of a C function;

2.

estimate the cost of a Pascal procedure

call and to compare the performance of the
Pascal and C languages in effecting a simple
subroutine call;

3.

estimate

the

cost

of

nested

Pascal

procedure calls and to compare this with the

cost of procedure calls from the main program;
4.

determine
different

type

the
of

performance
Pascal

of

subroutines

the
in

comparison with the sequential structure;

5.

compare the performance of local and

global variables when

used in a Pascal

procedure;
6.

investigate the performance of some

sorting algorithms when implemented in Pascal
with and without a swap procedure;

7.

and,

investigate the run time behavior of a

combinatorial algorithm

when implemented

with different program structures.

Methodology

o The

section

on

Methodology

presents

the

materials and the steps to be followed in

conducting the research.
o It shows the soundness and the appropriateness
of the materials and methods to meet the
research objectives.
o It may contain any of the following:
research

methods,

design,

treatment/s,

technique/s, number of replications

materials experimental animals, plants,
solutions, chemicals, etc.
instruments and equipment test tubes,
beakers, computers, etc.
step-by-step procedure
statistical analysis to be done
population,

sample

size,

sampling

techniques
operational definition of terms
respondents
instruments

questionnaire,

interview

guide, interview schedule

data to be gathered/that were gathered
sources of information

 detailed schedule of activities or work plan

o As a manner of presentation, a numbered list
form is often used, sometimes in paragraph
form, or a combination of both. Presentation
uses indicative mood, passive voice, and in
future tense.
Example:
This

study

is

composed

of

experiments

designed to determine the following:

1.

performance of the C function call;

2.

performance of the Pascal procedure

call;
3.

performance of the nested Pascal

procedure calls;
4.

performance of the Pascal subroutine

calls

with

parameter

passing

(i.e.,

function and procedure);

5.

performance of the Pascal procedure

call when local and global variables are

used;
6.

performance

implementations

of
of

the

Pascal

some

sorting

algorithms with and without a swap

procedure; and

7.
calls

performance of the Pascal procedure

as

applied

to

combinatorial

algorithm.
Generally,

this

section

should

answer

the

question: What is to be done, on whom, how and

where? The methods chosen should be relevant
to the questions to be answered, and should be
feasible. The methods should clearly explain the
description about:
The design
The development process
The implementation
The evaluation
It must be noted that the methods used are rigorous
enough so that they achieve the objectives of the
study. It is helpful to provide timeline and target dates
for each research stages.

Work plan- Early in the thesis process, create a

work plan to help you manage your time, set
goals, and work productively during the many
stages

of

the

dissertation.

As

your

project

evolves, assess and renegotiate your work plan

as necessary. Creating a work plan will help you

to:

Break down the large, overwhelming

process of writing a research into
manageable steps
Keep a "daily commitment" with your
research
Discover and take advantage of your
most productive work habits
Set goals and reward yourself for
achieving them
Balance research writing with the
other aspects of your life

Sample Work Plan

Main
Activities
Literature
reviews
Mathematica
l
Modeling
Work
(Conceptual)
System
Simulation
Prototype
Manufacturin
g
Experiment
Work
Writing
&
Compilation

Time in Weeks (March 2015 to Rem

June 2015)
ark
2
4
10
12
16

 Budget this section should answer the

question: What are the costs associated with
the study? A budget for research can include
cost

of

personnel

services,

components,

equipment, documentation, communications

and

others

inherent

to

the

conduct

of

research. It must be insured that the budget

allocation is sufficient to achieve the research
objectives. The budget presentation should be
justifiable and demonstrate accountability. If
in case the study requires resources beyond
what is being offered by a particular funding
body, a proposal revision may be undertaken
to address only to some specific component of
the proposed study. However, a detailed
strategy may be well presented as to how the
remaining cost requirement may be acquired
and allocated for the successful completion of
the research project.

2.4. General pointers of research proposal

When others read your research proposal, they

should agree that it is:
Clear
Coherent
Convincing
Concise
Complete
2.5. What criteria are used to review my
research proposal?
Reviewers

will

generally

ask

the

following

questions:
Is the research well planned?
Is the research important?
Is

the

applicant

aware

of

other

research in the area?

Does the applicant have the ability
to complete the project?
Is the support requested appropriate
for the project?

3. Developing the Full-Blown Research

3.1. Chapter 1 The Introduction

The purpose of the introduction is to give a
solid background of the phenomena being
studied. It provides information that will lead
into

the

statement

of

problem.

This

information may include the need to replicate

previous studies due to some shortcomings or
to apply previous research to a different
population. New theory can also be discussed
including the qualitative and the quantitative
data that led to new idea about a relationship.
In general, the reader should be able to
understand the need for the present study and
have

concrete

understanding

of

the

researchers theory. The introduction generally

covers the following:
problem to be identified and defined,
technical justification,
advantage of what is being proposed
and

presents the value of the project

(impact).
The aforementioned may be well presented
using the following sequence:
Brief latest evolution of the technology
describes how the technology surfaced
and

its

motivational

factors

of

its

development.
Example May be written using some
fundamental technical definitions.
According

to

the Encyclopaedia

Britannica a robot is "any automatically

operated machine that replaces human
effort, though it may not resemble
human
perform

beings

in

functions

appearance
in

or

humanlike

manner." The word "Robot" comes

from the Czech word "Robota," which
means "slave-like labor "(Encyclopaedia
Britannica,

2008). or

"forced-

work". Merriam-Webster
(2008) describes a robot as a "machine
that looks like a human being and
performs various complex acts (as
walking or talking) of a human being",
or

"device

that

automatically

performs complicated often repetitive

tasks", or a "mechanism guided by
automatic controls".
The

example

above

used

technical

definitions

extracted from legitimate sources to jumpstart the

foundation of the research subject (robotics).
Significant

impact

of

the

technology

describes the significant impact of the technology

in terms of economic, academic and social impact.
Example write the reason why robotic
technology is developed.
Robots are developed to mimic human
dynamics

through

microcontroller-based

control and programming. The application of

robots are sought not just to substitute human

labor but also to safeguard humans from
hazardous environments.
The example above is written per the authors
intellectual ascent/idea/intuition; however the
ideas presented may be re-enforced through
collaborating

facts

and

information

from

various credible sources with proper citation.

Example - Robots are developed to mimic
human

dynamics

based

control

through
and

microcontroller-

programming.

The

application of robots are sought not just to

substitute human labor but also to safeguard
humans

from

hazardous

environments.

Baudoin and Habib (2010) in their book Using

Robots in Hazardous Environment: Landmine
Detection, Demining and other Applications
review the development of robotic systems for
de-mining

and

other

risky

activities

and

discusses the development and applications of

sensors for mine detection using different
robotic

systems.

Teleoperation

and

autonomous

robot

navigation

were

highlighted in the development review.

Robots
applications.

are

designed

Accuracy

for

and

precision

reliability

are

essential characteristics of any mechanical

system, and with the evolution of machines
capable of precise movements, the integration
of

medicine

and

machine

is

achievable.

Robots have evolved from the assembly line

to the operating room, assisting surgeons
during surgery to participating in remote
telesurgical

procedures

(Lee,

Cadeddu,

Stoianavici and Kavoussi, 1999).

Challenges of the technology describes the
various challenges posed by the development. It
must be noted that some trade-offs may have been
experienced in the utility of the technology which
can be related in the following sequence:
Global scene
National scene
Local scene
Example Building robots that learn to
perform a task has been acknowledged as

one

of

the

artificial

major

challenges

intelligence

facing

(Connell,

Mahadevan, Shridhar, 1993). A key need

in robotics is reliable prediction of actions
involving intermittent contact such as
legged locomotion over rough terrain,
grasp

acquisition,

manipulation,

and

multi-robot

assembly

(Trinkle,

2011). In the near future, it is expected

that robotic systems will share the human
living and working spaces. While moving
(especially at high speed), automated
vehicles,

mobile

humanoid

robots

manipulators
can

be

and

potentially

dangerous should a collision occur. It is

therefore

critical

to

assert

and

characterize their motion safety, i.e., their

guaranteed

ability

to

avoid

collision

(Fraichard, Bekris, van den Berg, 2011).

The

aforementioned

example

mentioned

about

development challenges in robotics. However, it may

also be considered to mention other challenges in other

areas of important concerns: learning tools inadequacy,

training deficiencies, and material availability.
Interventions
challenges

and

initiatives

describes

that

some

mitigate
prevailing

interventions and initiatives imposed by other

scientists

to

alleviate

challenges

based

on

technology innovations and/or technology-based

treatment which can also be in the following
sequence:
Global scene
National scene
Local scene
This section may highlight some relevant studies
conducted so as to provide benchmark information
to

some

mitigating

measures/approaches/strategies

to

arrest

the

challenges.
Example Brock, Katz, Klingbeil, Osentiski
and

Rusu

(2011)

explores

new

approaches to mobile manipulation with

an emphasis on the relationship between

machine

learning

interaction

in

Autonomous

and

human

successful

environments.

manipulation

in

human

environments is challenging because of

the associated high dimensional state
space and its inherent uncertainties. It
requires

perceptual

and

manipulation

skills which are robust against sparse,

incomplete and noisy information. In such
environments,

leveraging

past

experience, oftentimes resulting from the

robot's own interactions, promises an
increased robustness and reliability.
Problem

Statement

this

section

should

recognize and acknowledge the aforementioned

arguments

presented

as

challenges

and

interventions that can be utilized as motivating

factor

for

some

potent

solution

based

on

technology innovations and or other forms of

technology-based treatment.

 Presentation of proposed solution presents that

through the design, development, implementation
and evaluation of the proposed project/study, it
provides

better

solution

and

resolution

to

stakeholders. The study therefore should seek to

address some prevailing issues and or questions
with

respect

to

the

design,

development,

implementation and evaluation of the proposed

technology-based treatment.
Example
arguments

The

aforementioned

provided

compelling

motivation to undertake the development

of

an

educational

and

entertainment

mobile robot that performs intelligent

navigation

utilizing

an

Arduino

microcontroller in C-Language as a test

bed in microcontroller programming. The
design and development of this mobile
robot will enhance learning across basic
mobile robot autonomous navigation and
control. The study therefore seeks to
address the following questions:

1. What design parameters should be

considered in the development of
mobile robot relative to its control
functionality?
2. What control parameters should
be used to efficiently navigate the
mobile robot with respect to its
input and output relationship?
3. What

are

the

evaluation

parameters to be used to measure

the

performance,

acceptability

and pedagogic capabilities of the

mobile robot?
Research Objectives (Main & Specific
Objectives)
May be a statement of an outcome of the
study in terms of variables,
May contains implications for empirical testing
Example - The general objectives of the study
is

to

provide

mitigating

measure

to

instructional tool inadequacy in the academe

through the development of educational and

entertainment mobile robot using indigenous
materials

as

pedagogic

intervention

to

enhance learning interest across science and

technology. The specific objectives are:
1. To

design

an

educational

and

entertainment mobile robot using an

Arduino/PIC/Zilog/C8051F330D
microcontroller in C-Language.
2. To

develop

accordance

a
to

mobile

robot

established

in

design

parameters.
3. To implement the established control
concepts relative to its corresponding
input

and

output

relationship

and

control framework.
4. To evaluate the performance of the
mobile robot according to established
test instrument.
Scope and Limitation describes the specific
coverage of the study bearing

the enabling

technologies involved, general methodology and

the project setting. Other technologies may be

mentioned and classified under the limitation of
the study. Relevant information which is withheld
may also be classified under the limitation.
Example: The premise of the study covers the
design,

development

and

evaluation

of

pedagogic mobile robot utilizing Arduino/PIC/Zilog/

C8051F330D/etc.

microcontroller

in

C-

programming language. The fundamental control

function is anchored on the ability of the robot to
detect object, evade obstacle, and line following
capability. Servo/DC motors are the preferred
drivers

which

triggering
elements

are

input

dependent

on

appropriate

switches/sensors.

computational

design

Machine

and

other

mathematical functionality model are not included

in the study.
Theoretical Framework or Conceptual
Framework or Organization of the Study
(input process output ) framework

Example: The control framework used in

the study follows the input process
output relationship as shown in Table 1.
Switches and other sensing devices are
connected to the appropriate input module
of the microcontroller while output devices
are connected to the designated output
module

of

the

controller.

Electronic

instructions via C-language programming

contribute to the mobile robot artificial
intelligence anchored in the system truth
table shown in Table 2. The input and
output relationship and or action of the
prototype depend on the designed system
truth table. The study is anchored on the
system framework as shown in Figure 1
where input/output devices are connected
to the microprocessor modules; system
programming
accomplished

in
through

C-language
an

interfacing

circuit.
Table 1: The MoBot Input/Output
Control Framework

is

Input
Process
Output
Switches/sen Microcontroll Motors, LED,
sors

er

Camera

Table 2: The Fundamental System

Truth Table
System Truth Table
Input
Output
Switches/sen
LEDs (On or
sors

Action
Move

Off), Motor

forward or

rotational

reverse,

direction

turn right or

(reverse or

left

forward/stop
Software
Programm
ing and
Interfacing
Input
Devices

System
Processor

Output
Devices

Figure 1: Control Systems

Framework

 Definition

of

Terms

technical

terminologies that are significantly used in

the study are defined explicitly to provide
the reader the fundamental understanding
of the terms utilized.
3.2Chapter 1 Activities:
3.2.1

Activity

No.

Writing

the

Fundamental Introduction of
the Research
Objectives: After completing this chapter
guide, you should be able to:
Describe the fundamental content of the
background and rationale of a research.
Write an introductory premise of your
research

interest

benchmarked

using

technical

available
information

about the subject.

Substantiate information from various
sources

relative

to

the

arguments

presented with proper citation.

Supplement

available

information

through written discussion with own

intuitive

ideas to corroborate or in

conflict with the information at hand.

Methods:
1.

Develop

short

introduction

describing the fundamental definition

and or current evolution of a particular
technology of interest by following the
suggestions/guidelines presented above.
2.

Use relevant references to jumpstart

the essay with proper citation.

3.

Express

in

writing

your

intuitive

understanding of the information at

hand and supplement the ideas that
have been organized so far.
3.2.2

Activity No. 2 Enhancing the

introduction

through

information

reinforcement.
Objectives: After completing this activity,
you should be able to:
Enhance and expand existing essay by
incorporating

other

relevant

collaborating information

and

 Expand the essay by discussing the

significant impact of the technology of
interest with proper citation.
Describe the milestone and challenges
of the technology of interest.
Methods:
1.

Expand

write-up

and

by

enhance

your

incorporating

corroborating

information

initial

additional
from

other

references with proper citations.

2.

Describe the significant impact of the

technology in terms of social, economic

and

academic

influence

with

proper

citation.
3.

Write the significant milestone and

challenges

met

relative

to

the

technology utilization.
3.2.3

Activity No.3 Writing transitional

sentences.

4.Chapter 2 Review of Related Studies

Brief current evolution of the technology

Significant Impact of the current technology

Challenges of the current technology

o Global scene
o National scene
o Local scene
Interventions and initiatives to mitigate

challenges
o Global scene
o National scene
o Local scene

5.Chapter 3 Methodology
The method section is often the most precisely
written

part

replication

of

and

research

analyzing

report.

methods

Since
is

so

important, a good deal of time should be spent

analyzing

this

section.

It

is

imperative

to

understand the foundation of each study and be

able to critically analyze how the data that will
lead to the results the section was derived. The
methods section should look for information
regarding the subjects and the manner in which

the subjects were selected. The strengths and

weaknesses of the type of design used and how
the researchers used control groups or group that
were not equivalent should be well understood.
Generally,

the

methods

should

have

the

following:
describes the overall plan and strategies
for attaining the stated objectives of the
research.
represents
conduct

the

his

way

the

observation

researchers
or

collects

information
includes specifics as the location of the
study, sampling design, specification of
variables,

data

collection,

analysis

of

data.

Should describe how the following are

undertaken:
Design,
describes

how

the

following

contributes to the technical design:

power supply

 microcontroller board
interfacing circuit
microcontroller pin assignments
machine elements
motor mounting
control

design

(system

truth

table/action table)
(Google

sketches,

schematic

diagrams, 3D models, etc., must be

well presented and marked as Figure
x.x or Table x.x)
Development,
describes how the sub-components
are to be interlinked or interconnected
in accordance to the pre-established
systems design (systems integration).
Inter-system

relationships

are

expected to be explained.
Implementation
describes the preliminary testing and
troubleshooting techniques used and
the observations inherent to system
commissioning.

 Evaluation
Describes how the project outcome
may be tested and or evaluated in
terms of performance, mobility, cost
and pedagogic capability.
Performance
through

can

be

measured

functionality,

efficiency,

controllability,

operability,

time

speed,

sensing,

angular

displacements

real

linear

or

accuracy

and etc.
Descriptive Statistics may be used to
measure frequencies or percentages
and the mean responses through the
five point rating scale (Likert scale).
The five Point Rating Scale (i.e. Likert
Scale)
Adjectival Rating

Scale

Range
1 Not Applicable
below

1.49 -

2 Poor

1.50

2.49
3 Fair

2.50

3.49
4 High

3.50

4.49
5 Very High

4.50

above

6.Chapter 4 Results and Discussions

The results and discussions should be in conjunction
with the stipulated methodology. Designed drawings
and accomplished designs must be well presented,
compared

and

accomplished

discussed.
prototypes

Photos/pictures
must

be

of
well

presented/marked and explained.

Example presentation of percentages
Range of Mechatronics
Industry survey suggests that the range
of mechatronics as presented by Craig (2009)
is present and is actually being utilized by

industrial practitioners in Mindanao industrial

zone.

Table

summary

3.3

of

shows

mechatronics

the

percentage

core

courses

adapted by the industries that indicate the

mechatronics

core

courses

application

in

Robotic industries.

Among the core courses validated, the use of

mechanics and microcontroller are overwhelmingly
affirmed by practitioners with 90% rating. The use of
sensors,

software

affirmation

of

and

their

electronics

usefulness

in

received
their

80%

fields

of

disciplines. However, there were respondents that are

not keen on doing systems modeling and simulation

having ratings of 43.33% and 33.33% respectively

which may be attributed to their nature of assignment.
System modeling and simulation are usually performed
in the design or engineering department. The initial
findings

points

that

the

technical

application

of

knowledge relative to the mechatronics core courses

strengthen the theory of Van Brussel (1996) that
mechatronics has become the concurrent engineering
thinking framework in process of designing complex
machines.

Sample presentation of summary of

mean responses.

Table 4.3 shows the mean responses of applied

mechatronics range in the industry. As shown in the
table, most respondents rated very high marks on the
mechatronics

applied

technologies

except

for

Distributed Control System (DCS) and Supervisory

Control and

Data Acquisition

(SCADA)

which are

identified to be more prominent in the power industry.

Chemical, metal and power industries in the region
signified utility in SCADA and DCS. However, the
contradicting utility of machine networking, DCS and
SCADA in the M and FB industries might have been
attributed

to

the

misinterpretation

networking

utility

in

office

networking

allows

wired

and

of

computer

automation.
wireless

Machine

system

to

communicate compatible automated industrial process

machines. DCS and SCADA applications are preferably
utilized

in

highly

microcontroller-based
flexible

control

and

advanced

industries

industrial

machines

management

of

wherein
demands
redundant

systems. DCS and SCADA operate effectively through

machine to machine communication network system.

7.Chapter 5 Overall Summary, Conclusions and

Recommendations
The over-all summary must bear the highlights of the
research chapters. The conclusions must be based on
the

significant

test/assessment/evaluation

results

of

the

conducted.

The

recommendations should address the least significant

results

of

the

test/assessment/evaluation.

The

recommendations may be presented in question form.

Bibliography
Appendices
Survey Instruments
Test Instruments
Algorithms
Technical Specification Sheets
Pictorials
Curriculum Vitae