MANIPAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

(A constituent college of Manipal University, Manipal)

Manipal, Karnataka 576 104

DEPARTMENT OF HUMANITIES & MANAGEMENT

COURSE PLAN
Subject

: Research Methodology & Technical Communication

(HSS - 501)

Semester & branch

: I M.TECH. ALL DISCIPLINES

Name of the faculty

: Prof. Dr. B. Gopalakrishna

Prof. Dr. Shiva Prasad H.C.
Dr. James M. J.

No of contact hours/week

: 1 hr Lecture, 3 hrs. Lab.

Submitted by:
Dr. James M J (Coordinator)

Approved by:
HOD, Dept of HSS

(Signature of the faculty / Date)

(Signature / Date)

Prerequisite: None
Objectives: At the end of the program the student must be able to

Understand the basic concepts of research design, hypothesis testing, and

validation

Comprehend the mechanics of Thesis writing, Journal and Conference

paper writing.

Present technical seminar in a professional manner and understand the

dynamics of effective technical communication.

Evaluation Plan:
End semester Examination

40 %

Technical Presentation

- 50%

Tutorial Tests

- 10%

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Lecture Schedule
L. No.
L1

Topics
Making an effective technical presentation
Mechanics of Research Methodology- Introduction to Research Methodology,
Types of research, Significance of research, Research framework, Case study

L2

method, Experimental method

Sources of data, Data collection using questionnaire, Interviewing, and

L3

experimentation.
Research formulation- Components, selection and formulation of a research

L4

problem, Objectives of formulation, and Criteria of a good research problem.

Research hypothesis- Criterion for hypothesis construction, Nature of

L5

hypothesis, Need for having a working hypothesis

L6

Characteristics and Types of hypothesis, Procedure for hypothesis testing

Sampling Methods- Introduction to various sampling methods and their

L7

applications
Data Analysis- Sources of data, Collection of data, Measurement and scaling

L8

technique, and Qualitative and quantitative techniques.

L9

Thesis Writing Contents of thesis, format, chapterization etc.

Journal Publication Selection of a Journal, Impact factors, contents and

L10

mechanics of journal paper writing

L11

IEEE, APA and Harvard styles of referencing. Presentation of figures and tables.

L12

Intellectual Property Rights & Copyrights and avoiding plagiarism.

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References:
1. Dr Ranjit Kumar, Research Methodology: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners,
SAGE, 2005.
2. Geoffrey R. Marczyk, David DeMatteo & David Festinger, Essentials of
Research Design and Methodology, John Wiley & Sons, 2004.
3. John W. Creswel , Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed
Methods Approaches, SAGE, 2004
4. Suresh C. Sinha and Anil K. Dhiman, Research Methodology (2 Vols-Set),
Vedam Books, 2006.
5. C. R. Kothari, Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques, New Age
International Publisher, 2008.
6. Donald R Cooper & Pamela S Schindler, Business Research Methods,
McGraw Hill International, 2007.
7. R. Pannershelvam, Research Methodology, Prentice Hall, India, 2006
8. Manfred Max Bergman, Mixed Methods Research, SAGE Books, 2006.
9. Paul S. Gray, John B. Williamson, David A. Karp, John R. Dalphin, The
Research Imagination, Cambridge University press, 2007.
10. Cochrain & Cox, Experimental Designs, II Edn. Wiley Publishers, 2006.
11. David S. Stallard, What Every Engineer Should Know about Patents, ISBN-13:
978-0824780104, CRC Press; 2 edition, 1988.

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