Research Methods

MATS64201 Research Methods 15 Semester 1 Postgraduate Taught Level 6 Kun Yan Unit coordinator Department of Materials 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Masters/Integrated Masters P4 ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 7.5 This core unit introduces the research skills needed to thrive during the degree course, including specifics of how to conduct research at the University of Manchester. The unit provides an overview of the design and realisation of a research project, either lab-based or computational, the application of technical data analysis and visualisation methods, and how these can be applied to solve engineering problems. This core unit introduces the research skills needed to thrive during the degree course, including specifics of how to conduct research at the University of Manchester. The unit provides an overview of the design and realisation of a research project, either lab-based or computational, the application of technical data analysis and visualisation methods, and how these can be applied to solve engineering problems.This unit builds on MATS64101 Introduction to Materials Science by introducing the practicalities of sample preparation, materials characterisation, and acquisition of analytical data. The concepts and methods covered in this unit are put into practice through a group project to address a broad, open-ended materials challenge. The content of this unit will act as a resource that can be applied during the individual research project.The unit includes:<ol><li>Applied aspects of materials analysis: Sample preparation and structure characterisation with application of image analysis methods and data statistics; testing of the thermal & mechanical performance of engineering materials.</li><li>Technical data analysis and manipulation: Application of computational statistical analysis tools; image analysis and visualisation techniques; applied statistics with errors, uncertainties and how these are applied to research.</li><li>Team project: multidisciplinary group work to develop interpersonal and transferable skills, as part of a case study addressing economic, legal, social, ethical, environmental context relevant to engineering practice; application of materials science and engineering knowledge to solve a multi-faceted engineering challenge.</li><li>Transferrable skills for research work: project planning and management; assessment and mitigation of risk to ensure a safe working environment; project proposal writing; maintaining a library of references and citing them appropriately; scientific written and oral communication; understanding research ethics and integrity.</li></ol>This unit runs in parallel with first semester of MATS63330 Dissertation. The topics covered in this unit contribute directly to the first summative assessment in MATS63330, the literature review. The unit aims to give students the skills and resources to:<ol><li>Plan, manage, and execute a research project in science and engineering.</li><li>Survey scientific publications efficiently and use them to provide context for one’s research.</li><li>Select appropriate techniques to answer research questions.</li><li>Apply common methods and software packages to assess, analyse, and visualise technical data.</li><li>Work effectively as a diverse team to solve open-ended materials engineering challenge.</li></ol> A greater depth of the learning outcomes will be covered in the following sections:<ul><li>Knowledge and understanding</li><li>Intellectual skills</li><li>Practical skills</li><li>Transferable skills and personal qualities</li></ul> <ul><li>Select appropriate experiments and methods to address materials science problems</li><li>Define and describe a thorough range of imaging and characterisation techniques used in materials engineering and link them to their research project</li><li>Evaluate the importance of economic, legal, social, ethical, and environmental context relevant to engineering practice</li></ul> <ul><li>Evaluate whether differences between measurements and analyses are statistically significant</li></ul><ol> </ol> <ul><li>Create high-quality figures suitable for scientific publication</li><li>Analyse experimental data (including images), fit data to a mathematical model, and test for statistically significant differences between data sets</li></ul> <ul><li>Plan, prioritise, deliver, and assess a programme of work within a team</li><li>Communicate a research project, its motivation, aims and outcomes, to different audiences through oral, written, and visual media</li><li>Search for and summarise scientific publications and link them to a research projects</li></ul> This unit is delivered using a blended learning approach, which integrates technology and digital media with traditional classroom activities. A variety of learning and teaching processes will be used including: lectures, discussions, group activities and independent study. Canvas will be used to present online study materials, including videos, lecture notes, guided reading, articles and other information. Canvas will also be used for the submission of assessments. 0 Other 10% 2 Written assignment (inc essay) 40% 3 Report 10% 5 Portfolio 10% 7 Oral assessment/presentation 20% 9 Set exercise 10% Feedback given written and verbally. N The recommended reading for this unit can be found on the <a href="https://www.readinglists.manchester.ac.uk/leganto/public/44MAN_INST/lists/354522219890001631?auth=CAS">online unit reading list</a>. Lectures 30 0 120