6.1.
1 RET7105 Statistics and Research Methods (3 CU)
Course Description
This course presents the fundamentals, concepts and methods used in the analysis of data. It covers
definitions, methods of computation of the various measures of data summarization. The course will also
cover advanced engineering research skills, focusing on research design, design of data collection
instruments, implementation of data collection plans, and principles of research report writing and
dissemination.
Objectives
The aims of this course are to:
· Provide students with a strong knowledge base for mathematical analysis of energy
systems.
· Equip students with background and fundamental knowledge behind the techniques for
analyzing a vast amount of data for different scenarios with ease
· Equip students with the skills to use the tools for handling large amounts of data Explain to
students the role of research in knowledge creation
· Instruct students on how research is conducted practically and in academic circles
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course, a student should be able to:
· Explain the mathematical concepts of data occurrence and analysis
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· Apply the different methods of displaying and reporting data
· Compute the various quantities used to summarize data
· Distinguish among the different scenarios of occurrence of events
· To test different data sets to find which models best describe them
· Explain the various terminology used in research methods
· Describe the various research designs applied in research
· Develop a research proposal including identification of a research problem, formulation of
research objectives, description of the methodology and the data analysis techniques
· Identify shortcoming in research proposals, designs and reports
Mode of teaching/delivery
The teaching of students will be conducted through lectures, tutorials, short classroom exercises, case
studies, group discussions among the students and projects aimed at solving real life problems. The
lecture material will be availed to the students in advance to enable them have prior reading. Solving real
life problems in each theme or a number of topics will enhance the students’ understanding of the
problem based learning techniques.
Method of Assessment
Assessment will be done through coursework which will include assignments, class room and take home
tests, project work and presentations and a written examination. Course work will carry a total of 40%
and written examination carries 60%. Coursework marks will be divided into;
Assignments 5%, Tests 10% and Practical/project Work 25%.
Course Content
1 Research Methods
1.1 Introduction (2CH)
- Definition of Research
- Role of Research in the Engineering Profession
- Types of Research (Basic Vs Applied; Primary Vs Secondary; Exploratory Vs
Constructive Vs Empirical)
- Research Processes (The Scientific Vs Historical Research Process)
- Information Literacy Strategies
- Research Funding
- Research and Publishing
1.2 Elements of General Academic Writing (3CH)
- The Writing Process (Invention, Composition and Revision)
- Research Concept Note (Synopsis)
- Proposal
- Thesis Report
- Papers
- Abstracts
- Formatting Style (MLA Vs APA)
1.3 Identifying and Formulating a Research Problem (2CH)
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- Definition of Research Problem
- Identify a Research Problem (Sources of Research Problems)
- Testing the Feasibility of the Research Problem
- Formulating a Research Problem
- Statement of the Problem
- Components of a Problem Statement
1.4 Developing Other Proposal Components (5CH)
- Formulating a Research Title
- Formulating and Stating the Research Objectives
- Stating the Research Justification
- Literature Review
- The Research Methodology
- The Research Resources Plan (Work plan, and Budget)
- References and Bibliography
- Appendices
- Pagination of Research Proposal
1.5 Research Ethics (6CH)
- Intellectual Property Rights (Makerere IPM Policy and other International IPM
Policies)
- Research Ownership and Mandate of Researcher
- Research and Citations (Notation and Standards)
- Plagiarism (Definition, manifestation, and consequences)
- Authenticity of Facts and Opinions (Proper Research Language and avoiding
weasel word and fallacies)
- Rights of Human and Animal Survey Respondents
1.6 Data Collections and Analysis (6CH)
- Designing and Executing a Survey
- Sources of Data
- Sample and Populations
- Sampling Methods
- Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches
- Data Collections Instruments and Methods, their Context and Limitations
(Questionnaires Vs Interview Vs Check Lists)
- Questionnaire Design: Types of Questions, Response Rate and Sample Size
- Coding Data: Missing Values, Open Ended Questions
1.7 Research Designing (3CH)
- Choosing an Operational Definition
- Experimental and Non-Experimental Designs
- Internal and External Validity and Associated Threats
- Groups Vs Repeated Measure Design
1.8 Presentation of Research (1CH)
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- Oral Presentation (Proposal and Viva Voce)
- Use of Presentation Aides
- Use of Graphics and Animations in Presenting Research
- Presentation Language
2 Statistics and Data Analysis
2.1 Introduction (2CH)
- Definition of Statistics
- Role of Statistics in Engineering Research
- Misuse and Abuse of Statistics
- Data Measurement
2.2 Descriptive Statistics (6CH)
- Introduction
- Frequency Distributions: Histograms and bar charts, The shape of a distribution,
Determining if skewness and kurtosis are significantly non-normal
- Central Tendency: Measures of central tendency, Choosing a measure of central
tendency
- Variability: Sums of squares, Variance, Standard deviation
- The Normal Distribution
- Transformations: Dichotomisation, Z-scores, The standard normal distribution,
Normalising
- Correlation and Regression
- Descriptive Statistics Using Data Analysis Software
2.3 Inferential Statistics (9CH)
- Introduction
- Null and alternative hypotheses
- Hypothesis testing
- Type I and Type II Errors
- Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
- Inferential Statistics using Data Analysis Software
Reading /Reference Materials
John W. Creswell, (2006). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods
Approaches. Sage Publications, Inc; 3rd Edition. ISBN-10: 1412965578, ISBN-13: 978-
1412965576
Donald H. McBurney and Theresa L. White, (2006). Research Methods, Wadsworth Publishing; 7
Edition. ISBN-10: 0495092088, ISBN-13: 978-0495092087
Anthony M. Graziano and Michael L. Raulin (2006). Research Methods: A Process of Inquiry.
Allyn & Bacon; 6 Edition. ISBN-10: 0205484751, ISBN-13: 978-0205484751
Kenneth Bordens and Bruce Barrington Abbott, (2007). Research Design and Methods: A Process
Approach. McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages; 7th Edition. ISBN-10:
0073129062, ISBN-13: 978-0073129068
