1. Writing Up You University Assignments
and Research Projects
ROBERT BRUNET SOLÉ
Department of Chemical Engineering, URV, Tarragona
Sustainable Computer Aided Process Engineering Group
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2. 5. Understanding the research and writing
process
5.1. The basic requeriments of a research project
5.2. Decinding on a research
5.3. Writing a proposal
5.4. Adopting the correct mindset
5.5. Studying independently
5.6. Attending seminars, conferences, etc.
5.7. Getting down to writing
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3. 5.1. The basic requeriments of a research project
5.1.1. What is originality?
• One of key points of a thesis, is the originality (add something new to the body of
knowledge that already exists).
• Feel that your research contributes to the knowledge of the subject.
5.1.2. Other requeriments
• Be an integrated whole and present a coherent argument;
• Give a critical assessment of the relevant literature, describe the method of research
and its findings, include discussion.
• Include a full bibliography and references.
• Demonstrate research skills relevant to the thesis being presented.
• Be of a standard to merit publication in whole or in part or in revised.
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4. 5.2. Decinding on a research
• Select something you find interesting.
2. Unless it is to be your life’s work- or a good part of it- try to avoid projects that seem
open-ended; insead choose something that will fit into the timescale you have in
mind for your research.
3. Areas of controversy and/or areas where there are various views and approaches
that allow for comparison are often fertile teritory for research.
4. Keep alert with the latest developments in your area of study.
5. Discuus developments in your field and areas of particular interest to you with fellow
students, colleagues and lecturers.
6. Finally, try to be alert to potential research leads.
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5. 5.3. Writing a proposal
• Before commencing with your research, you will be asked to submit a proposal
describing the nature of your project and the motivation for it.
• This proposal is normally no more than two sides of A4 and serves two important
purposes.
• It forces you, the researcher, to calirify your own thinking.
• A proposal gives the department an opportunity to judge whether the project is
viable and whether you as a researcher have thought it through adequately
and are capable of bringing it to fruition.
• A proposal also allows them to decide whether they have a specialist in the
department qualified and willing to supervise the project.
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6. 5.3. Writing a proposal
• Proposal needs to contain the following elements:
• Title and subject:
• Context of the project:
• Statement of aims and objectives (what your research is going to achieve,
what problem it seeks to adress, and the nature of the key constructs to
solving that problem).
• Formulating your hypothesis (These are simply statements –expressed as
assertions- about the anticipated outcomes of your study).
• An indication of your methodology (You will need to explain how you plan
to achieve those aims and objectives; i.e. what methods do you plan to use).
• Expected outcomes You may well have expectations about the eventual
findings of the project.
• A time frame for completion How long you expect your project to take.
Of course, many of thesedetails will change once your research begins and
develops. What is important is to show that you have a viable project, along
with the tools and know-how to conduct it effectively and bring it to a
successful conclusion.
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7. 5.4. Adopting the correct mindset
• Always be sure about this three key questions
• What are you doing in your research?
• Which results do you hope to achieve?
• How you intend to achieve it?
.
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8. 5.5. Studying independently
• It is often said that doing research can be very lonely business. Most of the time
you will probably be working alone.
• You will need to be organized, systematic and disciplined; i.e. efficient
• Organize your study area.
• Careful time management (decide which days or parts of your days you are
going to devote to your research, and try your best to stick to your timetable).
• Try to know where is everything and all people involved in your work
• Try to set clear and manageable goals or milestones (having something to aim
at helps to mantain momentum and ensure progress).
• Record information methodically
• Don’t get bogged down in detail
• Discuss ideas with colleagues (where appropiate) this can be a good way of
getting you to think further about your ideas.
8. Develop your professional vocabulary: (try to become so familiar with the
language and vocabulary of your field that its use becomes second nature to you.)
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9. 5.6. Attending seminars, conferences, etc.
• Attending research seminars and conferences is one way of generating ideas for
possible research projects
• Just a journal article will often suggest proposals for futher research.
• Attending these events may also provide ideas of ways you can develop and refine
a research project you already have underway.
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10. 5.7. Getting down to writing
 How to Get a Ph.D. (Phillips and Pugh);
 The Research Student’s Guide to Success (Cryer)
 The Unwritten Rules of PhD Research
 The Open University Press study skills wbsite:
http://www.openup.co.uk
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11. Thanks for your attention!
ROBERT BRUNET SOLÉ
Department of Chemical Engineering, URV, Tarragona
Sustainable Computer Aided Process Engineering Group
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