School of Engineering and Technology, (SET)
 
CE74.15 : Research Design and Experimental Methods  2(-)
 
Course objectives:
The objective of this course is to provide students with knowledge and skills on how to plan, design and conduct laboratory and field experiments and research projects, and to present scientific and technical reports related to water resources development projects. In addition, the course provides students hands-on experience of various techniques in the measurements of hydraulic and soil hydrologic properties and processes, soil sampling, water quality sampling and analysis and experimental investigation of various hydraulic phenomena.
 
Learning Outcomes:
The students on completion of this course would be able to:
  • Prepare research proposals and methodologies based on given research objectives;
  • Carry out independent laboratory investigation to study various hydraulic phenomena by using common laboratory procedures and equipment; and
  • Carry out field data collection of various soil hydraulic and hydrologic properties as well as water quality sampling and analysis.
 
Pre-requisite(s):

None
 
Course Outline:
      I.        Research Design
            1.    Overview of research approaches and techniques
            2.    Concepts of scientific research
            3.    Guidelines for writing research proposals and reports
            4.    Quantitative/qualitative data gathering techniques and analysis
            5.    Critical review and synthesis of published articles
            6.    Presentation of findings and discussions of results
            7.    Research project planning, coordination and management         
            8.    Strengthening writing, communication and presentation skills
 
    II.        Laboratory Session(s) (Laboratory and Field Methods):
1.     Determination of water retention characteristics curve using the pressure chamber
2.     Hydraulic conductivity measurements (laboratory methods)
3.     Use of Tension Infiltrometer to measure hydraulic properties of soil in the field
4.     Determination of soil saturated hydraulic conductivity by shallow-well constant head method
5.     Calibration of weir (steady and unsteady methods)
6.     Transitions in open channel flow
7.     Bottom resistance in free surface flows
8.     Characteristics of progressive waves
9.     Calibration of current meters using the towing basin
10. Field practices: discharge measurement, sediment sampling, soil sampling, water quality sampling and analysis for surface and ground water
 
 
 
Learning Resources:

Textbook:
No designated textbook but class notes and laboratory handouts will be provided.
 
Reference Books:
1.     ACS (1996): Principles of Environmental Sampling, 2nd edition, Lawrence, H. Keith (ed.), American Chemical Society, USA.
2.     APHA (1998): Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 20th edition, American Public Health Association (APHA), Washington, D.C
3.     ASA (1986): Methods of Soil Analysis, Part 1, Physical and Mineralogical Methods, 2nd edition, Monograph No. 9 American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Madison.
4.     Creswell J.W. (2002): Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches, 2nd Edition, Sage Publication, Inc., UK.
5.     Day, R. (1994):  How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper 4th Ed. Oryx Press, USA
6.     French, R.H. (1986): Open Channel Flow, McGraw-Hill Book Company, U.S.A.
7.     Fowler F. Jr. (2002): Survey Research Methods (Applied Social Research Methods Series), 3rd Edition, Sage Publications, Inc., UK.
8.     Hailman J.P. and Strier, H. B. (1997): Planning, Proposing, and Presenting Science Effectively: A Guide for Graduate Students and Researchers in the Behavioural Sciences and Biology, Oxford University Press, UK.
9.     Holeman, J.P. (1994): Experiments Methods for Engineers, McGraw- Hill Inc., New York.
 
Others:
1.     AIT (2000): Hydraulic Laboratory Manual, AIT, Bangkok.
2.     Instruction Manuals: Guelph Permeameter; Tension Infiltrometer; Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter.
3.     Carter, M. Ed Soil Sampling Methods (1993): Canadian Society of Soil Science Equipment Operation Manual, 09.09 Tension Infiltrometer.
 
 
Time Distribution and Study Load:
Classroom lectures                                           15h
Laboratory exercises and field work               45h
Oral Presentation                                                 5h
Self-study (incl. assignments/project work)    45h
 
Teaching and Learning Methods:
Teaching and learning methods consist of class room lectures, self-reading, practical exercises, project work, oral presentations, laboratory and field experiments using various laboratory equipment.
 
Evaluation Scheme:
The final grade is computed according to the following weight distribution: assignments from Research Design part and, laboratory exercises and field work reports (70%) and Final Exam covering both parts (30%). 

An “A” grade will awarded to those students who demonstrate an ‘excellent’ understanding of research concept, prepare proposals for a given research topic and conduct field experiments and prepare reports. A“B” grade will be awarded to those students who demonstrate ‘good’ understanding of research concept, prepare proposals for a given research topic and conduct field experiments and prepare reports. A“C” grade would be given to those students who demonstrate an ‘average’ understanding of research concept, prepare proposals for a given research topic and conduct field experiments and prepare reports. A “D” grade will be given to those students who demonstrate ‘below average’ understanding of research concept, prepare proposals for a given research topic and conduct field experiments and prepare reports.
 
Instructor(s):
SECTION NAME
A Prof. Sangam Shrestha