Preliminary Guidelines Part One
Preliminary Guidelines Part One
Engineering
1. Introduction: Begin your abstract with a brief introduction that sets the context for your
research. Clearly state the problem or research question that your study addresses, providing
background information to establish its significance and relevance to the field of engineering.
2. Objectives or Purpose: Clearly outline the objectives or purpose of your study. What
specific problem or challenge are you seeking to address? What are the key goals or aims of
your research project? Clearly articulate the intended outcomes or contributions of your study
to the field of engineering.
3. Methods or Approach: Describe the methods or approach used to conduct your research.
Briefly outline the research design, methodology, or experimental procedures employed in
your study. Highlight any innovative or novel aspects of your approach that distinguish it
from existing research in the field.
4. Results or Findings: Present the key results or findings of your study. Summarize the
most important outcomes, data, or observations obtained through your research. Highlight
any significant discoveries, trends, or patterns that emerged from your analysis.
5. Discussion or Implications: Discuss the implications of your findings for the field of
engineering. What are the broader implications of your research for theory, practice, or future
research directions? Reflect on the significance of your findings and how they contribute to
advancing knowledge in your area of study.
6. Conclusion: Conclude your abstract with a brief summary of the main points discussed.
Reiterate the importance of your research and its potential impact on the field of engineering.
Provide a closing statement that leaves the reader with a clear understanding of the key
contributions and significance of your study.
Clarity and Conciseness: Keep your abstract clear, concise, and to the point. Avoid
unnecessary jargon or technical language that may be difficult for non-specialists to
understand.
Focus on Key Points: Highlight the most important aspects of your research, including the
problem, objectives, methods, results, and implications. Focus on conveying the essence of
your study in a limited word count.
Use Active Voice: Write your abstract in the active voice to convey a sense of immediacy
and engagement. Use strong verbs to describe actions and outcomes, making your abstract
more dynamic and engaging.
Avoid Ambiguity: Be specific and precise in your language, avoiding vague or ambiguous
statements. Clearly define terms, concepts, and variables to ensure clarity and understanding.
Provide Context: Situate your research within the broader context of existing literature and
scholarship. Briefly mention relevant theories, methodologies, or prior studies that inform
your research and provide context for your findings.
1
Proofread and Edit: Carefully proofread and edit your abstract for clarity, coherence, and
correctness. Ensure that your abstract is free from grammatical errors, typos, or formatting
issues that may detract from its impact.
3. Objectives or Purpose: Outline the objectives or purpose of your research. What are the
key goals or aims of your study? What specific outcomes or contributions do you hope to
achieve through your research? Clearly articulate the intended outcomes or impact of your
study on the field of engineering.
4. Scope and Limitations: Define the scope and limitations of your study. Describe the
boundaries or parameters within which your research will be conducted, including any
specific methodologies, techniques, or technologies that will be employed. Acknowledge any
constraints or limitations that may impact the interpretation or generalizability of your
findings.
6. Structure of the Project: Provide an overview of the structure of your project. Briefly
outline the main sections or chapters of your research, highlighting the organization and flow
of your argument. This roadmap will guide the reader through your paper and help them
understand how each section contributes to your overall argument.
Engage the Reader: Begin your introduction with an attention-grabbing opening sentence or
anecdote that piques the reader's interest and motivates them to continue reading.
2
Provide Context: Situate your research within the broader context of the engineering field,
providing background information and explaining why your study is relevant and timely.
Be Clear and Concise: Write your introduction in clear, concise language, avoiding
unnecessary technical jargon or complex terminology that may confuse or overwhelm the
reader.
State the Problem Clearly: Clearly articulate the problem statement or research question that
your study seeks to address, providing a clear rationale for why it matters and why it is worth
investigating.
Highlight the Contribution: Emphasize the significance and contribution of your research to
the field of engineering, highlighting any novel insights, innovative approaches, or practical
applications that distinguish your study from existing research.
Set the Stage for the Rest of the Paper: Use your introduction to set the stage for the rest of
your paper, providing a roadmap that previews the main arguments, findings, and
conclusions that will be presented in subsequent sections.
1. Introduction: Begin by introducing the topic of your research and its relevance to the field
of engineering. Provide a brief overview of the background information that sets the stage
for your study.
2. Historical Context: Discuss the historical development or evolution of the topic within the
field of engineering. Provide a chronological overview of key milestones, breakthroughs, or
developments that have shaped the current state of knowledge in your area of study.
3. Current State of the Art: Review the current state of the art in your field of engineering,
focusing on recent advances, trends, and challenges. Summarize key findings from relevant
literature, research, or industry reports that provide context for your study.
4. Gap in the Literature: Identify gaps, limitations, or unresolved issues in existing research
that your study seeks to address. Highlight areas where further investigation is needed or
where existing knowledge falls short of fully addressing important questions or problems.
5. Rationale for the Study: Explain the rationale or motivation behind your research. Clearly
articulate why your study is important or necessary, highlighting the potential benefits,
implications, or applications of your research findings.
6. Research Objectives: Outline the specific objectives or goals of your study. Clearly define
the research questions or hypotheses that your study aims to address, providing a clear
roadmap for the rest of your research.
3
Provide Context: Begin by providing background information that helps the reader
understand the broader context and significance of your research topic within the field of
engineering.
Be Comprehensive: Review relevant literature, research, and industry reports to ensure that
your background section provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of
knowledge in your area of study.
Identify Gaps: Identify gaps or limitations in existing research that your study seeks to fill or
address. Clearly articulate the unique contribution or value proposition of your research in
addressing these gaps.
Stay Focused: While it's important to provide context and background information, avoid
getting too bogged down in unnecessary details or tangents. Focus on providing the most
relevant and essential information that sets the stage for your study.
Use Clear and Concise Language: Write your background section in clear, concise language,
avoiding unnecessary jargon or technical terminology that may be difficult for non-
specialists to understand.
Demonstrate Significance: Clearly articulate the significance and relevance of your research
within the broader field of engineering. Highlight the potential impact or implications of your
study for theory, practice, or future research directions.
By following these guidelines and using the provided template, you can write a high-impact
background section that effectively sets the stage for your research and demonstrates its
significance within the field of engineering.
Synthesize and Analyze: Synthesize and analyze the literature to identify common themes,
trends, and patterns across different studies. Look for gaps, inconsistencies, or contradictions
in existing research that may indicate areas where further investigation is needed.
4
Demonstrate Critical Thinking: Demonstrate critical thinking skills by evaluating the
strengths and weaknesses of existing research and identifying areas where further
investigation is needed to address limitations or gaps in knowledge.
Formulate Specific Research Questions: Based on your analysis of the literature, formulate
specific research questions or hypotheses that directly address the identified research gap.
These questions should guide the direction of your research and provide a clear focus for
your study.
By following these guidelines and using the provided template, you can write a high-impact
literature review that effectively synthesizes existing research and identifies a clear research
gap in the field of engineering.