Stabilization of unsuitable soils and sub-grades

Assignment-2: Research Proposal (week 12)
Due 18 Oct by 23:59 Points 100 Submitting a file upload File types pdf Attempts 0 Allowed attempts 2
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Dear Research Methods for Engineers (EEET2449) students
This is your Assignment-2 (Research Proposal), which should be submitted in week 12.
There could be two types of proposals:
– For experimental Materials/Devices – based research (tangible)
– For Modelling/Algorithm – based research (intangible).
According to this, there are two types of Experimental sections – you only need one section in your proposal
– chose the one that is relevant to your type of proposed research.
If you chose to have an experimental validation to your model/algorithm you could add this as well, but not as
detailed as in materials/devices proposals. Please just outline this in the evaluation/validation proposition.
Your Research Proposal should contain the following sections (points allocated to each section):
Title (2pt)
Abstract (10pt)
Introduction(12pt)
Significance (Rationale)
Connection to the current body of knowledge
Gap/s leading to need for your project
Aim, Expected Outcomes and Research Questions (16pt)
Study Design/Approach (20pt)
Experimental (for proposed Materials-Centred Study): Materials, Instruments and Methods (24)
Experimental (for proposed Modelling/Algorithm-Centred Study): Underpinning Theoretical Framework,
Algorithm/Model Development method/s, Algorithm/Model evaluation and validation) (24)
Data Analysis Methods (6)
Limitations (4)
Timeline (4)
References (2)
Please follow the format given in the Template file. Min margins are Narrow as per Word setting: Top 1.27cm,
Bottom 1.27cm, Left 1.27cm, Right 1.27cm. Use Narrow only if you absolutely lacking space!
Assignment 2 Research Proposal TEMPLATE- Modelling-Algorithm -1.docx
Assignment 2 Research Proposal TEMPLATE – Materials-based research-1.docx
Minimise file preview
09/10/2020 Assignment-2: Research Proposal (week 12)
https://rmit.instructure.com/courses/64886/assignments/485864 2/7
Please note that:
The proposal should strictly be three pages.
Include coversheet as below
Start with Title
Make sure to insert your name and student ID under the title as per TEMPLATE
Insert the subtitle for each section, as given in the Proposal Template.
Submit your assignments only in PDF format.
Include only relevant references – they could be on the 4th page.
Assessment weighting: Individual –100 pt (50% of final grade)
This assessment task supports CLOs 2 and 3
Feedback mode: Feedback will be provided using Canvas.
How to submit Assignment 2 to Canvas
File for canvas submission.
File format: PDF
ZOOM
Title
Student Name/ID- Assignment 2, Research Proposal – Semester 2, 2020.
Abstract
1. Introduction
(Include Significance (Rationale), Connection to the current body of knowledge, Gap/s leading to the need for your project)
Font Calibri (Body) 10.5, Justified
2. Aim, Expected Outcomes and Research Questions
(Include Aim, Expected Outcomes, Research Questions) Font Calibri (Body) 10.5, Justified
3. Study Design/Approach
Write your study design approach here, Font Calibri (Body) 10.5, Justified. Flowchart welcome if applicable.
4. Experimental
4.1 Materials
Write your materials here, Font Calibri (Body) 10.5, Justified. Summary Tables welcome.
4.2 Instruments
Write your instruments here, Font Calibri (Body) 10.5, Justified. Summary Tables welcome.
4.3 Methods
Write your methods here, Font Calibri (Body) 10.5, Justified. Summary Tables welcome
4.4 Data Analyses Methods
5. Limitations
Write your limitations here, Font Calibri (Body) 10.5, Justified.
6. Timeline
Insert your Gantt Chart here, Font Calibri (Body) 10.5.
Strictly 3 pages for the above content.
References (could be on p.4 if needs be)
Include signed Cover Sheet as the first page.
09/10/2020 Assignment-2: Research Proposal (week 12)
https://rmit.instructure.com/courses/64886/assignments/485864 3/7
Assignment 2 – Research Proposal Rubric
File Title: Assignment 2, your Name, your student number, for example –
Assignment 2, David Smith, s1234567
Document Structure and Layout
Please fill in the coversheet available here and include it as the first page in your Assignment 2 PDF document
HE-assignment-cover-sheet- Research Methods.pdf
Please use the template shown above for writing and submission of your Assignment 2
Turnitin checking of your drafts
To avoid Canvas issues we had last time, we now created a special additional “Assignment 2 for checking the
similarity report of your drafts”. You can submit your drafts for checking to this assignment two times. These are not
marked and are for your own checking only. If you don’t want to check your drafts it is ok not to do so.
It is expected that you check your drafts ahead of final submission of your assignment and it is your responsibility to
allow enough time before final submission for this. Please make sure that you submit your correct drafts for checking
– we will not make any amendments to submission process for checking if you make mistakes.
Please review again all information in Module 5 relevant to plagiarism – here.
Please keep in mind that using study approach, methodology, methods from published papers, even with rephrasing, without due acknowledgement and reference is plagiarism. In Assignment 2 you are to develop your own
research proposal with original study design/approach.
Final Submission of your Assignment 2
Please submit your final version of the Assignment 2 to the “Assignment-2: Research Proposal (week 12)” for
marking.
Please make sure that you submit the correct file – only two submission are allowed.
You will receive TurnitIn report: if the similarity score is between 25% and 35%, we will review the similarity report
and make academic judgement regarding possible plagiarism. All reports with similarity score above 35% will be
reviewed and, if plagiarism is detected, Course Coordinator will be notified for review and decision.
Confirmation of Canvas submission.
When you submit your assignment on Canvas, it will display a time stamp and confirmation of successful submission
on the right-hand side of the page. We recommend that you wait until you see that confirmation and that you take a
screen shot of that message – this ensures you stay on the page long enough for the assignment to be successfully
submitted and acts as proof of your submission for you if any submission issues arise.
09/10/2020 Assignment-2: Research Proposal (week 12)
https://rmit.instructure.com/courses/64886/assignments/485864 4/7
Criteria Ratings Pts
2.0 pts
10.0 pts
4.0 pts
8.0 pts
Title 2.0 Pts
Excellent
Concise and
descriptive, reflects
the proposed project
very well
1.5 Pts
Adequate
Descriptive, good link to the
proposed project – easy to
understand what the project is
about
1.0 Pts
Poor
Broad, does not reflect
the essence of the
proposed project well
0.0 Pts
Incomplete
Not addressed at all or what
is provided is irrelevant to the
rest of the assignment
Abstract 10.0 Pts
Outstanding
Clear and detailed,
covers all key
elements, with
excellent flow: reason
for research, problem
being addressed,
study design, expected
outcomes and their
implications
8.0 Pts
Excellent
Good cover of all key
elements in a concise
style. All elements
are linked to the
proposed project,
where some
elements are more
strongly addressed
than others.
6.0 Pts
Good
Satisfactory
abstract,
covers most
of the key
elements,
with few
either not
covered or
not clear
4.0 Pts
Adequate
Some attempt is
made to summarise
the research
proposal, with some
key elements
covered with
adequate detail, with
others either not
covered or not clear
3.0 Pts
Poor
The
abstract
does not
summarise
the
proposal
clearly
0.0 Pts
Incomplete
Not
addressed
at all or
what is
provided is
irrelevant to
the rest of
the
assignment
Introduction:
Significance
(Rationale)
4.0 Pts
Outstanding
Exceptional
rationale,
concise, clearly
linked to the
proposal. Value
of the project
clearly
expressed. No
improvements
could be made
3.5 Pts
Excellent
Excellent
rationale linked
to the proposed
aims and
objectives.
Value of the
project clearly
expressed in a
concise style.
2.5 Pts
Good
Rationale well
expressed with fair
link to the proposed
project. However, is
not of the optimal
size: either too brief
or too extensive in a
proposal framework.
2.0 Pts
Adequate
There is
adequate
expression of
significance
which would
benefit from
more details
and/or closer
link to the
project proposal
1.5 Pts
Poor
The significance
section has some
link to the project
proposal but is not
convincing in
terms of its value:
either too broad or
not linked well
0.0 Pts
No marks
Not
addressed
at all or
what is
provided is
irrelevant
to the rest
of the
assignment
Introduction:
Connection to the
current body of
knowledge and
Gap/s leading to
the need for your
project
8.0 Pts
Outstanding
High
understanding and
presentation of the
existing relevant
knowledge and
research
outcomes. Gap/s
in key existing
findings is/are
exceptionally
closely linked to
the proposed
project aim and
objectives, as well
as the proposed
study design
7.0 Pts
Excellent
Good presentation
of relevant
existing
knowledge in the
proposed project
focus, both in
methods,
methodology and
findings. Excellent
link of the
identified gap/s to
the proposed
aims, study
design and
methods outlined
in the proposal.
6.0 Pts
Good
Sufficient
coverage of
existing
knowledge and
existing gap/s
which is linked
to the project
aim and
objectives. Links
to the study
design,
methodology
and methods
are not clearly
expressed and
could be
improved.
4.0 Pts
Adequate
Some coverage of
the existing
knowledge linked
to the proposed
project. Gap/s are
not identified or
are not clearly
linked to the
proposed aims
and objectives.
There is no clear
link to the study
design and
methods used in
existing studies.
2.0 Pts
Poor
Some coverage
to the relevant
existing
knowledge is
provided which is
either too broad
or is not well
linked to the
proposed project.
Some elements
such as relevant
existing study
design/s and/or
methods links
are missing
0.0 Pts
Incomplete
Not
addressed
at all or
what is
provided is
irrelevant to
the rest of
the
assignment
09/10/2020 Assignment-2: Research Proposal (week 12)
https://rmit.instructure.com/courses/64886/assignments/485864 5/7
Criteria Ratings Pts
6.0 pts
5.0 pts
5.0 pts
20.0 pts
Aim 6.0 Pts
Excellent
Aim is concise and well
expressed with clear
links to the proposed
project and its
significance. It is
achievable with
available resources and
time allocated for your
project in the Project
Proposal.
4.0 Pts
Good
Aim is well expressed and
has a link to the proposed
project and its
significance. However,
either too broad or not
critically considered in
view of allocated
resources/time framework
of your Research
Proposal.
2.0 Pts
Adequate
Aim is expressed but is not
closely and concisely linked
to the proposed project and
its significance. It is
questionable in view of the
available resources/time
available for the project and
allocated in your Research
Proposal.
1.0 Pts
Poor
Aim is broad
and/or not
clearly linked to
the project and
its significance.
Link to the
available
resources/time
is very weak or
not clear.
0.0 Pts
Incomplete
Not
addressed
at all or
what is
provided is
irrelevant to
the rest of
the
assignment
Expected
Outcomes
5.0 Pts
Excellent
Expected outcomes are
very well defined and
articulated. They are
clearly linked to the aim of
the project and are
achievable with available
resources and time
allocated for your project in
the Project Proposal.
4.0 Pts
Good
Expected outcomes are
articulated and have a
good link to the overall
aim of your proposed
project. They are fairly
considered from the point
of view of allocated
resources/time in the
Project Proposal.
3.5 Pts
Adequate
Some outcomes are
articulated but the way
some of the part of the aim
will be achieved needs
further clarification. More
clarification of how the
objectives fit with the
proposed resources/time
is needed.
1.5 Pts
Poor
Objectives
and expected
outcomes
need further
articulating
and to be
better linked
to the overall
proposed
aim.
0.0 Pts
No marks
Not
addressed
at all or
what is
provided is
irrelevant
to the rest
of the
assignment
Research
Questions
5.0 Pts
Excellent
Research
Questions are
clear, concise
and linked well
to the aim and
objectives
4.0 Pts
Good
Research questions are
well defined but are
either not concise or do
not link well to all
expected/proposed
project outcomes
3.5 Pts
Adequate
Research questions are
articulated but would
benefit from
improvement in linking
to aim/expected
outcomes and focus
1.5 Pts
Poor
Research questions
require improvement in
their link to the
aim/expected outcomes
or/and too broad, not
well defined
0.0 Pts
Incomplete
Not addressed
at all or what is
provided is
irrelevant to the
rest of the
assignment
Study
Design/Approach
20.0 Pts
Outstanding
The approach is
clearly outlined with
clear steps and is
linked exceptionally
well to the aim and
objectives of the
proposed project.
Resources/time
considerations are
given. Clear ethical
considerations are
given where
necessary.
15.0 Pts
Excellent
Approach and
strategy are well
described with the
clear flow of steps
and link very well
to the aim and
objectives of the
proposed project.
Clear ethical
considerations are
given where
necessary.
10.0 Pts
Good
Approach and
strategy are fairly
described as well
as the flow of
steps They link to
the aim and
objectives of the
proposed project.
Ethical
considerations
are given where
necessary
8.0 Pts
Adequate
Approach and
strategy are
described but may
not address all the
important issues,
are not clear
enough or flow of
the approach needs
further clarification.
Ethical
considerations are
given where
necessary.
5.0 Pts
Poor
Study
design is
attempted
but
insufficient
approach
is
provided
for
proposed
objectives.
0.0 Pts
Incomplete
Not
addressed
at all or
what is
provided is
irrelevant to
the rest of
the
assignment
09/10/2020 Assignment-2: Research Proposal (week 12)
https://rmit.instructure.com/courses/64886/assignments/485864 6/7
Criteria Ratings Pts
8.0 pts
8.0 pts
8.0 pts
Experimental:
Materials (for
proposed
Materials-Centred
Study)
Experimental:
Underpinning
Theoretical
Framework (for
proposed
Modelling/Algorithm
-Centred Study).
8.0 Pts
Outstanding
Selected
proposed
Materials
described clearly
with relevant
characteristics
given where
appropriate.
Underpinning
Theoretical
Framework
described clearly
with relevant
interrelated
concepts given
where
appropriate.
7.0 Pts
Excellent
Selected proposed
Materials clearly
outlined and
described with some
relevant key
characteristics given
where appropriate.
Underpinning
Theoretical
Framework clearly
outlined with some
relevant interrelated
concepts given
where appropriate.
6.0 Pts
Good
Instruments are listed
and connect to the
study design. Some
further clarification is
needed in the reason
for selection. Brief
consideration is given
to availability of the
selected instruments.
Underpinning
Theoretical Framework
clearly outlined with a
few relevant interrelated
concepts given.
4.0 Pts
Adequate
Selected
proposed
Materials are
outlined.
Underpinning
Theoretical
Framework
clearly
outlined
2.0 Pts
Poor
Some
materials’
information is
given without
clear
relevance to
the study
design of the
proposed
Project.
Some
Underpinning
Theoretical
Framework
given.
0.0 Pts
Incomplete
Not
addressed
at all or
what is
provided is
irrelevant to
the rest of
the
assignment
Experimental:
Instruments (for
proposed
Materials-Centred
Study)
Algorithm/Model
Development
method/s (for
proposed
Modelling/Algorithm
-Centred Study).
8.0 Pts
Outstanding
Instruments are
listed and
connect to the
study design
exceptionally
well. Practical
consideration is
given to
availability
(internal/external
to RMIT) and to
the time
available to
complete the
proposed
Project.
Algorithm/Model
Development
method/s are
exceptionally
clear with
excellent
connection to
the theoretical
framework and
proposed
objectives.
7.0 Pts
Excellent
Instruments are
listed and
connect to the
study design
well. Some
practical
considerations
are given to the
availability/time
allocation for
the proposed
Project.
Algorithm/Model
Development
method/s are
clear with good
connection to
the theoretical
framework and
proposed
objectives.
6.0 Pts
Good
Instruments are
listed and
connect to the
study design.
Some further
clarification is
needed in the
reason for
selection. Brief
consideration is
given to
availability of
the selected
instruments.
Algorithm/Model
Development
method/s are
clear with some
connection to
the theoretical
framework and
proposed
objectives.
4.0 Pts
Adequate
Instruments are listed
but the connection to the
study design needs
further clarification.
Some
clarification/improvement
needed for the
consideration of the
instruments’ availability.
Algorithm/Model
Development method/s
are listed but connection
to the theoretical
framework and the study
design needs further
clarification.
2.0 Pts
Poor
Some
information is
given on the
selected
instruments
without clear
links to the
study design
and/or
availability.
Some
information is
given on the
Algorithm/Model
Development
method/s
without clear
links to the
theoretical
framework
and/or the study
design.
0.0 Pts
Incomplete
Not
addressed
at all or
what is
provided is
irrelevant to
the rest of
the
assignment
Experimental:
Methods (for
proposed
Materials-Centred
Study)
Algorithm/Model
evaluation and
validation (for
proposed
Modelling/Algorithm
-Centred Study).
8.0 Pts
Outstanding
Methods are exceptionally
well considered and linked
to the study design and
materials. Algorithm/Model
evaluation and validation
methods are exceptionally
well considered and
presented and closely
linked to the objectives of
the proposed study.
7.0 Pts
Excellent
Methods are listed
and are clearly linked
to the study design
and materials.
Algorithm/Model
evaluation and
validation methods
are listed and are well
linked to the
objectives of the
proposed study.
6.0 Pts
Good
Methods are listed
and are linked to the
study design and
materials.
Algorithm/Model
evaluation and
validation methods
are listed and are
linked to the
objectives of the
proposed study.
4.0 Pts
Adequate
Methods are listed.
Closer link to the
study design and
materials is needed.
Algorithm/Model
evaluation and
validation methods
are listed. Closer link
to the objectives of
the proposed study.
0.0 Pts
Incomplete
Not
addressed
at all or
what is
provided is
irrelevant to
the rest of
the
assignment.
09/10/2020 Assignment-2: Research Proposal (week 12)
https://rmit.instructure.com/courses/64886/assignments/485864 7/7
Total points: 100.0