rm

Research Method Syllabus

Florida Gulf Coast University
U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering
EGN 6457 Research Methods, Fall 2025
Last updated: Aug 11, 2025

The Big Picture: Link
How to Find a Project Idea? Link
Proposal Requirements: Link
Recorder Lessons (so far): Link

Course Information

EGN 6457 Research Methods (CRN: 83614)
Credit hours: 3
Class: Online Asynchronous
Exam: Research Proposal
Exam: Final Presentation – In-person on Friday Dec 5 from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm at Merwin Hall 105

Instructor

Ahmed S. Elshall, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Bioengineering, Civil Engineering, and Environmental Engineering
U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering
Joint Appointment with The Water School
Office: Holmes Hall 423 (inside 416)
Phone: (239) 590-7591
Email: aelshall@fgcu.edu
Research Website: https://aelshall.weebly.com
Office Hours:

• Tuesday 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• By appointment using this link

Course Description

The application of fundamental research to engineering and environmental problems. The course emphasizes theory and methods of conducting advanced research, including the scientific method.

Course Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Formulate a detailed and feasible research plan for academic or industry-oriented projects, incorporating clear objectives, methodologies, and timelines.
• Conduct literature reviews and use advanced citation management tools to organize sources.
• Identify and explain major methods related to your research, understanding their applications and limitations.
• Develop research-grade survey instruments that ensure data reliability and validity, tailored to specific research questions.
• Write detailed research proposals that clearly communicate research objectives, methods, expected outcomes, and timeline.
• Develop data management plans adhering to the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data principles to ensure proper handling and sharing of research data.
• Deliver clear, concise, and persuasive oral presentations of research proposals.
• Critically evaluate research papers and proposals, providing constructive feedback and identifying strengths and areas for improvement.

Recommended Textbook

• Cresswell, J.W., and Cresswell, J.D., Research design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and mixed methods approach (5th ed.), SAGE Publishing, Los Angeles.

Course Schedule

These topics and dates are tentative and subject to change based on class progress. Due dates are tentative; actual deadlines will be posted on Canvas.

Week	Date	Topics / Activities	Assignments & Milestones
1	18–24 Aug	0. Getting Started - Introduction to Research Methods 1. Fundamentals - Research Paradigms	—
2	25–31 Aug	1. Fundamentals - Research Problem - Research Proposal 2. Literature Review - Overview	🟩 Due: Participation Reading 1 – Big Picture & How to Find a Project Idea? 🟩 Due: Participation Reading 2 – Proposal Outline & Proposal Rubric 🟩 Due: Participation Log for Modules 0 & 1
3	01–07 Sep	Labor Day (Sep 1)– No Classes 2. Literature Review - Library Resources (Guest Lecturer) - Literature Search - Citation Management	🟩 Install: Zotero 🟩 Due: HW1 Select a Research Topic (graded)
4	08–14 Sep	2. Literature Review - Writing Your Review	🟩 Due: Participation Reading 3 – Why It Is a Blessing to Be Rejected 🟩 Due: Upload Presentation 1 – Research Problem
5	15–21 Sep	2. Literature Review - Technical Writing Presentation 1: Research Problem	—
6	22–28 Sep	3. Methods - Method Development - Group Exercise	🟩 Due: Participation Log for Module 2 🟨 Milestone: HW2 Develop a Research Question (Not graded)
7	29 Sep–05 Oct	3. Methods - Lab Methods (ICP-MS, HPLC, GC/MS, TOC, or Nutrients) – Off-campus at ETI	🟩 Due: Upload Presentation 2 – Introduction
8	06–12 Oct	3. Methods - Ethics in Engineering and Research Presentation 2: Introduction	—
9	13–19 Oct	4. Completing the Research Proposal - Expected Results and Timeline - Title and Abstract	🟩 Due: Participation Log for Module 3 🟨 Milestone: HW3 Write the Introduction (Not graded) 🟩 Due: Participation Reading 4 – So What?
10	20–26 Oct	5. Data Management - FAIR Data Principles - Data Management Plan	—
11	27 Oct–02 Nov	6. Visualization - Publication-quality Figures - Conceptual Diagrams and Graphical Abstracts	🟩 Due: Participation Log for Modules 4 & 5 🟩 Due: Upload Presentation 3 – Methods
12	03–09 Nov	Project Day Presentation 3: Methods	—
13	10–16 Nov	7. Presentating Your Research - Audience-centric Techniques - Slide Design Veteran’s Day (Nov 11)– No Classes	🟨 Milestone: HW4 Method Development (Not graded)
14	17–23 Nov	Project Day	🟩 Due: Participation Log for Modules 6–7
15	24–30 Nov	Project Day Thanksgiving (Nov 26-30) – No Classes	🟥 Due: Research Proposal
16	05 Dec	In-Person Proposal Presentations – Merwin Hall 105, 5:30–9:00 PM	🟥 Due: Proposal Presentation

Color Symbols

• 🟩 Participation grade – Activities that count toward your participation grade
• 🟨 Discussion only – For discussion with your supervisor (not graded)
• 🟥 Final grade – Activities that count toward your final proposal and presentation grades

Laboratory Methods Classes

• Format: In-person, off-campus at the Emergent Technologies Institute (ETI)
• Schedule: Monday and Wednesday from 4:30 to 5:45 PM
• Address: 16301 Innovation Ln, Fort Myers, FL 33913
• Instructor: Huan Luong, Research Laboratory Manager
  • Email: hluong@fgcu.edu
  • Phone: 239-745-4199

If these classes do not align with your research interests or schedule notify the instructor via the Laboratory Methods discussion on Canvas by providing a specific, research-related makeup plan (e.g., watching relevant tutorials, reviewing methods papers, or completing targeted readings). Check the Laboratory Methods Classes for details.

Project day

• Dedicated time for independent or group work with your supervisor on your research proposal

Homework 1–4

• Homework 1 – Topic Identification (Graded, Participation):
  • Submit your topic to ensure it is feasible, clear, and aligned with your interests and available resources.
• Homework 2–4 – Research Question, Introduction, Method (Ungraded Checkpoints):
  • Complete these as progress milestones and discuss directly with your supervisor for feedback and guidance.

Presentations 1–3

For each presentation cycle:

• Upload presentation (before week)
• Watch 4 classmates’ presentations and ask 1 question each (during week)
• Respond to questions and upload 4 peer evaluations (after week)
• Loading your presentation by the due date to give your classmates enough time to review your presentation and provide meaningful feedback.
• Late Policy: The Late Assignment Policy applies.

Assessment and Grading

Assessment plan (100%)

• Participation: 50%
• Research project presentation: 25%
• Research project proposal: 25%

Grading scale

The instructor may elect to employ a curve that favors the students.

Grade	Range	Grade	Range	Grade	Range
A	94% or above	B-	80% to 82.99%	D+	67% to 69.99%
A-	90% to 93.99%	C+	77% to 79.99%	D	60% to 66.99%
B+	87% to 89.99%	C	73% to 76.99%	F	Below 60%
B	83% to 86.99%	C-	70% to 72.99%

General notes

• Grades Due from Faculty by noon Tuesday, 16 December 2025
• If you are falling behind, consult the academic calendar for the last day to drop:
• Incomplete grades are granted in exceptional circumstances (e.g., medical emergency)

Participation

For participation you need to:

• Watch recorded videos and complete exit tickets (about 25 videos)
• Complete all participation questions in the recorded videos (0–3 per video)
• Complete all reading assignment activities (4 assignments)
• Complete all presentation activities (3 presentations)
• General course surveys (e.g., Get-to-Know-You, Midterm Feedback, SPoI)

These activities form the majority of your participation grade. Students must document the participation activities as shown on Canvas. For example, the Exit Ticket Participation Log provide instructions for documenting your exit tickets and participation questions in the recorded videos.

Report and Presentation

• Plan Ahead: Effective time management is essential. Students requesting final proposal reviews must do so at least one week before the deadline to allow meaningful feedback.
• Last-Minute Requests: Requests made on the final day should be limited to specific, legitimate questions—not full proposal reviews or issues caused by ignoring prior feedback.
• Professional Collaboration: Treat the instructor and research supervisor as collaborative team members, engaging constructively.
• Professionalism and Growth: Grades reflect professional attitude, maturity, responsiveness to feedback, and demonstrated improvement over the semester.
• Written Work Quality: All submissions must be polished, well-organized, clear, and free from grammatical, spelling, and typographical errors following the proposal assignment and proposal rubric
• Presentation Quality: Oral presentations should be well-organized, practiced, professional, and supported with effective visuals or graphics following the presentation assignment
• Assessment Basis: Work will be evaluated using posted rubrics, peer feedback, and instructor observations.

Course Policies

Generative AI Policy

Use of generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Consensus) is prohibited on any assignment marked “AI Not Permitted” and will result in a grade of zero. For all other work, AI use must be cited. Violations will be treated as academic dishonesty and will be subject to Policy for Academic Integrity Violations.

Late Submission Policy

• If you encounter challenges that may affect your ability to submit on time, please communicate with the instructor as early as possible to explore possible accommodations.
• Deadline maybe extended for execused absences
• Unexecused late submissions received after the deadline will incur a penalty of 20% per day of the total possible points
• Once the solutions and grades are posted, late unexecused submissions will not be accepted, and a score of zero will be assigned

Execused Absence Policy

• Absence excuse requires written documentation from a certified medical professional, faculty member, administration, coach, or athletic director.
• Absence will be execused after the verification of the submitted document
• Any attempt to falsify documents will be taken very seriously in accordance with the Policy for Academic Integrity Violations.

Financial Aid Statement

As of fall 2015, all faculty members are required to use Canvas to confirm a student’s attendance for each course by the end of the first week of classes. Failure to do so will result in a delay in the disbursement of your financial aid. Confirmation of attendance is required for all students, not only those receiving financial aid.

Policy for Academic Integrity Violations

• Academic dishonesty in any course activity including participation, assignments, projects, or exams will result in a grade of zero for that submission and will be strictly addressed in line with FGCU policies and procedures. FGCU Academic Integrity Flowchart
• You are required to familiarize yourself with the FGCU Student Guidebook that outlines the consequences for academic integrity violations: FGCU Student Guidebook

Program Learning Outcomes

The learning outcomes for the Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) Program are as follows: Link

Core Syllabus Policies

FGCU has a set of central policies related to student recording class sessions, academic integrity and grievances, student accessibility services, academic disruption, generative AI, and religious observances that apply to all courses at FGCU. Be sure to review these online at: FGCU Core Syllabus Policy Statements

Syllabus Change Policy

Except for changes that substantially affect the implementation of the evaluation (grading) statement, this syllabus is a guide for the course and is subject to change with advance notice.

Resources

Water Lab

• Surface Water-Groundwater Field Lab supports both field-based research and hands-on teaching. The lab consists of a growing suite of deployable instruments for performing laboratory-grade analysis in natural environments. Our measurement capabilities are used to investigate the critical zone where surface water and groundwater meet, as well as broader groundwater resources.
• Emergent Technologies Institute (ETI) provides access to various water quality equipment including ICP-MS, HPLC, GC/MS, TOC, and Nutrient Analyzer.

FGCU Writing Lab

We’re here to help students, faculty, and staff become more confident writers. To this end, we offer a variety of free services including one-on-one sessions with expert writing consultants, on-demand presentations on a range of writing-related topics, and a broad selection of handouts developed specifically for the needs of the FGCU community. FGCU Writing Lab

High Performance Computing (HPC) Resources

HiPerGator AI: Access the fastest artificial intelligence supercomputer in higher education. FGCU is partnered with the University of Florida to provide faculty and students with unparalleled computing power. The possibilities are endless when applied to instruction, research, and course development. Please contact the University Help Desk to learn more.

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