Postgraduate Research
Contents
Overview
A special thanks to Dr Yunus Abdul Gaffar, The initial author of this initial guide.
For more resources pertaining to research in the EE Department at UCT, see Category:Research.
What is research
Research is a logical and systematic search for new and useful information on a particular topic. It is an investigation of finding solutions to problems through objective and systematic analysis.
What is design
Design is the process used to create something to solve a problem. Design involves the transformation of an initial user requirement to produce documentation instructions on how to realise the end product. In determining a solution, barriers must be overcome. A design assignment, there, is an engineering problem and involves sub-problems that must be addressed.
The design process typically consists of the following steps:
- User requirements: client describes the problem and constraints (time, budget, using specific components) that the solution must fit within. Engage with client to understand who is going to use the product, where is it going to be used and how often, and for how long (lifespan) is it going to be used. Separate the core requirements from the ‘nice to have’ ones
- Technical requirements: translate the user requirements into concise technical requirements that contain technical jargon.
- Identify multiple solutions: synthesises a range of potential solutions to the problem or a range of approaches to developing a solution that is consistent with assumptions, premises, limitations and constraints
- Evaluates the potential approaches against criteria. Examples of criteria include cost, efficiency, performance, reliability
- Chooses a preferred approach and presents reasonable arguments to justify this decision
- Develops the full design of the selected option. This can include developing a functional-flow block diagram for the proposed solution, and a block diagram showing the major sub-systems + interfaces between sub-systems: for each subsystem, identify multiple solutions and justify your choice based on the requirements and constraints of the system
- Test each sub-system to ensure that it is functioning accurately as expected
- Perform integration and testing: Build prototype and perform testing. Assess if system technical requirement are met
- Develop improved prototype by iterating through steps 6 -> 7 -> 8 . The more iterations are done, the better the quality of the developed system.
- Produces design documentation for implementation. A design document provides detailed information or the ‘blueprint’ to implement the proposed solution.
