SHARING SECTION WITH

NEW FRGS APPLICANTS

by

Asan G. A. Muthalif, PhD (Cantab)

Deputy Dean (Academic Affairs)

Faculty of Engineering, IIUM

“Garden of Knowledge and Virtue”

Why I am here ?

What is FRGS ?Philosophy

• As a nation that aspires to become a developed country, Malaysia needs to enrich its research culture. Therefore, a certain funding is needed for this purpose. FRGS can encourages basic research to generate knowledge that will contribute towards increasing intellectual level, creating new technologies and enrich a dynamic culture in line with our national aspiration.

Definition

• FRGS is for basic research that can develop theories, concept and new ideas towards knowledge development.

Objective

• This research involves exploration of new ideas, concepts or theories which will be the backbone to new discoveries and innovative creations that can further expand the boundaries of knowledge.

• Aims to answer research questions of ‘Why’ and ‘How’

What Good FRGS Proposals should have ?

1) Title (must be clear and informative)

• Clear reflection of matter(s) to be studied / researched.

• Unique and be focused ! Takes in objective, method, significance and outcome.

Exp : Analytical model for Estimating Power Delivered by Piezoelectric Actuators on Non-deterministic sub-structures.

Should Avoid :

• Words like : Development of, application of, design of…..

• Some word with no meaning : Studies on… , investigation on…. , Research on…. ,

• Some words that don’t contribute to understanding of title : theoretical investigation of…, fundamental study of …., New technique…., Novel theory…

What Good FRGS Proposals should have ? (cont.)

2) Concise Executive summary

• Precise and concise : include research background, research problem(s), objectives, theories, research methods, expected outcomes / contribution.

3) Clear research objectives

Use Avoid

To investigate To measure

To examine To characterise

To come out To syntheses

To propose

To recommend

What Good FRGS Proposals should have ? (cont.)

4) Good research background

• Introduce research area

• Relate to previous studies

• Problem statement, research hypothesis (an idea or explanation for something that is based on known facts but has not yet been proved)

• Do not think they will not read !

5) Good Literature review

• Quality review !

• Short but sufficient

• Relevant and consistent with contents !

• Give relevant references !

What Good FRGS Proposals should have ? (cont.)

6) Good Research Methods

• Based on objectives !

• Detail description

• Provide flow chart and Gantt chart for research activities.

7) Other considerations

- Ethical consideration

- Realistic budget and schedule

Why some applications are not successful ? (cont.)

• Unfocussed research

• No original idea

• Principal Investigator has no relevant knowledge / expertise

• Does not lead to new findings / new theory / new idea generation

• Objectives are not clearly spelled out…. not fundamental !

• Lack of specific research problem.

• Outcome is not clear.

• Unrealistic scope : too ambitious or very limited !

• Does not follow guide (please read carefully) , especially on budget.

Sample of my first FRGS in 2011

Evaluation form - Sample

Set your team !

• For new researchers, consider having experience researchers in your team.

• Be optimistic and discuss with seniors in relevant area if what you are working on is really fundamental (bimbang jadi syok sendiri)!

- Specific finding !

- Finding is clear and fundamental !

- Publications !

- Budget utilization !

- Sharing of findings !

Sample presentation and publications

Best FRGS finding , why ?

Wish you All the best !