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 !
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