Research Pr4oblem and Idea

In science and technology, research problems and ideas may be referred to specific themes that tesearchers would like to research which may include:

• Problem solving . A research project designed to solve a specific problem associated with product, process or service. Trouble-shooting is a typical example of problem solving research. 
• Knowledge advanacement. It is normally associated with a basic research and will not generate immediate monetary return. A study to prove a hypothesis sucha s the global warming is caused by excessive emission of carbon dioxide into atmosphere is an example of research that falls into this category. 
• New and value added products. It is an inovaive type of research, such as to improve performance of monitoring equipment. 
• New and value added process. A research is performed for developing a new or improving the existing process. OIne example of this type of research is to improve sentitivty of detection of measuring equipment. 
• Mathematical modelling. Develop new mathematical model to verify the experimental result and vice-versa . For exampe, development of mathematical moodel to study the effectiveness of shielding design. 
• Others. Othjer research ideas may also include those for personal / organisational satisfaction. This type of project proghramme is normally permitted to be carried out provided that it is inline with the organisation goal and objective. 

Research idea may also arise from various souce; the most common is propbaly related to problem associated with routine tedhnical services. Other sources of research ideas may be triggered thorugh: 

- Experience with the existing products processes, which can be improved in term of its cost effectiveness and efficiency.
literatures survey or review related to field of work 

Deliberation on the topic of interest 

Networking establishe during attending seminar. 

Research Initiation

Introduction

There is a proper way to do research and its appropriateness depends on how researchers developed and managed it during various stages, starting from generating the research idea until the end of the research implementation. Some research works require a longer time duration and the outcome may not be as expected. Others may take shorter time but with excellent results. The successfulness of a research work depends on how the research is initiated, which begin with research problem idea, literature survey, research formulationa nd proposal followed by appropriate methodology and effective monitoring. The tyes of research to be undertaken and the level of technology involved should also be considered during research initiation. Any project involving clientele should be tailored to the client requirement.

It is common for a researcher to work in the area of specialisation or interest. In this relation, the researcher may not only knowledgeable and competent in the field but also having access appropriate networking in the respective area of study. However, as each researcher is a part of a team in an organisation, it is obliged to carry out project that meet the mission and vision o fthe organisation.

Mangement support is esential to ensure effective implementation of R&D projecdt and such a support may be easily obtained especially for a research that falls within the priority area of the organisation. At a national level, research area should meet the national agenda. Therefore, prior to propose a research project, the national S&T policy and its priority area should be consulted and well understood. Since R&D in S&T is considered as the main and important driven factor toward socio-economic growth and national prosperity, more budgets is normally allocated for those prioritiesed areas.

Research Outcome

Results of scientific research may be in the form of dissertation or thesis, conference or seminar presentaations, papers for publications, book and intellectual property. The knowledge, skill and expertise acquired through research undertaking as well as processes and technology developed may be used to provide consultation services. The prototype developed may be offered for possible application in the marketplace or commerical exploitation.

Research output can be exploited for commercial purpose either through new start-up company or technology licensing to industrial partners. The technology prototype developed may be protected through intellectual property right (IPR) protection. IPR is IP with  legal rights that make it both protectable and tradeable. The commonly used IPR is in the form of patent, industrial design, trademark and cpyright. Among others, the patentable research output includes new idea, know-how, processes and products. IPR is increasingly important in academic and research life; sponsors will generally want privileged access to IPR in exchange for funding the research.

Many studies conducted worldwide indicate that research facilities, funding, the number of supporting staff and researchers are all positively associated with reserach outcome. There are noticeable differences across different types of research institutes or universities, with the newer research institutes or universities lagging in research performance.


Conclusion

The core subject undrrlying all research works is its methodology. It is insufficient to strictly follow the research process without an intimate understanding its methodology. The methodology directs the who9le endeavour - where critical decisions related to organising, planning, and directing the whle project take place. It controls the study, dictates the acquisition of the data , arranges them in logical relationshps, sets up a means of refining the raw data, contrives an approach so that the meanings that lie below the surface of those data become manifest, and finally issues a conclusion  or series of conclusions that lead to an expansion of knowledge. The entire process is a unified effort as well as an appreciation of tis components parts. Thus, research methodologyu has two primary functions :

• To control and dictate research parameters 
• To harness the parameters after acquisition and extract meaningfulness from them 

That is what the core meaning by the phrase " the interpretation of the data" in the research methodology. it is a sudden, enlightening awareness of what the data mean. And, unless there is a discovery of the maning of the data, there is no research. 

The important of research in enhancing, strengthening and improving knowledge is stressed by a well-known Muslim scienties  (fake) in year 1048, in his quotation " I hjave done what everybody should do in his profession. Accept the achievements of your predecessors gratefully, don;t shrink from correcting eventual blunders and bequenath, what seems worthy, to your successors and future generations".

THe word research covers a broad spectrum of meaning, which possibly makes it a confusing term for students - especially graduate or research students- who must lear to use the word in its specialised donotation. Figure 1.1 gives some examples of definition of the word research, in particular, with regard to scientific research. The following paragraphs give several explanations the meaning of resarch.

Research is often described as a systematic process of inquiry aimed at discovering, interpreting, and revising facts. This intellectual investigation produces a greater knowledge of events, behaviours, theories and laws, and makes practical applications p[ossible,. THe terms research is also used to descirbed an entire collection of information about a particular subject, and is usually associated with the output of sicence and the scientific method. The word research dericefs from the French recherche, to search closely where chercher means," to search', its literal meaning ' to investigate thoroughly'.

According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), research and development (R&D) comprise creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knwoledge of man, culture and society and the use of this stock of knwoledge to devise new applications. This terms covers three activities: basic research applied research and experimental development.


Researcg is the term applied to any form of systematic and organised investigations to establiush facts or collect information, and is usually related to a problem that need to be solved.

The word research has a certain mystique about it . It suggests to many people an actibity that is exclusive and removed from everyday life. Researchers are sometimes regarded as esoteric invidivuals who seclude themselves in laboratories, in scholarly libraries, or within the precincts of an academic environment. The public generally is not aware of their daily atibity or of the important contributions their work frequently makes to people's comfort and generral welfare. Many people, therefore, regard research as a way of life dissociated from the common activities of the verday world. Resarch plays and important role in underpinning a country;s economic and social life. Research institutes and higher learning institutions are at the centre of the research and human capital generating process.


wHAT is research ?

• Application of the scientific appproaches to study a problem 
• Finding out 
• problem solving 
• Controlled inquiry concerning a certain event or events 
• Systematic, controlled, empirical and critical investigation of natural phenomena guided by theory and hypothesis about the presumed relations among such phenomena. 

In general, research is a process through which an attempt to achieve systematically and with the support of data the answer to a question, the resolution of a problem, or a greater understanding of phenomenon. THis process, which is freqeutnly called research methodology, has eight distinct characteristics : 

• Research originates with a question, idea or problem 
• Research requires a clear articulation of a goal. 
• Research follows a specific roadmap. 
• Research usually divides the principal problem into more amangeable subproblems. 
• Research is guided by the specific research problem, question, or hypothesis. 
• Research accepts certain critical assumptions 
• Research requirews the collection and interpretation of data in attempting to resolve the problem that initiated the research. 
• Research is, by its nature, cyclical; or more exactly , helical. 

The core of research actiuvities is to build-up understanding of researchers on research philosohy and how it is embraced through the implementation of research process starting from problem identification, develop the hypothesis and ending-up with the data analysis and report writing. 

Definition of maintenance

• B.S. 3811 : 1964  ( Bristish Standard) 
• A combination of any actions carried out to retain an item a restore it to an aceeptable standard". 
• The actions referred to are those associated with initiation, organisation and implementation. 
• There are 2 process involved: 

A) Restoring 

B) Retaining 

* Other definition 

Work undetaken in order to keep or restore every facility in every part of a site, building and contents to an acceptable standard. 

What is Acceptable Standard 

* TO the owner of the building, based n the investment value. E.g. office, owner requerst to get a higher rented value. 

* If to the tenant, follow the standard required by the tenant, E.g. must have office or shop, follow tenant requitrement. 

* Meet law requirement 

a. Safety to the residents and user of the building 

b/ Health requirements 

Facilities provided in the building. 

E.g. Proper ventilation 

Concept of Building maintenance 

* Produce a building that is 100% maintenance free. 

* All elements of building deteriorate at a certain rate dependent on 

a. Material use

b. Method of construction 

c. ENvironmental condition 

d. Use of building 

What is cinderellat activity 

* Normnal activity in the builidng. 

E.g. sweep, mop the floor , painting. 

Objective of Building Maintenance 

* To ensure that work considered necessary is carried out with maximum economy 

* Work done satisfied the criteria for effectiveness and efficiency 

Why need to maintain a building 

* Prolong the economic life of the building so that its value and usefulness is sub stained. 

* Maintaining value of the property investment 

Pressure physical appearance. 

* Statutory requirements 

Types of Building maintenance 

a. Preventive maintenance 

carried out at predetermined intervals or corrsponding to prescribed criteria and intended to reduce the probability of failure. 

b. Corrective maintenance 

Work done once a fault has occurred to restore plant to normal operation; this approach would be subject to prior agreement by the building user that this is an acceptable basis for maintenance. 

c. Emergency maintenance 

The consequences are such that plant can be safely and cost effectively run to descrution without seruous loss of service. This may assume there is a stanby unit that will automatically operate on failure of the duty unit. 

Nature of Maintenance 

* Replacement 

* Renovation 

* Servicing 

* Repairing 

The scope and nature of planning 

* Planned preventive maintenance programme 

* Planned levels of expenditure on day to day and reactive maintenance 

* Disaster planning 

* Planned strategies of asset management in conjunction with a business plan or corporate plan 

Nature 

* Involves determining systems and sequences of operation 

* Must relate with : 

* Future policy of the owner 

* Economic predictions about the cost of money 

* Interest rates 

Example 

* Corporate Plan 

* Enable the maintenance manager to predict with some degree of condifence will be in : 

a. form of condition survey of the properties. 

b. detailed of costs and cost trends in building an 

c. Information related to the wider policies of the owners and users. 

Planning 

Embrances the whole process of maintenance management as detailed in the five categories. 

* Determining the policy for maintenance 

* Deciding and preparing maintenance programmes  and obtained fund for them 

Getting the work done 

* Controlling progres of work and budget expenditure 

* Monitoring the effectiveness of the programme . 

Programming 

Relates to scheduling the manner in which maintenance works will be carried out. 

* Planned maintenance programmes ( in the narrow definitions) 

* Day to day or breakdown maintenance 

* Minor new works 

* Refurbishment 

Objectives of Planning 

" To ensure that work considered necessary is carrid out with maximum economu." Meaning, work done satisfied the criteria for effectiveness and efficiency. Cost effective means, the quality of works and balance with the cost. 

Effectivenesss - means to what degree the outcomes of work fulfill the goals of the plan 

Effective - how well particular process carried out 

Sources of ineffective cost 

- Unnecessary work 

- Unecopnomic work 

- Inadequate work 

Unnecessary work 

- work above and over requirement to maintain the building to the specified standard. 

- making good effect of neglect, improper maintenance and misuse of the building . 

- rectification of design defect and faulty workmanship in the initial construction. 

Uneconomic work 

• Non- productive time 
• Improper work method 
• Lack of motivation 
• In appropriate tendering procedures 
• CVhanges to scope of work after commencement 
• Lack of efficient system 

Inadequate Work 

a. Failure to identify truye cause of defect 

b. Improper execution of work 

c. Lack of adequate safeguar in contract 

Componenets of planning system 

* Failures are anticipated 

* Appropriate procediures devise fo prevention or rectification 

* Management of maintenance 

* Work input 

Schedule 

THe maintenance plan must strike an economic and socially acceptable balance between the opration of two complementary and itneracting system :

a. Schedule / programme system 

* Planning system 

* Covers item that determine at uniform rate 

* Scheduling work 

* Scheduling inspections 

* Scheduling work/ inspections 

Contingency system 

* Policy of waiting until complaint is received from user before taking any action. 

Choice of system

Te predicatability of failure - componenets that deterioirate at a known and failry uniform rate can be schedules 

* for inspection or for repair 

The reporting delay time - elapse between the time of defect notified by qualified inspector and report time by occupier 

The rate of deterioration - of the componenet and the corresponding increase int he cost of rectification 

THe extent to which the user can be relied upon to report significant defects. 

Factor Ifluencing delay time 

• Safety consideration 
• User satisfaction 
• Cost growth 
• Effect failure on primary activities of the organization 
• Misuse of property 
• Dispersion of job situation 

Programmes in planned maintenance 

* Maitaining programme 

Shor term programmes 

 

Transilating broad estimates into detail: 

a. worklod by month 

b. in house or contracting 

c. programming pre-contract process 

d. programming in house jobs

e. matching traes to tasks. 

* Priorisation need whether necessary or desirable 

* Flexible scheduling. 

Medium Term Programmes 

* Objectives 

To provide more accurate assessment of amount of work to be carried out- basis of budget. 

b. Points to consider 

• Timing of work 
• Uniform of continuous flow of work 
• Programming contracting 
• Avoid slack period 
• Budget 

C. Programme Comprises 

• Long term plan items 
• Annual inspections 
• Contiungencies 
• Items propsed by users
• Allowance for unforessen 
• Routine - based on past record allowance 

Long Term Programmes 

The purpse of long term programme is 

a. To determine the general level of expenditure on maintance to achieve the desidfered standard 

b. TO avoid large fluctuation in annual expenditure by spreading large items and any backlog over a period. 

c. To determine the optimum time for carrying out major repairs and improvements, so as not to interfere with the user of the building. 

d. To determine the structuree and staffing of the maintenance organization and whether it would be advantageous to employ operatives directly to carry out part of the whole of the work. 

e. To gear the maintenance programme to company poilcy . 

f. TO conside rthe effect of propsoed capital works on the maintenance organization. 

1. The long term programme will therefor eseek to identify the major items of work over the enxt five to ten years. 
2. The information is obtained from past records showing when major repairs where last undertaken and from inspections of the current phsical condition of the varios elements. 

Annual Programmes 

- The objective of annual programming is to provide a more accurate assessment of the amount of work to be carried out during the forthcoming year and to form a basis for the financial budget. 

What are the programming problem ? 

• The small scale and diversity of a large proportion of the total workload. 
• The need to determine the best work sequence for a large numb er of interlocking tasks involving several trades. 
• The uncertain work content 
• The dispersal of sites 
• Interruptions to the normal progress of the work 
• Irregularity of user request and the extremely short lead time for executing emergency repairs. 

Why we need planner inspections ? 

• Preparing a shcedule of the facilities to be maintained and their present condition 
• Detecting deviations from predetermined standard and incipient faults. 
• Ascertaining the cause of deviations, the extent of remedial work necessary to restore to the required standard and prevent a reccurrence of the defect, and the relative urgency of the work. 
• Checking that previous work was done in accordance with the instructions and that the work specified was adequate. 

What Should you Learnt in This topic 

• Understanding on in house or direct labor and contract out labor 
• Factor influencing the choice 
• Advantages and disadvantages of direct labor or contract labor 

Types of Work 

• Renovation extension, refurvishment, 
• Major Items for repair 
• Emergency 
• Planned maintenance 
• Saping 

What is own labor ? 

* maintenance management must state the policy on the use of direct labors 

* Structure of organization 

* Things to bear in mind : 

a) Works schedules 

b) Supervision 

c) materials 

d) Tools plant and equipment 

* Formula to adopt 

Factors Influence The Choice of Direct Labor or Contract Laboor 

• Cash flow 
• Quality 
• VOlume of work 
• Natue of work 
• Respone time 

Nature of Work 

• Influence the choice on whether to use direct labor or contract labor. 
• Because different type of work needs a different type of specialist. 
• For an example, if we wants to change the electrical and wiring system in a building, you will need a specialist contractor in wiring. 

Volume of Work 

• Must take into consideration because the capacity of work to be carried out needs the different types of labor 
• For an example, if the capacity of work to be carried out is small, it will need a different type of labor 
• If we choose, the direct labor, the quality of work can be maintain as the things we mention to the contractor. 
• But if the capacity of work was too large or big.  It will need more labor in order to cope the limitation of time with a good quality 

Respone Time 

• Importance to fulfill the requirement to finish the work according to the specific time frame. 
• For an example, the normal rutine work will need a normal time frame as it can be carried out in a specific tijme frame with normal speed of work. 
• But fo rhte emergency work , the work to be carried out need to be done as fast as possible where it might effect the whole work. 
• The standard of work required need to be stated or mentioned such as high, medium or low quality. 
• By using the direct labor, the full control of allocation of work is ensured. 
• The contract labor has no control on work carried out and need for supervision . 

Cash Flows 

• If the cash flows of the projects need to be carried out is not in a good flows, that's mean the budget needs to be cut a little bit cut. 
• For an example, by using direct labor, the cost control procedures in planning and execution can be developed more effective. 
• But the contract labor is more expensive as it used skilled workers and professional attitudes worker.s 

Advantages 

• Full control of the allocation of work to operatives, resulting in a quicker respone to emergencies and greater flexibiility in term of the work done and the times worked. 
• Directly emkployed operative acquire and Intimate knowledge of the buildings and becomes familiar with the user's requirements and any constraints on the execution of the work. 
• Better control of quality through the employment of men of known and tested ability and through supervision. 
• Delay is not incurred in inviting tenders or negotiating with contractors, and the procedures for initiating the execution of work are simplified. 
• Where the work involves a security risks it is advantages to have knowledge of the background of the operatives. 

Disadvantage 

• Risk of invompetent technicians 
• Difficulty in keeping full time in house staff busy at all times 
• Lack of competition may lead to poor performance 
• need for greater workmen's compensation and liability insurance. 

Advantage 

a. Skillful workers 

b. Professional attitude 

c. Work can be comleted on time 

d. Less responsibility 

Disadvantages 

• No control 
• More expensive 
• need time to choose tender 
• Need ofr supervision on work done
• Cannoit change specification once contract is chosen. 

Differences among VE, VM & VA

• Value management differs from value Engineering (VE), in that whilst VE is concerned with achieving defined functions at minimum cost (or whole life cost), VM is concerned with defining what value actually means within a particular context, agreeing a clear statement of objectives and ensuring that solutions are consistent with those objectives. 
• Where VM addresses the WHY question such as what is the need for this project or process, VE is concerned with HOW. 
• VM is not a single method, but a framework within which proven methods are systematically brought together to identify better value from projects, products and services. In this context, VE is regarded as a sub set of VM. The basic methodolofy for a VM and VE study are similar. 
• VM is about getting the right project, whilst VE is done to get the project right. 
• Value Engineering and Value Analysis are used almost interchangeably. 
• it distinguishes between the terms by savyuing that VE is soemtimes used where the process is applied to a new product being developed, wheresas the term Value-Analysis (VA) is used exisitng process or product. 
• To avoid confusion some practitioners just use te term Value management to cover all applications but a simple illustration of the application of VM, VE and VA to a project might be : 
• Value management - decision to invest- do we need a project, projec concept and scope - what form of project de we need; outline design - what should be the major elements ? 
• Value Engineering - project design; design of project elements 
• Value Analaysis - improvement of a construction, manufacturing or amangement process; post project review. 

History and Philosophy of Value Engineering / Management

• The concept evolved from the work of Lawrence D. Miles who, in the 1940's who was a purchase engineer with the General Electric Company (G.E.C). 
• At that time, manufacturing industry in the United States was running at maximum capactiy to supply the allies with arms. 
• There were shortage in steel, coppper, broonze, nickel, bearing electrical resistors, and many other materials and components. 
• G.E.C wished to expands its production of turbo supercharger for B24 bombers from 50 to 1000 per week. 
• Miles was assigned the task of purchasing the material to permit this. 
• Often he was unable to obtain the specific material or component specified by the designer, so Miles reasoned, "if I can not obtain the product, I must obtain an alternative which performs the same function". 
• Where alternatives were found they were tested and approved by the designer. 
• Miles observed that many of the substitutes were providing equal or better performance at a lower cost and from this evolved the first definition of value engineering. 
• In 1957, Mr. Miles and his team developed a step- by step system, called value Anlysis (VA) to analyze product's cost and function to remove out unnecessary costs. 
• As a resyults of substantial investment, the new methodology, VA, was developed, tested, and proven to be highly effective. However, it wasn't until 1952 that VA begin its growth throughout industry. 
• The Society of American Value Engineers (SAVE) was formed in 1959 as a professional society dedicated to the advancement of VE through a better understanding of the principles, methods, and concepts involved. 
• now known as SAVE International, SAVE has grown to over 1,500 members and currently has over 350 active Certified Value Specialists (CVS) in the U.S.