Research Fundamentals

As the first installment of a two-part series, this video offers a foundational guide to launching a research project, structured around a clear three-step "research funnel"—moving from broad real-world issues to precise, measurable inquiries. Presented by Tanvir Ahmed Khan, the lecture breaks down how to formulate a robust problem statement by distinguishing genuine knowledge gaps from routine inquiries, how to identify meaningful research gaps through the "So What?" test, and how to craft multi-variable research questions tailored for quantitative and qualitative studies. Illustrated with practical structural engineering case studies—such as bridge deterioration and concrete performance—this overview provides early-career researchers and graduate students with a step-by-step roadmap for defining, justifying, and structuring their research proposals. 

Serving as the second and final installment of the series, this video focuses on execution and framing by breaking down four core components of advanced academic research: methodology, literature review, research proposal, and thesis statement. Presented by Tanvir Ahmed Khan, the lecture explains how to select and justify appropriate methodological designs (quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods), use literature reviews to critically situate research within existing scholarly gaps, and structure persuasive research proposals that demonstrate project feasibility. Concluding with a detailed guide to crafting bold, multi-dimensional thesis statements, the video uses structural engineering applications—such as fiber-optic SHM sensors, traffic load modeling, and SMA seismic retrofitting—to show early-career researchers how to translate technical data into a cohesive, defensible academic framework.