Research Methods for Professional Practice: AI in Road Construction

This report delves into the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in road construction projects. It begins with an introduction to AI and its potential in construction, followed by a Continuous Professional Development (CPD) plan outlining learning objectives and activities. The report then presents a project proposal, detailing the scope, objectives (including SMART objectives), and risk appraisal for an AI-driven road construction project. It emphasizes the importance of knowledge sources, ethical considerations, and practical applications. The report also includes an achievement log to track progress and insights gained throughout the research process. The analysis covers the key aspects of an AI-integrated road construction project, from initial planning to ethical implications.

Research Methods for Professional
Practice

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Part one: Reflective CPD ................................................................................................................3
Part two: Achievement or learning log ...........................................................................................8
Log to record achievements in relation to the project.................................................................8
Part three: Project Proposal ...........................................................................................................13
Project Research details ................................................................................................................13
1) Scope, Objectives and Risk .................................................................................................13
Review developments in your particular fields and select one on which to base your future
career plans ...............................................................................................................................13
Outline and justify the scope of the proposal ...........................................................................14
Defined in detail the objectives of the overall project (SMART Objectives) ..........................14
Risk Appraisal ..........................................................................................................................14
2) Sources and use of Knowledge ............................................................................................16
Research and apply appropriate knowledge .............................................................................16
Evaluate legitimacy of all sources ............................................................................................16
Relate knowledge to appropriate work-based examples ..........................................................17
Justify all recommendations......................................................................................................17
3) Ethics, Legal, Social, Security and professional issues .....................................................18
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................19
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................20

INTRODUCTION
Artificial Intelligence also known as machine intelligence is an ability of digital computer
which help in performing, controlling and managing all the task by robot or other machines. AI
is an ability of computer machines and program which think and learn all the work. This is the
method which reduced the complexity, overlapping and wastage of work and help in producing
goods and services in an effective manner. It has been identified that around 7% of labour of the
whole world is being employed in the field of construction which is considered as one of the
major sector which contributes in the economy of the nation (Krishnamoorthy, and Rajeev,
2018) . In the present report, various sections are going to be covered which includes a
development of CPD (Continuous Professional Development) plan whereas SMART objective is
also developed so that all the work will be completed in an specific manner. Along with this, it
will also includes a discussion on impact of artificial intelligence of the project management
where a road construction is chosen as the base project.
Part one: Reflective CPD
Continuous professional Development is defined as a compulsory professional practise
requirement for different students of the university (Bloomfield, 2018.). This is an opportunity
for engaging in business and engineering related activities and for growing the professional
contacts and networks. This is an essential part of engineering career and it gives an insight into
the life of an engineer as it is helpful in networking, exploring and gaining on the job training.

The activities of CPD are designed for extending or updating skill, knowledge or judgement in
areas of practise, and enabling for maintaining technical competence, retaining and enhancing
effectiveness within the workplace. This is useful in helping, influencing and leading by an
example. This includes successfully dealing with changes in career. This helps in better serving
the community. CPD is defined as written list of long term as well as short term goals which an
employee has pertaining to the current and future jobs. This also includes planned sequence of
formal and informal experiences for assisting employees to achieve their goals. The main
objective of CPD is to assist employees for attaining organisational objectives and goals. The
CPD plan for the present student is given below - CPD records should document a minimum of
Illustration 1: CPD activities, 2019

150 hours of structured CPD over a three year period. Basic requirements – All the practitioners
of 150 hours have to do the following activities - minimum of 50 hours that will relate to area of
practise, at least 10 hours that will cover risk management, minimum of 15 hours that will
address 15 hours and address business as well as management skills (Qi, Fourie, and et. al.,
2017) . The CPD is presented below -
Identi
ficatio
n of
learni
ng
needs
Define
expected
learning
outcome
Identify
learning
activity
Resources Timescal
e
Communi
cation
Evaluation

Comm
unicat
ion
skills
The
communication
either oral or
written is
critical asset
for civil
engineers. This
includes
listening to
clients, team
members,
officials, other
workers, etc.
strong speaking
skills are
important for
me to grasp
concern and
requests
effectively.
If I will have
strong
speaking skills
then it is
easier for me
to explain
complex
technical
information to
individuals
who work and
interact in a
concise
fashion so that
I can easily
comprehend
the
information
that is shared.
For developing
my
communication
skill, I will be
involved in
attending speech
sessions, oral
communication
classes, etc. In
order to improve
my
communication
skills, it is
important for me
to attend speech
classes and oral
communication
classes.
1st
Decembe
r - 1st
January
Both oral
and
written
communic
ation
I will assess
myself by
measuring
efficiency of
conveying
orders to
other
workers.
Leade
rship
skills
The main
responsibility
of the outcomes
of projects are
important for
me as I have to
manage various
projects.
It is essential
for me to have
significant
leadership
skills while
overseeing
technicians,
planners,
contractors,
surveyors, etc.
I can develop
leadership skills
by listening to
various
motivational
speeches of
different leaders
and
implementing
their ideas into
my practise. I
3rd
Decembe
r - 30th
Decembe
r
Both oral
and
written
communic
ation
I can
measure
leadership
skill by
analysing
the
functioning
of my team
members. I
will assess
myself by

also have chance
of assigning
proper roles and
responsibilities to
team members.
knowing
whether I
have
assigned
proper roles
and
responsibilit
ies to my
subordinates
Techn
ical
skills
My foundation
of civil
engineering is
understanding
and working
knowledge of
science. I must
have technical
skills for
managing work
in an effective
manner.
Technical
skills will help
me to conduct
business
activities
effectively.
I can develop my
technical skills
by enhancing my
knowledge
related to new
techniques of
civil engineering.
3rd
Decembe
r - 30th
Decembe
r
Both oral
and
written
communic
ation
I can
measure my
technical
skill by
analysing
time taken
for attaining
organisation
al goals and
objectives.
Organ
isatio
nal
skills
As a civil
engineer, it is
important to
monitor and
evaluate
progress of
work completed
at job site and
making staff
Organisational
skills are are
developed by
taking
responsibilities
of official
documents and
doing
multitasking
I am able to
develop
organisational
skills by
involving in
multitasking
business
activities.
3rd
Decembe
r - 30th
Decembe
r
oral
communic
ation
I am able to
develop my
organisation
al skills and
this is
measured by
analysing
effectivenes
s of my

are in
compliance
with project
plans, design
documentation
and regulations.
(Suman, Das,
and Mohanty,
2016).
multitasking
Proble
m
solvin
g
skills
These skills
must be
developed
effectively so
that different
business issues
and problems
are solved in an
appropriate
manner.
I, as a civil
engineer must
know how to
manage time
and control
business
activities
effectively.
I will develop
problem solving
skills by solving
complex
problems
efficiently.
3rd
Decembe
r - 30th
Decembe
r
Both oral
and
written
communic
ation
I can
measure this
by ensuring
that all work
is managed
in an
effective
manner.
Decisi
on-
makin
g
skills
It is necessary
for me to have
effective
decision
making skills as
it will help in
managing
business
operations in an
effective
manner.
I will develop
decision
making skills
by analysing
different
business
situations and
making
effective
solutions for it.
I can develop this
skill by
increasing in
depth knowledge
about various
business issues.
3rd
Decembe
r - 30th
Decembe
r
oral
communic
ation
This is
measured by
seeing
effectivenes
s of
command
given to
other team
members.
Mathe
matic
al
These skills are
necessary for
me as a civil
Developing
mathematical
skills means
I can enhance my
mathematical
skill by
15th
Decembe
r - 30th
Written
communic
ation
This is
measured by
seeing

skills engineer as I
have to
measure
various
mathematical
problems while
working.
increasing
efficiency of
solving
numeric
problems
verbally. This
will help me in
doing work
effectively.
enhancing vedic
maths
knowledge. This
is achievable by
taking maths
classes and
solving
numericals daily.
Decembe
r
efficiency of
solving
numeric
problem.
Part two: Achievement or learning log
Log to record achievements in relation to the project
It is one of the most crucial element for any researcher while they conduct research on a
specific topic. With the help of developing a log, various advantages will be gain which directly
affect the whole project outcome. In the present report, the research is linked with construction
filed where AI is the technique used to develop better results. In simple words, this is the method
which help in accomplishing all the goals and objectives in an appropriate manner.

Week Day Nature of
interaction
such as
Lectures, face to
face, Self-
directed and
many more.
Content Activity done
1 Septemb
er 10,
2019
Lecture
Introduction of the
investigation
topic.
This is the first section where research
topic is being introduced as well as
resolve all the problems faced by
them. Along with this, it is very
essential to examine the possible
outcomes so that strategies will be
developed accordingly.
2 Septemb
er 16,
2019
Lecture
Identification of
various skills
which is
associated with
the field of
construction so
that all the
projects will be
performed in an
effective manner.
It has been identified that different
types of skills are being identified by
the researcher which help in
producing positive results. In addition
to this, by considering CPD plan,
individuals will also improve their
skills and knowledge.
3 Septemb
er 25,
2019
Face to face
Improvement of
career plan
It is the section where past
experiences as well as achievements
are being disclosed which will assist
in accomplishing all the objectives of
the research in an effective and
appropriate manner (Mohanty,
Suman, and Das, 2018) .

Week Day Nature of
interaction
such as
Lectures, face to
face, Self-
directed and
many more.
Content Activity done
4 Septemb
er 30,
2019 Self- directed
Outlining each
and every future
career plan
On the basis of identified experience
and skills, specific objective is created
in order to become civil engineer.
5 October
8, 2019 Various authentic
sources
Time log of
accomplishment
of activities
Development if effective time log
which consider all the online
techniques in order to create it in a
limited or short time period.
6 October
15, 2019
Self- directed
Consideration of
specific field
which is
construction sector
In this section, emphasis is on main
credentials, regulations and rules in
addition with the specific interest.
Furthermore, it includes different
elements which are associated with
the problems faced while conducting
the whole research.
7 October
22, 2019 Self- directed
Alteration of
scope of the
selected project
This is the project which help the
society as well as the managers both.
8 October
29, 2019
Self- directed
Development of
SMART
objectives
This is the section which consider all
the factors of SMART objectives
which might assist in accomplishment
of various goals in an effective
manner.

Week Day Nature of
interaction
such as
Lectures, face to
face, Self-
directed and
many more.
Content Activity done
9 Novemb
er 8,
2019 Face to face
Thinking about
the Risk Appraisal
Generally, a risk appraisal plan
created by the managers in order to
minimise the risks which are
associated with the goals and
objectives.
10 Novemb
er 15,
2019 Self- directed
implementation of
various resources
along with the
issues.
It is the part where, appropriate and
effective knowledge of different
issues and their methods to overcome
them by project manager.
11 Novemb
er 22,
2019 Face to face
emphasis on the
real life instances
in the present
context of civil
engineering
Consideration of various instances
which will assist in completing the
requirements of objectives which are
linked with the civil engineering
project.
12 Novemb
er 28,
2019
Lecturer
Resolution of all
the issues which
are identified by
the researcher
It is the method, where lecturer assist
in creating positive results for which
the whole project is being conducted.
In addition to this, project manager of
the present research will be able to
attain their pre defined targets in an
effective manner.