Research Methods for Engineers: Evaluating Energy Management Systems

This report evaluates a research proposal focused on energy usage and management in households. It identifies inconsistencies between the research questions and objectives, particularly regarding the integration of renewable energy sources. The methodology is criticized for lacking clarity on sample selection, evaluation criteria, and limitations. The report also points out structural issues, such as inconsistent formatting and a poorly organized introduction. Overall, the proposal is deemed confusing and not feasible due to a lack of specificity and critical analysis in the literature review and research methodology. The report highlights the importance of aligning research questions with objectives and ensuring a well-defined and feasible research plan.

Running head: RESEARCH METHODS FOR ENGINEERS
Research Methods for Engineers
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author note

1RESEARCH METHODS FOR ENGINEERS
1.0 Identification of the research question and objective
The main objective of the project are investigation of the factors responsible for energy
usage and identification of the possible ways of using renewable energy sources for household
purposes. The study has also aimed to examine houses to identify the infrastructure and
electricity capacity and propose efficient management systems. The research questions in the
given paper are as follows:
 What are the causes of more energy usage?
 What are the current methods of efficient energy management in houses?
 How can effective and efficient energy management in house be implemented?
1.1 Evaluation of the introduction
This research question and objective does not match up effectively. The objective has a
goal of using renewable energy resources for household purposes but the research questions have
not been framed properly to address these factor. The introduction of the proposal is much
generalised and covers a broad aspect. Even though, it has been said that infrastructure of houses
will be analysed but it is not specified which houses will be evaluated, the regions and type of
households. The main objective of the study is development of effective energy management
system for reducing electricity bill but the use of renewable sources of energy has not been
mentioned. Therefore, there is lack of consistency between the objectives and the developed
research questions. The study lacks insights on why renewable energy has to be used to reduce
electricity bills and energy efficient systems can be based on now renewable energy sources.

2RESEARCH METHODS FOR ENGINEERS
2.0 Identification of the methodology used and outcomes of the project (200)
In this given proposal, the first stage of the methodology suggests identification of the
energy management system currently used in households and identification of the causes of the
increase in electricity bills. The next step of the methodology is the identification of the effective
and efficient management system for household purposes. This phase will focus on development
of a system based on the renewable energy resources to cut down electricity costs. The next
phase of the methodology is development of the proposed home energy management system and
will provide a design of the overall system.
2.1 Evaluation of the methodology
The methodology has only defined the different phases briefly stating what has to be
done in the study. However, the methodology lacks clarity in explaining the way the objectives
will be achieved. The methodology has not be given any indication of the houses chosen for the
evaluation and investigation. The methodology has not given any indication on the number of
houses to be evaluated in the study. The methodology has not provided any information on the
type of houses that will be taken into consideration while making the examinations. The
limitation of the methods used has also not been described so that the boundaries of conducting
the research can be understood. However, the methodology is lacking in the above mentioned
areas.
3.0 Evaluation of the structure
The overall organization of the paper is inconsistent as it can be seen that the report does
not follow a specific format. A part of the report has used justified alignment where the majority
of the report have used light alignment. There are no sub headings in the table of contents and

3RESEARCH METHODS FOR ENGINEERS
the introduction section. The introduction should be better organized to provide a better
understanding and overview of the research. The table of content does not take the sub headings
into account and improvement in the table of content is highly effective. This shows that the
overall structure of the report is average and better organization is required to make it more
appealing, understandable and relatable.
4.0 Critical evaluation
The proposal developed in the given report is inconsistent because of the fact that the first
objectives aims to identify the causes of increases in electricity bills but the corresponding
research question aims to identify the causes of energy use. This shows that the question is
leading and has no parity with the objective of the study. There may be different causes of
increase in electricity bill and development of an effective energy management system may not
be a solution to increase in the electricity bill. This means that the framing of the research
question are not effective as the findings of the study has already been assumed from previous
hand which may cause a bias in the result. The use of renewable energy resources may not be
required to develop an effective system of energy management. Moreover, if the use of
renewable energy management is necessary then the objectives and research questions need to be
framed differently. The literature review in the study lacks critical analysis and the research
methodology requires better formulation. Therefore, the proposal analysed in the study is
confusing and not feasible as the outline is not specific.