Posted: June 11th, 2015

Term project

Term project

1 Introduction
–    Explains the research problem and its context
•    Explains importance of the problem (Why does it matter? Why is more information needed?)
•    Explains reason and goals for study
•    Uses the passive voice (no “I”)
–    Gives the reader a full understanding of the significance of the research

1.1 Formatting in This Document
The font used for this report should be Times New Roman, font size 12.  The paragraph spacing should be 1.5 lines.  For major titles – style Heading 1.  For sub-titles – style Heading 2.  Note: the first page does not have a page number and Roman numerals are used for the Abstract, List of Tables and Figures, and Acknowledgement sections.
1.1.1 Figures

Figure 1:  Title of Figure
The caption and number style for the figures should be consistent throughout the document. One example is presented in the caption for Figure 1.

Figure 2:  Title of Figure

Figure 3:  Example of parallel figures

Figure 4:  Example of parallel figures
1.1.2 Tables
Heading    Heading    Heading    Heading
Column 1    Column 2    Column 3    Column 4
Column 1    Column 2    Column 3    Column 4
Column 1    Column 2    Column 3    Column 4
Table 1:  Title of Table

1.1.3 Equations
(1)
Where:
x is a data point
y is a data point
Each variable in an equation should be defined.

1.1.4 Citations
This is an example of a citation of a paper from a conference transaction[2].  This is an example of a journal article [3].  This is an example of a citation from a book [4].  This is an example of a citation from a webpage [5].  This is an example of a citation of a report [6].  These citations were created through the EndNote add-in application to Microsoft Word.  The EndNote program is needed for this.
2 Methodology
Under this section, it would be expected to demonstrate the process (methodology) adopted including your breakdown of the different main- and sub-phases. All other aspects (communication and knowledge building blocks) of the developed decision support system are to be demonstrated using the modeling and diagrammatic tools explained in class. It is expected to show principles of systems development and best practices followed. Make sure you adopt a model based approach and in particular a traditional structured analysis one. You would ultimately be required to demonstrate your findings and approach exploited and report it using a all artifacts developed. For example, I would expect you to show for scope initiation an IDEF representation of your whole system, a context diagram outlining system users, explanation of different stakeholders involved in project (including site administrator – Mr. Ram Barakat). For the Analysis phase, it would be your cause and effect analysis, Use cases, etc. For design, logical and physical, it could be your data flow diagrams, flow charts, algorithms (outlining all data-structures and datatypes utilized), pseudo-code as well as final source code used. Finally, for system implementation, screens and snap shots outlining the interface developed. Finally, include the process management aspect- the activity of documenting, managing, and continually improving the process of systems development.
3 Project Management & Scheduling
The process of scoping, planning, staffing, organizing, directing, and controlling the development of an acceptable system at a minimum cost within a specified time frame. Tools, graphs and charts developed such as project Gantt chart, Task breakdown and PERT charts are to be included under this section.
4 Results
–    Visually and textually represents research findings
•    Visual representation of results:
–    Graphs, tables, diagrams, charts
•    Explanatory text:
–    Text points out the most significant portions of research findings
–    Indicates key trends or relationships
–    Highlights expected and/or unexpected findings

5 Discussion
–    Assesses and comments on research results
–    Includes:
•    Explanation for Results
–    Comments on unexpected results, offering hypothesis for them
•    Comparison to literature
–    Does your research confirm previous studies? Deviate from them?
•    Explanation for how info can be applied in broader context

6 Conclusions
–    Discusses:
•    What was learned through research
•    What remains to be learned
•    Weaknesses and shortcomings of study
•    Strengths of study
•    Possible applications of study (how it can be used)
•    Recommendations