CHAPTER – 6

RESEARCH PROJECT DEFENCE AND

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6.1 Defence Preparation
 It is necessary that a researcher before he finally faces his research defence must
do thorough preparations for his research defence.
 Once he is confident about his preparations then only he should arrange/ ask for his
research defence.
 At research defence a researcher needs to make people understand about his
research work.
 In addition to this it’s an opportunity for the researcher to convince people that
his research work is authentic and well supported by experimental results and
logical concepts.
 Further, he also justify that the present research work carried out by him fulfill the
requirements for the academic degree and he has developed an expertise in a
particular area of study.
 For this he has to make a systematic presentation of his research work.

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6.2 Activities
 Before a researcher actually prepare for his defence he must know clearly that
what he is going to present, how he will organize his presentation, what
are the most expected questions and how he will answer to those questions.
 The following activities may help a researcher for an effective and systematic
defence preparation;
i) A researcher must structure his presentation before he actually starts working on it.
He must plan that what he is going to present and how he will make the
presentation.
ii) Self-assessment of research work and identifying possible questions. Preparing
answers for all such possible questions.
iii) Discussions with advisors/ supervisors and other researchers on his research work.
To have their views/ suggestions for a better presentation of the research
work and expected questions on his research work.

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iv) Find opportunities to discuss your research work with your friends and colleagues.
You may have some new questions on your research work.
v) Read your thesis/report thoroughly and try to identify aspects of your research that
are particularly confusing and need further explanation.
vi) Try to attend one or more defence prior to yours. At the defence try and keep your
focus on the interactions that occur.
vii) Assess your weaknesses - nervousness, confusions, poor vocal expression
or any other. If you find any of such weaknesses try to work on it so that you
overcome such weaknesses before your go for your research defence.
viii) Rehearse well for your presentation. Ask some of your friends to attend such
rehearsal. If possible, you may invite your advisor/ supervisor and other
senior researchers for one of such rehearsals, this may give you confidence
and you will know where you were lacking in your preparations.

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6.3 Preparations for Research Defence Presentation
 Presentation includes two key components one, what you are going to present and
other how you are going to present.
 Therefore, it is essential that you must structure your content matter that you are
going to present. Also, plan an effective mode of presentation.
6.3.1 Structure of Presentation
 Before a structure for presentation is planned, a researcher must be clear
about the time allotted for the presentation.
 As a general rule no presentation should be very long, ideally it should not be more
than 30 minutes.
 However, in most of the cases the chairman of the research defence
committee may allot some additional time or he may ask the researcher to present
his research work in less than 30 minutes.
 Therefore, a researcher must prepare his presentation in such a manner that he
may easily adjust to such variations at the time of defence.
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 What goes into a research project presentation is the most important and crucial
aspect of any research defence.
 At presentation one has to be the best not only on his presentation but also he has
to answer all the questions asked by the committee members in a very
convincing manner. His presentation by itself must demonstrate the overall
quality of his research work.
 As a fact there is no single format for a research project presentation. This is
because every research project is different. However, there are several
key components, which must be included in every research defence presentation.
The key components for any research defence presentation are;
i) An introduction to the research problem and an argument as to why that problem
is important
ii) Specific objectives of the research study.
iii) An overview of the study area, location, physiography, climate or
other relevant themes related to the proposed study.

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iv) A review of literature relevant to the research problem.
v) A description of the research methodology adopted to perform the research.
vi) A description on primary and secondary data collection and analysis.
vii) A description on experimental data generation, if any.
viii) Interpretation of results and final findings.
ix) Conclusions and recommendations, if any.
x) A note on the limitation of the present study.
xi) Describe how the results and the findings of the present research work will
be utilized.
xii) A note on future studies and extension of the present research work.
In addition to this a research defence presentation must also include a self-explanatory
title slide, acknowledgements and a note of thanks.

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6.3.2 Self Preparations
 It is necessary that a researcher before he finally faces his research defence must be
well prepared for the defence.
 Once he is confident about his preparations then only he should arrange/ ask for his
research defence.
 He must know clearly that what he is going to present, how he will organize his
presentation, what are the most expected questions and how he will answer
to those questions.
 Prior to defence a researcher must assess his weaknesses. These
weaknesses may be nervousness, confusions, poor vocal expression or any
other. The following points may be helpful in overcoming such weaknesses;
i) To overcome nervousness always think positive and believe in yourself. You
must understand that you are the most knowledgeable person as far as your
research problem is concerned.

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ii) Confusions will only occur when you are not well prepared for your presentation.
The only means to overcome confusions is to make sure that you prepare yourself
well prior to the defence. Repeated readings of your presentation content
matter and rehearsing it for number of times may help you to overcome confusions.
iii) Poor vocal expression is a very serious weakness; if an individual is poor in his
vocal expression he will ruin his research work at the time of presentation.
a) Read the content matter of your presentation repeatedly so that you remember the
text and sequence correctly.
b) Rehearse loudly your presentation content matter number of times facing a mirror
and watch out your expressions on your face.
c) When confidant, call some of your friends and rehearse in front of them.

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6.3.3 Mode of Presentation
 Before a researcher decides on which mode he is going to make his presentations he
must check the availability of the required resources for the proposed mode.
 There are two modes of effective presentation; i) The ‘Over Head Projector (OHP)’
and ii) ‘Data Projector’.
 For Overhead projector the content matter has to be prepared over
transparencies.
 The transparencies may be prepared by freehand writing with permanent OHP pens
or content matter may be photocopied over the transparencies.
 For ‘Data Projector’ the presentation may be prepared on ‘Microsoft Power
Point’ software and directly it may be displayed with the help of a Personal
computer or laptop. Of the two modes ‘Data Projector’ is an effective means of
presentation.

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Some important tips for power point presentation preparation are listed below;
i) Make your presentation in Landscape layout and use simple background
or apply simple design template. Ideally the background colour or design template must
be of dark colour and the text written should be in bright colour.
ii) While preparing slides be concise and precise. The text written over each slide must
be in points. Write only important points in the slide. Use small sentences, ideally not
more than two lines. Do not over crowd the slides with text. Underline
or highlight the key words in the sentences. Headings must be in capital, bold letters
and underlined. Ideally headings must be in 18 point and other text in 16 or 15 point.
However, adjustment in font size may be made depending upon the
font style selected by an individual. Avoid using custom animation effects on text as
much of the time is wasted in animated display.

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iii) Keep slide transition on mouse click mode; do not make it on automatic mode.
If you keep slide transition on mouse click mode you will have a flexibility to change
the slide as per your choice at the time of presentation.
iv) Show only important results and try to display results and findings of the research
graphically. This may improve the presentation.
v) Use maps, figures and photographs to support various concepts and results of your
research. This will not only make you comfortable in convincing the
defence committee but it will also make your presentation attractive.
vi) While preparing layout of slide try to arrange a figure or a photograph at least after
every alternative slide. This will keep the audience attentive and involved in your
presentation.
vii) Do not use such words for which you are not sure for their
meaning. Do not use difficult words to impress audience. Do not use
overly simplistic language in the slides.

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6.4 Research Defence Presentation
For an effective presentation it is essential that a researcher not only make a good
presentation of his research work in front of Research defense committee but it is
equally important that he must present himself in a very confident manner. For a good
presentation the following points may be helpful;
i) Enter into meeting hall confidently with a gentle smile on your face. Before you start
your presentation convey thanks to the meeting member / organizer who has invited
you for the presentation. Simply say ‘thank you Sir’ facing towards him.
ii) While presenting look towards the defence committee members and the
general audience. Do not look continuously towards the screen or in a particular
direction. While speaking do not stand at one place only gently move towards right or
left.
iii) Speak clearly and loudly; give emphasis on the key words. Avoid using words like
‘I mean’, ‘You see’, ‘you know’, ‘Of course’ etc. While presenting if you
forget something do not try to recall it, as it may give unnecessary pause and you will
break your continuity.
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iv) Avoid reading word by word from the slide. Just look at the key words and frame
your own sentences.
v) Finish your presentation with a note of thanks.
vi) Listen carefully to the questions asked by the defence committee members and
the audience. Think for a while frame the answers in your mind and explain gently, use
supporting slides. If you are not sure for the answers do not try to answer it, gently say
sorry sir.
vii) Take proper note of the suggestions made by the committee
members. All such suggestions may be helpful for the improvement of your report.
6.5 Dissemination of Research Findings
No research study is complete without dissemination of research findings. By
dissemination you will explain how the results and findings of the
research study will be used for the betterment of concerned scientific concepts
or how they may be utilized for the welfare of the society. The results and findings
may overcome the shortcomings or gaps in the existing theoretical concepts and
analytical techniques. By dissemination of research finding you will explain
that what the further possibilities of extension of present research are. 14
For this purpose, prepare an article or paper that shares the findings of your research.
There will be no better time to do this than just after your defence. Immediately after
your defense is the right time, as you know your study the best and you will be in the
best position to put your thinking on paper. If you don’t do it immediately after your
defence probably you will never get it done. Capitalize on all of the investment you
have made in your research and reap some additional benefits.
6.5.1 Means of Dissemination of Research Findings
There are several means of dissemination of research findings. Some important means
are listed below;
i) Technical Journals - National and International
ii) Seminars, symposia, conferences and workshops
iii) Presentations in concerned Departments/ organizations

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Assignment on proposal development
Titles
1. Groundwater potential site investigation: by characterization of topography and
geology between Kulfo and Hare streams/rivers Gamo-Gofa Zone Southern
Ethiopia (Goraw Team)
2. Characterization of engineering soil in Abaya Campus: by using unified soil
classification system, Gamo-Gofa Zone, Southern Ethiopia (Tigabu Team)
3. Groundwater investigation along the banks of Kulfo river, Gamo-Gofa Zone,
Southern Ethiopia (Fessaha Team)
4. Groundwater site investigation in Sehecha sub town, Gamo-Gofa Zone, Southern
Ethiopia (Yitayih Team)
5. Groundwater investigation in AMU main campus, Gamo-Gofa Zone, Southern
Ethiopia (Yirga Team)
6. Identification of geological and geotechnical factors influencing the life span of
roads in Sekela sub town, Gamo-Gofa Zone, Southern Ethiopia (Shidenber Team)
7. Engineering properties of soils based on laboratory testing Abaya Campus, Gamo-
Gofa Zone, Southern Ethiopia (Tsegaye Team)
8. The triggering factors that cause cracking on building: Abaya Campus, Gamo-
Gofa Zone, Southern Ethiopia (Takele Team)
9. Geological and geotechnical investigation Sehecha AMU condominium site,
Gamo-Gofa Zone, Southern Ethiopia (Agegnehu Team)
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