Dissertation Proposal Template 2024 Research Methods Module School of Surveying & Construction
Dissertation Proposal Template 2024 Research Methods Module
School of Surveying & Construction Innovation
BSc (Hons) in BIM (Digital Construction)
Dissertation Study Proposal Form
(Research Skills/Methods Module Submission)
2020/2021
School of Surveying & Construction Innovation
BSc (Hons) in BIM (Digital Construction)
Dissertation Study Proposal Form
(Research Skills/Methods Module Submission)
2020/2021
DT9419 / DT9420
SUBMISSION DATE: Monday 4th April 2016
1. Research Question
State, in one succinct sentence, the research question you intend to answer, arising from your chosen research area / topic. This must be framed as a question (i.e., it should start with Can, Why, Does, etc. and finish with “?”).
How can the use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) effectively address the challenge of insufficient or unreliable electrical system documentation (for example, manuals, schematics, and maintenance records) within manufacturing facilities, considering the unique complexities of these industrial environments?
2. Research Objectives
Identify the primary objectives (3 for the BSc level) of the Dissertation. The objectives should arise from the Research Question / Research Hypothesis presented in 1. Research Question / Hypothesis.
Please restate the research question here to help us assess alignment:
How can the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) effectively address the challenge of insufficient or unreliable electrical system documentation (for example, manuals, schematics, and maintenance records) within manufacturing facilities, considering the unique complexities of these industrial environments?
Objective 1: Conduct an assessment of current electrical system documentation practices in manufacturing facilities.
Objective 2: Propose a framework for BIM implementation specific to the management and update of electrical documentation in these environments.
Objective 3: Analyse the impact of BIM on improving the reliability and accessibility of electrical system documentation in an own case study setting.
3. Research Alignment and Methodology
Indicate the research methods you intend to use in your study. For each objective in 5. Research Objectives, an aligned method or set of methods of investigation must be presented. In preparing this submission students should consider consulting books available in the Library on Research Methods as well as referring extensively to the materials provided in this module on Brightspace.
The four approved methods for the BSc level are: (1) literature review, (2) study of existing cases, (3) Study of own case(s), and (4) action (intervention/experimental) research. Please explain briefly how each will be used and/or justify that it is a valid way to describe what you intend to do.
Please also provide a brief explanation of each method (how you’ll carry it out, and how it connects to the aligned objective).
Method for Objective 1: Literature Review and Own Case Study of the Existing Practices.
A review of literature available in academic journals and industry reports will be done to conceptualise the existing problems in electrical system documentation in manufacturing. The review will extend to cover the potential of BIM to solve these problems. An existing facility manufacturing will be taken as a case study where the current status of documentation maintenance will be evaluated and gaps determined.
Method for Objective 2: Action Research.
The aim will be to develop a proposed framework for BIM implementation to manage electrical documentation in manufacturing settings based on findings from Objective 1. Employ action research to test and refine the developed framework regarding the efficacy of continuously improving real-time updates of documentation and troubleshooting workflows.
Method for Objective 3: Study of Own Case.
The BIM framework will be applied to a selected case study in a real manufacturing environment. I will examine the effectiveness of the implementation, measuring improvements in documentation reliability, maintenance task efficiency, and compliance readiness.
4. Your Reason for Choosing this Area/Topic
Write a short, succinct statement (must be 100-200 words) of why you have chosen this research area / topic. Refer to its importance / relevance to the sector, your employment, your personal interests. This should be a personal statement, not one that can be generated by AI.
I would research building information modelling for documentation of electrical systems in manufacturing and processing plants because it is one area where I have had first-hand experience in industrial environments. This is because, from personal experience, incomplete or outdated electrical documentation significantly affects the upgrading of these systems, troubleshooting, or even routine maintenance. This is definitely a case where both downtimes increase and operational inefficiencies or added expenses abound. Thus, issues related to the said recommendations and others are part of my professional background, and I believe BIM to be a practical solution since it can centralise and constantly update critical information. As construction advances rapidly toward BIM, the need and application of the said benefits in the manufacturing sector becomes timely and imperative. This satisfies my current ambition to improve operational efficiency through the use of innovative technology while caring for the unique complexities that are found in industrial electrical systems.
5. Relevance to the BSc in BIM Programme – Scope
Include a short, succinct statement (must be 100-200 words) of relevance to the BSc in BIM programme and its modules. You should make sure to cite specific descriptions and Learning Objectives of the course and individual modules in this statement. (This also needs to demonstrate that you have checked that your research area is within the scope of the programme.) This should be a reflective statement, not one that can be generated by AI.
This hence aligns directly with the learning objectives of the BSc in BIM course, especially those related to overcoming identified challenges by applying BIM in industrial contexts. The module “BIM Federation & Validation” deals with BIM integration with facility management—a necessary process for valid and current documentation in such complex activities as manufacturing. In addition, the “BIM MEP Modelling and Review” module covers the application of BIM in technical systems; hence, this research is very relevant since it will be dealing with how to apply BIM in electrical system documentation in manufacturing facilities. This study thus deals with finding a solution to obsolete documentation, addressing both the technical and operational aspects taught in the program, hence ultimately contributing to the greater application and industrialisation in areas other than the construction of BIM.
6. Annotated Bibliography
Locate, read and assess the usefulness of publications that you think can make a valuable contribution to your study. Then, provide an Annotated Bibliography, formatted in a set of tables below that includes five key publications that have been part of your initial reading. Please save PDFs of all the sources you use in the OneDrive folder for teachers to reference when assessing your work.
*Ensure that your citation and referencing is formatted according to the standards of APA 7th edition. These sites can help:
Annotated Bibliography
Source 1: Ali, K. N., Alhajlah, H. H., & Kassem, M. A. (2022).
Citation*
Ali, K. N., Alhajlah, H. H., & Kassem, M. A. (2022). Collaboration and risk in building information modeling (BIM): A systematic literature review. Buildings, 12(5), 571. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12050571
Summary
This study offers a comprehensive analysis of the risks and difficulties associated with teamwork in BIM-based projects. The authors explore how BIM results are affected by breaks in cooperation and risk distribution, especially in the design and construction stages.
Credibility
This study, which was published in the peer-reviewed journal Buildings, is thorough and well-studied. Its authority in BIM-related studies is increased by the several sources it references and the way it summarises important ideas from the body of current knowledge.
Relevance
This source is especially pertinent as it draws attention to problems with cooperation, which are sometimes made worse in industrial settings by obsolete or absent documentation. The study issue, which focuses on enhancing electrical system documentation in manufacturing facilities, may be better answered by having a clear understanding of the role that cooperation plays in BIM projects.
Source 2: Waqar, A., Othman, I., Radu, D., Ali, Z., Almujibah, H., Hadzima-Nyarko, M., & Khan, M. B. (2023).
Citation*
Waqar, A., Othman, I., Radu, D., Ali, Z., Almujibah, H., Hadzima-Nyarko, M., & Khan, M. B. (2023). Modeling the relation between building information modeling and the success of construction projects: A structural-equation-modeling approach. Applied Sciences, 13(15), 9018. https://doi.org/10.3390/app13159018
Summary
The quantitative link between project success and BIM implementation is examined in this article. It determines crucial success factors—like stakeholder participation, data management, and technology readiness—that improve project results via the use of structural equation modelling (SEM).
Credibility
This peer-reviewed study’s strong methodological foundation is ensured by the use of SEM and quantitative data analysis. The authorship’s legitimacy is enhanced by its multidisciplinary character, which encompasses subjects such as building and applied sciences.
Relevance
This research will aid in assessing the quantifiable effects of BIM on project efficiency and documentation correctness. The suggested research’s focus on reducing documentation problems in industrial settings is directly informed by the insights into stakeholder management and technology difficulties.
Source 3: Davies, R., & Harty, C. (2022).
Citation*
Davies, R., & Harty, C. (2022). Embracing BIM in its totality: A Total BIM Case Study. Smart and Sustainable Built Environment. https://doi.org/10.1108/SASBE-06-2022-0124
Summary
By removing the requirement for concurrent 2D documentation, this case study of a Total BIM project highlights the advantages of using BIM across the whole project lifetime. The useful benefits of an all-digital process are emphasised in the study, especially when it comes to maintaining construction documents.
Credibility
This research is notable for its thorough analysis of a real-world BIM project. It was published in a peer-reviewed publication and supported by original data collected via interviews. It provides practical evidence that fully adopting BIM in complicated projects is feasible.
Relevance
The case study’s emphasis on Total BIM is in line with the goal of the research, which is to increase the dependability of documentation. The focus on using BIM for operational duties such as maintenance and troubleshooting is especially pertinent when tackling the difficulties associated with electrical system documentation in industrial settings.
Source 4: Volk, R., Stengel, J., & Schultmann, F. (2020).
Citation*
Volk, R., Stengel, J., & Schultmann, F. (2020). Building information modelling (BIM) for existing buildings—literature review and future needs. Automation in Construction, 38, 109-127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2013.10.023
Summary
The use of BIM in managing existing buildings is covered in this literature review, which also highlights the difficulties in implementing BIM retrofitting into legacy structures. It points out how BIM might improve aged systems’ operational management and documentation.
Credibility
The paper’s extensive synthesis of the body of research on BIM applications for existing buildings, together with its high level of citations, demonstrate its authority in the area.
Relevance
This study is helpful for understanding the challenges of incorporating BIM into facilities with obsolete or inaccurate documentation, since the dissertation focuses on electrical systems in manufacturing. The issues encountered in the industrial industry are reflected in the debate of retrofitting BIM into traditional systems.
Source 5: Azhar, S. (2019).
Citation*
Azhar, S. (2019). Building information modeling (BIM): trends, benefits, risks, and challenges for the AEC industry. Leadership and Management in Engineering, 11(3), 241-252. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)LM.1943-5630.0000127
Summary
With an emphasis on its adoption in the architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) sector, this article offers a summary of the advantages, risks, and obstacles associated with BIM as it stands now. It talks about how BIM may save expenses, increase the accuracy of documentation, and simplify several project procedures.
Credibility
The paper has a high degree of credibility since it is published by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and it draws on a variety of case studies. Azhar’s construction management experience adds even more credibility to its authority.
Relevance
The research topic is directly addressed by Azhar’s examination of the documentation problems and capabilities of BIM. His analysis of the possible benefits and drawbacks of putting BIM into practice offers insightful advice on how to handle the particular problem of inaccurate electrical system documentation in industrial settings.
7. Brief Literature Review
Please synthesise what you discovered in the five sources above into 2-3 professional and well-constructed paragraphs (one Page maximum) in a way that builds an argument for your proposed study and demonstrates that you know how to use internal citations in APA format to indicate the source of various ideas and claims. Please save drafts of these in your OneDrive folder to show your own personal, iterative development of the content.
Summary of Literature
BIM has become a critical tool in improving the accuracy and reliability of documentation within construction and industrial settings. The literature review has addressed, among the main challenges, the unavailability of reliable and updated documentation, which is very serious in the so-called legacy systems such as electrical infrastructures within industrial manufacturing facilities. As stated by Azhar, 2019, BIM offers valuable savings through centralising data and making immediate access to the true documentation of systems in an operational project. Therefore, at industrial projects, particularly for electrical systems, this is extremely financially advantageous in upgrading or maintaining as their documentation may no longer be up-to-date or complete. Thus, coupled with BIM, these systems can be managed far better, which reduces inefficiency and is tending toward compliance with industry regulations.
The literature also stresses that collaboration is a sure determinant of successful BIM implementation. Ali, Alhajlah, and Kassem (2022) point out potential risks arising from poor collaboration and coordination of BIM projects. These risks are even more significantly in complex environments such as manufacturing, where electrical systems need to be accurately documented and maintained by different players, right from the engineers to facility managers. Essentially, BIM mitigates these risks because it provides a single platform where most of the stakeholders can go ahead to update and retrieve critical information in real time. Enclosing the stakeholder in one BIM platform enhances documentation reliability that offers faster decision-making with reduced potential for errors when upgrading and maintaining these systems.
The literature has also pointed to the inability of traditional 2D documentation systems to capture the complexity of industrial environments. Davies and Harty (2020) say that because most projects still operate parallel processes involving both BIM and traditional paper-based documentation, inefficiencies would thus arise, as well as an increased likelihood of errors. The authors, however, feel that Total BIM means all phases of a project are handled in one single digital BIM model with no possibility of such inefficiencies. This way, the electrical systems are tracked and updated without interruptions; hence, the problems brought about by legacy are easily manageable with a smooth process. Similarly, Volk, Stengel, and Schultmann (2020) discuss retrofitting issues related to BIM in existing buildings, which is closely related to the challenges that will be derived from the updating of old electrical systems. The capability of BIM to correct the documentation of legacy systems stands at the core of its potential to change how industrial facilities manage and perform maintenance on their electrical infrastructures.
The integration of BIM within industrial settings for the documentation of electrical systems definitely forms a revolutionary approach to problems created by aged and unreliable documentation. By exploiting collaborative features in BIM, centralisation of documentation ensures that maintenance and updating processes in electrical systems become smooth and error-free. As these studies signal, the full embracing of BIM both now and for the future is going to be part of the future in managing electrical systems in industrial facilities.
8. Skills
Indicate any new skills that you will need to develop to undertake this research (personal, academic, professional – technical, transversal/soft)? How do you plan to develop these skills in readiness for this research project?
This research project will enable me to develop a range of new skills, including technical development, academic growth, and professional growth, in successfully undertaking the project. These will not only enhance my ability to conduct the research effectively but also provide me with assured meaningful contributions to the field of BIM in industrial settings.
Skill 1: Proficiency in Advanced BIM Software, such as Autodesk Revit,
Development Plan: I will register for online higher-level BIM software courses i.e. LinkedIn Learning that emphasise the integration of electrical systems into BIM models. I also model some sample electrical systems in order to get practical exposure with the tools.
Skill 2: : Integration of Data Management and Documentation
Development Plan: To document with precision part of BIM models, I’ll identify data management systems and standards i.e. COBie, among others already in use out in the field through reading about this in appropriate guides and work on small projects to practice how to import and organise legacy data into BIM environments.
Skill 3: Research Methodology and Academic Writing
Development Plan: I want to enhance my skills in academic research and writing through online research methodology courses related to conducting structured literature reviews, qualitative and quantitative research methods, and data analysis. This will ensure that the research is rigorous, with well-documented records.
Skill 4: Communicate with stakeholders and collaborate
Development Plan: Since BIM projects depend so much on collaboration between team members, I will develop my transversal skills through active participation in team projects, which will help me improve how to communicate to both technical and nontechnical audience’s complex BIM concepts. In this respect, taking part in group discussions and case studies will strengthen such soft skills.
9. Software / Data / Source Availability and Access
Indicate what datasets, software, tools you will need to undertake this research and how you plan to gain access to these.
Software:
Autodesk Revit: This is an excellent environment for creating and managing BIM models, mainly electrical systems. Access is provided under the license agreement of my university for using licensed software.
Data integration and management, especially when the volume of data is substantial on electrical system documentation, will be done using Microsoft Excel or COBIE-compliant tools. I will make use of the Microsoft Office 365 available at the university and look for free COBIE-compatible tools online.
Data:
I will look for the documentation of the existing electrical system. Gathering actual manufacturing case studies, either by utilising publicly available datasets or by getting access to industrial anonymised datasets.
BIM Models of Industrial Facilities: Sample BIM models for industrial settings will be retrieved from online repositories and case studies involved in the research. I will also be looking at publicly available BIM model datasets.
Source:
Industry reports and case studies, particularly on construction and BIM journals, through academic databases like ScienceDirect and through the university library. I will use these to collect relevant case studies and insights into electrical documentation and its challenges in industrial practice.
Additional Tools:
OneDrive: For data and BIM model storage in a secure way, it will be used to share the data safely. I will use cloud-based platforms like OneDrive provided by the university to make sure that the data is not only accessible but also backed up.
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