MSc graduation project (Aalbers)
- 1. A thesis or graduation project What is it all about? Carien Aalbers, CT5060/TIL5060 12-11-2010 Delft University of Technology Challenge the future Contents • Introduction • Me and my thesis work • A thesis work • Introduction • Where to start? • Towards the kick-off meeting • Some aspects of the real work A thesis project: what is it all about? 2
- 2. Me and my thesis work • Bachelor Civil Engineering (2003-2008) • Master Transport&Planning (since 2007) • Internship at Witteveen+Bos, Latvia (Aug-Oct 2009) • Master Transport, Infrastructure & Logistics (since 2007) • TIL-project on liveability vs. accessibility in Rotterdam • Since april 2010: combined thesis work (55 ECTS) at the Dienst Verkeer en Scheepvaart of Rijkswaterstaat, Delft A thesis project: what is it all about? 3 My thesis work To design a new method based on two others… • Rijkswaterstaat uses the so-called Toekan-method • to compose a temporal package of (measures are only available during road works) • Mobility Management (MM) measures MM= measures taken to influence pre-trip travel choices (if, where, when and how to go = destination, time, modality and route choice) • to reduce the amount of (car)traffic in a corridor during road works as to keep traffic hindrance to a normal level There should be not more hindrance than without road works A thesis project: what is it all about? 4
- 3. My thesis work To design a new method based on two others… • Rijkswaterstaat uses the so-called Gebiedsgericht Benutten method (Sustainable Traffic Management, see CT5804) • to compose a permanent package of • Dynamic Traffic Management (DTM) measures DTM = the informing, advising, guiding and steering of road users • to solve traffic (related) problems in a certain area (accessibility, safety, liveability, etc.) A thesis project: what is it all about? 5 My thesis work … to implement in Reconnaissance Studies • In a reconnaissance study (old CT4701) a process is executed in which a (future) traffic and/or transport problem is analyzed from the different points of views of the actors involved. • After this analysis possible and potential solution directions are determined including the responsibilities of the actors. • Based on the analysis and solution directions it is decided if and by whom the problem has to be tackled and solved A thesis project: what is it all about? 6
- 4. My thesis work … to implement in Reconnaissance Studies • This might result in a planning study executed by the national government which in the end results in for example the building of new infrastructure • The set-up of reconnaissance and planning studies is changed at this moment because of the Elverding committee What is lacking: A methodology to look into the potential of MM and DTM in the process of the (new) reconnaissance study A thesis project: what is it all about? 7 My thesis work Project goal and split of research • To design a methodology to support the implementation of DTM and MM as a (partial) solution direction in reconnaissance studies What has to be determined/developed? • Which DTM and MM measures can be used and how these measures are selected at the moment • What the process of a reconnaissance study looks like • A process/methodology to select the measures in a reconnaissance study • A toolbox to estimate the effects to be used in this process A thesis project: what is it all about? 8
- 5. My thesis work Process overview Part 1: Part 2: Analysis of MM and Analysis of DTM measures and reconnaissance methods studies Part 3: Development of a new methodology and toolkit Case study A thesis project: what is it all about? 9 A thesis work Introduction and general remarks • Done with BSc? • Done with courses? • Done with projects/internship etc. ? • Watch out for restrictions in the Implementation Regulations! • Master thesis: one big giant project to be executed by you • It’s all your own responsibility (organize subject and working environment, organize kick-off and other (official) meetings, fill in the right forms, etc.) • Requires discipline and motivation A thesis project: what is it all about? 10
- 6. A thesis work: where to start? Subject and location Think of what you search for in your thesis project • Subject: What courses did you like most? Which aspect(s) of your master has your biggest interest? • Talk with teachers, read old thesis reports, browse the internet, etc. • Do you want a research or a design project? • Within or outside the TU Delft? • Maybe even abroad? • Outside the TU Delft: governmental institution/research agency/engineering agency/(other) non-profit organization /etc. Subject and location: something/where you (might) want to do/work after your graduation A thesis project: what is it all about? 11 A thesis work: where to start? Search for your thesis research After you have thought of want you want to do, you have to find/compose your thesis work. - Talk with teachers/other TU Delft staff - Contact companies/institutions - Etc… Try to come up with several options and than make your choice: never marry the first (wo)man you see Find something you really want to do and work, it’s important to be and keep being motivated A thesis project: what is it all about? 12
- 7. A thesis work: where to start? Select your thesis research How to choose between several options: - Follow your intuition: you know/feel which option you like most Something like a “This is it!”-feeling • Select based on/your intuition takes into account: • Your wish-list • Future possibilities (do you want to do this/work there after your graduation?) • Physical location (close to home or travel a lot?) • Do you like the institution you will work? Like your (company) supervisors? • Salary? A thesis project: what is it all about? 13 A thesis work: where to start? Select your graduation committee T&P: 1 faculty TIL: 2 faculties Professor Professor Graduation supervisor Graduation supervisor 1 (one/main faculty) External supervisor Graduation supervisor 2 (second faculty) Thesis project coordinator External supervisor A thesis project: what is it all about? 14
- 8. A thesis work: where to start? Select your graduation committee Demands for selection: - TU-members: part of relevant section of study - External supervisor: within organization or independent examiner Other indicators for selection: - Knowledge of/experience in your field of research - Daily /graduation supervisors: there should be no barriers to contact them - In time (too busy) - Someone you get along with A thesis project: what is it all about? 15 A thesis work: where to start? Fill in the right forms at the right moment Moment in time T&P TIL Before start Start MSc Thesis TIL 1a (request to start) After choosing subject, Graduation chart TIL 1b (subscription of location and committee committee and subject) Before mid-term TIL 2 Graduation chart During green light TIL 3 Green light Before final meeting TIL 4 Exam application After final meeting Statement completion TIL 5 Thesis MSc assessment A thesis project: what is it all about? 16
- 9. A thesis work: the beginning Work towards your kick-off meeting Prepare your kick-off document for the kick-off meeting including: - Reason for research (why is this new, what is the added value?) - Some explanation on the different aspects of your research - i.e. background information, quick-and-dirty analyses - Research proposal including: - Research goal and research question - Methodology (which methods will be used) - Split your research question into subquestions - Make clear for each subquestion how you will come to an answer (including neccessarities and time needed) - Planning (based on previous) A thesis project: what is it all about? 17 A thesis work: the beginning The planning • Make clear for each subquestion how you will come to an answer including neccessarities and time needed • Time needed = always more than you expect • Based on the division made in your research: think where you want to have the official meetings (f.e. mid-term meeting after the completion of your analysis phase) • Include buffers Be realistic! A thesis project: what is it all about? 18
- 10. A thesis work: the beginning The kick-off meeting • For all meetings: do not wait to long planning a date. Especially professors are very busy people and it is hard to find a moment in time suitable for all your supervisors! • Reserve a room yourself and arrange neccessary equipment (f.e. a beamer) • Sent in your kick-off document in time • At the kick-off meeting: • Present your research proposal • Allow supervisors to react and ask questions • Make sure the whole committee agrees with what your proposal A thesis project: what is it all about? 19 A thesis work: the real work Progress meetings Start executing your research proposal To make sure you are on the right path and make (enough) progress: • Make sure you meet with your supervisors on a regular basis • For example every two weeks • TIL: make sure you do not ‘forget’ one of your supervisors • Make arrangements on what you will have done for your next meeting Try to work towards your official meetings in the period you have planned to and try to work towards your final report. That saves a lot of time at the end of your graduation A thesis project: what is it all about? 20
- 11. A thesis work: the real work Literature research Use literature throughout the thesis work but especially in the beginning to answer questions like: - What has been done until now? - Which gaps in knowledge remain? (recommendations) - Do other methods exist to solve the problem at hand? - Etc. • Write down the question you want to get an answer to • First read the summary and conclusions to find out whether an article/book is interesting for your research • Use the references of the literature to get to other interesting articles/books A thesis project: what is it all about? 21 A thesis work: the real work Progress meetings Frequent problem: one of your supervisors disagrees with another You will probably discover this during one of your progress meetings • First try to explain to both supervisors separately how and especially why the other supervisor thinks differently and try to find a compromise that also satisfies your own ideas • Bring the two sides together in a separate (progress) meeting • If that doesn’t work: bring up the discussion in an official meeting or even arrange one extra so the whole committee can decide what to do A thesis project: what is it all about? 22
- 12. A thesis work: the real work Lack of motivation Frequent problem: for example after an official meeting. You worked hard for that one and after that… guess what… even more graduation and meetings! • First of all: don’t worry to much, it’s natural • Having the right subject helps a lot in this case; if the subject really interests you, continuing your research will be less of a problem • Indicate motivational problems to your supervisor(s), they might be able to motivate you again • It is better do something completely else for a change or even take a few days off and go back to work with new energy after that, than to get stuck in your dip A thesis project: what is it all about? 23 A thesis or graduation project What is it all about? Carien Aalbers, CT5060/TIL5060 12-11-2010 Delft University of Technology Challenge the future