Online Resources for Conducting Research

In order to conduct a successful research, students need access to variety of resources that can contribute to their field of research. Libraries such as UNITEN Library are conventional ways for researchers to find their research resources. However, with the advancement of Internet technology, many resources can be obtained through online resources. Let's have a look at these online resources.

• UNITEN Online Library: http://ezproxy.uniten.edu.my/login
• Google Scholars: https://scholar.google.com/
• UiTM Ez Access: http://ezaccess.library.uitm.edu.my/login
• Open Access Theses and Dissertations (OATD): https://oatd.org/
• British Library (EThOS): http://ethos.bl.uk/Home.do
• PQTD (ProQuest Open): http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/search.html
• PQDOPEN: http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/search.html
• Queens University Research and Learning Repository: https://qspace.library.queensu.ca/handle/1974/290
• CORE (COnnecting Repositories): https://core.ac.uk/
• Virginia Tech Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs): http://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/handle/10919/5534//
• E-book: http://bookzz.org/
• http://www.dart-europe.eu/basic-search.php
• Sci-Hub: http://sci-hub.cc/
• UM Repository: http://studentsrepo.um.edu.my/
• Akademika UKM: http://ejournal.ukm.my/akademika
• UPM Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology: http://www.pertanika.upm.edu.my/JST.php
• MyJurnal - Malaysia Citation Centre: http://www.myjurnal.my/public/browse.php

Besides online resources, there is also several tools that can help in research writing such as bibliography references manager such as EndNote and Mendeley and Turnitin for paper originality or plagiarism detection.

Research Methodology Course for UNITEN IT Postgraduate Students

PhD Structure A (Full Research) and Masters Structure A (Full Research) students are required to attend and obtain a minimum grade of B in the Research Methodology course while conducting research under academic supervisors. Master Structure B (Coursework and Research) students can also enrolled in this course as part of their academic subjects. For Semester 2, 2016/2017 this course is conducted by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abdul Rahim Ahmad every Wednesday from 6.30pm to 9.30pm at COIT Computer Lab.

In this course, students will learn step-by-step on how to conduct an academic research such as on how to conduct effective literature reviews, research methods and designs, research proposal and thesis writing as required by the higher learning institutions. Important notes on UNITEN UNIM523 Research Methodology course can be downloaded here.

Other notes on Research Methodology from INTAN Bukit Kiara also could be important and useful guide and reference in conducting research that can be downloaded here.

Another source of interactive Research Methodology course can be accessed from E-Pembelajaran Sektor Awam (EPSA) http://www.epsa.gov.my where user registration is required and registered users can enroll in Research Methodology course. From this portal, besides enjoying the interactive learning activities, there are also online assessments in the form of quizzes and self-test assessments to challenge your understanding on the course content. A certificate will be given upon successful completion of the online course from this portal.

Academic Information for UNITEN IT Postgraduate Students

Upon successful application and registration as UNITEN postgraduate students, students are required to do their Online Subject Registration which can be accessed at http://online.uniten.edu.my/online (Internet access) or http://payar/pgrs (access from COIT / Lab). Academic calendar for Sem 2, 2016/2017 can be accessed here.

UNITEN Postgraduate's related academic information and forms can be downloaded here. This kit contains:

• Academic Regulations
• Thesis Guidelines
• COGS 11A Nomination of Thesis Supervisory Committee
• COGS 11B Renomination of Supervisors
• COGS 12 Graduate Research Progress Report
• COGS 16 Notice of Thesis Dissertation Submission
• COGS 16A Conformity of Thesis Format
• COGS 17 Confirmation of Thesis Dissertation Submission
• COGS 20 Confirmation of Thesis Amendment
• Late Re-registration Fine
• Viva / Reviva Payment Form
• Tuition Fees Discount Form
• Change Programme Form

Important notes for PhD & Master in IT (Structure A) students:

• Nomination of thesis topic, supervisor and co-supervisor need to be submitted within 2 weeks after registration (COGS 11A).
• Thesis topic and supervisor must be confirmed within 2 months after registration.
• Progress report (not exceeding 300 words) needs to be submitted online at the end of each semester. Progress report is graded as S - Satisfactory or U - Unsatisfactory (COGS 12).
• Proposal defense to a panel of examiner will be conducted after 9 months from registration date for PhD and 6 months from registration date for Masters (Structure A).
• Notice of Submission of Thesis need to be submitted to the Program Coordinator 3 months before the actual date of thesis submission (COGS 16)
• Viva Voce examination will be conducted 2 months after submission of thesis (COGS 17). The result of Viva Voce will be: Accepted, Accepted with Minor Modification, Accepted with Major Correction / Reexamination Required or Rejected.
• PhD students need to have 2 papers published (or accepted for publication) in SCOPUS/ISI indexed journal related to PhD research works. For Masters (Structure A), students need to have 1 paper in journal OR 1 equivalent high level of publication OR 1 paper in SCOPUS indexed conferences related to Masters research works.

Based on my understanding and my research plan, my PhD timeline (however, subject to changes) is as shown below:

The PDF version of PhD timeline can be accessed here. Further information on PhD / Master in IT can also be found on the Meet & Greet Session's slide by the Program Coordinator.

Application for IT Postgraduate Study in UNITEN

Planning to do your postgraduate study? National Energy University (or known as Universiti Tenaga Nasional in Malay) (UNITEN) could be one of your choices to pursue your Master or PhD. Let's have an overview about this university.

Universiti Tenaga Nasional commenced operation in 1976 as Institut Latihan Sultan Ahmad Shah (ILSAS), which served as the corporate training center for Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB). In 1994, ILSAS was transformed into an institute of higher learning and renamed to Institut Kejuruteraan Teknologi Tenaga Nasional (IKATAN). It offered academic programmes in engineering and business management at undergraduate and graduate levels through twinning links with local and foreign universities. In 1997, IKATAN was upgraded to Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN). Currently, UNITEN has two campuses located at Putrajaya and Muadzam Shah, Pahang. UNITEN offers academic programmes in Engineering, Information Technology, Business Management and related areas such as Science & Mathematics, Language & Social Sciences, Accounting and Finance. More information can be obtained from UNITEN’s official website.

Information Technology (IT) Postgraduate Programmes Offered

UNITEN offers postgraduates programmes for local and international students with several intakes throughout the year and managed by the College of Graduate Studies. List of IT postgraduate programmes offered is as follows:

• Doctor of Philosophy in Information and Communication Technology
• Master of Information Technology (By research)
• Master of Information Technology (By coursework & research)
• Master of Software Engineering (By coursework & research)

Information on Engineering and Business postgraduate programmes in UNITEN can be accessed here.

The fee per semester for PhD in ICT programme in UNITEN is RM4500 (local student) and RM5850 (international student). It will take 2 to 7 years (minimum 4 semesters) for completion of PhD programme in UNITEN. For Master in IT (Structure A), the fee is RM3000 per semester (local student) and RM3900 per semester (international students) with 1 - 3 years (minimum 2 semesters) for full-time students and 2 to 4 years (minimum 4 semesters) for part time students. For Master in IT (Coursework), the programme fee is RM26,000 (local students) and RM33,800 (international students) with 1.5 to 3 years for full time students and 2.5 to 4 years for part time students. Viva Voce fees for PhD student is RM2,500 and RM1,250 for Masters students. Besides that, students are also required to pay for university fees around RM2010 (local students) and RM7570 (international students) on the registration day. Full information on UNITEN fees can be accessed here.

Application fee for local applicant is RM30 and RM120 or USD30 for international applicant. Application can be submitted online through http://apply.uniten.edu.my/newpgapps/. Payment can be made through online payments, credit card or bank draft. Supporting documents such as softcopy of MyKad / passport, academic transcripts, IELTS / TOEFL certificate, research proposal can be attached through the online system. An email will be automatically sent to your academic referees requesting for recommendation for your study in UNITEN.