This course aims to familiarize students with the various research methods commonly used in the field of Engineering Management in conducting academic and applied research at the doctorate level. Throughout the course students develop competency in the research methods learned through reflective practice and cooperative learning, and write up an Engineering Doctorate thesis proposal, which will form the blueprint for their subsequent research toward the Engineering Doctorate degree. 

In developing their thesis proposals, students also make use of this course as conduit to identify their future thesis supervisors from the academic staff available, who provide guidance and advice to the future supervisees in developing an acceptable thesis proposal in this course. At the end of the course, the identified future supervisor of a student assesses the proposal developed and written by the future supervisee as a part of the coursework requirement.