The Priorities {LIFE + WORK + FUTURE}

The Priorities {LIFE + WORK + FUTURE}

LIFE

1. family {myself + wife + kids + parents + brothers + sisters}
2. social {neighbors + friends + email + LinkedIn + Facebook}

WORK

1. teaching {preparation + lecture + assessment + result}
2. research {shape modeling + information technology}

FUTURE

1. career {professional engineer + teacher + researcher}
2. postdoc {electronics + computer + engineering}

LIFE + WORK + FUTURE

1. Best of conduct - بہتر اخلاق
2. Work, work, and work - کام، کام، اور کام

Writing Thesis using the Five-Chapter Model

This article is an excerpt from book titled, "Health Promotion and Education Research Methods Using the Five-Chapter Thesis/Dissertation Model,'' by Randall R. Cottrell and James F. McKenzie (2005, Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Inc.). I have used this excellent text book extensively as a reference during my PhD studies at Pakistan Navy Engineering College (PNEC), Karachi-Campus, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad. This book offers very useful and focused guidance covering all stages of the research work phase. This article provides first-hand knowledge to a well explained thesis writing model in order to motivate PhD students to start their journey. I have tailored a part of it for science and engineering areas. 

The preface clearly outlines the theme of the book. The writing of thesis is explained using a five-chapter model. "The purpose of writing a thesis or dissertation in graduate school is to teach students how to conduct a research project in a very systematic and prescribed manner ...'' Authors recommend students to consult their research committee chair and department for specific requirements. 

Once a student has identified his or her research area and ready to start writing, he or she begins writing literature review i.e. chapter II. An important point to note is that a written draft needs multiple revisions before it considered final. Therefore, patience is the key and keep writing is the pace. Next is the chapter I which explains research question and purpose with at least one closely related example. Data collection instruments are the focus of chapter III whereas chapter IV is about data analysis and results. The final chapter V discusses findings and makes recommendations.

The suggested guideline is to start by writing chapter II (literature review), chapter I (introduction), chapter III (data collection methods), chapter IV (data analysis and results), and chapter V (discussion on findings and suggest recommendations). Each book chapter starts by listing objectives and key terms. The book chapter ends with a summary, review questions, and references. In the following paragraphs, I explain these chapters further as outlined in this book.
"After literature has been collected, reviewed, and written in note format, it is time to begin writing the first draft of a thesis or dissertation's chapter II.'' The organization is the key here. Putting the first words on paper are sometimes difficult, so it is easier to begin writing a section of this chapter. This chapter is written in the past tense like telling a story. The objective is to analyze the relevant literature, sometimes in a critical manner. This a fairly complex task requiring considerable thought and deliberation. The draft should reflect a comprehensive and up-to-date review of the topic and demonstrate a through command on the area of study. Authors recommend to review several other theses and observe the style of writing. "... one of the most difficult tasks embedded in the larger research process is narrowing your research topic to a manageable project."
Chapter I begins with an introductory section which summarizes information concerning the thesis. The purpose and importance of research is supported by relevant literature. Establish who is susceptible to this serious problem accompanied by a brief history (not literature review) and short explanation. Explain the previous attempts to solve the problem before presenting the research question or problem. The introductory section is written in past tense within four to eight pages. "The research problem is typically written in a purpose statement,'' which clearly describes the focus of research. The use of appropriate words in problem/purpose statement is very important.
In public health and education research, chapters III and IV involve selection of data collection methods; and analysis and results, respectively. I translated it for science or engineering area as follows. Write development of algorithms and their implementation based on your (un)published research. In my case it refers to include extended versions of my publications carefully paraphrased with references to original publications. Describe data used as input to developed algorithm(s) with appropriate references. Need to write the complete procedure from input to output. The results are briefly summarized in chapter III and later discussed in detail and compared with recent approaches in chapter IV. In chapter IV, explain applications and limitations of developed algorithms or tools in a clear manner with examples.
Chapter V is about conclusions based on research findings and future recommendations. I removed discussions part as chapter IV has it. Comparatively, this is a shorter chapter and approximately half or less that of Chapter I. At this point remember to revise chapter I and abstract accordingly. There exists other pages in a thesis for example title, abstract, table of contents, list of tables, list of figures, preface, acknowledgments, references, appendices, author's resume, etc. The final version include a completion certificate page, author's non-plagiarism assurance, publication rights, etc.
This article is written by Dr. Tariq Javid Ali Mughal, Assistant Professor, Electrical Engineering Department, Heavy Industries Taxila Education City (HITEC) University, Taxila Cantt, Pakistan. A special acknowledgment to Engr. Idris Mala, Associate Professor, Usman Institute of Technology, Karachi, Pakistan for related discussion. [Creation date: 04 April 2013]

Self-development and feedback: A scenario-driven approach

Self-development and feedback: A scenario-driven approach by Dr. Tariq Javid Ali Mughal

Abstract: This paper describes how to organize and use feedback for self-development. The importance of planning and timely actions to get a realistic feedback is explained by a real world example. The results derived from a simple feedback form designed in this study are astonishing as compared to detailed oriented approaches. The scenario based approach explained in this paper requires a degree of patience and careful planning to identify areas of improvements. The author believes it is an innovative milestone towards self-development efforts he was struggling with sometimes in the past.    

Introduction: Self-development is highly desirable in today’s dynamic world and the needs are undoubtedly higher in the future. While experience plays an important role in this context, a quicker and well established method is to obtain feedback from peers having keen interest in your professional development and career progress. However, the feedback needs to be collected from as many persons as practically manageable, organized and used appropriately to get maximum results. The planning is the key to obtain realistic, honest and fair feedback. Another important and related challenge is to design a simplified feedback form according to the situation in-hand. The date and information organized in the form of visuals is more suitable and convincing than any other form. Identification of areas of improvement is the primary objective towards formulation of a self-development plan. The execution of such plan is really beneficial if identification is done in a right manner. Investments in execution of incorrectly identified areas are less productive and are therefore potentially harmful in career progress.

Obtaining and Organizing Feedback Data: The real feedback data was obtained from a class of seven students. The feedback form was designed in-advance (Fig.1) and introduced during lecture number four out of total sixteen lectures. The course was a multidisciplinary postgraduate research level and all participants were from academic settings include computer engineering, telecommunication engineering and computer sciences. The printed form was filled by students after final term paper. The arrangements were carefully planned and focus was on getting honest feedback from all students. The organization of data to extract useful information is completed by generating graphs based on completed feedback forms (Tab.1 and Tab.2). The information organized in graphs (Fig.2 to Fig.5) clearly indicate areas of improvement, strengths and importantly build confidence towards better take on similar scenario with greater control and increase likelihood to achieve difficult targets.

Getting Results: The Tab.2 was constructed as transpose of Tab.1. The columns were added in steps for rang, frequency and identification of improvement areas for self-development plan. The areas A and C were found as must be considered for part of improvement exercise. In addition areas D and F were identified as strength areas. The overall rating was found of no use towards self-development plan and therefore discarded in graph (Fig.2) generation. Figure 2 organized data in clustered bars useful to identify similar result as in Tab. 2 in a more appealing form. There were different possibilities explored to arrive at the same conclusion.      

Using Results: A time bound execution of self-development is highly recommended towards maximum gains in a near future strategy. The results in this study show improvements are required in areas A and C. There are number of resources that can help to improve these areas. The main considerations here are cost and time. The pursue decision is most likely based on set goals and career choices. A possible repeat of similar scenario and recurrence frequency prediction can help to determine a right timeframe to complete execution. The improved areas, in this case A and C, ensure success most likely than left unattended or partially executed. The consequences of partial execution are topic of a future such paper. The strength areas, in this case D and F, are considered as ready to use with greater confidence and control in a similar scenario. This is a big relief and a factor for immediate count on in this context. Importantly, it requires a sense of situation in-hand due scenario-driven nature.

Conclusions: The organization of data to extract useful information towards formulation and execution of a realistic self-development plan from a practical scenario was described. Use of simplified feedback form designed according to situation in-hand and carefully planned approach is highly suggested. A timely execution of such plan increases success rate for upcoming repeated similar scenarios. The approach used in this study is straight forward and scenario-driven as compared to experience based and other time-consuming detailed oriented approaches. The future work focuses on potential consequences of partial execution of identified self-development plan.

About Author: Dr. Tariq Javid obtained his PhD in Electronic Engineering from National University of Sciences & Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan. He has a rich experience working with IT systems and security. He is Assistant Professor in Electrical Engineering Department of Heavy Industries Taxila Education City (HITEC) University, Taxila Cantt, Pakistan. His research interests include digital image processing, embedded systems, and information security. 

Book Review: Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation, 6th Edition

Book Review: Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation, 6th Edition by Lillesand, Kiefer, and Chipman

By Dr. Tariq Javid Ali Mughal 

As the book title, “Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation,” suggests; it primarily covers two areas which are remote sensing technologies and digital image interpretation. The authors view their book; can be used as a text as well as a reference for both students and practitioners in the field of remote sensing. The contents and in-depth coverage of wide range of topics confirm their claim is very correct. The authors believe to approach the subject in a “discipline neutral” manner is justified due rapidly emerging applications in almost every discipline. The following paragraphs provide a compact summary of topics appeared in the text and their usefulness to the readers.       

The main text in the book is organized in eight chapters and four appendices. The chapter 1 “Concepts and Foundations of Remote Sensing,” discusses basic principles underlying the remote sensing process. This chapter provides an exclusive coverage on electromagnetic remote sensing of earth resources with the help of line drawings, photographic illustrations, and color plates. The sections on Global Positioning System (GPS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) are well written at an introductory level for readers to familiarize them with these remote sensing kindred technologies. There are 11 references cited at the end of this chapter for interested readers.

The group of chapters 2, 3, and 4 covers topics which are related to acquisition of aerial photographs, photogrammetric measurements and mapping procedures, and visual image interpretation, respectively. This group cites 38 references and contains numerous worked-out examples along with related artwork to reinforce presented concepts. The chapter 2 describes tools used in acquisition of photographs from air and their derivation into digital images. These tools include films, filters, and aerial cameras. This chapter also emphasis on increasing use of digital cameras to replace film-based cameras. The chapter 3 introduces basic aspects of photogrammetry and provides references to comprehensive resources for interested readers. The objective of this chapter is to provide a fundamental understanding to the reader on how photographs can be used to measure and map earth surface features. The chapter 4 presents basics of visual image interpretation and illustrates potential applications with sample images. This chapter spans 137 pages containing 59 figures and 15 tables. The applications presented in this chapter are land use/land cover mapping, geologic and soil mapping, agricultural applications, forestry applications, rangeland applications, water resource applications, urban and regional planning applications, wetland mapping, wildlife ecology applications, archaeological applications, and natural disaster assessment.     

The group of chapters 5, 6, and 7 cover how to acquire images using multispectral, thermal, and hyperspectral scanners; and processing these images. The focus of chapters 5 and 6 is on airborne and spaceborne scanning systems, respectively. These two chapters cite 16 references and present the basic theory and operation of these scanning systems. The applications of scanning systems in each category are described with example images. The chapter 6 describes satellite systems used to collect reflected and emitted data. The chapter 7 describes how the data from these systems (discussed in chapters 5 and 6) are processed. This chapter spans 145 pages containing 23 sections and 67 figures. This chapter alone cites 41 references which mean the readers should expect a wider and generalized coverage of digital image interpretation and analysis procedures.

The chapter 8 presents collection and analysis of radar and lidar data. This is the last chapter of the book. This chapter discusses sensing systems which operate in the microwave portion of the electromagnetic spectrum and systems which use pulses of laser light to acquire remote data. This chapter presents various satellite families utilizing these sensing systems. The last section of this chapter, which is also the concluding section, introduces lidar and explains data acquisition and analysis procedures with examples. This chapter cites 18 references.

There are four appendices for readers to understand radiometric concepts, terminology, and units; remote sensing data and information resources; sample coordinate transformation and resampling procedures; and radar signal concepts, terminology, and units. These appendices are very useful as they provide a readily available reference to continue reading this valuable book.

In conclusion, this is a very useful and versatile text and reference book which provides coverage to almost all essential aspects of remote sensing systems for data acquisition and image interpretation for data analysis. This should be a must have resource for beginners and expert readers which are interested to use remote sensing technologies in making their day-to-day decisions now and in future.           

© 2012 Dr. Tariq Javid Ali Mughal

UAE Visit

The visit was a great memory. The first evening at Dubai [2012-09-08] and reaching Abu Dhabi at mid-night by bus. I bought a card for 20 UAE Dhs to travel from airport to Bur Dubai. I passed by the world tallest building Burj Khalifa. The Bur Dubai was the place where I spent sometime in 2005 (my first visit). Abu Dhabi is a beautiful place having worm and humid environment. The days passed by like moments. I saw the famous Sheikh Zayed Mosque. The return flight was from Abu Dhabi on 2012-09-21. I wish I could brought my camera to take photos. 

Happy Independence Day Pakistan 14 August 2012

The following photos are taken while visiting Islamabad on Pakistan's 65th happy birthday. The kids were very exited as they learn a lot of things. I was interested to see how Parliament House looks like. It was a unique event as this independence day comes in third part of Ramadhan Karim.  

Visit of Mughal Garden Wah

This is a beautiful place, called Mughal Garden Wah. The following pictures are taken on a beautiful cloudy and lovely day (Saturday 11 August 2012). The kids were very happy as they went into fresh water.