Savitribai Phule Pune University
(Formerly University of Pune)
Syllabus for Ph.D. (PET) Entrance Exam : Engineering
Research Methodology
1. Foundations of Research: Meaning, Objectives, Motivation, Utility. Concept of theory,
empiricism, deductive and inductive theory. Characteristics of scientific methods,
understanding the language of research, Concept, Construct, definition, Variable.
Research Process
2. Problem Identification & Formulation, Research QuestionInvestigation Question
Measurement Issues.
HypothesisQualities of a good Hypothesis-Null hypothesis & Alternative Hypothesis.
Hypothesis TestingLogic & ImportanceLogic & Importance
3. Research Design: Concept and Importance in Research, Features of a good research
Design: Exploratory Research Design, concept, types and uses, Descriptive Research
Designs: concept, types and uses. Experimental Design: Concept of Independent &
Dependent variables.
4. Qualitative and Quantitative Research: Qualitative research, Quantitative research,
concept of measurement, causality, generalization, replication. Merging the two
approaches. Types of data and data collection techniques
5. Measurement: Concept of measurement -what is measured? Problems in measurement
in research Validity and Reliability. Levels of measurement Nominal, Ordinal, Interval,
Ratio.
6. Sampling: Concepts of Statistical Population, Sample, Sampling Frame, Sampling Error,
Sample Size, Non Response. Characteristics of a good sample. Probability Sample
Simple Random Sample, Systematic Sample, Stratified Random Sample & Multi-stage
sampling. Determining size of the sample Practical considerations in sampling and
sample size.
7. Data Analysis: Data Preparation Univariate analysis (frequency tables, bar charts, pie
charts, percentages), Bivariate analysis Cross tabulations and Chi square test including
testing hypothesis of association, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
8. Interpretation of Data and Report writing: Types of publication, Paper Writing, Layout of
a Research Paper, Journals in Science, Impact factor of Journals, When and where to
publish ?
Ethical issues related to publishing, Plagiarism and Self Plagiarism.
9. Use of Encyclopedias, Research Guides, Handbook etc. Academic Databases, Patent
database, e-information
10. Research tools: methods to search required information effectively, Reference
Management Software like Zotero/Mendeley, Software for paper formatting like LaTeX
/MS Office , Software for detection of Plagiarism
Subject Concerned Syllabus
Engineering
Computer Fundamentals
Introduction to Computer System
Basic Building blocks of Computer
Use and applications of Computer.
Definitions of-- Hardware, Software, Algorithm, flowchart, Program,
Programming language
System software
Application software
Operating system
Complier and Interpreter.
Basic of Internet,
WWW, Browser & Search Engines.
Introduction to Software & Tools required for UG & PG Engineering
Programme of-- Computer & IT / Electronics & Electronics &Telecommunication /
Electrical & Instrumentation/ Mechanical & Production/ Civil.
Engineering Mathematics
1.1 Statistics
1.1.1 Measures of central tendency Mean, Median and Mode
1.1.2 Measures of dispersion - Mean deviation, Standard deviation
1.1.3 Moments, Skewness and Kurtosis
1.1.4 Correlation and Regression
1.2 Probability
1.2.1 Sample space, Classical definition of probability and Axiomatic approach of probability
1.2.2 Addition theorem on probability, Conditional probability, Multiplication theorem on
probability and Bayes theorem
1.2.3 Binomial, Poisson and Normal distributions
1.3 Differential Equations
1.3.1 Definition and basic concepts such as order, degree of a differential equation
1.3.2 Ordinary differential equation of first order
1.3.3 Linear differential equation of nth order with constant coefficients
1.3.4 Cauchys and Legendres Homogeneous differential equations
1.4 Matrices
1.4.1 Definition of a matrix, types of matrices
1.4.2 Algebra of matrices
1.4.3 Inverse of a matrix by Adjoint method and by Elementary transformation
1.4.4 Rank of a matrix
1.4.5 Solution of system of Linear homogeneous and non-homogeneous equations
1.4.6 Eigen values, Eigen vectors
1.4.7 Cayley Hamilton theorem
Reference Books:
1. Advanced Engineering Mathematics by Erwin Kreyszig (Wiley India).
2. Statistical Methods by S. P. Gupta, ( S. Chand Publication, Delhi).
3. Higher Engineering Mathematics by B. S. Grewal (Khanna Publication, Delhi).
