Research Methodology (Research Paper Sample)

Research Methodology
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The methodology of the study was on the basis of both quantitative researches with purposes of description and in more quantitative approach. Although the backbone of the study is provided by the descriptive analytic studies, the methodological approach of description using social sciences terms was established to be critical in order to position the study in a wider scientific context. Science is built on various paradigms that are co-existing, and two of those are incorporated in the study namely: system and analytical theory. The whole of this thesis is based on scientific foundation on systems; however, the scientific researches within the paper are in a manner that they would only allow to be described by analytical theory. This involves an objective research with summative effects. The research incorporated several methods including case studies, literature reviews, on board measurements, as well as interview series. The records of the different types of vessels in the past few years were obtained with the corresponding records of the concentration of pollutants in the air (Environmental Systems Research Institute, 2007). SPSS was used to analyze the qualitative aspect of the data as shown in the Chapter of Results.
The data of air quality were taken from Marine department (Number and type of vessels from 1999 to 2010) at two stations in Malaysia One of these is at Zarina School, in Klang and another is at University Sains, in Pulau Pinang. These stations were strategically chosen in that they are close to the borders of Malaysia (along the part adjoining the Malacca Strait). Thus, any effect of shipping activities on air quality along the Malacca Strait could be measured significantly from these stations. In addition, the data of different vessels along the Strait of Malacca were taken. For simplicity, the data of vessels’ reporting at Port Klang VTS were used. These data were analyzed and relevant inferences drawn on the impact of the shipping activities on the quality of air above the Malacca region.
Measurements studies
Measurements of particulate matter and gaseous pollutant species were conducted on board ships. The main purpose was to quantify emissions from the main engines when they were approaching and leaving the quay. The measurements were carried out at the deck above the engine room at the funnel ending. Holes were bored to the exhaust pipes to allow the setting up of the sampling instruments.
Fuel shift study
The gaseous constituents'' concentration were determined continuously within the hot exhaust. CO, NOX, CO2, O2, SO2, as well as total Hydrocarbons. The fuels utilized in the tanker comprised of MGO and HFO, with 0.03% and 1.6% Sulphur contents respectively. The main focus of the study was particulate emissions measured both as a mass and number of concentrations. The detection range of the instrument used to determine the level of concentrations was between 0.30 to 20 micrometers. Accredited laboratories were involved in conducting analysis of fuel contents (Fitzgerald, Howitt, & Smith, 2010.
Maneuvering study
The main emission's component of the study was the determination of emissions from ships during in and out harbor maneuvering. The objective of the measurements was to determine particulate composition of the emissions. The levels of particles' concentrations were apparently elevated during the periods of maneuvering.
Impact assessment study of SCRS and Urea on Ships
The study of impact assessment is an assessment of change-oriented lifecycles, which estimates the effects caused to the environment from using or not using catalytic reduction systems in ships. Emissions data from previous measurements on ships were the subject of the research. The data gathered involved urea production and transport, and related to the engine propulsion energy. Most data on emissions and energy use from urea production were collected from personal contacts and reports with manufacturers. The information collected was used to conduct environmental impact assessment, where they are grouped in categories with the overall and respective impact potentials of the pollutants are characterized. Urea production is under a process that is energy intensive where coal and natural gas for the main source of energy.
CBA (Cost Benefit Analysis) study
In order to approximate the likely benefits and costs related to policy options related to air emissions reductions, a case study of NOx, SO2 and PM was conducted. For local scale inventory emissions, the information on energy use will be based on specific information or assumptions, by necessity, as opposed to global inventories.
During the process of determining the overall emission, generic values and estimates were incorporated with site-specific data. This site-specific data included ship's main engine power, ship calls, and time at berth, which are among the most significant aspects. The utility of monetary evaluation approach for the assessment of the impacts of the emissions has the merits of making the cost of emissions reductions at the source comparable to societal costs. It is critical to consider pollutants' dispersion when applying, at local scale, evaluation model. This study uses pre-determined data of damage that is relative to the mass emitted of various pollutants that are used. These aspects are on the basis of a specific country, and contain information emanating from dose response functions and dispersion models. These are mainly from the health effects resulting from primary and secondary pollutants. All emissions reductions efforts attained by use of abatement technologies were critically analyzed. In the analysis of the cost and benefits associated with damage and abatement to the natural environment and health (external costs) were established. The ratio of cost of damage to the benefits of abatement was determined. The cost of electricity at the shore side was associated with negative costs, a win-win situation from both the society and the ship owners. Certain assumptions that were thought to have a significant effect to the results are their reliabilities are relative to the lack of dispersion model that is site-specific, low resolution of the fuels' quantities used as well as emission factors, principally for the particles. The externalities analysis of the increased pollutant levels' presentation is in a plausible range, believed to cover the overall damage costs. The generality of impacts and emissions values are restricted since number of site and local composition is site specific.
Ship design methodology study
The initial research was about the capability of a more flexible method towards environmental considerations during ships' design. The outcome can be considered as relevant to the subsequent work's context, which are mainly indirect and about data insufficiency in for certain modes of operations. Interview series were used to assess the options of the introduction of environmental factors in the ship's initial design phases. The responses from these interviews were treated with approaches from engineering discipline since the study was interdisciplinary.
Emission calculations, base data, and definitions
To determine the effects of emissions on air quality, various emissions are considered in this thesis including NOx, CO2, and PM10. This implies that the study is elaborating emissions of green house gases and their impact to the environment. This part explains the role that these emissions play in this analysis.
CO2
It is an abbreviation of Carbon Dioxide, a natural existing gas in the atmosphere. The gas is released in large quantities into the atmosphere through the combustion of fossil fuel. Due to its power to absorb infrared radiation, Carbon Dioxide is renowned for its effects on global warming. It causes green house effects by absorbing radiations from insolation, hence lowering the heat reflection emanating from the sun.
NOx
This is a general term for Nitrogen Oxide and Nitric Oxide (NO2 and NO). These gases are produced during combustion as a result of the reactions between nitrogen and oxygen gases in the environment. These gases form a critical constituent in the smog and acidic rain formation, as well as the formation of acidic rain. It forms a huge portion of air pollution and photochemical smog, especially during summer. Oils and coals, which are nitrogen bearing, for the most significant source of the gas production.
Particulate Matter (PM10)
This study looks at particulate matter that arises during fossil fuel combustions as well as through evaporations and frictions. The sources of particulate matter for the research are emissions from the ships traffic as well as combustions of engines from trucks, ships, and trains. The PM is treated with great respect in this study because high quantities in a densely populated area can have a significant effect to the human health (Dong, Huang, Chen, Lee, Lin, & Chen, 2002).
Emissions during handling and transshipment
In the analysis of emissions from transport for the sake of attaining a fair comparison between various transport chain and modalities, the direct good's transportations as well as the indirect emissions from handling and transshipment, have to be accounted. The layout and the equipments in use at the terminals are vital in determining the overall terminal's emission performance. A distinction between electricity and diesel powered equipment for the estimation the level of emission produced. Through the addition of these two categories of emission, the overall of carbon dioxide emission can be estimated. This is on the basis combination of the differences of the distance covered, and equipments per container used. The emissions from barges, trucks...