VTU PhD Entrance Test Mining Syllabus 2021

Research Methodology

PART - I

UNIT - 1

Research Methodology:

Introduction, Meaning of Research, Objectives of Research, Types of Research, Research Approaches, Significance of Research, Research Methods versus Methodology, Research and Scientific Method, Research Process, Criteria of Good Research, Problems Encountered by Researchers in India. Defining the Research Problem: Research Problem, Selecting the Problem, Necessity of Defining the Problem, Technique Involved in Defining a Problem.

 

UNIT - 2

Reviewing the literature:

Place of the literature review in research, Bringing clarity and focus to research problem, Improving research methodology, Broadening knowledge base in research area, Enabling contextual findings, Review of the literature, searching the existing literature, reviewing the selected literature, Developing a theoretical framework, Developing a conceptual framework, Writing about the literature reviewed. Research Design: Meaning of Research Design, Need for Research Design, Features of a Good Design, Important Concepts Relating to Research Design, Different Research Designs, Basic Principles of Experimental Designs, Important Experimental Designs.

 

UNIT - 3

Design of Sample Surveys:

Design of Sampling: Introduction, Sample Design, Sampling and Non-sampling Errors, Sample Survey versus Census Survey, Types of Sampling Designs. Measurement and Scaling: Qualitative and Quantitative Data, Classifications of Measurement Scales, Goodness of Measurement Scales, Sources of Error in Measurement, Techniques of Developing Measurement Tools, Scaling, Scale Classification Bases, Scaling Technics, Multidimensional Scaling, Deciding the Scale. Data Collection: Introduction, Experimental and Surveys, Collection of Primary Data, Collection of Secondary Data, Selection of Appropriate Method for Data Collection, Case Study Method.

 

UNIT – 4

Data Preparation:

Data Preparation Process, Some Problems in Preparation Process, Missing Values and Outliers, Types of Analysis, Statistics in Research. Descriptive Statistics: Measures of Central Tendency, Measures of Dispersion, Measures of Skegness, Kurtosis, Measures of Relationship, Association in case of Attributes, Other Measures.

 

UNIT - 5

Sampling and Statistical Inference:

Parameters and Statistic, Sampling and Non- Sampling Errors, Sampling Distribution, Degree of Freedom, Standard Error, Central Limit Theorem, Finite Population Correction, Statistical Inference.

 

UNIT - 6

Testing of Hypotheses:

Hypothesis, Basic Concepts Concerning Testing of Hypotheses, Testing of Hypothesis, Test Statistics and Critical Region, Critical Value and Decision Rule, Procedure for Hypothesis Testing, Hypothesis Testing for Mean, Proportion, Variance, for Difference of Two Mean, for Difference of Two Proportions, for Difference of Two Variances, P-Value approach, Power of Test, Limitations of the Tests of Hypothesis. Chi-square Test: Test of Difference of more than Two Proportions, Test of Independence of Attributes, Test of Goodness of Fit, Caution in Using Chi Square Tests.

 

UNIT – 7

Analysis of Variance (ANOVA):

The ANOVA Technique, Basic Principle of ANOVA, One way ANOVA, Two way ANOVA, Latin – square Design, Analysis of Co- Variance, Assumptions in Co-Variance.

 

UNIT – 8

Linear Regression Analysis:

Dependent and Independent Variables, Simple Linear Regression Model, Multiple Linear Regression Model, Problem of Multicolinearity, Qualitative Explanatory Variables. Factor Analysis: The Mathematical Basis, Important Methods of Factor Analysis, Rotation in Factor Analysis, R – Type and Q – Type Factor Analysis, Merits and Demerits of Factor Analysis.

 

UNIT – 9

Probability:

Random Experiments, Sample Spaces, Events, The Concept of Probability, The Axiomsof Probability, Theorems on Probability, Assignment of Probabilities, Conditional Probability, Theorems on Conditional Probability, Independent Events, Bayes’Theorem. Random Variables, Discrete Probability Distributions, Distribution Functions for RandomVariables, Distribution Functions for Discrete Random Variables, Continuous Random Variables, Graphical Interpretations, Joint Distributions Independent Random Variables, Change of Variables, Probability Distributions of Functions of Random Variables, Convolutions, Conditional Distributions.

 

UNIT - 10

The Binomial Distribution, Properties of the Binomial Distribution, The Normal Distribution, Properties of the Normal Distribution, Relation Between Binomial and Normal Distributions, The Poisson Distribution, Properties of the Poisson Distribution, Relation Between the Binomial andPoisson Distributions, Relation Between the Poisson and Normal Distributions, The Hypergeometric Distribution.

 

Reference Books:

(1) Research Methodology Methods and Techniques, C.R. Kothari, Gaurav Garg, New Age International Publishers,4th Edition, 2019.

(2) Research Methodology a step-by-step guide for beginners, Ranjit Kumar, SAGE Publications Ltd, 3rd Edition, 2011. [For Unit -2, Reviewing the Literature]

(3)Probability and Statistics, Murray R. Spiegel, Schaum’s Outline Series, McGraw-Hill, 4th Edition, 2013.[For Unit -9 and Unit – 10]

Mining

Part II

Unit 1

Mine Development and Surveying:

Methods of access to deposits; Underground drivages; Drilling methods and machines; Explosives, blasting devices and practices. Levels and leveling, theodolite, tacheometry, triangulation; Contouring; Errors and adjustments; Correlation; Underground surveying; Curves; Photogrammetry; Field astronomy; EDM and Total Station; Introductory GPS .

 

Unit 2

Geomechanics and Ground Control:

Equivalent force systems; Equations of equilibrium; Two dimensional frames and trusses; Free body diagrams; Friction forces; Particle kinematics and dynamics; Beam analysis. Geo-technical properties of rocks; Rock mass classification; Instrumentation and stress measurement techniques; Theories of rock failure; Ground vibrations; Stress distribution around mine openings; Subsidence; Rock bursts and coal bumps; Slope stability. Design of pillars; Roof supporting systems; Mine filling.

 

Unit 3

Mining Methods:

Surface mining: layout, development, loading, transportation and mechanization, continuous surface mining systems; Underground coal mining: bord and pillar systems, room and pillar mining, longwall mining, thick seam mining methods; highwall mining; Underground metal mining: open, supported and caved stoping methods, stope mechanization, ore handling systems.

 

Unit 4

Mining Machinery:

Generation and transmission of mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic power; Materials handling: haulages, conveyors, face and development machinery, hoisting systems, pumps, crushers.

 

Unit 5

Surface Environment:

Air, water and soil pollution : Standards of quality, causes and dispersion of contamination, and control; Noise; Land reclamation.

 

Unit 6

Mine Ventilation:

Underground atmosphere; Heat load sources and thermal environment, air cooling; Mechanics of air flow, distribution, natural and mechanical ventilation; Mine fans and their usage; Auxiliary ventilation; Ventilation planning; Ventilation networks.

 

Unit 7

Subsurface Hazards:

Mine Gases. Underground hazards from fires, explosions, dust and inundation; Rescue apparatus and practices; Safety in mines; Accident data analysis; Mine lighting; Mine legislation; Occupational safety.

 

Unit 8

Mine Economics:

Mineral resource classification; Discounted cash flow analysis; Mine valuation; Mine investment analysis; Mineral taxation.

 

Unit 9

Mine Planning:

Sampling methods, practices and interpretation; Reserve estimation techniques: Basics of geostatistics and quality control; Optimization of facility location; Work-study.

 

Unit 10

Systems Engineering:

Concepts of reliability; Reliability of simple systems; Maintainability and availability; Linear programming, transportation and assignment problems; Network analysis; Inventory models; Queueing theory; Basics of simulation.