Research Methodology for FYP Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sharifah Hafizah Syed Ariffin FKE, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Research Methodology for FYP ii

Table of Contents

Research Methodology for FYP ....................................................................................... 1

1.1 Reviewing the Literature ......................................................................................... 1

1.1.1 Bringing clarity and focus ........................................................................................................ 1

1.1.2 Improving your research Methodology ..................................................................................... 2

1.1.3 Broadening your knowledge base in your research Area ............................................................ 2

1.1.4 How to review the literature ..................................................................................................... 3

1.1.5 Searching for the existing literature .............................................................................................. 3

1.1.6 Reviewing the selected literature .................................................................................................. 4

2.1 Research methodology ............................................................................................ 5

2.1.1 Developing a theoretical framework ............................................................................................ 6

2.1.2 Developing a conceptual framework ............................................................................................ 7

3.1 Research Project Management ................................................................................ 8

3.1.1 What success means for a project ............................................................................................. 8

3.1.2 Developing timelines ............................................................................................................... 9

3.1.3 Managing the project Budget .................................................................................................. 10

Research Methodology for FYP 1

Research Methodology for FYP

1.1 Reviewing the Literature

One of the essential preliminary tasks when undertake a research study is to go through the

existing literature in order to acquaint yourself with the available body of knowledge in you

area of interest. Reviewing the literature can be time consuming, daunting and frustrating

but it is also rewarding. The literature review is an integral part of the research process and

makes a valuable contribution to almost every operational step. It has value even before the

first step; that is when you are merely thinking about a research question that you may want

to find answers through your research journey. In the initial stage of the research it helps to

establish the theoretical roots of your study, clarify ideas and develop research

methodology. Later in the process, the literature review serves to enhance and consolidate

your own knowledge base and helps to integrate the findings with the existing body of

knowledge. Since an important responsibility in research is to compare your findings with

those of others, it is here that the literature review plays an important role.

1.1.1 Bringing clarity and focus

The literature review involves a paradox. On one hand, a literature search cannot be

undertaken effectively without some idea of the problem that is investigated. On the other

hand, the literature review can play an extremely important role in shaping your research

problem because the process of reviewing the literature helps you to understand the subject

area better and thus helps to conceptualize the research problem clearly and precisely. It

also makes it more relevant and pertinent to your field of enquiry. When reviewing the

literature you learn what aspects of your subject are have been examined by others and what

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they have found out about these aspects. You will also identify the gaps and what

suggestion they have for further research. All these will help you gain a greater insight into

your own research questions and provide you with clarity and focus, which are central to a

relevant and valid study.

1.1.2 Improving your research Methodology

Going through the literature acquaints you with the methodologies that have been used by

others to find answers to research questions similar to the one you are investigating. A

literature review tells you if others have used procedures and methods similar to the ones

that you are proposing, which procedures and methods have worked well for them and what

problems they have faced with them. By becoming aware of any problems and pitfalls, you

will be better positioned to select a methodology that is capable of providing valid answers

to your research question. This will increase your confidence in the methodology you plan

to use and will equip you to defend its use.

1.1.3 Broadening your knowledge base in your research Area

The most important function of the literature review is to ensure you read widely around the

subject area in which you intend to conduct your research study. It is important that you

know what other researchers have found in regard to the same or similar questions, what

theories have been put forward and what gaps exist in the relevant body of knowledge. An

important reason for doing a literature review is that it helps you to understand how the

findings of your study fit into the existing body of knowledge. Obtaining answers to your

research questions is comparatively easy: the difficult part is examining how findings fit into

the existing knowledge. How do your findings different from others? Undertaking a

literature review will enable you to compare your findings with those of others and answer

these questions. It is important to place your findings in the context of what is already

known in your field of enquiry.

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Activity 1.1 – The importance of literature review

a) Discuss the needs of literature review.

b) Is it appropriate for FYP level? Discuss with the person next to you on the relevant of

literature review to FYP.

c) Some of you will be selected to share the experience of you partner.

1.1.4 How to review the literature

If you do not have a specific research problem, you should review the literature in your

broad are of interest with the aim of gradually narrowing it down to what you want to find

out about. After that the literature review should be focused around the research problem.

There is a danger in reviewing the literature without having a reasonably specific idea of

what you want to study. It can condition your thinking about your study and the

methodology you might use, resulting in a less innovative choice of research problem and

the methodology than other wise would have been the case. Hence you should try broadly

to conceptualize your research problem before undertaking your major literature review.

There are four steps involve in a literature review:

1. Searching for the existing literature in the area of study

2. Reviewing the selected literature

3. Developing a theoretical framework

4. Developing a conceptual framework

1.1.5 Searching for the existing literature

To search effectively for the literature in your field of enquiry, it is imperative that you have

at least some idea of the broad subject area and of the problem you wish to investigate, in

order to set parameters for your search. Next, compile a bibliography for this broad area.

There are there sources that you can use to prepare bibliography:

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• Books

• Journals

• The internet

1.1.6 Reviewing the selected literature

The next step is to start reading them critically to pull together themes and issues that are of

relevance to your study. Unless you have a theoretical framework of themes in mind to start

with, use separate sheets of papers for each theme or issue you identify as you go through

selected books and articles.

Activity 1.2 – Read and Share

• “Enabling Cyber Physical Systems with Wireless Sensor Network Technologies”, Chih-Yu Lin, Sherali Zeadally et. al., Int. Journal Of Distributed Sensor Networks. Vol 2012. Hindawi Publishing

1. Read the article given and share with your group members.

2. Select themes to construct theoretical framework from the evaluation study

Once you develop a rough framework, slot the findings from the material so far reviewed

into these themes, using a separate sheet of paper for each theme of the framework so far

developed. As you read further, go on slotting the information where it logically belongs

under the themes so far developed. Keep in mind that you may need to add more themes as

you go along. Go through the literature; carefully and critically examine it with respect to

the following

• Whether the knowledge is relevant to your theoretical

• Note the theories put forward, the criticism of these and their basis, the

methodologies adopted (i.e. study design, sample size and its characteristics,

measurement procedures, etc.) and the criticism of them

• Identify the gaps that exist in the body of knowledge.

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2.1 Research methodology

Basic types of research are as follows:

(i) Descriptive vs. Analytical: descriptive research includes surveys and fact-finding

enquiries of different kinds. The major purpose of descriptive research is

description of the state of affair, as it exists at present. The methods of research

utilized in descriptive research are survey methods of all kinds, including

comparative and correctional methods. In analytical research, on the other hand,

the researcher has to use facts or information already available, and analyze these

to make critical evaluation of the material.

(ii) Applied vs. Fundamental: Applied research aims at finding a solution for an

immediate problem facing a society or an industrial/ business organization,

whereas fundamental research is mainly concerned with generalization and with

the formulation of a theory. Gathering knowledge for knowledge’s sake termed

fundamental research. Research concerning some natural phenomenon or

relating to pure mathematics are examples of fundamental research. Similarly,

research concerning human behavior carried on with a view to make

generalizations about human behavior, are also examples of fundamental

research.

(iii) Quantitative vs. Qualitative: Quantitative research is based on the quantitative

measurement of some characteristics. It is applicable to phenomena that can be

expressed in terms of quantities. Qualitative research, on the other hand is

concerned with qualitative phenomena relating to or involving quality or kind.

For instances, when we are interested in investigating the reasons for human

behavior (i.e. why people think or do certain things), we quite often talk of “

Motivation Research”, an important type of quantitative research. This type of

research aims at discovering the underlying motives and desires using in depth

interviews for the purpose. Other techniques of such research are word

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associations test, sentences completion tests, story completion tests and similar

other projective techniques

2.1.1 Developing a theoretical framework

Examining the literature can be never-

ending task, but as you have limited time, it

is important to set parameters by reviewing

the literature in relation to some main theme

pertinent to your research topic. There is

no right or wrong theoretical framework to

use when examining your topic since every

topic can be looked at from a number of

different perspectives. As you start reading

the literature, you will soon discover that the problem you wish to investigate has its roof in

a number of theories that have been developed from different perspectives. The information

obtained from different books and journals now needs to be sorted under the main themes

and theories, highlighting agreements and disagreements among the authors and identifying

the unanswered questions or gaps. Use these aspects as a basis for developing the theoretical

framework.

A scenario is given as an example:

The weather forecasts a significant snowfall for the evening and near blizzard conditions are expected.

The snow is just starting to fall. You are trying to get to the grocery store to pick up some supplies as

you expect to be "snowed in" for a couple of days. It took you 20 minutes longer to get to the store from

work than it normally does. People were either driving too fast and sliding off the road or they were

driving so slowly that only one car could get through the traffic light. Once in the store, you find that

there are only a few gallons of milk left in the case, one dozen egg cartons are left, and the bread that is

on the shelf is smashed. Finally, you get your supplies and push the cart to the cashiers only to find that

Fig 1: An Example of a conceptual framework

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there are 10 to 12 people in each line. People are grumbling and complaining, babies are crying, and

children are whining. People are tense and irritable.

Drawing on your knowledge of psychology and sociology, you begin to think about the

problems that people have been dealing with today, the lack of supplies, long lines, and the

concern about the impending winter storm. While you are not really aware of it, you start

relating and explaining their behavior to stress theories. Theories are use by every discipline

and every person, regardless of the level of the theory. Theories are use to explain and

predict. "A theoretical framework is a frame of reference that is a basis for observations,

definitions of concepts, research designs, interpretations, and generalizations, much as the

frame that rests on a foundation defines the overall design of a house (LoBiondo-Wood &

Haber, 1998, p. 141).

Your review of the literature should sort out the information as mentioned earlier in section

1.1.6 within this framework. The literature pertinent to your study may deal with two types

of information:

Activity 2.1 – Read and Share

1. Recall the literature given in activity 1.2. Recall the themes that you and your group

had list down.

2. Develop a framework, which you can organize the literature that you read. As you

read more on that area, your framework might change.

3. Select themes to construct theoretical framework from the evaluation study.

2.1.2 Developing a conceptual framework

The conceptual framework is the basis of your research problem. Fig. 1 shows an example

of a conceptual framework. It stems from the theoretical framework and usually focuses on

the section(s), which become the basis of your study. Whereas the theoretical framework

consists of the theories or issues in which your study is embedded, the conceptual

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framework describe the aspects you selected from the theoretical framework to become the

basis of your enquiry. For instances the exercise you have done in activity 1.3, the

theoretical framework includes all the theories that have been out forward to explain the

relationship between application and sensors. However out of these, you may be planning to

test only on, say only one, agriculture and humidity.

However, when no existing theory fits the concepts that the researcher wishes to study, the

researcher may construct a conceptual framework that can be used to describe and begin to

explain the relationships of the concepts.

Activity 2.1 – Read and Share

1. Recall activity 1.3

2. Develop a conceptual framework from your theoretical framework

3. Share with the members of your group

3.1 Research Project Management

The successful management of a research project depends upon the researchers ability to

plan, coordinate and perform the research. Many researchers do not formally manage their

research and whilst this does not necessary mean that the research will not be completed

successfully this approach has impacts on the staff whom have involved in the project.. For

example an unplanned approach can often lead to stress in members of the research team,

crises management when deadlines are not effectively managed and lack of time within the

research to deliver effective outcome for all the staff involved in the project.

3.1.1 What success means for a project

A simple model to start to explore this is to distinguish between outputs and outcomes.

• Outputs are the physical deliverables of the project

• Outcomes are what happens as a result of the output

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For example in a network security based simulation experiments, the output could be a

paper with related outcome being the changes in the parameters or attacks in the network

simulation. The starting point for a project is to define what the desired outcomes are and

from this the output can be defined. In effect you are “starting with the end in mind’ and by

doing this you should be able to focus on the research effect.

Stakeholders can be defined as ‘people who have an interest and involvement in the

project”. Poor management of stakeholders can lead to communication issues within the

project and conflict between the stakeholders especially when the individual stakeholder’s

objectives are competing for priority within the project.

3.1.2 Developing timelines

In traditional project management the approach taken to planning would to try and plan as

much of the project at the start as possible. However, in a research environment this is much

more difficult as the project will evolve significantly as the research progresses. One

approach to managing this is to develop a rolling wave plan1. In order to do this you need to

develop an understanding of the overall project without much detail. And then on a rolling

basis fill in the detail. It should then be possible to fill in the detail on a rolling basis- perhaps

putting together a more detailed plan every 3 months.

The work breakdown structure (WBS) is the basis for creating the timeline. The WBS is

simply created by taking the project and splitting it down into some smaller tasks. Once you

have these smaller tasks, you can split the tasks into even smaller chunks and you keep

doing this until the chunks will require between 8 and 80 hours of work to complete.

Some of the benefits of using a WBS include:

• Understanding exactly what is involved in the project

1 Rolling Wave Planning is the process of project planning in waves as the project proceeds and later details become clearer.

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• Identifying key tasks

• Provides a framework for delegation and resource identification

• Provides a method to manage and measure progress

• Provides a basis for developing cost estimates.

• Drives delivery of the project by having many deadlines

Activity 2.2

1. Recall paper you have read in activity 1.2.

2. Develop a mind map for WBS according to the theoretical/ conceptual framework.

3. Discuss you findings with other groups.

3.1.3 Managing the project Budget

Preparing a budget is an integral part of establishing the business case for a project. An

evaluation of the financial requirements is central to establishing whether the project is

viable or not. In cases where external funding is being applied for, the budget will form an

important element of the bid and the benefits model. At the most fundamental level,

budgeting should answer the questions:

• ‘What is the cost of undertaking this project?’

• ‘Is any external funding sufficient to cover the costs?’

• ‘Where there is competition for resources, is this project a priority?’, and

• ‘To what degree do cost and benefit balance up?’

As with any forecast or plan, the budget is likely to change as activities unfold. It is therefore

useful to undertake a sensitivity analysis to look to what likely impact any change in costs

and income may have on the overall budget and assess whether the project is high or low

risk in financial terms. This will normally be covered during the risk assessment/risk

management process and will inform the broader cost-benefit analysis for the project.

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IT related projects are notorious for running over budget yet there is no reason why this has

to be the case if you take time to cost the project properly at the outset. It is not uncommon

to see project budgets that cover only part of the costs.

One of the challenges that people face when trying to manage research is that they might

feel that the management elements (especially project planning) are not doing well. The

reality is that if an activity adds value to the project then it is useful work and certainly an

element of planning is likely to move the research project towards a successful outcome.

The challenge for you as the research manager is to find a recipe of project management that

works within the context of you research without over planning.

Research Methodology for FYP 1

Issues to consider

Cost Heading Issues to consider Hardware Is it more cost effective to buy or lease? Include maintenance agreements. If purchasing, will you pay up-

front or enter into a financing agreement? Software How many licenses are required in each phase of the project? Are future annual increases capped? Equipment Is it more cost effective to buy or lease? Do you need maintenance agreements for printers etc.? Project Staff Include recruitment costs e.g. advertising or agency fees. Include employers on-costs e.g. pension & NI.

Where staff are on incremental pay scales allow for annual increments. Allow for annual pay increases. Do you need to allow for overtime working? What will happen at the end of the project – do you need to build in redundancy payments?

Other Staff Time

Do you need to reimburse other departments for staff time assisting the project e.g. porters moving equipment, IT staff overtime, staff attending meetings/training?

Consultancy Are consultants paid a daily rate or a fee for the job? What are their daily travel and expenses limits? Where will they be travelling from and how often?

Staff Development

What training is required at each stage of the project and for how many people? Can you save money by advance block booking of external training? Is it more cost effective to train on-site rather than pay travel costs? Are there any online training materials available? For IT staff, it weights up the cost (including time) of training versus taking on skilled staff at higher salaries.

Office Overheads

Include any chargeable items such as heating, telephones, security, postage etc.

Travel Include travel to meetings, conferences and training courses. Hospitality Will you be required to provide catering for meetings or training events? Consumables Stationery, printer cartridges etc. Contingency What is a reasonable contingency estimate given the amount of risk and uncertainty in the project?

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Reviewing and reporting on the budget is a routine part of managing project

boundaries/phases. The Project Manager is likely to have been given a budget and

indicative tolerance limits. There may also be contingency funds set aside to cover specific

risks, which may occur. Financial information is often prepared on an exception-reporting

basis with the focus on things, which are significantly different to the original budget. When

any major discrepancy occurs, the Project Manager is charged with the responsibility to

identify why the variance has happened and whether it constitutes a systemic failure.

Appropriate corrective action can be agreed and implemented.

Most financial reporting makes no immediate allowance for project tasks and activities

being performed early or late. If things are going well and outputs are being delivered early,

then the project may be spending money quicker than planned. Conversely, if the project is

behind schedule operationally, costs may not have been incurred by the planned dates, so

expenditure figures look artificially good. As long as any variance can be explained it is

quite normal to review and update the budget at appropriate intervals in order to reflect

actual activity.

When the project comes to an end various accounting tasks need to be performed such as

making sure that all invoices have been received and paid and any regular charges have

been cancelled or transferred to operational budgets (e.g. office costs, insurances etc.). A

final check should establish whether all commitments have been discharged and whether

there are any unused commitments, which can be cancelled. At this point there will need to

be agreement about what to do with any underspend or overspend. You may also need to

account for the transfer of responsibility/ownership for capital assets and facilities used by

the project.

In a minority of cases where the project was set up as a separate legal entity with financial

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independence from the host organization, then it may be necessary to formally wind up the

business, requiring specialist financial support and advice. The final report on project

activities will include the final accounts and a review of costs and benefits.

Activity 3.1

1. Recall activity 2.2.

2. From the mind map, draft-up the costing that might occur in your project.

3. What difficulties that you and your team might face in achieving the outcome.

4. Discuss your the solutions to overcome the predicted pitfalls.

Research Methodology for FYP 3

Bibliography

Lobiodo-Wood, G. & Haber J. (1998), Nursing research: Methods critical appraisal, and utilization .St Louis, Mosby

D. W. Tileston (2004), What Every Teacher Should Know About, Instructional Planning

Kothari C.R. (2014), Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques, New Age International.

R. Henderson (2010) Research Project management Key concepts,