Research

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

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

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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

Research Methodology for FYP

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.

Research Methodology for FYP

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:

Research Methodology for FYP

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.

Research Methodology for FYP

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 knowledges 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

Research Methodology for FYP

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 neverending 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

Fig 1: An Example of a conceptual framework

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

Research Methodology for FYP

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
Research Methodology for FYP

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

Research Methodology for FYP

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 stakeholders
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

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

Research Methodology for FYP

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

Research Methodology for FYP

context

of

you

research

without

over

planning.

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Issues to consider
Cost Heading
Hardware
Software
Equipment
Project Staff

Other Staff
Time
Consultancy
Staff
Development

Office
Overheads
Travel
Hospitality
Consumables
Contingency

Issues to consider
Is it more cost effective to buy or lease? Include maintenance agreements. If purchasing, will you pay upfront or enter into a financing agreement?
How many licenses are required in each phase of the project? Are future annual increases capped?
Is it more cost effective to buy or lease? Do you need maintenance agreements for printers etc.?
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?
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?
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?
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.
Include any chargeable items such as heating, telephones, security, postage etc.
Include travel to meetings, conferences and training courses.
Will you be required to provide catering for meetings or training events?
Stationery, printer cartridges etc.
What is a reasonable contingency estimate given the amount of risk and uncertainty in the project?

Research Methodology for FYP

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

Research Methodology for FYP

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

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,

Research Methodology for FYP