RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

(URSP/MRTE/MRTL 0013)

Lecture 3:
LITERATURE REVIEW

Lecturers:
AP. Ts. DR. ROSLINA MOHAMMAD
AP. Ts. DR. NORLIZA MOHAMED
 Literature Review

• Purpose of literature review.

• How to conduct literature review.
• Common flaws in literature review
 What is the Purpose of a
Literature Review?
Identifies theoretical and scientific
knowledge

Identifies what is known and unknown

about a topic

Identifies available evidence for use in

practice

Identifies what the current research study can

add to the literature
 Purpose of Literature Review

• To provide the background to the research

being conducted and
• To present an insight of researching techniques
which have been employed in previous studies
• To search for facts and information that will
support the research question or hypotheses.
• To establish the need for the research and
indicate that the writer is knowledgeable about
the area.
 What is the purpose of a literature
review in QUANTITATIVE studies?

• Direct the development and

implementation of a study
• Cite relevant and current sources
• Document background and significance of
study
• Identify theoretical ideas to guide a study
 What is the Purposeof aLiterature
Review in QUALITATIVEStudies?

• Compare and combine study findings with

literature
• To explain, support, and extend research
theory
• As a background for the research
• As a way to formulate research questions
• As a source of data (document review)
 What are typical sources included
in a Literature Review?

Periodicals Internet Conference Theses and

and Journals Publications Proceedings Dissertations

Standards/
Books Textbooks Patent
Act
 Literature Review- Aims

• Limit the Problem Area

o The problem should be small enough
and sufficiently specific for adequate
treatment and competent analysis.
• Define the Problem
o ‘Definition’ means researcher knows
exactly what he is looking for, so that
data when collected and analysed
actually relates back to the problem.
 Literature Review- Aims
• Avoid Unnecessary Repetition
o Do not assume that because most of the existing
research adopts one method that it is the only
method or the correct method.
o Do not use the approach if you have reservations
about its application to the problem.
• Search for New Approaches
o Be alert to research approaches which may have
been overlooked.
o Be prepared to adopt a different viewpoint,
particularly in areas where research sparse.
 Literature Review- Aims

• Recommend Suitable Methods

o Methodology should be appropriate to the research
problem.
o Compile a checklist in which you reference ideas on
research design, instrumentation, sampling and data
collection and analysis from various studies.
• Sample Current Opinions
o Newspapers, magazines and non-technical articles
may contain unique ideas that have been researched.
 Literature Review- Aims

• Limit the Problem Area

o The problem should be small enough and
sufficiently specific for adequate treatment
and competent analysis.
• Define the Problem
o ‘Definition’ means researcher knows exactly
what he is looking for, so that data when
collected and analysed actually relates back to
the problem.
 Plan for ObtainingLiterature

• Keywords.
• Consultations.
• Preliminary sources.
• Secondary sources.
• Primary sources.
• Contacts.
 Plan for Obtaining Literature(cont.)

• Keywords
o Compile a list of keywords or terms that relate
specifically to the research problem.
• Consultations
o Consult the librarian for information about the
collection and repository procedures.
o Discuss the research problem with experts,
supervisor, superior and colleagues.
 Plan for Obtaining Literature
(cont.)
• Preliminary sources
o Using the keywords to check the preliminary
sources for references:
 catalogue
 indexes
 abstracts
 bibliographies
 annotated bibliographies
 Plan for Obtaining Literature(cont.)

Primary Sources
• Locate research reports written specifically about the
research problem
• Journal Articles
• Research Reports
• Collective Works
• Conference Papers
• Locate other primary sources for information on
research design and methodology.
 Plan for Obtaining Literature(cont.)

• Secondary Sources
o Locate textbooks, articles and other secondary
sources.
o Check secondary sources for relevance and
background information
 Plan for Obtaining Literature(cont.)

• Contacts
o Write to organisation and/or institutions that may
have an interest in the research problem and be able
to supply information or additional contacts or asking
permission
o From the survey of primary sources, contact any
person who may have conducted research in the area,
if it is felt that this may be useful.
 Writing the Text of the Literature
Review

• Complete - ensure that all the necessary information

relating to the research problem is included.
• Correct - ensure that all quotations, facts and figures
are accurate and verifiable.
• Clear - ensure that words and terms used in the
descriptions are unambiguous.
 Writing the Text of the Literature
Review

• Coherent - ensure that ideas are arranged in

a logical sequence.
• Concise - ensure that the review is an
appropriate length considering the overall
length of the paper.
 Example : Literature Review

• Title:
•CORROSION PREVENTION AND CONTROL PROGRAM
MANAGEMENT FOR ROYAL MALAYSIAN AIR FORCE
AIRCRAFT

AUTHORS (YEAR) .
TITLE (RESOURCE)
McTigue, J., et al (2013) .
Defence Infrastructure:DOD
Should Improve Reporting
and Communication on its
Corrosion Prevention and
Control Activities (US
General Accounting Office
Report)
Morales (2012). Improving
Corrosion Prevention and
Control in the Army (United
States Army War College)
Korzun, J. (2012).
A Corrosion Control
Information Management
Program (NACE Corrosion
Conference, Texas)
Literature Review
AIM OF PAPER
• To assess the extent that DOD (1)
met reporting requirements, (2)
maintained accurate return-on-
investment data in its records, and
(3) fully informed relevant officials
of its corrosion-control efforts.
• To analyze and determine what
critical, effective and appropriate
actions could be taken in order to
improve the Army’s performanceon
issues related to corrosion
prevention and control programs on
tactical wheeled vehicles.
• To demonstrate the infrastructure
owners the importance of having
rigorous inspection and data
management program.
FINDINGS/ CONCLUSIONS
• GAO found that the Corrosion Office did not
update data in its records for 5 of 25 projects
(20%) with completed follow-on reports.
Without accurate and timely data, Congress
and DOD managers may not have reliable
information on the estimated return on
investment as they oversee corrosion
projects.
• Recommend to change the misconception
that nothing can be done about corrosion and
to improve policies, regulations, standards
and management practices to increase
corrosion cost-savings through sound
corrosion management.
• Implementation of a comprehensive
Maintenance Strategy including collection
and management of CorrosionControl Data
has been a success story for the Navy.
• In 2003, over 40% of Aircraft Carrier tanks and
voids were in an unknown condition. After
implementing the comprehensive
maintenance strategies described in this
document, less than 3% of 7000 spaces were
overdue for inspection. 21
SAFETYCULTUREAMONG CONSTRUCTION
WORKERSIN MASSRAPIDTRANSITPROJECT

FAZILAKAMARUDIN
MRS151037
Executive Master In Occupational Safety & Health
 Literature Review

No Years/ Author Title Findings Method

Journal

1. 2011, Faridah Ismail, Assessing the Identify the Quantitative

ASEAN Norizan Behavioural behavioural factors’
Conference Ahmad, Nurul Factors’ of of safety culture for
on Afida Isnaini Safety Culture the Malaysian
Environment Janipha and for the construction
-Behaviour Razidah Ismail Malaysian companies.
Studies, Construction
Bandung, Companies
Indonesia
 Literature Review
No Years/ Journal Author Title Findings Method

2. Apr 2016, Brian H.W. Predicting safety Management safety Quantitative

Safety Science Guo, Tak behaviour in the commitment was significantly
Volume 84, Wing Yiu, construction related to social support and
Pages 1–11 Vicente A. industry: production pressure.
(On-line Gonzále Development Production pressure was
publication and test of an identified as a critical factor
) integrative that has direct and significant
model effects on safety motivation,
safety knowledge, safety
participation and safety
compliance. The integrative
model suggests a combination
of ‘‘a safe organization”, ‘‘safe
groups” and ‘‘safe workers”
strategies to reduce unsafe
behavior on sites.
 Literature Review
No Years/ Author Title Findings Method
Journ
al
3. 2012/Proc Faridah The Evaluate the influence of Quantitative
e dia - Ismail, Organisation environment – behaviour
Social and Rahmat al factors’ towards safety
Behavioral ul Environment- culture development.
Sciences35 Hidayah Behaviour
( 2012 ) Salimin & Factors’ Revealed a fairly weak
611 – 618 Razidah Towards Safety internal environment of the
AicE-Bs Ismail Culture organisations, which does
Development not reinforce safe
behaviours. Further,
interviews among Senior
Management,
acknowledged their state of
safety culture were
contributed by the system
established
 Literature Review
No Years/ Author Title Findings Method
Journ
al
4. 2014, Choudhry, Behavior- The results of the study showed Quantitative
Accident R. M. based safety that an approach based on goal
Analysis on setting, feedback, and an
and construction effective measure of safety
Preventio sites: Acase behavior if properly applied by
n. study. Accident committed management, can
Analysis and improve safety performance
Prevention significantly in construction site
environments.
5. Journal Ismail, F., The Behavioural Leadership, organisational Quantitative
of Asian Ahmad, Factors’ commitment, management
Behavio N., Ismail, Characteristics commitment, safety training
u ral R., & of SafetyCulture and resource allocation were
Studies Janipha, revealed from the
N. A. I. questionnaire survey approach
as the practices that embedded 26
Research Research Questions Instrument Sample Data
Objectives Analysis
1. To study the What is the trend of Semi structured 4 Safety Qualitative -
cause of accident in the project interview managers Thematic
accident at site
project site. Past incident
(RO1) What was the Document records,
common root cause to review NCRs etc
the accident
2. To assess factors What are the factors Questionnaire 260 samples Quantitative
that affecting affecting behavior (SPSS –
the safety correlation)
behavior among How these factors Document Safety
workers in the effecting safety review performance
project site. performance record
(RO2)

3. To propose tools How promoting Document Journal, Qualitative -

to promote behavior based safety review, articles, news Thematic
safety behavior will enhance safety literature paper
(RO3) performance and review
eventually became
part of culture 27
 Exercise4

• Do a Literature Search on your Research Title

• Your reference must be the last 5 years (2015)
• Prepare a table (summary) of your LR
 LITERATUREREVIEW

NO AUTHOR JOURNAL TITLE FINDINGS METHOD

(YEARS)
1.

2.
 THESIS GUIDELINE &
TEMPLATE

url: sps.utm.my/thesis-
formatting-2018
Acknowledgement & a special
mention:

ASSOC. PROF DR. ASTUTY AMRIN

DR . SAARDIN

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