UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA, SHAH ALAM

FACULTY OF ARCHITECHTURE, PLANNING AND SURVEYING

BACHELOR IN QUANTITY SURVEYING (HONOURS)
AP224
COURSE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
COURSE CODE: QSM514
REPORT TITLE: ASSIGNMENT 2 RESEARCH PROPOSAL
GROUP: AP224 3B

PREPARED BY:
ITEM
1
2

NAME
MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
ABG. MOHD ZULKHAIRY BIN ABG ALI

PREPARED FOR: PN SULIAHTI BT HASHIM

SUBMISSION: WEEK 11

STUDENTS ID
2014240324
2014266084

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

In the name of ALLAH the most merciful, the most compassionate

All praise towards ALLAH S.W.T and blessings and peace upon his messenger and
servant, Muhammad, and upon his family and companions and whoever follows his
guidance until the day of Resurrection.

An honourable appreciation goes to the lecturer of Research Methodology

(QSM514), Pn. Suliahti binti Hashim for giving us sufficient knowledge and experience
with guidance as we are doing our task. Special thanks to our colleagues for helping us
to complete this task. We are highly indebted to them for their guidance and for providing
us necessary information regarding the coursework & also for the support in order for us
to complete the assignment. They inspired us greatly to be more successive and for giving
us the opportunity to complete this report. We have taken efforts in this report and manage
to complete it.

We would like to express our gratitude towards lecturers, due to guidelines, co-operation
and encouragement which help us a lot in completion of this report.

Not forgetting our parents, family and our friends for their full support, advice and their
help throughout this report.

Finally, we hope ALLAH accept this humble work and we hope it is beneficial for future.

ABSTRACT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER

Acknoledgement
Table of Contents
List of Tables
List of Figures

TITLE

PAGE
i
ii
iii
iv

INTRODUCTION
1.1 Research Title
1.2 Introduction

1
1

RESEARCH PROCESS
2.1 Problem Statement
2.2 Aim of Research
2.3 Research Objectives
2.4 Research Questions

2
3
3
3

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Scope of Study
3.2 Research Methodology

4
4

CONCLUSION
4.1 Conclusion
References
Appendices

10
11

LIST OF TABLES
ITEM

TITLE

PAGE

Questionnaire Design

Methodologies of Reasearch

LIST OF FIGURES
ITEM

TITLE

PAGE

Process of Data Collection, By UNESCO (2014)

Data Analysis Process

RESEARCHPROPOSAL

1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Research Title
The research title for this paper is;
The strategy for adoption and implementation of IBS in Malaysias construction industry

Keyword: The Strategy for IBS implementation, Adoption, Malaysias construction

industry.
1.2. Introduction
Industrial Building System (IBS) is a new alternative system that introduce in
Malaysia to improve the construction efficiency, quality, and productivity in order to
stimulate the domestic economics. However, the adoption and implementation of the IBS
is still very low in Malaysia. In 2003 Government with the help of CIDB as an implement
agencies has come with IBS roadmap 2003-2010 to increase the numbers of adoption
for IBS.
At the same time, introduced of Industrialised Building System (IBS) will increase
the level of expertise in our industries from the manufactures, installer, design team,
developers and all the construction players (Dato S. Samy Velu, 2003). IBS also will
reduced construction time which will affect the cost of plant, worker, and management
cost. IBS also will help to give a better site management by reducing the site materials,
cleaner and neater environment (Dato I. Dali, 2003).

Recognising the profit and

prospective of the IBS, government through the agencies such as CIDB and Public Work
Department continue to promote the IBS through the construction in Malaysia based on
IBS Roadmap 2003-2010.
Consequences, we would like to conduct a proposal research on strategy for
adoption and implementation of IBS in Malaysias construction industry. The objectives
of the research are to establish the strategy of implementation of IBS in Malaysia, to get
ideas for implementing IBS in Malaysia and to find the solution for the problems arising
from the implementation of IBS in Malaysia. The research will conduct at within states of
Selangor (including Klang Valley), Johor, Melaka, and Negeri Sembilan.

MAHATHIRMOHAMAD&ABGZULKHARYABGALI

RESEARCHPROPOSAL

2. RESEARCH PROCESS
2.1. Problem Statement
In order to archive the usage of the IBS, government comes with idea and policies
to implement and adoption of the system. Moreover, the construction industry
development board (CIDB) has been actively promoting the use of IBS in the local
construction industry since 1998 (Taksiah et al., 2011). However, there are still lack of
awareness among the industries players. Unfortunately, previous study was shown the
use of IBS for building project in Malaysia only stands at 10% out of 50% as forecasted
by CIDB in 2006. There are several problems which contribute to this problems. The
barriers for the adoption are cost issues, poor knowledge, resistance from customers and
professionals, misunderstand of building regulations, increase in risk, complex interfacing
between systems, market monopoly, IT integration, few code and standard, lack of
integration in design stage, manufacturing capability, legal and cultural issues (Kamar et
al., 2009).
One of the approaches taken by the Malaysian government to increase the level
of IBS usage is by demanding more IBS approaches to be used in the construction
industry (Abd. Shukor et al., 2011). Many of the professional consultants are boycotting
the implementation of IBS, because if most of the project are using this method the
consultant will lost their job. At the same time, all the design and costing for the IBS would
be done by the company which own the IBS (expertise) and will affect the contractor and
company of the consultant. Although the implementation of IBS in Malaysia has started
since 1960s, it became popular only in 1998 when Cabinet of Ministers endorsed IBS
Strategic Plan as the blueprint for the total industrialisation of the construction sector
(Mohamad et al., 2009).
Besides, to overcome this problem, what are professional roles to help the
government to achieve the target usage of the IBS in Malaysia? If the professionals can
come to give idea and contribute to the implementation of IBS, the number of the project
that usage the IBS will be increases and the government target would be achieve.
Lastly, how the IBS can help to increase Malaysian GDP? Compare with other
industry, the construction contribute the lowest to national GDP which is below 4% every
year. But, in Malaysia, like any other developing country, considers the construction
industry as one the main contributors to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (Nawi et al.,
2011). However, if there are no construction all others industries will also having an
economic downturn.

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RESEARCHPROPOSAL

2.2. Aim of Research

The aim of the research is to investigate the strategy of how to increase the adoption &
awareness of implementation of IBS in Malaysia.
2.3. Research Objectives
The objectives of the research are;
a) To establish the strategy of implementation of IBS in Malaysia
b) To establish the ideas for implementing IBS in Malaysia
c) To establish the solution for the problems arising from the implementation of IBS
in Malaysia
2.4. Research Questions
The research questions for this paper are;
a) What are the roles of construction experts prior to the implementation of IBS?
b) How does construction stakeholders affect the adoption & implementation of IBS
in Malaysia?
c) How does IBS affect the environment and economy especially the Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) if it is implemented successfully in Malaysia?

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RESEARCHPROPOSAL

3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1. Scope of Study
For the scope of study, the systematic random sampling will be done in assigned area,
whom practicing the Conventional & Modern (IBS) method of construction in Malaysia.
There are some limitations for this study;
i. Data collection are made in the area within states of Selangor (including Klang
Valley), Johor, Melaka, and Negeri Sembilan.
ii. The data and information taken only covers projects within 2005 present.
iii. The data collection (questionnaire) will be conducted within a week.
3.2. Research Methodology
3.2.1. Brief Methodology of Research
This paper is a proposed research on implementation and adoption of
Industrialised Building System (IBS) in Malaysia.To get the results, this study will
be conducted by following the methodology which plays an important role in
implementing this research accordingly. The study was conducted using literature
method, questionnaire survey and interviews with expert panels. A literature
search will be carried out as preliminary study in attaining information about recent
strategies, constraint and challenges in implementation of IBS in Malaysia. Such
information will be obtained by referring to several sources for example, articles,
journals and papers, published books, published research works, academic
research, newsletter and information from the internet. Then followed by
distributing questionnaire survey and expert interviews. Refer Table 1 for
overview of research methodology.
First, the paper use literature search to investigate existing evidences
sustaining the strategy of IBS implementation in Malaysia. The literature review
defined as a systematic survey and interpretation of research findings in particular
topic (Vogt and Johnson, 1999). For literature search, we have obtained the
sources from well-known refereed journals, journal with original articles, books,
conference proceedings and reports. The aim of a literature review is to have a
good grasp of the main published work concerning a particular topic or question
in your field establishing the context of the topic or problem (Hart, 1998).

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RESEARCHPROPOSAL

Second, the paper use questionnaire survey. For the survey, the systematic
random sampling is used to obtain the sample from the respondents. According
to (Fraenkel and Wallen, 2000), they state that the use of questionnaire enables
the

consistency

of

responses

across

respondents

to

be

enhanced.

Questionnaires provide respondents with a range of possible responses set by

the researcher (Nunan, 1992). The questionnaire was developed based on a
combination

of

an

discussions/interviews

extensive
involving

review
the

of

literature

quantity

and

surveyors,

series

engineers

of
and

contractors (Baria et al., 2012). This questionnaire will be in total of 60 sets,

distributed to 20 contractors, 20 quantity surveyors and 20 engineers.
Furthermore, there will be the usage of a five-point Likert Scale ranging from 1
to 5 to the implementation and adoption of IBS in Malaysia. This questionnaire
will be divided into 4 main parts;
1. Demographic Information of Respondents
2. Adoption & awareness on implementation of IBS in Malaysia
3. Problems related to IBS
4. Strategies to improvise IBS acceptance in Malaysia
Table 1: Questionnaire design
Part

The IBS Design Questionnaire

Demographic Information of Respondents

Adoption & awareness on implementation of IBS in

No. of Items
Subjective
6 statements

Malaysia
-Comments /Views
3

Problems related to IBS

8 statements

-Comments /Views
4

Strategies to improvise IBS acceptance in Malaysia

6 statements

-Comments /Views

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RESEARCHPROPOSAL

Part 1 covered socio-demographic characteristic information of respondent,

such as total years of experience in industry, their company (manufacturer,
contractor, consultant, and client) and company contract value. Part 2 asked
about their adoption and awareness on current IBS implementation and part 3
and 4 covered on problems which they would face with them in the IBS
implementation and strategies to alleviate or solving problems respectively.
Third, the interviews of experts. The paper applies semi-structured interview
and open discussion with construction practitioners to validate the problems first
identified in the literatures search. The interview will be carried out by asking a list
of questions which is prepare and several spontaneous questions, at several
location and time.

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RESEARCHPROPOSAL

Table 2: Methodologies of Research

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

ACTION

OBJECTIVE

Research Instruments
1. Search secondary data

Secondary
Data

a. Search for IBS and

To understand what is IBS &

MC is all about

Malaysian

construction industry

To understand the existing

concept in general.

IBS implementation strategy

b. Review

of

IBS

implementation

To overcome how IBS can

being

be

practice

nowadays

within

implemented

in

Malaysia.

Malaysia.

Survey
Questionnaire

2. Survey Questions
a. Develop

survey

questionnaire
b. Select

existing policy of IBS

sample

framework

To

Interviews

of

IBS

in

Malaysian

construction industry

3. Interview experts
a. Develop

semi-

structure interviews

c. Process

To get new ideas on IBS

implementation

which
to

be

interviewed

of

d. Determine response

company

MAHATHIRMOHAMAD&ABGZULKHARYABGALI

strategy

implementation & adoption

b. Determine

Develop strategy & ideas

for IBS implementation in
Malaysia

develop

c. Sample size
rate

Expert

To evaluate effectiveness of

To

identify

level

of

confidence in IBS
the

interview

RESEARCHPROPOSAL

3.2.2. Data Collection process

Data collection is a term used to describe a process of gathering (or
obtaining) specific information about a phenomenon or an activity. Once collected,
data can be stored in records or data- bases, analysed and used for purposes of
monitoring or evaluation. The quality of data collected has a direct impact upon the
quality of analysis that can be performed using the data, which ultimately impacts
upon the quality of decisions that can be made (UNESCO, 2014).
Self-administered questionnaire containing 20 questions will be distributed
to respondents. The questionnaires were distributed to the respondents in Johor,
Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, and Selangor (including Klang Valley) via email, by hand
and fax. The approaches of sending the questionnaires were determine by first
contacting the respondents through phone prior distributing them. Respondents
are given 7 days to answer the questionnaire and they are required to leave their
contact number or email.

Figure 1: Process of Data Collection, by UNESCO (2014)

MAHATHIRMOHAMAD&ABGZULKHARYABGALI

RESEARCHPROPOSAL

3.2.3. Data Analysis process

Data collected will be analysing by using Statistical Package of Social
Science (SPSS) version 17.0 for Windows version. The descriptive statistic
generated demographic, the problems, strategy and ideas arising from the
implementation of IBS. Besides, Microsoft Excel software will also be used in the
process of converting the data collected into table, graph or figure form. Regarding
the score obtained by participants, it will be perceived as participants have good
knowledge, attitude and practice when they obtained higher score. The data
gained were analysed using frequency distribution analysis to find more frequent
elements which have enough or less adoption and acceptance. Also more frequent
problems and suggested strategies were attained by frequency distribution
analysis. Nonparametric statistical analysis defined significant level of differences
for relationship between nominal data about respondent and ordinals from parts 2,
3 and 4 in questionnaire.
Describeand
summarisethe
data

Identify
relationships
between
variables

Compare
variables

Identifythe
difference
between
variables

Forcast
outcomes

Figure 2: Data Analysis Process

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RESEARCHPROPOSAL

4. CONCLUSION
In conclusion, this chapter explains more about the research methods and data processing
that will be used in this research. All methods and designs are also important to the researcher
to achieve the aims of the study and to get the appropriate data and findings of the research
as well. This research methodology is the most important part of doing a research as it
discusses about the tools that will be used to get the findings as a result to assure whether
the objectives of the study are achieved or in opposite. It is also hoped that this chapter will
brings a clear picture of the research to the researcher on continuing writing the dissertation
in future.

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RESEARCHPROPOSAL

REFERENCES
Abd. Shukor, A. S., Mohammad, M. F., Mahbub, R. & Ismail, F. (2011). Supply Chain
Integration in Industrialised Building System in the Malaysian Construction Industry. The
Built & Human Environment Review, Vol. 4, 108-121.
Baria, N. A. A., Yusuff, R., Ismail, N., Jaapar, A. & Ahmad, N. (2012). Factors Influencing the
Construction Cost of Industrialised Building System (IBS) Projects. Procedia - Social and
Behavioral Sciences 35, 691 - 692.
Fraenkel, J. & Wallen, N. (2000). Validity and Reliability. How to design and evaluate research
in education, 168-203.
Hart, C. (1998). Doing a literature review, London, SAGE Publication Ltd.
Kamar, K. A. M., Alshawi, M. & Hamid, Z. (2009). Industrialised Building System: The Critical
Success Factors. Paper proceedings in BuHu 9th International Postgraduate Research
Conference (IPGRC 2009).
Mohamad, I. M., Zawawi, M. & Nekooie, M. A. (2009). Implementing Industrialised Building
System (IBS) in Malaysia: Acceptence and Awareness Level, Problems and Strategies.
Malaysian Journal of Civil Engineering 21, 219-234.
Nawi, M., M. N., Lee, A. & Nor, K. M. (2011). Barriers to Implementation of the Industrialised
Building System (IBS) in Malaysia. The Built & Human Environment Review, 4, 23 - 24.
Nunan, D. (1992). Research Methods in Language Learning. Cambridge University Press.
Taksiah, A. M., Azhari, A. M. N., Syed Zakaria, S. A., Yahya, A. S., Shah Zaini, S., S. Ahamad,
M. S. & Hanafi, M. H. (2011). Quantitative Analysis on the level of IBS Acceptance in the
Malaysian Construction Industry. Journal of Engineering Science and Technology, Vol.
6, 179 - 190.
UNESCO. (2014). Available: http://www4.unescobkk.org/education/efatraining/module-a2/3-ageneral-introduction-to-data-collection/ [Accessed 17 November 2014].
Vogt, W. P. & Johnson, B. (1999). Dictionary of Statistics & Methodology: A Nontechnical Guide
for the Social Sciences, Thousand Oaks, London, SAGE Publications.

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