RESEARCH METHODOLOGY (MGT648)

Individual Assignment Article Critique

Instructions:
Search a good journal article from the electronic database. Conduct an article
critique as
follows:
Please answer all the questions in this form. In all questions, whenever applicable
(1) please answer yes or no,
(2) state the answer
(3) indicate/explain the reasons to your answers.
COMPONENT MARKS
1. Bibliographic Information
I. Author
-Sheila Nu Nu Htay (IIUM Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance, International
Islamic University Malaysia, Malaysia)
Nur Shazwani Sadzali (IIUM Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance, International
Islamic University Malaysia, Malaysia)
Hanudin Amin (Labuan School of International Business and Finance, Universiti
Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia)
II. Title
-An analysis of the viability of micro health takaful in Malaysia
III. Source
http://www.emeraldinsight.com.ezaccess.library.uitm.edu.my/doi/full/10.1108/QRFM09-2013-0030
Is the research current and from a current sources? Why?
-It is research current because this research aims to examine the viability of microhealth takaful in Malaysia. Current practices in the takaful industry in Malaysia
reveal that takaful operators (TOs) are keen on offering products that are affordable
for middle- to high-income people. However, the concept of takaful is based on

mutual help, and, hence, it is believed that TOs should offer products affordable by
the poor and lower income people.

2. Problem Statement / Research problem

Is problem identified clearly?
-Yes , the curiosity to examine why TOs in Malaysia are not offering micro health
takaful products aggressively , the increasing medical expenses pose a burden on
the government, as it is subsidizing the expenses and nefficient medical services at
government hospitals are an inconvenience, as the low-income group cannot afford
treatment at private hospitals.
Is it significant- does researcher provide good arguments for
significance?
-Takaful operators are currently focusing on takaful products that are affordable only
to middle- to high-income groups that offering micro takaful to low-income groups,
in fact broadens takafuls product range, promotes real tabarru concept and
enables the industry to provide competitive services as offered by conventional
insurance.
*Is it relevant to transportation/human resource?
-It is relevant to human resource because it would be beneficial for the TOs in
Malaysia to improve and widen the current products available in the market.
3. Objective of the study
Are objectives/research question/s clearly stated?
-Yes this objective is the interest of the poor to participate in this product is
examined by sending the questionnaire. In addition, TOs were approached to
understand why micro-health takaful products have not been offered as yet. The
regulator was also interviewed to gauge whether the government is supportive of
this scheme.
4. Literature review
Please give not more than three references from books, journal articles
and websites.
-

Abdul-Hamid, M. (2010), 1 Care for 1 Malaysia: restructuring the Malaysia

health system, available at:

http://hsgm.moh.gov.my/v2/uploads/1Care_for_1Malaysia.pdf (accessed 9
June 2011).
Abdul-Rahman, A. , Borhan, J.T. , Ibrahim, P. , Che-Seman, A. and Ali, N.A.
(2008), Sistem Takaful di Malaysia: Isu-isu Kontemporari , Universiti Malaysia
Press, Malaysia
Ahmad, M.S. (2007), Takaful in Southeast Asia: the growing pains and
challenges?, available at: www.takaful.coop/doc (accessed 5 June 2011).

Do the references come from primary and secondary sources? Indicate

the categories of the sources? How many references come from each
category?

What the newest and oldest references? What does this indicate?
10
5. Theoretical framework (TF)
Is a theoretical framework specified? If TF is not provided, should
there be one?
Does the framework include all the relevant variables?
Are concepts defined clearly?
Is it difficult to understand the relationship among the variables?
**Note: Qualitative research and descriptive research studies typically will
not have a TF
9
6. Measurement of the variables
Does each type of the variables clearly identified?
Does the variable in the study appropriate to the problem?
Do the variables relevant to transportation/human resource?
Do the means to measure the variables appropriate?
8
7. Hypotheses

 Are hypotheses stated? If yes, what are they? If not, does the
researcher provide sufficient information to determine what the
hypotheses were?
If stated, are the hypotheses clear? Specific and testable?
6
8. Research Design
Purpose of study
Types of investigation
Study setting
Unit of analysis
Time horizon
5
9. Sample
Is the sample size adequate?
Who are the respondents? Do they represent the sample, why?
5
10. Data collection
Are the instrument/means to collect the data described sufficiently?
Are reliability and validity of instrument addressed?
Are the Reliability and validity adequate for the study?
Is the data collection method appropriate and described clearly?