Title: How to Write a Literature Review
Subtitle: Transportation Choices of SIT Students for Commuting and Influencing Factors
Your Name & Date
What is a Literature Review?
● A summary and synthesis of existing research on your topic.
● Purpose:
o Understand what has already been studied.
o Identify gaps or areas needing further research.
● Example for your topic: Studies about student transportation choices and decision
factors.
Why Write a Literature Review?
● Builds a foundation of knowledge
● Shows your understanding of the topic
● Helps shape your research questions
● Guides your methodology.
Step 1 – Define Your Scope
● Clarify your research focus: transportation choices & decision factors.
● Set inclusion criteria:
o Academic articles, reports, surveys
o Recent studies, relevant populations
Step 2 – Search for Sources
● Use databases: Google Scholar, JSTOR, PubMed
● Keywords:
o "student transportation choices"
o "commuting behavior among students"
o "factors influencing commuting decisions"
● Keep track of all sources
Step 3 – Read and Evaluate Sources
● Skim abstracts for relevance
● Read for key points, methods, findings
● Assess credibility and relevance
Step 4 – Organize Your Findings
● Group studies by themes:
o Transportation modes
o Influencing factors like cost, safety, environment
● Use tables or maps to summarize
Step 5 – Write the Literature Review
● Introduction: Set purpose and scope
● Body: Summarize themes, note agreements/disagreements, gaps
● Conclusion: Summarize insights and implications
Tips for Writing
● Be critical, not just descriptive
● Use your own words; cite properly
● Keep logical flow
● Use visuals (charts/tables)
Example Outline
● Introduction: Why study student commuting
● Transportation modes: Preferences and trends
● Factors influencing decisions: Cost, safety, environment
● Gaps: Limited local or recent studies
Slide 11: Final Tips
● Review and revise often.
● Seek feedback.
● Ensure coherence with your research goals
Sample Literature Review Excerpt
Transportation is a critical aspect of student life, influencing academic performance, daily
routines, and overall well-being (Chen & Lin, 2020). Among university students, commuting
behavior varies widely based on personal preferences, accessibility, and socio-economic
factors (Kumar et al., 2019). Specifically, at the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT),
students' transportation choices are influenced by multiple interconnected factors.
Research indicates that students primarily select their mode of transportation based on
convenience and travel time. Lim (2018) found that over 60% of students preferred public
transport due to its affordability and extensive network. Conversely, some students opt for
private vehicles for flexibility and comfort, though this choice often depends on family
income and proximity to campus (Tan & Yeo, 2021).
Cost is a pivotal factor affecting transportation choices; students with limited financial
resources tend to favor economical options like buses and trains (Rahman et al., 2017).
Safety concerns also play a vital role, especially among female students, with many citing
safety and security as determinants of their preferred mode (Wang & Lee, 2019).
Additionally, environmental awareness influences some students, especially those engaged
in sustainability initiatives, leading to a preference for biking or walking where feasible (Ng
et al., 2020).
Furthermore, peer influence and social norms significantly shape students’ decisions.
Jansen and Ng (2018) observed that students tend to align their transportation modes with
friends or peers, emphasizing the social aspect of commuting choices. Lastly, infrastructure
and accessibility, such as proximity to bus stops and cycling paths, also determine
preferences (Yamada & Kobayashi, 2021).
Understanding these factors can help educational institutions develop better support
systems and infrastructure to promote sustainable and efficient transportation options.
References
Chen, Y., & Lin, Y. (2020). Factors affecting students' commuting behavior and choices in
urban areas. Journal of Transport Geography, 86, 102772.
[Link]
Jansen, R., & Ng, S. (2018). Peer influence on transportation mode choice among
university students. Transportation Research Part F, 55, 116-125.
[Link]
Kumar, S., Singh, P., & Bala, P. (2019). Mode choice behavior of university students and
influencing factors. Transportation Research Record, 2673(11), 89-98.
[Link]
Lim, S. (2018). Transportation preferences among college students in Singapore. Asian
Journal of Transportation and Logistics, 4(2), 123-130.
[Link]
Ng, J., Cheung, W., & Wong, T. (2020). Environmental awareness and sustainable
transportation choices among students. Journal of Cleaner Production, 258, 120673.
[Link]
Rahman, M., Zhang, M., & Nasrin, S. (2017). Affordability and transportation mode choices
among university students. International Journal of Sustainable Transportation, 11(7), 525-
534. [Link]
Tan, K., & Yeo, H. (2021). The impact of family income and proximity on students’ travel
mode choices. Journal of Urban Planning and Development, 147(3), 04021023.
[Link]
Wang, R., & Lee, S. (2019). Safety concerns and gender differences in transportation mode
preferences. Safety Science, 120, 258-265. [Link]
Yamada, T., & Kobayashi, M. (2021). Infrastructure and accessibility influence on students'
travel mode choice in urban areas. Journal of Transport and Land Use, 14(1), 633-646.
[Link]