AR503 Architectural Research Methods
Fall 2014, Yaşar University
Şebnem Yücel
This course primarily aims “to prepare the students to do research in the field of architecture.” In order
to achieve this aim, the students are first familiarized with the basic epistemological concepts and
discussions as well as their impacts on the development of the notion of “architectural research.” Then
they are introduced to the main components of a research proposal, of scientific research methods and to
qualitative and quantitative approaches.
The course is composed of lectures, in-class discussions of the reading materials, student presentations
and the review and discussion of homework assignments. The homework assignments are geared towards
development of a research proposal by the end of the semester. In accordance with the interdisciplinary
nature of architectural research, the first half of the course covers the readings and discussions on the
nature of scientific knowledge, knowledge production, research strategies and paradigms. The second half
of the course proceeds with student presentations and readings on qualitative on quantitative research
methods with a focus on the development of each student’s research proposal. At the end of the class the
students are expected to be able to develop a research proposal in their research areas.
All rules regarding ethical conduct in academic research are in effect in this course.
Attendance: Attendance is required.
Course Grading:
Homework Assignments…..
Midterm…………………………
Presentations ………………….
Final Submission ……………..
20%
10%
30%
40%
Weekly Course schedule:
Week 1
Introduction: mastering your research
On Plagiarism
In-class discussion:
“What is architectural Research?” RIBA.
Week 2
What is knowledge?
Readings for the week:
“On Knowledge and Ignorance” by Karl Popper
In In Search of a Better World: Lectures and Essays from Thirty Years. 1996. Karl Popper.
Routledge: London & New York.
Homework assignment due:
Find the definitions and major scientific assumptions of the following –isms:
Positivism
Post-positivism
Social Constructionism
Critical Realism
Week 3
Research strategies
Readings for the Week:
“Advancing Knowledge Using Four Research Strategies”
In Approaches to Social Inquiry (2nd Ed.) 2007. Norman Blaikie. Polity Press: Cambridge, UK.
Week 4
Research paradigms
Readings for the Week:
Excerpts from The Structure of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas Kuhn
Week 5
Focusing on a topic
Readings for the week:
The Craft of Research, “From topics to Questions” p.35-55
Suggested additional Reading:
Research Design by Creswell, “The Introduction.”
Homework assignment due:
Choose a scholarly article from your area of research and underline its:
Research Problem
Purpose Statement
Research question(s) posed to approach that specific problem
Hypothesis
And identify how does the article present its methodology (data collections-data analysisinterpretation)
Week 6
Identifying and stating the problem
Readings for the Week:
The Craft of Research, “From Questions to Problems” p.56-74.
Suggested Additional Reading:
Research Design by Creswell, “The Problem Statement”
Homework assignment due:
Identify a research problem and write a purpose statement.
Week 7
MIDTERM
Week 8
Reviewing the Literature
Readings for the Week:
The Craft of Research, “Using Sources” p.90-108
Week 9
Strategies of Inquiry: Introduction to Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods.
Readings for the Week:
Research Design by Creswell, “Strategies of Inquiry” and “Research Methods”
Homework assignment due:
Bring a list of 10 sources (articles and books) that can inform the research problem you have previously
identified. If relevant to your area of study, identify whether they are primary or secondary sources.
Week 10
Quantitative research methods: defining surveys and experiments
Student Presentations
Week 11
Quantitative research methods: statistical analysis and the questions of validity
Student Presentations
Week 12
Qualitative research methods: philosophical and theoretical frameworks and five qualitative traditions of
inquiry
Student Presentations
Week 13
Qualitative research methods: case studies and field studies
Student Presentations
Week 14
Research Proposals for Institutions
Suggested Reading:
The Craft of Research, Part III: ”Making a Claim and Supporting it”, p.109-182.
Homework assignment due:
Draft submission of your research proposal
Week 15
Research proposal presentations
Week 16
FINAL SUBMISSION:Research Proposal
Course Materials:
Creswell, J. W. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches. Thousand Oaks:
Sage Publications, 2003.
Booth, W., Colomb, G.C. & Williams, J. M. The Craft of Research. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press,
1995, 2003.
Blaikie, N. Approaches to Social Enquiry. Cambridge: Polity Press, 2007.
Gibaldi, J. MLA Handbook of Research Papers. (6th ed.). New York: Modern language Association
Popper, K. In Search of a Better World: Lectures and Essays from Thirty Years. London & New York:
Routledge, 1996:
Kuhn, T. M. The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1962.
Recommended Course Material:
Groat, L. & Wang, D. Architectural Research Methods. New York: John Wiley and Sons Inc., 2002.