ARCHITECTURAL
RESEARCH
METHODS
BAR 401
ODHIAMBO DAVID
NDIAWA
B02/1064/2019
1.Architecture research is significant for a number of reasons. These include:
i.
To recognize and respond to user demands: Research may provide architects insight
into the wants and needs of those who will be using a structure, which can inform the
design process and result in more practical and user-friendly structures.
ii.
To enhance building performance, research can show architects how to boost a
building's structural reliability, energy efficiency, and overall performance.
iii.
Research may assist architects in creating new innovations, materials, and design
strategies that can influence the future of the industry.
iv.
To comprehend a project's context: Research may assist architects in comprehending
the historical, cultural, and social context of a construction project, which can inform
the design and guarantee that it is acceptable and respectful.
v.
Problem-solving: Research may assist architects in locating and resolving issues that
crop up throughout the construction and design process, such as figuring out how to
cut down on waste in the building process or increase the durability of materials.
2a Native Human Inquiry describes the manner in which humans innately seek knowledge and
comprehension about their surroundings. In addition to drawing on one's own experiences,
cultural practices, and religious convictions, this might involve watching and engaging with the
outside world. On the other hand, scientific inquiry describes the methodical and impartial
process of obtaining and evaluating facts in order to test hypotheses and make conclusions. This
often entails systematic and controlled data collection and analysis using scientific procedures,
such as the scientific method.
b. Native Human Inquiry has a number of flaws, including:
It could be subjective and subject to the prejudices and opinions of the individual.
It might not be supported by factual information or careful research.
Cultural or societal norms and expectations could have an impact.
c. Because it enables the systematic collection and analysis of facts in an objective and
methodical manner, scientific inquiry is favoured in knowledge and learning. This makes it
possible to draw conclusions that are more trustworthy and accurate while reducing the impact of
personal prejudices and preconceptions. Utilizing scientific methodology also makes it possible
for others to verify and replicate an investigation's findings. This improves the validity and
reliability of the results.
3. Deductive research is a style of research methodology where the researcher starts with a broad
theory or hypothesis and gathers information to test it. The principle behind this strategy is to go
from the broad to the specific. Starting with a general hypothesis or notion, the researcher next
uses particular facts to either confirm or deny that hypothesis.
An investigation into the connection between social media use and self-esteem is an example of
deductive research. The hypothesis that increasing social media use causes lower self-esteem
may be the starting point for the researcher, who will then gather data through surveys or studies
to examine it. The researcher may draw the conclusion that there is a link between social media
use and self-esteem if the findings are consistent with the hypothesis.
As opposed to deductive research, which starts with particular observations or facts, inductive
research uses those findings to construct a broad theory or hypothesis. This strategy is predicated
on the notion of progressing from the particular to the universal. Starting with particular findings,
the researcher builds a more comprehensive hypothesis or explanation using those observations.
An investigation of a certain species of bird's behavior is an example of inductive inquiry. The
researcher may watch the birds in their natural environment and record their patterns of behavior.
The researcher may create a theory regarding the behavior of the birds and their ecological
function in the ecosystem based on these findings.
Depending on the objectives of their study, researchers may decide to utilize one strategy alone
or a combination of the two. Both the deductive and the inductive procedures have benefits and
weaknesses of their own.
4. The processes involved in organizing research might vary based on the particular research
topic and the methodology being employed, but some typical steps include:
Determine the research topic or issue that the study will address as the first stage in creating a
research project. This entails outlining the study's parameters and identifying its precise
emphasis.
Review the literature: After determining the research question, the following stage is to examine
the body of knowledge already written about the subject. This can assist the researcher in
understanding what is already known about the subject and in identifying knowledge gaps that
need to be filled by further study.
Create a hypothesis or collection of hypotheses to test: The researcher might create a hypothesis
or set of hypotheses based on the literature review and the research topic.
Choose a research design: The next step is for the researcher to select a research design that is
suitable for the research topic and the data that will be gathered. The research topic, the study's
objectives, and the researcher's resources should all be taken into consideration when choosing a
research design.
The next step is to determine the sample, or the subjects or objects that will be used in the study.
This entails figuring out the sample size and picking a sample that is typical of the population
under investigation.
Data collection: The study design-determined methodologies and procedures will be used to
collect data in the next stage. This may entail carrying out experiments, gathering information
through surveys or other means, or evaluating already available data.
Analyze the data: The researcher must do this after gathering the data in order to make inferences
and provide a response to the research topic. Analyzing the data may include utilizing statistical
tools or other approaches.
Draw conclusions and offer suggestions: The researcher can offer suggestions for further study
or practical applications based on the analysis' findings.
5. In order to better understand architectural phenomena, five types of observational techniques
have been adapted from the social sciences. These are:
i.
Participant observation
ii.
Structured observation
iii.
Unstructured observation
iv.
Case study
v.
Ethnography
i.
Participant observation:
Merits:
allows for observation of behavior and interactions in a real environment by the researcher
enables the researcher to fully comprehend the culture or group being researched
Demerits:
can take a lot of time
The study subjects' behavior may change if the researcher is there.
ii.
Structured observation:
Merits:
enables accurate measurement and varied control for the researcher
Useful for testing theories
Demerits:
It's possible that the observation's organized format prevents the observation of spontaneous or
unexpected behavior.
The study subjects' behavior may change if the researcher is there.
iii.
Unstructured observation:
Merits:
enables the observation of unanticipated or spontaneous behaviour
can give a more realistic account of the phenomena under study
Demerits:
The observation's lack of structure may make it more challenging to account for factors and take
accurate measurements.
The interpretation of the findings may be influenced by the researcher's prejudices and
preconceptions.
iv.
Case study:
Merits:
Provides detailed and in-depth information about specific individuals or situations
Can be useful for understanding complex phenomena
Demerits:
May be based on a small sample size, which can limit the generalizability of the findings
May be subject to bias, as the researcher's perspective and assumptions may influence the
interpretation of the data
v.
Ethnography:
Merits:
People can learn more about other cultures thanks to it.
It improves scientists' comprehension of how people behave.
It may quickly change and learn new things.
Demerits:
It relies on the rapport the ethnographer has with his subjects.
It requires lots of time.
The selection of a representative sample can be challenging.
It depends on how forthcoming and truthful they are.
Cultural prejudice may result from it.
6a. The following are the three most effective ways to observe people, their environments, and
the connections between the physical environment and behavior (E-B):
Ethnography: An ethnographic approach to study entails meticulously observing and describing
a particular culture or group of individuals. In order to comprehend the people they are studying
and their culture, ethnographers frequently spend a lot of time observing and engaging with
them.
Fieldwork is a sort of study that includes gathering information outside of a controlled laboratory
setting, in the open air. Observing people in their natural habitat, doing focus groups or
interviews, or using other methods of data collection are all examples of fieldwork.
Case study: A case study is a thorough investigation of a particular person, team, or
circumstance. Data may be gathered for case studies using a number of techniques, such as
observations, interviews, and document or other material analysis.
6b. The E-B approaches' strategies have the following advantages:
Ethnography: By observing behavior and interactions in a natural context, ethnography enables
researchers to get a thorough grasp of a culture or group of people.
Fieldwork: Gathering data in a natural environment can provide researchers a more accurate and
realistic depiction of people's actions and experiences.
Case study: Case studies can give precise, in-depth information on certain people or
circumstances, which is helpful for comprehending complicated phenomena.
The following are some of the drawbacks of the E-B approaches' techniques:
Ethnography: Ethnography may take a lot of time since it needs the researcher to spend a lot of
time observing and talking to the subjects.
Fieldwork: Because the researcher has less control over the setting and the subjects being
examined, fieldwork can be challenging to manage.
Case study: Case studies frequently have a limited sample size, which might restrict how broadly
the results can be applied. Case studies may also contain bias since the researcher's viewpoint
and presumptions may affect how the data is interpreted.
7a. Qualitative research techniques involve the collection of non-numerical data, such as words,
images, and observations. These techniques are often used to explore complex phenomena and to
gain a deeper understanding of people's experiences, perspectives, and behaviors. Examples of
qualitative research techniques include focus groups, interviews, and participant observation.
Quantitative research techniques involve the collection of numerical data, which can be analyzed
using statistical methods. These techniques are often used to test hypotheses and to determine
relationships between variables. Examples of quantitative research techniques include surveys,
experiments, and observational studies.
7b. The following steps might be included in a research design using qualitative methods:
I.
Define the research topic or problem: The researcher must specify the study's precise
focus and the research question or problem that it will attempt to solve.
II.
Choosing a sample requires the researcher to choose what or who will be a part of the
study. This might entail picking a sample that accurately reflects the population under
study or one that is particularly pertinent to the research subject.
III.
Data collection: The researcher must gather data using methods including participant
observation, focus groups, and interviews.
IV.
Data analysis is necessary in order to spot trends, themes, and patterns in the data. To
find patterns and meanings in the data, it may be necessary to code the data and use
methods like content analysis or discourse analysis.
V.
Draw conclusions: The researcher might come to findings and offer suggestions for
further study or useful applications based on the examination of the data.
The following steps might be included in a research design using quantitative methods:
I.
The researcher must specify the study's topic and specify the research issue or problem
that it will attempt to answer, just as they would with qualitative research.
II.
A hypothesis (or group of hypotheses) that the study will attempt to evaluate must be
developed by the researcher.
III.
Choose a sample: The study's inclusion criteria and sample size must be decided by the
researcher.
IV.
Gather information: The researcher must gather information using methods like surveys,
experiments, or observational studies.
V.
Analyze the data: In order to test the hypotheses and come to conclusions on the
relationships between variables, the researcher needs analyze the data using statistical
methods.
VI.
Draw conclusions: The researcher might come to findings and offer suggestions for
further study or useful applications based on the examination of the data.
8a. Reliability refers to the consistency and stability of research findings. A research study is
considered reliable if it produces consistent results when repeated under similar conditions.
Validity is a term used to describe how accurate and sincere study findings are. If a research
study correctly depicts the phenomena being examined, it is regarded as legitimate.
8b. The dependability of study findings may be increased in a number of ways, including:
Use standardized procedures: Using standardized procedures can help to guarantee that a study's
findings are reliable and consistent.
Use a sizable sample size: A sizable sample size can assist to lessen the impact of random error,
which can help to boost the trustworthiness of study findings.
Use a variety of tools or measurements to gather data: Doing so can give a more thorough and
accurate picture of the phenomena under study, which can improve the dependability of the
results.
Utilize numerous raters: Using several raters can assist to lessen the impact of individual bias
and boost the dependability of the results.
8c. There are several varieties of validity, such as:
The degree to which a measure or instrument correctly represents the substance of the idea being
assessed is known as content validity.
Construct validity: The degree to which a measure or instrument faithfully captures the
underlying theoretical construct or notion that it is designed to measure is referred to as construct
validity.
The ability of a study's findings to be extrapolated to different groups or environments is referred
to as external validity.
When a study's findings can be mostly attributable to the independent variable and not to any
other variables, this is said to have internal validity.
Face validity: The degree to which a measure or instrument seems to be measuring what it is
supposed to measure is referred to as face validity.
9a. A sort of research methodology called the experimental technique is adjusting one or more
independent variables and then observing the impact on a dependent variable. The experimental
approach is used to put theories to the test and ascertain cause-and-effect connections.
Usually, an experiment comprises the following steps:
i.
Define the research topic or problem: The researcher must specify the study's precise
focus and the research question or problem that it will attempt to solve.
ii.
A hypothesis (or group of hypotheses) that the study will attempt to evaluate must be
developed by the researcher.
iii.
Choose a sample: The study's inclusion criteria and sample size must be decided by the
researcher.
iv.
Randomly assign subjects to groups: The researcher must randomly allocate participants
to various groups, such as a control group and an experimental group, in order to account
for other factors.
v.
Manipulate the independent variable: In order to see how changing the independent
variable, which is the variable being tested, affects the dependent variable, the researcher
must change the independent variable.
vi.
Measure the dependent variable: The dependent variable, or the variable that is impacted
by the modification of the independent variable, must be measured by the researcher.
vii.
Analyze the data: In order to test the hypotheses and come to conclusions on the links
between the variables, the researcher needs analyze the data using statistical methods.
9b. The three principal pairs of elements that make up the experimental technique are as follows:
The three major pairs of components that are entailed in the experimental method are:
Independent and dependent variables: The independent variable is the variable that is being
manipulated in the experiment, while the dependent variable is the variable that is being
measured.
Experimental group and control group: The experimental group is the group that is exposed to
the manipulation of the independent variable, while the control group is a group that is not
exposed to the manipulation of the independent variable.
Extraneous variables: Extraneous variables are variables that could potentially affect the results
of the experiment and must be controlled in order to ensure that the results are accurate.
10. A research proposal is a written document that describes a potential research endeavor and
offers a strategy for carrying it out. Typically, a research proposal comprises the following
elements:
Introduction: In the introduction, background information about the subject being examined
should be included, along with an explanation of the goals and importance of the study.
Research question or problem: The research question or problem should unambiguously state the
purpose of the study as well as the particular problem or topic that it will focus on.
Literature review: The literature review should include all of the pertinent studies that have
already been done on the subject and point out any gaps or areas that require more investigation.
Study design: The research design should outline the precise procedures that will be followed in
order to gather and evaluate the data, including the sample size, sampling strategies, and data
collection methodologies.
Plan for data analysis: The plan for data analysis should outline the precise statistical procedures
or other approaches that will be utilized to examine the data.
Expected outcomes: This part should describe the anticipated study findings and how they will
further our understanding of the subject.
Conclusion: The conclusion should summarize the main points of the proposal and explain the
implications of the research for future study or practical applications.
References: The references should list all cited and used secondary sources that are not any of
the writer’s own words.