ARCHITECTURE RESEARCH

METHODS

Ar. NIRAV KHANDWALA

BHAGVAN MAHAVIR COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE Ar. POOJA DHARIAWALA
WHAT IS RESEARCH?
• Research in common parlance refers to a “SEARCH OF KNOWLEDGE”.
• Research is a scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic.
• Research is an art of scientific investigation.
 WHAT IS ARCHITECTURAL RESEARCH?
• Architectural research is original investigation undertaken in
order to generate knowledge, insights, methods and tools
proper to the discipline of architecture.
• It has its own particular knowledge base, mode, scope,
tactics and strategies.
• The research should be meaningful and relevant for
practice, for the discipline, and for the society. Its explores
limits and expands them.
• The research should contributes to design practice, to the
exploration of spatial understanding and/or creative design
process.
• The result of research should be consistent with experience
in architectural practice.
• The research endeavours to to make its processes and
foundations as clear and explicit as possible.
• The research explores emotional, intuitive and/or artistic
aspects of the domain and may have tras-disciplinary
connections.
AREA/SCOPE OF RESEARCH FOR ARCHITECTURE
• Information and Communication base research [Design theories and Methods]
• Nanosciences and material technology base research [Material characteristics and innovative
materials in architecture]
• Energy consumption base research [Rational and alternative energy use and energy saving]
• Environment base research [Environmental planning, Urbanization, Urban agriculture, water use,
Historic preservation and restoration]
• Transport base research [Infrastructure design, Traffic congestion, Parking strategies]
• Socio-economic sciences and Humanities [Urban sociology, Architectural history, Community
development]
• Security base research [Airport securities, embassies, prisons]
• Spatial Organization base research [space design, Studies of habitation, Spaces outside earth’s
atmosphere]
TYPES OF RESEARCH METHODS IN ARCHITECTURE
1. QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
2. QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
3. HISTORICAL RESEARCH
4. CORELATIONAL RESEARCH
5. SIMULATION & MODELLING BASE RESEARCH
6. LOGICAL & ARGUMENTATION BASE RESEARCH
7. A COMBINED STRETEGY / MIX METHODOLOGY RESEARCH
1. QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
• Quantitative research is used to quantify the problem by way of generating numerical data
(MEASUREMENT OR AMOUNT) or data that can be transformed into usable statistics.
• It is used to quantify attitude, opinions, behaviours and other defined variables – and generalize
results from a larger sample population.
• Quantitative research uses measurable data to formulate facts and uncover patterns in research.
• Quantitative data collection methods are much more structured than Qualitative data collection
methods.
• It includes various forms of surveys – online surveys, newspaper surveys, mobile surveys (online
polls), kiosk surveys, face-to-face interviews, telephone interviews, website interceptors and
systematic observations.
2. QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
• Qualitative research is primarily exploratory research.
• It is used to gain an understanding of underlying reasons, opinions and motivations.
• Qualitative research is used to uncover trends in thought and opinions, and dive deeper into the
problem.
• It focuses on investigating the reasons for human behaviour (i.e. ehy people think or do certain
things) and discovering the underlying motives and desires using in depth interviews/discussions for
the purpose.
• Group discussions, individual interviews and participation/observations are important for Qualitative
research.
 QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
Focuses on testing theories and hypothesis Focusing on exploring ideas and formulating a
theory or hypothesis
Analysed through math and statistical analysis & Analysed by summarizing, categorizing,
comparisons interpreting and observation
Mainly expressed in numbers, graphs and tables Mainly expressed in words
Requires many respondents Requires few respondents (of relevant field of
discipline)
Closed (multiple choice) questions Open-ended questions
Assumes a fixed and measurable reality Assumes a dynamic and negotiated reality

Key terms: testing, measurement, objectivity, Key terms: understanding, context,

replicability complexity, subjectivity
3. HISTORICAL RESEARCH
• Historical research is that which utilizes historical sources like documents, remains etc. to study
events or ideas of the past, including the philosophy of persons and groups at any remote point of
time.
• History is a unique mode of inquiry in that it is probably the only research strategy whose topic of
inquiry does not “exist” in any empirically (observation & experience) accessible way.
• The advantage of art-architectural history research is that the artefact in question is often still with
us in some form.
• History at the tactical level is commonly used in other research strategies. Multiple histories of any
one topic are probably needed for a full-orbed account of that topic.
4. CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH
• This research is used to study & clarify patterns of relationships between two or more variables
without the researcher controlling or manipulating any of them.
• A correlation reflects the strnght and/or direction of the relationship between two or more variables.
The direction of a correlation can be either positive or negative.
POSITIVE CORRELATION Both variables change in the same direction As height increases, wind gradient also
increases
NEGATIVE CORRELATION The variables change in opposite directions As height increases, Temperature
decreases
ZERO/NO CORRELATION There is no relationship with the variables Height of the building does not correlate
with width of staircase treads.
5. SIMULATION AND MODELLING
• This research comes out of a broader human fascination with the replication (mimesis, imitation) of
real-world objects and settings
• Simulation’s very goal is to create “copies” of reality.
• EXAMPLES:
❑ We can learn about earthquakes without loss of life.
❑ We can learn to fly airplanes without fear of crashing.
❑ We can simulate an entire city without the expense of actually building it.
6. LOGICAL AND ARGUMENTATION
• Logical argumentation entails the framing of broad explanatory theories.
• Theoretical thinking permeates any research design. But when a broad
explanatory theory is itself the targeted outcome of a research endeavor, most
likely the strategy used to get there is logical argumentation.
• It exhibits the listing of “First Principles”
• A first principle is a fundamental proposition that is so self-evident that it need
not be derived from even more elemental proofs.
• Therefore First principles are logical building blocks by which, or upon which,
broad explanatory theories can be constructed.
7. COMBINE / MIX METHODOLOGY RESEARCH:
• The mix methodology design represents the most complete level of integration among two or more
research designs.
• In this model, the researcher would conduct aspects of both strategies in roughly comparable
sequences, and with approximately equal degrees of emphasis.
• The advantage of such an approach is that presumably the strengths of each research design will
complement each other, while the weaknesses of each design will be substantially offset.
APPLICATION BASED RESEARCH METHODS
1. BASIC / PURE / FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH
METHOD
• To determine or establish fundamental facts
and relationships within a discipline or field of
study. Example: Develop theories of particular
discipline.

2. APPLIED RESEARCH METHOD

• To undertake specifically for the purpose of
obtaining information to help resolve a
particular problem.
• Finding a solution for a immediate practical
problem.
• The distinction between two methods is in the
application. The basic research has little
application to real world policy &
management but could be done to guide
applied research.
HYPOTHESIS
• Hypothesis is considered as an intelligent guess or
prediction that gives direction to the researcher to answer
the research questions.
• It is a formal statement of the tentative or expected
prediction or expectation of the solution of specific research
problem.

CONTRIBUTIONS OF HYPOTHESIS
• It provides clarity to the research problem and research objectives.
• It predicts the expected results or outcome of the research
• It indicates the type of research design.
• It directs the research study process.
• It facilitates data collection, data analysis and data interpretation.
HYPOTHESIS VS. THEORY
HYPOTHESIS THEORY
A belief or prediction of the final A belief or assumption about how things relate to
outcome of the research. each other.
A concrete, specific statement about the A theory establishes a cause-and-effect relationship
relationship between phenomena. between variables to explain phenomena.

Proposed explanation for a natural Idea(s) that explain natural phenomena.

phenomena.
Not scientifically tested or proven. Scientifically tested and proven.
Based on a smaller dataset data. Based on a wide range of data.
Based on deductive reasoning. Based on inductive reasoning.
 DEDUCTIVE RESEARCH VS. INDUCTIVE RESEARCH
DEDUCTIVE INDUCTIVE
Thinking proceeds from Conclusions about events
general assumption to (general) are based on
specific application. information generated
through many individual and
direct observation.
GENERAL TO SPECIFIC SPECIFIC TO GENERAL

Uses patterns to arrives Uses facts, rules, definitions

at a conclusion. or properties to arrive at a
conclusion.

Example: Every mammal Example: Every rabbit that

has lungs. All rabbits are has been observed has
mammals. Therefore, lungs. Therefore every rabbit
every rabbit has lungs. has lungs.
TYPES OF HYPOTHESIS
1. NULL HYPOTHESIS
2. ALTERNATIVE HYPOTHESIS
3. SIMPLE HYPOTHESIS
4. COMPLEX HYPOTHESIS
5. EMPIRICAL HYPOTHESIS
6. STATISTICAL HYPOTHESIS
NULL HYPOTHESIS
• Null hypothesis is a form of hypothesis that is
deemed “True” until proven wrong based on
experimental data.
• It states that there is no true difference between
the variables and if any difference is there it is
accidental.

ALTERNATIVE HYPOTHESIS
• Alternative hypothesis is a statement that directly
contradicts the null hypothesis. It is an opposite
statement of the research hypothesis.
• It states that there is difference between the
variables. Its main function is to specify the
relationship that will be considered as true in
case the research hypothesis proves to be wrong.
SIMPLE HYPOTHESIS
• A simple hypothesis predicts the
relationship between a single
dependent variable and a single
independent variable.

COMPLEX HYPOTHESIS
• A complex hypothesis predicts
the relationship between two or
more independent and
dependent variables.
EMPIRICAL HYPOTHESIS
• Empirical which means it is based solely on evidence rather
than theories a predictions.
• Empirical hypothesis refers to the use of hypothesis that can
be tested using observation and experiments rather than
theories.
EXMAPLE: There is less interaction with people at heavy traffic
zones because pedestrian and cyclist movements are disturbing
due to fear of accidents. There are less friends & acquaintance
per person in neighborhood near heavy traffic roads, compared
to the lighter traffic areas.

STATISTICAL HYPOTHESIS
• Statistical hypothesis must be mathematically precise and they must correspond to specific claims about
the characteristics of the data generating mechanism
EXAMPLE: About 10% of the human population is left-handed. A researcher speculates that students in the
College of Arts and Architecture are more likely to be left-handed than people found in the general population.
Research Question:
1. Are artists more likely to be left-handed than people found in the general population
2. Classification of the student as either right-handed or left-handed
 CRITERIA OF STRONG RESEARCH QUESTIONS
A good research question is essential to guide your research paper,
project or thesis. It pinpoints exactly what to find out and gives
your work a clear focus and purpose.
All research questions should be:
• Focused on a single problem or issue.
• Researchable using primary and/or secondary sources.
• Feasible to answer within the time frame and practical
constraints.
• Specific enough to answer thoroughly.
• Complex enough to develop the answer over the space of a
paper or thesis.
• Relevant to your field of study and/or society

HOW TO WRITE RESEARCH QUESTIONS?

• Choose a broad topic
• Do some preliminary reading to find out about topical debates
and issues
• Narrow down a specific niche that you want to focus on
• Identify a practical or theoretical research problem that you
will address
RESEARCH QUESTIONS FORMULATION FOR DIFFERENT PURPOSES
RESEARCH AIMS RESEARCH QUESTIONS FORMULATION

Describing & Exploring • What are the characteristics of X?

• How has X changed over time?
• What are the main factors in X?
• How does X experience Y?
• How does X dealt with Y?
Explaining & Testing • What is the relationship between X & Y?
• What is the role of X in Y?
• What is the impact of X on Y?
• How does X influence Y?
• What are the causes of X?
Evaluation & Acting • What are the advantages & disadvantages of X?
• How effective is X?
• How can X be achieved?
• What are the most effective strategies to improve X?
• How can X be used in Y?
 METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION

PRIMARY DATA are those which

are collected afresh and for the
first time, and thus happen to be
original in character.

SECONDARY DATA are those

which have already been
collected by someone else and
which have already been passed
through the statistical process.
 PLAGERISM
Plagiarism is to take someone else’s words, work or ideas and passing them off as
your own, without any attribution to the original creator.
What is considered as Plagiarism?
• To steal and pass off the ideas or words of another as one’s own
• To use another’s production without crediting the source
• To commit literary theft
• To present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source