Research Methodology for Planning and Architectural Studies

Lecture 04: Research Methods vs. Research Methodology

DR. SHUBHAJIT SADHUKHAN

DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE & PLANNING
What will we learn from this lecture?

• What are Research Methods?

• Categorization of Research Methods

• Examples of Research Methods

• What is Research Methodology?

• Important components of Research Methodology

• Comparison between Research Methods and Research Methodology

• Summary

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Research Methods
Research methods may be understood as all those methods/techniques that are used for conducting research
• Research methods refer to the instruments used in selecting and constructing research technique
• Research techniques refer to the instruments that are used in performing research operations such as making observations, recording data, techniques of
processing/analyzing data

Type Methods Techniques

Library Research i. Investigation of historical Content analysis, Study of historical notes, listening to tape and film records
records
Field Research i. Non-participant observation Observational behavioral scales

ii. Participant observation Interactional recording

iii. Mass observation Recording mass behaviour

iv. Mail questionnaire Survey instrument that is distributed to respondents through the postal service
or other mail delivery methods

v. Opinionnaire Use of attitude scales, projective techniques etc.

vi. Personal interview Detailed schedule with open and closed questions

vii. Focused interview Observation on a given experience and its effects

viii. Group interview Interviewing several participants in a group setting

ix. Telephone survey Involves collecting data from participants through telephone interviews

x. Case Study Cross sectional and longitudinal collection of data

Laboratory Research Small group study Study their behavior through use of audio-visual recording devices
Source: Kothari, C. R. (2009). Research Methodology – Methods and Techniques, New Age International Publishers

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Categorization of Research Methods
Research Methods can be categorized into three main groups:

a. First is based on the collection of data

b. Second focuses on statistical techniques which are used to establish relationships between the data or the variables considered

c. The third consists of those methods which are used to evaluate the accuracy of the results obtained

Image Source: https://medium.com/@genis.hti/research-methods-4bacdea50b5e Image source: https://www.discoverphds.com/blog/types-of-research

Source: Kothari, C. R. (2009). Research Methodology – Methods and Techniques, New Age International Publishers

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Categorization of Research Methods
Research methods are the strategies and processes deployed by researchers to gather, analyze, and interpret information in
order to answer a research question or test a hypothesis

First, decide on how to collect data

The method depends on what type of data we need to answer our research question:

a. Qualitative vs. Quantitative

b. Primary vs. Secondary
c. Descriptive vs. Experimental

Second, decide on how to analyze the data

Image Source: https://thriveautomation.ca/rpa-data-collection-analytics/
a. For quantitative data, statistical analysis methods
are used to test relationships between variables

b. For qualitative data, thematic analysis is used to interpret

patterns and meanings in the data
Image Source: https://beyondtheory.co.uk/employee-data-analysis-service

Source: https://www.scribbr.com/category/methodology/

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Examples of Research Methods
Quantitative Research
Image Source: https://www.measureevaluation.org/our-work/secondary-data-analysis.html

Action Research Content Analysis

Experimental Designs
Image Source: https://m.facebook.com/ICRPOFFICAIL/ Image Source: https://paperpile.com/g/content-analysis/
Image Source: https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/stor-i-student-sites/conor-
murphy/2021/02/26/efficient-experimental-design/

Qualitative Research
Image Source: https://atlasti.com/guides/qualitative-research-guide-part-1/qualitative-research

Mixed Methods RESEARCH METHODS

Image Source: https://drvidyahattangadi.com/mixed-method-research-is-most-suitable/

Meta-Analysis
Image Source: https://insights.blackcoffer.com/steps-to-meta-analysis/

Secondary Data Analysis

Image Source: https://www.measureevaluation.org/our-
work/secondary-data-analysis.html

Longitudinal Studies Correlational Studies

Image Source: https://www.themantic-
Image Source: https://www.questionpro.com/blog/cross-
education.com/ibpsych/2021/04/06/correlational-studies-on-ptsd/
sectional-study-vs-longitudinal-study

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Research Methodology
Research methodology refers to systematic theoretical framework to solve a research problem. It may be understood as a science of
studying how research is done scientifically

➢ It encompasses the principles, techniques, and rules that researchers follow to design, conduct, and analyze a study

➢ Research methodology provides the structure for collecting and interpreting data and ensures the research is conducted with accuracy, reliability,
and validity

➢ Research methodology not only focuses on the research methods but also consider the logic behind the methods that is used we use in the context of
the research study and also explains why a particular method or technique is deployed

In research methodology the following questions are answered:

✓ Why this research study has been undertaken?

✓ How the research problem has been defined?
✓ Why the hypothesis has been formulated and how is it formulated?
✓ What data have been collected ?
✓ What research method has been adopted?
✓ Why particular technique of analyzing data has been used and a host of similar other questions?

Source: Kothari, C. R. (2009). Research Methodology – Methods and Techniques, New Age International Publishers

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Important Components of Research Methodology
➢ Research Philosophy: States the objective of the research that will be studied through empirical observation and measurement

➢ Research Design: Involves monitoring variables and studying cause-and-effect relationships

➢ Research Strategy: Involves the collection and analysis of numerical and non-numerical data

➢ Literature Review: It provides a foundation for understanding existing knowledge, identifying gaps, and justifying the research rationale

➢ Sampling Techniques: To decide how to select a sample that is representative of the group as a whole

➢ Data Collection Methods: To gather data from participants

➢ Instruments or Tools: Tools or instruments to collect data

➢ Data Analysis Techniques: Involves using statistical tools to analyze quantitative data

Source: Kothari, C. R. (2009). Research Methodology – Methods and Techniques, New Age International Publishers

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Important Components of Research Methodology
➢ Data Presentation and Reporting: Outlines how the findings will be presented and reported

➢ Validity and Reliability: Validity refers to the extent to which a study measures what it intends to
measure, while reliability relates to the consistency of measurements

➢ Timeline and Resources: Provide a timeline for the various stages of the research. Specify the resources required, including personnel,
equipment, and budget considerations

➢ Ethical Considerations: Address ethical issues related to the study, including participant consent,
confidentiality, and potential risks

➢ Limitations and Delimitations: Acknowledge the limitations of the study

➢ Data Storage and Security: Specify how data will be stored, protected, and managed

Source: Kothari, C. R. (2009). Research Methodology – Methods and Techniques, New Age International Publishers

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Difference between Research Methods & Methodology
➢ Specific techniques or procedures used by ➢ A theoretical framework that guides the entire
researchers to collect, analyze, and interpret research process
data
Research Research
➢ Practical steps and processes employed in a ➢ It includes the philosophy of research, the Vs
Method Methodology
study to answer research questions or test rationale for using certain methods, and the
hypotheses underlying assumptions guiding the research

➢ Concerned with the "how" of the research ➢ Concerned with the "why" and "what" of the
process research process

➢ Aims are based on finding the solution to a ➢ Aims are based on using the correct procedure to
research problem find solution to a research problem

➢ Used at the later stage of a research process ➢ Used from the initial stage of the research
process

Source: Kothari, C. R. (2009). Research Methodology – Methods and Techniques, New Age International Publishers

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Difference between Research Methods & Methodology
➢ Examples: Surveys, experiments, interviews, ➢ Examples: Research philosophy (positivism,
case studies, content analysis, and observational interpretivism, etc.), research design
research (experimental, correlational, etc.), data collection
techniques, sampling methods, and data analysis
Research Research
procedures Method
Vs Methodology

➢ Research methodology are the subset of the of ➢ Research methodology is a comprehensive/holistic

research methodology approach

➢ Scope is narrow
➢ Scope is broad

Source: Kothari, C. R. (2009). Research Methodology – Methods and Techniques, New Age International Publishers

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Summary
• Research Methods

• Categorization of Research Methods

• Examples of Research Methods

• Research Methodology

• Important components of Research Methodology

• Comparison between Research Methods and Research Methodology

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Further Reading
• Kothari, C. R. (2009). Research Methodology – Methods and Techniques, New Age International Publishers.

• Ewing, R. and Park, K. (2020). Basic Quantitative Research Methods for Urban Planners, Routledge Taylor & Francis.

• Silva, A. E., Heasley, P., Harries, N., Broeck, P. V. (2015). The Routledge Handbook of Planning Research Methods, Routledge Taylor &
Francis.

• Jonker, J. and Pennink, B. (2010). The Essence of Research Methodology: A Concise Guide for Master and PhD Students in Management
Science, Springer.

• Thomas E. Scruggs, Margo A. Mastropieri (2006). Applications of Research Methodology, Elsevier.

• Wang, X. and Hofe V. R. (2007). Research Methods in Urban and Regional Planning, Springer.

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Lecture 05: Issues and Challenges in Planning and Architectural
Research

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Thank You

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