human studies in architecture

1. Faculty of Engineering and Technology
Department of Architectural Engineering
ARC 323 : Human Studies in
Architecture
Fall 2018
Dr. Yasser Mahgoub
Research 1 - What is research?

2. What is research?

3. Definition of Research
• re·search
• noun.
• 1. diligent and systematic inquiry or investigation into a subject in order to
discover or revise facts, theories, applications, etc..
• 2.a particular instance or piece of research.
• verb (used without object)
• 3.to make researches; investigate carefully.
• verb (used with object)
• 4.to make an extensive investigation into: to research a matter thoroughly.
• Origin:
1570–80; (v.) < Middle French recercher to seek, Old French, equivalent to re-
re- + cercher to search;(noun) < Middle French recerche
• Synonyms
study, inquire, examine, scrutinize.

4. Image of an Architect!
4Research Methods in Architecture - Dr. Yasser Mahgoub

5. Image of Researcher!
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6. Image of Researcher!
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7. Image of Research
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8. Image of Research
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9. Current
Knowledge
Research
New
Knowledge
Research
New
Knowledge
Design
Research New
Knowledge

11. The Research Cycle

12. Diagrammatic Structure for a Research
Study
Question
Audience
Literature
Topic
Actions

13. The Research Cycle
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14. 1 Select Topic
2 Review Literature
3 Devise Conceptual Framework
4 Decide Research Questions
5 List Information Needs
6 Decide Research Strategy
7 Conduct Research
8 Report Findings
Research Steps

15. 1. Select a topic
• Personal Interest
• Issues identified in the
literature
• Policy or management
problem
• Issue of Social Concern
• Popular Media Issue
• From this, you can develop the
aim/purpose and first attempt
at a problem statement …..

16. 2. Literature Review
• Entire basis of the research
• Source of ideas on topics for research
• Information on research already done
by others
• Source of Methods or theory ideas
• Basis of comparison
• Information that is an
integral/supportive part of the research
• Topic/problem statement guides this
review - the review leads to further
problem statement clarification

17. 3. Devise Conceptual Framework
• Framework involves concepts
• Concepts are general representations of the
phenomena to be studied - building blocks
• Framework indicates how the researcher views the
concepts involved - relationships between elements
involved

18. 4. Decide on Research Questions
• Further clarify the problem
statement into more measurable
terms.
• 1. Find out what is already known
about the subject through doing a
literature review.
• 2. After you know what is already
known, your question might need to
be reformulated so that you have a
question in need of an answer,
rather than a question that has
already been answered.

20. Problem Statement
• Problem Statement is your strategic Objective
• The main problem
• Can’t be transformed in a single question
• In few words

22. Secondary Questions
• Questions used to answer the problem statement
• Closer to real data (reality).
• Can be transformed in a simple question.
• In relationship with the main problem.
• “It is not the answer that is critical, rather it is the
asking of a good question.“ (Ionesco)
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23. 5. List of Information Needs
• Guided by the Problem Statement and secondary
questions and conceptual framework.

24. 6. Decide on research Strategy
• Project Elements
• Information gathering
techniques to be used
• Data Analysis techniques
• Budget
• Timetable

25. 7. Conduct Research
• Pilot study – Use to test and adjust data collection tools
• Data collection – Collect required data
• Data analysis – Analyse collected data

26. 8. Report Findings
• Through - tables, figures, GIS, graphics, and text
discussion/oral presentations

27. End