>CMO Reference No.: CHED CMO No.
61, Series Methodologies
of 2017
>Course Code: ARCH 537 Research Design
>Course Name: Research Methods for Architecture
> Before beginning research paper, the researcher
> Course Description: Quantitative and operational
needs to decide how to design the research study.
methods in architectural design research activity and
requirement in use analysis. > It refers to the overall strategy chosen to integrate the
> Number of Units: 3 Units different components of the study in a coherent and
> Contact Hours Per Week: 3 Lectures Hours per logical way, thereby ensuring to effectively address the
week. research problem; it constitutes the collection,
> Prerequisite: Junior Standing (4th Year) and measurement and analysis of the data.
Technical Report Writing.
Types of Research Design
Course Objectives:
At the end of the course, the students should be able to: > Action Research Design
> Case Study Design
> Descriptive Design
> Apply workable research methods and procedures
> Experimental Design
> Acquire basic research skills > Exploratory Design
> Obtain a broader framework upon which the > Historical Design
requirements and implications of specific projects are
foreseen. Action Research is a method of systematic enquiry that
teachers undertake as researchers of their own practice.
Overview and Introduction to the course ... You will draw on the findings of other researchers to
Research Methods is among the major courses in BS help develop actions and interpret the consequences. As
Architecture and most challenging subject in the an action researcher, or teacher-researcher, you will
undergraduate level. Good research output in this generate research.
course prepared in three chapters namely chapter 1 –
The Problem and Its Background, Chapter 2 – Review of Case studies aim to analyze specific issues within the
Related Literature and Chapter 3 – Research boundaries of a specific environment, situation or
Methodology can be used in the Architectural Design 9 – organization.
Thesis Research Writing and in Architectural Design 10
Descriptive Research is also used to compare how
– Thesis Research Application.
different demographics respond to certain variables. A
Research Definitions descriptive research design can use a wide variety of
research methods to investigate one or more variables.
> Research is about using established methods to
investigate a problem or question in detail with the aim of The three main types of descriptive studies are case
generating new knowledge about it (DiscoverPhDs) studies, naturalistic observation, and surveys.
> Research is a vital tool for scientific advancement A researcher can conduct descriptive research using
because it allows researchers to prove or refute specific methods like observational method, case study
hypotheses based on clearly defined parameters, method, and survey method. ... Varied: Since the data
environments and assumptions. Due to this, it enables collected is qualitative and quantitative, it gives a holistic
us to confidently contribute to knowledge as it allows understanding of a research topic.
research to be verified and replicated.
Experimental research is research conducted with a
> Research is a process and steps used to collect and scientific approach using two sets of variables. The first
analyze information to increase our understanding of the set acts as a constant, which you use to measure the
topic or issue (Creswell, 2012). differences of the second set. Quantitative research
methods, for example, are experimental. ... The research
> Research is an orderly, careful, and patient study and should establish a notable cause and effect.
investigation of a subject matter for the purpose of
adding to the body of knowledge (Frankael and Wallen, Exploratory research is defined as a research used to
2008) investigate a problem which is not clearly defined. It is
conducted to have a better understanding of the existing
> Research involves a systematic process of gathering, problem, but will not provide conclusive results. ... Such
interpreting and reporting information (McMillan, 2012). a research is usually carried out when the problem is at
a preliminary stage.
> Research for architecture is a systematic investigation
of phenomena in the build environment which includes Historical Research is a qualitative technique.
the collection, presentation, analysis and interpretation Historical research studies the meaning of past events in
of data or facts that link man’s speculation of reality an attempt to interpret the facts and explain the cause of
(VPCodia, 2021) events, and their effect in the present events.
Observational Research is a way to gather data by
watching people, events, or noting physical
characteristics in their natural setting. Observations can
be overt (subjects know they are being observed) or In a simple random sample, every member of the
covert (do not know they are being watched). Participant population has an equal chance of being selected. Your
Observation. sampling frame should include the whole population.
Sampling Design To conduct this type of sampling, you can use tools like
random number generators or other techniques that are
Sample Design is the framework or road map that based entirely on chance.
serves as the basis for the selection of a survey sample
and affects many other important aspects of a survey as Example:
well.
You want to select a simple random sample of 100
Survey researchers are interested in obtaining some employees of Company X. You assign a number to
types of needed information through a survey of some every employee in the company database from 1 to
population, of interest, etc. 1000, and use a random number generator to select 100
numbers.
When conducting a research about a group of people, it
is rarely possible to collect data from every person in 2. Systematic sampling
that group. Instead, the researcher selects a sample.
The sample is the group of individuals who will actually Systematic sampling is similar to simple random
participate in the research. sampling, but it is usually slightly easier to conduct.
Every member of the population is listed with a number,
Two Types of Sampling Design but instead of randomly generating numbers, individuals
are chosen at regular intervals.
1. Probability Sampling involves random selection,
allowing the researcher to make strong statistical Example:
inferences about the whole group.
All employees of the company are listed in alphabetical
2. Non-probability Sampling involves non-random order. From the first 10 numbers, you randomly select a
selection based on convenience or other criteria, starting point: number 6. From number 6 onwards, every
allowing the researcher to easily collect data. 10th person on the list is selected (6, 16, 26, 36, and so
on), and you end up with a sample of 100 people.
Population vs Sample
3. Stratified sampling
Population is the entire group that the researcher wanted
to draw conclusions about. Stratified sampling involves dividing the population into
subpopulations that may differ in important ways. It
Sample is the specific group of individuals that you will allows you draw more precise conclusions by ensuring
collect data from. that every subgroup is properly represented in the
sample.
Probability Sampling Methods
To use this sampling method, you divide the population
Probability sampling means that every member of the
into subgroups (called strata) based on the relevant
population has a chance of being selected. It is mainly
characteristic (e.g. gender, age range, income bracket,
used in quantitative research. If you want to produce
job role).
results that are representative of the whole population,
probability sampling techniques are the most valid 4. Cluster sampling
choice.
Cluster sampling also involves dividing the population
Four Main Types of Probability Sample into subgroups, but each subgroup should have similar
characteristics to the whole sample. Instead of sampling
individuals from each subgroup, you randomly select
entire subgroups.
Non-probability sampling methods
In a non-probability sample, individuals are selected
based on non-random criteria, and not every individual
has a chance of being included.
1. Simple random sampling
Statistics play a vital role in researches.
Statistics can used as in data collection, analysis,
interpretation, explanation and presentation.
Use of statistics will guide researchers in research
for proper characterization, summarization,
presentation and interpretation of the result of
research.
Basic Statistics in Research
Descriptive statistics are used to describe the basic
features of the data in a study. They provide simple
summaries about the sample and the measures.
Descriptive statistics are typically distinguished
1. Convenience sampling from inferential statistics. With descriptive statistics
A convenience sample simply includes the individuals
you are simply describing what is or what the data
who happen to be most accessible to the researcher.
shows.
2. Voluntary response sampling
A voluntary response sample is mainly based on ease of Data Analysis and Interpretation.
access. Instead of the researcher choosing participants
and directly contacting them, people volunteer Makes informed decisions and not just through
themselves (e.g. by responding to a public online guessing or predictions. The insights obtained can
survey). be used to set and identify trends in data. Data
3. Purposive Sampling interpretation and analysis is an important aspect of
This type of sampling, also known as judgement working with data sets in any field or research and
sampling, involves the researcher using their statistics.
expertise to select a sample that is most useful to
the purposes of the research. Data analysis and interpretation is the process of
4. Snowball Sampling assigning meaning to the collected information and
If the population is hard to access, snowball determining the conclusions, significance, and
sampling can be used to recruit participants via implications of the findings. ... The standard
other participants. The number of people you have deviation, in conjunction with the mean, provides a
access to “snowballs” as you get in contact with better understanding of the data.
more people
Data Collection Methods
1. Interviews
2. Observation
3. Documents and Records
4. Focus Groups
5. Oral Histories
6. Questionnaires and Surveys
Data Processing and Tabulation
The method of converting raw data into meaningful
statements includes data processing, data analysis,
and data interpretation and presentation.
Data reduction or processing mainly involves
various manipulations necessary for preparing the
data for analysis. The process (of manipulation)
could be manual or electronic. It involves editing,
categorizing the open-ended questions, coding,
computerization and preparation of tables and
diagrams.
Basic Statistics
