Developing Research Methodology in Architecture - Essay Example

?The ability to create the right approach to research methodologies is one which changes the understanding of a given topic. The field of architecture requires specific research methods because of the nature of architecture and the responses which are received. To create the right methodology, there is the need to identify and understand a variety of approaches in creating a well – rounded understanding of the architecture present. Using research methodologies with architecture that identify a variety of concepts ensure that there is a thorough examination and understanding of the development which has occurred. Defining the various methodologies and looking at the research required then provides a different level of insight into creating the right approach in understanding and evaluating the architectural topics that are required. Qualitative Methods of Research The basis of qualitative methods of research is to associate with people or objects at a given level to collect data. Instead of using hard data, such as statistics and other formats of numbers, there is a relationship to the social aspect of data and how this alters in given situations. Social sciences, such as psychology and the arts, are able to use qualitative methods for specific interpretations and observations that are required. Surveys, interviews, observation and informal methods of collecting data are often combined with creating a relationship to various variables required. This is furthered with types of research that are used with qualitative studies. For instance, grounded theory takes the ideology of qualitative methods and proposes ways to move through the research process. This is inclusive of observing and gathering data as well as finding specific ways to analyze and interpret the method that has been used. This helps to explain the statements and actions with specific individuals while building meanings out of the observation. For this to work, there is the need to have grounding with theoretical ideologies, combined with the capacity of coding information into data that creates meaning (Charmaz, 2006: 3). For architectural alternatives, there is the ability to observe and analyze a variety of movements, actions and theories with the theory. This is combined with analyzing the outcome and observations associated with this. The strength in this is based on creating meaning for a social and cultural observation of society. However, there is also a specific interpretation which is made according to the researcher and the defining points of the observations made, as opposed to being based only on facts. A basis that is a part of research philosophies in architecture comes with the main topic area and how this influences the availability of studies. Architecture is considered a component of both the social sciences and an art form, both which create a broad range for study that can be considered. To further the research that is done according to subject matter is also the need to have a specific type of research to identify the architecture. Theory based data analysis becomes one of the main approaches to those studying the architectural forms. The theory data is provided with past theories of architecture, social movements, cultural affiliations and philosophies which are attributed to the buildings that are studied. The overview and observation that occurs with the form of theory based data analysis then offers a broad viewpoint of the architectural forms and how this links to the buildings and subjects that are a part of the research. In relation to this are formats such as the focal relationship, which takes at least two independent theories and compares them to identify the relationship with architecture to given theories. This provides a cause and effect theory, which shows the cause for building the architecture and the effect which this has had within the social sciences (Aneshensel, 2002: 11). The theoretical observation that takes place has strength in looking at the past theories and relating these to dependent variables. The strength in this is with the theoretical observations that have already been made and factored in. However, there is often not consideration of the current cultural and social affiliations with the architectural structure. Another qualitative study that changes this viewpoint is the ethnography and participant observation that occurs. In this method, there is an observation of a variety of individuals, all which are based on ethnographic differences. The individuals are observed in terms of performance to the building and the relationship which is established toward the architectural structure. This observation combines with the way in which groups of people observe architectural structures and ways in which this is analyzed within the community. The groups of people that come to the structure, relationships which are created in terms of the building and interpretations which come from this become important. For example, military personnel visiting an official government structure may have an affiliation with social and cultural relationships to the building. The observation then creates the meaning of the architectural structure and what this means to segments of groups in society (Denzin, Lincoln, 1994: 381). The strength of this is in understanding the current association with the building and structure established. However, this often doesn’t link to the theories that are associated with the building and the history and ideologies which are associated with this. Each of the constructs with qualitative methods for research is based on the understanding of social research and the relationship which this creates to the subject matter, such as architecture. The question which arises is based on the nature and form of social reality which is constructed from the architecture, as well as how this associates with theories and ideologies within society. This is furthered with philosophical perspectives of the architectural work which are applied to the qualitative research study conducted. The viewpoints which take place with the observation may include positivism to interpretivism as an approach to creating the observations and analyzing the results in a specific manner. The result is one which is inclusive of the deduction of variables and how the information is analyzed after observation. For instance, observing through social reality, or positivism, leads to finding an exploration of the architectural subject. From this is an observation based research method which forms followed by variables that are the outcome. This builds a specific interpretation of the information retrieved, combined specifically from the perspective of the researcher and the type of observation which is conducted (Corbetta, 2003: 14). The advantage of this comes with the ability to build on theories and understandings of architecture from a social perspective. However, it is noted that each type of study is limited by the interpretation of data which occurs from the qualitative method which is used. Quantitative Study Methods The concept of quantitative study methods is developed with the approach of collecting data or information as well as statistics. The hard data is then analyzed and interpreted to create a specific result that can be used to determine the results within a research study. Administrative details from a specific record, research theories and topics that are analyzed from hard facts, content analysis on visual materials and data that are taken from a specific time frame or observation are some of the various ways that quantitative study methods are used. This is then redefined by analyzing the research according to the numbers and ideologies which you have added together for the study. The methodologies used to gather information are inclusive of comparing the different aspects of information retrieved. There is also the ability to create an understanding through qualitative coding or open coding that is associated with the information retrieved. The use of coding then creates and analyzes the information that you receive while helping to define a specific focus for the research study conducted (Gilbert, 2001: 240). While the basis of quantitative methodologies is able to provide a strong basis through numbers and factual information, the difficulty arises with the social sciences and architectural ideologies. The interpretations and information may range, despite the statistics and numbers. This is according to viewpoint, relationships to artistic works and other concepts which require observation and analysis of the numbers that are added into the research methodology. While the factual information remains strength in analysis, the need to interpret the information becomes problematic with the research objectives which are created. The quantitative studies available are furthered with types of statistical analysis that can be used for the approaches taken for any analysis. Descriptive, inferential, bivariate, and multivariate techniques are some of the common statistics used. The main approach to each of these is to create a main hypothesis then to test the outcomes with factual information which is used. Hypothesis testing through one or more variables or through descriptions then becomes the main analysis which is used to those who are looking at the information. The ability to create associations between variables that are analyzed through statistical methods provides a different understanding of the quantitative methods used and the way in which this relates to the functions of the study. For architecture, this requires estimating procedures and a relationship to specific theories that are based on the social sciences. Without this foundation, there is the inability to know which statistical procedures will work effectively for the information retrieved, while creating a different level of understanding about the research studied (Healey, 2005: 307). The difficulty with the statistical methods for architecture comes with the social sciences and interpretations which are associated with this. The social, cultural and environmental affiliations with architecture easily change the results and understanding of what has been built. Statistical methods then don’t provide a true understanding of the architecture and interpretations which are associated with the building. Instead, it only provides a specific set of activities which relates to statistical methods used. Mixed Methodologies The mixed methodologies which are used for research range from qualitative and quantitative data that is combined to create a meta – data analysis of information used. An approach which is used with this is to create a philosophy or type of analysis which is able to combine statistics and information through observation to those who are interested in the information required. Real world enquiry is one of the approaches which are used, specifically which combines observation with the outcomes that are seen in results such as statistics. The goal and focus is to find a problem to solve or a specific piece of information which may be lacking in terms of social sciences. This is combined with finding a way in which the information can be used for a specific need, such as for a client request or to change the understanding of concepts such as architecture. This combines personal information with the statistical facts for a well – rounded viewpoint and for the real world enquiries that are required. By doing this, there is the ability to combine ideologies of behaviors and patterns in society with the researcher and user. For architecture, this means combining the theoretical viewpoints with social patterns that relate to the architectural structure for a better understanding of the realistic viewpoint of the structure (Robson, 2002: 15). While this viewpoint holds a variety of strengths in creating a well – rounded research approach, the strategy is also in need of being inclusive of real time structures and the objectivity of social sciences. Combining this understanding, as opposed to only looking at the realistic viewpoint, then builds a different structure for understanding architectural components and how these have been formed in the social sciences. The mixed methods approach is one which is furthered by the designs which are associated with combining qualitative and quantitative methods. Both of the methods are inclusive of different approaches that are specific to the type of observations, statistical analysis and gathering of data which occurs. One that is looking at research methodologies has the capacity of combining the data and information to build a specific approach to what is needed. Rather than focus on real time observations, there is the ability to combine this with the way in which one observes and approaches the study. For the social sciences, such as architecture, there is the ability to combine theoretical viewpoints with social and psychological observations or interviews. This can be furthered by supporting the ideologies with secondary research, such as the statistical analysis. By combining each of these methodologies, one is able to create a specific perspective by combining the data that is available. For architectural schemes, this offers a stronger basis for the understanding of a specific structure and the way in which it relates to various perspectives and angles. The researcher is able to provide a specific answer or solution to the architectural component that mixes with this angle and which provides different insight into the information provided (Creswell, 2007: 15). Designing Research Approaches The various formats for research philosophies of architecture are formatted specifically to create a defined approach to analyzing and observing what is required. However, architecture requires a specific approach and strategy to understand the complete purpose of the study. Defining the research objectives and questions first and relating these to the social sciences becomes the most important aspect of building and creating the right research methodology. Without this basis, there is the inability to understand the relationship of architecture to the social sciences or the study which is conducted. The research study is one which has to solve a problem or understand theories which are distinguished in architecture while providing a different association with the information which needs to be provided. Investigating and uncovering information that is not known from the theories and architecture is one which is able to provide the right strategy to conducting the research study while building the correct observations about what is associated with the social sciences and the relationships that are a part of the philosophies of architecture (Guba, Lincoln, 1994: 17). For architecture, a specific format has to be used to create the right approach. This is inclusive of examining the theories, history and philosophies behind the architecture. Social aspects, cultural affiliations and historical ideologies are all considered. This is combined with the intent of the individuals that built the architecture and their association with both social sciences and the arts. Architecture requires an inquiry into the past theories and philosophies as well as the various angles which this is a part of. This is inclusive of qualitative analysis design and research that is able to provide different insight into the building and the relationship which is created to the current time frame. The qualitative analysis can be furthered with perspectives based on the environment, behavior and neuroscience that are a part of the building. These examinations are inclusive of both inquiries and observations that are a part of the land. Quantitative analysis methods can be drawn in at this point, specifically which are based on the planning and statistical results that have come from the architectural structure. The main ideology is to add in perspectives and viewpoints that create a well – rounded approach to the design of architecture and the relationship which this creates to the social sciences (Zeisel, 2006: 15). Conclusion Research methodologies that are used require specific philosophies and approaches to maintain the right perspective. With architectural observations, there is the need to combine the mixed methodology approach, specifically which creates an understanding through qualitative methods that work with social sciences. Combining this with the statistical analysis of quantitative methods provides a thorough analysis of the information required. This is combined with an overall understanding of the research which is conducted and the different responses which are required. The research results, while varying according to perspective, are able to gain a stronger understanding when combining social science methods with a meta – analysis that provides a realistic perspective to the architecture observed. Combining this with the main research objectives and goals is then able to offer a different perspective to the architecture which is being observed and the relationship which it holds to the current study that is being conducted. References Aneshensel, CS. 2002. Theory Based Data Analysis for the Social Sciences. New York: Pine Forge Press. Atkinson, P. and Hammersley, M. (1994) Ethnography and Participant Observation. In: Denzin, N. K. and Lincoln, Y.S. (eds.) Handbook of Qualitative Research. California, Sage Publications. Charmaz K. (2006) Constructing Grounded Theory: A Practical Guide Through Qualitative Analysis. London, Sage Publications. Corebetta P. (2003) Social research: Theory, Methods and Techniques. London, Sage Publications. Cresswell J. and Clarke V. (2007) Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research. London, Sage Publications. Fielding, J. (2002) Coding and Managing Data. In: Gilbert, N. (ed.) Researching Social Life. 2nd Edition. London, Sage Publications. Guba, E. and Lincoln, Y. (eds.) (1994) Competing Paradigms in Qualitative Research. California, Sage Publications. Healey, J. (2005) Statistics: a Tool for Social Research. 7th Edition. Belmont, Thomson Wadsworth Robson, C. (2002) Real World Research. 2nd Edition. Oxford, Blackwell Publishers Ltd. Zeisel, J. (2006). Inquiry by Design: Environment / Behavior / Neuroscience in Architecture, Interiors, Landscape, and Planning. New York: Routledge. Read More