MAPUA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

School of Architecture, Industrial Design, and Built Environment

Guidelines on the Drafting of

Research Proposal
AR290 - Research Methods and Statistics

22 August 2020

[This is an annotated outline guiding AR290 students in writing their research proposal for their
graduate thesis.]
TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 THE RESEARCH PROBLEM .............................................................................................. 1

1.1 Background ............................................................................................................................... 2

1.2 Statement of the problem .......................................................................................................... 3

1.3 Theoretical/ Conceptual framework of the study ...................................................................... 3

1.4 Research goals and objectives ................................................................................................... 3

2 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE ............................................................................ 4

3 PROPOSED RESEARCH METHODOLOGY .................................................................... 4

4 PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS................................................................... 5

5 TIMETABLE AND BUDGET .............................................................................................. 5

6 BIBLIOGRAPHY ................................................................................................................... 6
Guidelines on the drafting of research proposal
MPP 8/22/2020

1 THE RESEARCH PROBLEM

The graduate program of the Mapua University -ARIDBE currently offers six specializations: (1)
Architectural Education, (2) Environmental Psychology, (3) Vertical Urbanism, (4) Sustainable
Architecture, (5) Urban Design, and (6) Architectural Conservation. It is therefore expected that your
graduate thesis proposal is in line with the specialization you are pursuing. You can develop research
topics on the field of man - built environment systems, design, planning, architectural education
systems, building systems, comparative studies, or special topics.

In this section, you should be able to present a research-worthy problem in the field of architecture.
There are conflicts in the definitions of what "architectural research" is in the literature. Many argues
that the building itself, which is unique in many or some aspects, is in itself a research. When an
architect designs a building, he does research on the site parameters, the user's objective and
subjective needs and requirements, and the normative factors that bound the design of a buildings
among others. It is often thought that these activities are research, and this somehow complicates the
definition of what architectural research is about. In the academe, the question that always precedes a
research methods class is ― "Is the design process a form of research?" What relationship do design
and research have? Is it a continuum, a coexistence, a cycle, or it is just simply inexistent? This is the
primary reason why published journal articles on architecture ranges from the most subjective to the
most objective, and some trying to balance these two perspectives. The approaches to architectural
research are diverse and are continuing to develop and progress driven by improvements in processes
and technology.

Groat and Wang (2002) discussed the relationships of design and research to define the unclear
domain of architectural research. First, they argued that in nature design is generative while research
is analytical. They further argued that the systematic approach to research (i.e. problem identification,
data collection, analysis, findings and recommendation) is sometimes not compatible to the
conventional theory generation in architecture which has dealt with semantics, sociology,
phenomenology, etc. Second, there are differences in the notions of design as a research, and research
on the design process, and both are equally worthwhile but are functionally different. Lastly, they
took a weak stand on design as an activity and as a academic credential. While not really taking a
strong position on what architectural research should be, it is implied that it is up to the researchers to
define research problems that will significantly contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the
field.

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Okedele (1988), on the other hand, specifically define architectural research as "concentrated,
comprehensive study based on intensive research intended to advance knowledge related to a problem
of architectural significance". This meaning covers the primary elements of research that is ― the
scope, the method, the intent and the focus. It suggests that research usually follows standard
scientific method to promote knowledge advancement focusing on topics of architectural significance.
The generally accepted process of research involve the scientific method which includes: (1)
identification of problems, (2) problem definition and delimitation, (3) conducting the study, (3)
analysis of the problem and interpretation of results, (4) deductions based on the analysis including
recommendation of solution to the problem, and (5) implementation of recommended solution. This
approach works if your topic is of architectural significance.

Another equally valuable approach to research in architecture is called "design research". In the book
of Collins (2010), he presented Cooper's definition of academic design research as research conducted
by higher-education institutions on various topics issues in the realm of design and its process. It aims
to develop a useful body of knowledge that improve our insight of the design processes, systems or
methods, applications, and contexts. These studies can be: (1) theoretical studies on design, (2)
design-discipline specific research, (3) research aiming to make design fit the user needs (e.g.
ergonomics, and ethnography), (4) cultural and historical research, (5) design pedagogy, (6) applied
research to design problem areas (i.e. crime prevention, sustainability), and (7) design management
and systems.

You can use these approaches in defining your research problems. In this chapter, you should be able
to outline and discuss your research problem which should have contribution to the advancement of
knowledge in your deemed specialization.

1.1 Background

In this subsection, you should present the contexts that compel the need to study your propose
research topic. It should cover most if not all these discussions.

 Situation of current state of knowledge in the field of your topic. To support your story, (1)
visuals, including charts, graphs, maps photographs, and (1) citation of news articles, experts
accounts, etc. should be provided where appropriate

 Situational analysis that should lead to the importance of conducting your research study

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 Significance of your study, or contribution to the advancement of knowledge

 Brief statement of the work to be undertaken.

1.2 Statement of the problem

On the context of what you have written in the background, this subsection should provide a clear
statement of the research problem your study will try to answer. You can also provide here supporting
questions that should help in driving or answering your main problem.

1.3 Theoretical/ Conceptual framework of the study

This subsection place and discuss your research topic in the plethora of published or accepted theories
on your theme (theoretical). Conversely, you can provide a framework or a relationship map of the
concepts or variables you want to test or prove in your study (conceptual). In both approaches, you
should be able to discuss thoroughly your framework, your hypothesis and your assumptions.

1.4 Research goals and objectives

In this section, you should present and discuss the goals and objectives of your research. A goal is an
overarching principle or aim that guides your research while objectives are specific, measurable steps
that can be taken to meet the goal (USC).

Table 1 Descriptive statements differentiating goals and objectives

Goals Objectives
Goals are broad Objectives are narrow
Goals are general intentions Objectives are precise
Goals are intangible Objectives are tangible.
Goals are abstract Objectives are concrete.
Goals are generally difficult to measure Objectives are measurable
Source: (USC)

One way of making your goals and objectives more convincing is by, as much as possible, making
use of the SMART mnemonic which stands for: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and
Time-bound.

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2 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Generally, the review of literature should provide an overview of the existing literature like books,
journals, dissertations, and other sources on your defined research theme. In your review of related
literature, you should be able to do most if not all of the following:

 Summarize information or findings of previously conducted research about your topic.

 See if you research problem has already been answered or what aspects of your topic has not
been covered yet by other studies.

 Discuss any parallelisms or differences your research questions may have from other research
questions. Present how they will inform your research question/s.

 Analyze and evaluate existing literature and emphasize how your research will enhance or
contribute to the body of knowledge in your

The literature review should provide you information that can strengthen your research questions and
provide more substance in further discussions of your analysis and findings.

For further information on making literature review for architectural research, please consult chapter
3 of Groat and Wang (2002).

3 PROPOSED RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This section should provide an overview of your methodology preferably in chart form and details of
your proposed sampling, instrumentation (e.g. questionnaire, interview guide, observation note forms
etc.), study variables, and proposed data analysis. Clarity in the methodology is very critical in
defining the uniqueness of your approach to your problem. Below are indications of the menu of
strategies you can use in your

Franz (1994 ) provided a categorization of research based on her review of past research on
architecture. These are:

 Technically orientated research (with a systematic frame-of-reference);

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 Technically orientated research (with a computational frame-of-reference);

 Technically orientated research (with a management frame-of-reference);

 Conceptually orientated research (a psychological frame-of-reference);

 Conceptually orientated research (a person-environment frame-of-reference);

 Philosophically orientated research (an epistemological frame-of-reference); and

 Philosophically orientated research (an ontological frame-of-reference);

Groat and Wang (2002), on the other hand, presented seven research strategies that can be used for
architectural research. These are:

 Historical Research

 Qualitative Research

 Correlational Research

 Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Research

 Simulation Research

 Logical Argumentation

 Case Studies and Combined Strategies

4 PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS

This chapter should present your initial findings based on the initial data you have gathered. This
should somehow provide assurance of the doability of your research, and the need to further study it
using more extensive data or research activities.

5 TIMETABLE AND BUDGET

This section should present your research plan based on your time and monetary resources constraints.
The research schedule can be presented in the form of a bar chart indicating milestones. The budget,

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on the other hand, should include details of the expected cost to be incurred like staffing, transport,
consumables, and equipments.

6 BIBLIOGRAPHY
Collins, H. (2010). Creative Research : The Theory and Practice of Research for the Creative
Industries. Lausanne, AVA Academia.

Franz, J. M. (1994 ). "A critical framework for methodological research in architecture " The
International Journal for design research in engineering, architecture, products and systems 15(4).

Groat, L. N. and D. Wang (2002). Architectural Research Methods. New York, J. Wiley.

Okedele, N. (1988). "Dissertation Experience in Architectural Professional Programmes." The

Journal of Association of Architectural Educators in Nigeria (AARCHES) 1(1): 36-40.

USC. "Tips for writing Goals and Objectives." from

http://practicum.usc.edu/docs/Tips_for_writing_Goals_and_Objectives.pdf.