29-Jan-21

ARC 561/562
Advanced Research Methods

MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE 1
Department of Architecture
KNUST
COURSE LECTURERS/CONVENERS:

DR. ALEXANDER BOAKYE MARFUL

(PhD, AGIA)

January 29, 2021

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Lecture Outline

• Introduction
• Course objective
• Learning outcomes
• Teaching and learning strategies
• Learning obligations
• Methods of Assessment
• Course Structure/Outline

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Introduction

-Research in the Built Environment encompasses a

relatively wider diversity of foci and methodology.

There is the need to develop the one’s ability to critically

review and understand the basic research foundation.

-This course therefore is structured to provide a

fundamental understanding about the multiplicity of
research techniques and standards that underlie
research in Architecture and allied fields.

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Course objectives
I. Introduction to the major characteristics and
application of the various research methods.

I. Equipping students with the requisite skills to enable

them initiate, plan and undertake independent
research project.

II. Stimulating and guiding the interests of students to

understand and actively participate in different types
of research work.

III. Exposing students to practical issues in research

design and management, the emerging challenges
of research design.
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Learning outcomes
on completion of this course, it is expected that, students will:

 understand the research process and the relationship between

research theory and research practice ;

 critically reflect the role and the limitations of social research of

which Architecture as mainly a social subject plays a part in
society – both in terms of our understanding of the social world,
but also in the application of this knowledge in architectural
(public and intellectual) context;

 have obtained a sufficient understanding of social scientific

research to be able to begin the development of their
architectural research work.

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Teaching and learning

strategies
• interactive teaching through the extensive use of case
examples and through individual and group working
sessions.

• Each session will be organized to include a lecture session

followed by an examination of a research case study.

• Guest speakers will be invited to discuss current research

works, and to give students the opportunity to learn through
other experiences of the research process.

• Lecture sessions may be supplemented by tutorial work

based around development of students’ own research
topics, and the development of a research proposal.

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Learning obligations
• students are reminded of their obligations to
prepare for each week’s lecture.

• It is expected that all assigned readings be

completed before attending the associated lecture.

• Students are expected to prepare, discuss,

debate and raise questions both in relation to
lecture materials and the assigned readings.

• Active participation is an essential aspect of post-

graduate training. Students who are unprepared will
be deemed absent.

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Methods of Assessment
Mainly Lectures, Class Plenary Sessions, Classwork and a Final
Examination.
It is essential that recommended materials are read to supplement lecture
notes.

The course will be weighted as follows:

- Class Work - 10%;

- Attendance -10%
- Term Paper -20%
- Final examination - 60%
- TOTAL -100%

The Pass Mark is 50% and each student is entreated to work hard.

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Course Structure/Outline

January 29, 2021

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UNIT ONE
Introduction And Philosophical Basis Of
Research

• Definition, Purpose, Types and Relevance of

Research

• Key Concepts and Principles

• Defining Design and Research

• Scientific Method/Approach and Limitations

• Philosophical Basis of Research

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UNIT TWO
Development Of Research Design
 Philosophical Worldviews
o Post positivism, Constructivism, Transformative,
Pragmatism

 Selecting a Research Design

o Qualitative, Quantitative, Mixed-Method), Experimental and
Cross-sectional, Exploratory, Explanatory, Panel, Case
Study

 Research Strategies
o Historical, Logical Argumentation, Simulation Research, etc

 Elements of Research Design

o The Research process, Theory and hypothesis, Research
objectives and scope

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UNIT THREE
Sampling And Measurements
 Introduction to Sampling
o Definition and Rationale of Sampling
o Key Elements of Sampling
o Types of Sampling (Probability and Non-probability)
o Sample frame and sample size determination

 Introduction to Measurements
o Nature of Measurement
o Definition of Basic Concepts
o Levels of Measurement
o Measurement Error
o Types of Scale

o STATE OF THE COMMUNITY REPORT

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UNIT FOUR
Methods of Data Collection

 Secondary Data sources: Official statistics

(sources, availability, reliability)

 Primary Data Collection Instruments

 Pre-testing and pilot surveys

 Problems/challenges associated with data

collection

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UNIT FIVE
Data Processing And Analysis

 Data Coding and Editing

 Analysis: Primary and Secondary

 Data Presentation

 Role of computers and Statistical packages

 Statistical Applications and Interpretations (t-test,

chi-square test, regression analysis, hypothesis).

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UNIT SIX
Writing of Research Reports

 Important considerations

 Types of compositions or styles

 Content Determination and Organisation

 Drafting process of reports

 Format and guidelines for the presentation of tables,

footnotes, references, bibliography, etc.

 Level of reporting: Monographs; occasional papers, journal

articles, newspaper articles.

 The use of tables and diagrams, function of the appendix.

 Literature Review - The Hows, Whys, and Wherefores

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UNIT SEVEN
Preparation of Research Proposal And
Conduct of Student Thesis
 Key elements of Research Proposal

 Choice of research interest

 Planning and structuring the research process

 Role of literature review

 Relationship with supervisor etc

January 29, 2021

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Some Recommended Reading

List
• Baker, T. L (1999). Doing Social Research: Third Edition. McGraw-Hill,
Singapore.
• Becker, H. S. (1986). Writing for Social Scientists: How to Start and Finish
Your Thesis, Book, or Article. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, USA.
• Bowerman, L. B. and Richard T. O'Connell (2003): Business Statistics in
Practice. Third Edition. McGraw-Hill/ Irwin, New York.
• Booth, C. W., G. G. Colomb, and J. M. Williams (2008). The Craft of Research:
Third Edition. The University of Chicago Press.
• Creswell, J.W. (2014): Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed
Methods Approaches (Fourth Edition). Sage Publications, London.
• Creswell, J.W. and Clark V.L.P (2011). Designing and Conducting Mixed
Methods Research: Second Edition. Sage Publications Incorporated,
Carlifornia
• Field, A (2005): Discovering Statistics Using SPSS (Second Edition). Sage
Publications Limited, London.

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ALL THE BEST

Dr. Ing. Alexander Boakye Marful

Tel.: +233 50 210 5309
amarful@yahoo.com/ abmarful@gmail.com

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