MODULE 01: INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH AND RESEARCH IN ARCHITECTURE

I. WHAT IS RESEARCH? 1
II. WHAT IS RESEARCH IN ARCHITECTURE? 2
III. THE IMPERATIVE FOR ARCHITECTURAL RESEARCH 3
IV. OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH 3
V. MOTIVATION IN RESEARCH 3
VI. WHY DO ARCHITECTS NEED TO UNDERTAKING RESEARCH? 3
VII. CRITERIA OF A GOOD RESEARCH 4
VIII. RESEARCH PAPER VS THESIS PAPER 5
IX. ETHICS OF RESEARCH 6
X. TYPES OF RESEARCH 7
XI. RESEARCH APPROACHES 8
XII. PROCESS OF RESEARCH 8

I. WHAT IS RESEARCH?
• Research in common parlance refers to a search for knowledge. Once can also define
research as a scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic.
In fact, research is an art of scientific investigation.
• The Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English lays down the meaning of research
as “a careful investigation or inquiry especially through search for new facts in any branch
of knowledge.”
• Redman and Mory define research as a “systematized effort to gain new knowledge.”
Some people consider research as a movement, a movement from the known to the
unknown. It is actually a voyage of discovery. We all possess the vital instinct of
inquisitiveness for, when the unknown confronts us, we wonder and our inquisitiveness
makes us probe and attain full and fuller understanding of the unknown. This
inquisitiveness is the mother of all knowledge and the method, which man employs for
obtaining the knowledge of whatever the unknown, can be termed as research.
• Research is an academic activity and as such the term should be used in a technical
sense.
• According to Clifford Woody research comprises defining and redefining problems,
formulating hypothesis or suggested solutions; collecting, organizing and evaluating data;
making deductions and reaching conclusions; and at last carefully testing the conclusions
to determine whether they fit the formulating hypothesis.
• D. Slesinger and M. Stephenson in the Encyclopedia of Social Sciences define research
as “the manipulation of things, concepts or symbols for the purpose of generalizing to
extend, correct or verify knowledge, whether that knowledge aids in construction of theory
or in the practice of an art.”
• Research is, thus, an original contribution to the existing stock of knowledge making for
its advancement. It is the pursuit of truth with the help of study, observation, comparison
and experiment. In short, the search for knowledge through objective and systematic
method of finding solution to a problem is research. The systematic approach concerning
generalization and the formulation of a theory is also research.
• As such the term ‘research’ refers to the systematic method consisting of enunciating the
problem, formulating a hypothesis, collecting the facts or data, analyzing the facts and
reaching certain conclusions either in the form of solutions(s) towards the concerned
problem or in certain generalizations for some theoretical formulation.
• A voyage of discovery; A journey; An attitude; An experience; A method of critical thinking;
A careful critical enquiry in seeking facts for principles

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Module 01: Introduction to Research and Research in Architecture
An art of scientific investigation
• Scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic
• Process of arriving at dependable solutions to problems through the planned and
systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of data

A systematized effort to gain new knowledge; a movement from the known to the unknown
• Search for (new) knowledge/ facts through objective, systematic and scientific method of
finding solution to a problem
• Implicit question + Explicit answer + data to answer the question
• Not synonymous with commonsense, but systematic, objective (purposeful), reproducible,
relevant activity having control over some factors

An activity caused by instinct of inquisitiveness to gain fresh insight / find answers to

question / acquire knowledge.
• In a broad sense, everyone does research, but don’t write it up; without trustworthy and
tested published research available we are dangerously lost in the experience, opinions
and hearsay.

II. WHAT IS RESEARCH IN ARCHITECTURE?

• Architectural research has been conducted throughout the history of architecture. The
development of particular structural forms and building materials over the centuries is the
outcome of trial and error of experimentation, systematic observation, and application of
such building principles to other building projects.
• Conduct of architectural research outside the confines of specific building projects is a
much more recent phenomenon.
• Climate and structural studies have been the focal point of research in the 1950s; socio-
behavioural issues, design methods, and energy conservation in the 1960s and early
1970s.
• Architectural history over the years moved from an almost exclusively art historical models
into a more conceptually expansive terrain that includes design theory and criticism.
• Interest in historic preservation is overtaken in the late 1980s by a concern for architectural
implication of deconstruction and critical theory.

GIVEN THE STAGGERING BREADTH, THEN, WHAT IS ARCHITECTURAL RESEARCH?

James Snyder in his 1984 book Architectural Research suggest that research is "systematic
inquiry directed toward the creation of knowledge"
Two elements in the definition:
(1) The inquiry is systematic. Systematic inquiry suggest that there is a conscious
demarcation of how particular information is culled from the rest of our experience, how it
is categorized, analyzed and presented.
(2) Knowledge creation is frequently cited as characteristics of the research endeavour.
(Example: Grand theories of the sciences, such as Einstein's theory of relativity or
geological theories of plate tectonics.) New knowledge can also emerge in relatively small
increments and be attained through a variety of means, including: assessing the
outcomes of fusing two previously distinct functional building types; testing materials
through a series of built projects; and evaluating the success of particular building forms
in communicating intended meanings to different stakeholders.

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Module 01: Introduction to Research and Research in Architecture
III. THE IMPERATIVE FOR ARCHITECTURAL RESEARCH
• Architectural research is mightily important to the success and ultimate viability of the
profession, and should be pursued both for reasons of SELF-INTEREST and more
broadly for the COMMON GOOD.
• The essential importance of research is that an ever-increasing proportion of architectural
practice involves unfamiliar circumstances beyond the expertise of individual practitioners,
and beyond the conventional wisdom of the profession as a whole. This is the case:
(1) If the requirement of the project are extraordinarily complicated (perhaps a multi-use
complex or an innovative manufacturing plant).
(2) If unconventional aesthetic principles are being used in a setting involving conflicting
stakeholders (derived from poststructuralist or deconstructivist philosophy).
(3) If the project is for a specialized user group whose particular requirements for the
physical environment are not well documented (such as people with spinal cord
injuries).

IV. OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH

(1) To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it (studies with this
object in view are termed as exploratory or formulative research studies);
(2) To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or a group
(studies with this object in view are known as descriptive research studies);
(3) To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is associated
with something else (studies with this object in view are known as diagnostic research
studies);
(4) To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables (such studies are known
as hypothesis-testing research studies).

V. MOTIVATION IN RESEARCH
(1) Desire to get a research degree along with its consequential benefits;
(2) Desire to face the challenge in solving the unsolved problems, i.e., concern over practical
problems initiates research;
(3) Desire to get intellectual joy of doing
(4) some creative work;
(5) Desire to be of service to society;
(6) Desire to get respectability.

VI. WHY DO ARCHITECTS NEED TO UNDERTAKING

RESEARCH?
(1) To get a degree
(2) To get respectability
(3) To face a challenge
(4) To solve a problem

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Module 01: Introduction to Research and Research in Architecture
 (5) To get intellectual joy
(6) To serve society

VII. CRITERIA OF A GOOD RESEARCH

(1) The purpose of the research should be clearly defined and common concepts be used.
(2) The research procedure used should be described in sufficient detail to permit another
researcher to repeat the research for further advancement, keeping the continuity of what
has already been attained.
(3) The procedural design of the research should be carefully planned to yield results that are
as objective as possible.
(4) The researcher should report with complete frankness, flaws in procedural design and
estimate their effects upon the findings.
(5) The analysis of data should be sufficiently adequate to reveal its significance and the
methods of analysis used should be appropriate. The validity and reliability of the data
should be checked carefully.
(6) Conclusions should be confined to those justified by the data of the research and limited
to those for which the data provide an adequate basis.
(7) Greater confidence in research is warranted if the researcher is experienced, has a good
reputation in research and is a person of integrity.

In other words, we can state the qualities of a good research as under:

(1) Good research is systematic: It means that research is structured with specified steps
to be taken in a specified sequence in accordance with the well-defined set of rules.
Systematic characteristic of the research does not rule out creative thinking but it certainly
does reject the use of guessing and intuition in arriving at conclusions.
(2) Good research is logical: This implies that research is guided by the rules of logical
reasoning and the logical process of induction and deduction are of great value in carrying
out research. Induction is the process of reasoning from a part to the whole whereas
deduction is the process of reasoning from some premise to a conclusion which follows
from that very premise. In fact, logical reasoning makes research more meaningful in the
context of decision making.
(3) Good research is empirical: It implies that research is related basically to one or more
aspects of a real situation and deals with concrete data that provides a basis for external
validity to research results.
(4) Good research is replicable: This characteristic allows research results to be verified by
replicating the study and thereby building a sound basis for decisions.

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Module 01: Introduction to Research and Research in Architecture
VIII. RESEARCH PAPER VS THESIS PAPER
Research paper and thesis paper are academic documents presented in support for candidature
in a particular degree course. They are following similar layout and organization and as such,
students often confuse one for the other.

1. EDUCATION LEVEL
Research paper and thesis papers are written at different levels of education. Research paper is
written at undergraduate level. Thesis paper on the other hand is a requirement to obtain a degree
(e.g. Masters Degree).

2. CONTENT
The subject matter is research paper is different from that of a thesis. A research paper focuses
on an individual topic throughout the paper. Thesis paper on the other hand does not necessarily
focus on a single issue. In most cases, it reviews hypothetical matters presented by different
researchers.

3. AUTHORS OPINION
A research paper presents the authors opinions. Using the research collected the author attempts
critically analyze and interpret findings. A thesis paper on the other hand does not necessary
contain new ideas. It compiles research from different sources. The author/s opinion is more
objective, and the results and findings are technical and scientific. Bias is removed.

4. LENGTH
Research paper is much shorter than a thesis paper. It therefore takes a shorter period to
complete a research paper as compared to thesis. A research paper can take a few days, a week
or two at most. A thesis on the other hands takes months, perhaps a year or two to complete.

5. STUDY PERIOD
A research paper is usually written as part of a subject, while a thesis is independent study. A
thesis does not end and often requires further research. In most cases, authors prefer to continue
their thesis project at doctorate level.

6. DEFENSE
In most cases, research paper is concluded and handed over for grading. As for thesis paper,
once submitted to the thesis committee, the next step is to prepare an oral thesis defense. A
defense is an oral presentation presented to a thesis committee.

THE COMMON ASPECT:

• They are all academic documents. Although there is some overlapping in the
requirements, they differ by purpose, style and specific components.
• A thesis and a research paper, both require the demonstration of extent academic
research and the evidence of capacity for critical analysis. The completion of thesis
however requires also the input of original work and author’s findings in the field of chosen
topic. When choosing a topic for a thesis the author must thus take into consideration the
expectation of originality in the field or the input of some relevant new information or ideas.

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THE DIFFERENCES:
• The purpose, as a thesis is a document written in support of obtaining an academic degree
or qualification. It is usually longer than research paper and thus completed in a number
of years. A thesis, also called dissertation, is usually associated with postgraduate studies,
i.e. research or taught Master’s degree, or PhD level and is carried out under a supervision
of a professor or an academic of the university.
• One of the aspects of thesis completion is the oral examination taking place after
submitting your thesis at the university. The oral examination means usually the
presentation of your thesis in front of an examination board and answering their questions
about the topic. The final results of your thesis will be given after the oral examination.
• A research paper has usually been written as a part of a subject and does not commonly
count as a separate subject or module and thus does not require an individual supervisor.

Academic requirements for a thesis, especially the demand of originality, are much higher than
for a research paper. Each university sets its own rules and regulations for presentation style and
the length of a thesis depending on the research area. In some universities the rules can be
stricter, foreseeing very specific style and format requirements.

IX. ETHICS OF RESEARCH

• As a profound social activity research connects us to those who will use it, to those whose
research we used, through them, to the research that our sources used; Hence beyond
technique, we need to think about ethics of civil communication
• In addition to construction of bonds within any community, ethics deal with a range of
moral and immoral choices; Research challenges us to define individual moral principles;
Academic researchers are less tempted to sacrifice principle for a gain than commercial
researchers
• Plagiarism, claiming credit for results of others, misreport sources or invent results,
data with questionable accuracy, concealing objections that cannot be rebutted,
caricaturing or distorting opposing views, destroy or conceal sources and data
important for those who follow
• Beyond simple moral Do not to what we should affirmatively do, i.e., concern for the
integrity of the work of the community combined with narrow moral standards with the
larger ethical dimension
• Research done in the best interests of others is also in your own.
• Avoid bully pulpit (a position in which the researcher expresses one’s view as
opposed to the ideas of another researcher – bragging about one’s
accomplishment)
• Ethics procedures in doing surveys and interview especially for human subjects.
(Evaluation done by the office of Adu CRD).

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X. TYPES OF RESEARCH
(1) Descriptive vs. Analytical
• Descriptive research includes surveys and fact-finding enquiries of different kinds. The
major purpose of descriptive research is description of the state of affairs as it exists
at present.
• In analytical research, on the other hand, the researcher has to use facts or information
already available, and analyze these to make a critical evaluation of the material.
(2) Applied vs. Fundamental
• Research can either be applied (or action) research or fundamental (to basic or pure)
research. Applied research aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing
a society or an industrial/business organization, whereas fundamental research is
mainly concerned with generalizations and with the formulation of a theory.
(3) Quantitative vs. Qualitative
• Quantitative research is based on the measurement of quantity or amount. It is
applicable to phenomena that can be expressed in terms of quantity.
• Qualitative research, on the other hand, is concerned with qualitative phenomenon,
i.e., phenomena relating to or involving quality or kind.
(4) Conceptual vs. Empirical
• Conceptual research is that related to some abstract idea(s) or theory. It is generally
used by philosophers and thinkers to develop new concepts or to reinterpret existing
ones.
• On the other hand, empirical research relies on experience or observation alone, often
without due regard for system and theory.

• From the point of view of time, we can think of research either as one-time research or
longitudinal research. In the former case the research is confined to a single time-period,
whereas in the latter case the research is carried on over several time-periods.
• Research can be field-setting research or laboratory research or simulation research,
depending upon the environment in which it is to be carried out.
• Research can as well be understood as clinical or diagnostic research. Such research
follows case-study methods or in-depth approaches to reach the basic causal relations. Such
studies usually go deep into the causes of things or events that interest us, using very small
samples and very deep probing data gathering devices.
• The research may be exploratory or it may be formalized. The objective of exploratory
research is the development of hypotheses rather than their testing, whereas formalized
research studies are those with substantial structure and with specific hypotheses to be
tested.
• Historical research is that which utilizes historical sources like documents, remains, etc. to
study events or ideas of the past, including the philosophy of persons and groups at any
remote point of time.
• Research can also be classified as conclusion-oriented and decision-oriented. While
doing conclusion-oriented research, a researcher is free to pick up a problem, redesign the

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 enquiry as he proceeds and is prepared to conceptualize as he wishes. Decision-oriented
research is always for the need of a decision maker and the researcher in this case is not free
to embark upon research according to his own inclination.

XI. RESEARCH APPROACHES

• The above description of the types of research brings to light the fact that there are two
basic approaches to research, viz., quantitative approach and the qualitative approach.
The former involves the generation of data in quantitative form which can be subjected to
rigorous quantitative analysis in a formal and rigid fashion. This approach can be further
sub-classified into inferential, experimental and simulation approaches to research. The
purpose of inferential approach to research is to form a data base from which to infer
characteristics or relationships of population. This usually means survey research where
a sample of population is studied (questioned or observed) to determine its characteristics,
and it is then inferred that the population has the same characteristics.
• Experimental approach is characterized by much greater control over the research
environment and in this case some variables are manipulated to observe their effect on
other variables.
• Simulation approach involves the construction of an artificial environment within which
relevant information and data can be generated. This permits an observation of the
dynamic behavior of a system (or its sub-system) under controlled conditions. The term
‘simulation’ in the context of business and social sciences applications refers to “the
operation of a numerical model that represents the structure of a dynamic process. Given
the values of initial conditions, parameters and exogenous variables, a simulation is run
to represent the behavior of the process over time.” Simulation approach can also be
useful in building models for understanding future conditions.
• Qualitative approach to research is concerned with subjective assessment of attitudes,
opinions and behavior. Research in such a situation is a function of researcher’s insights
and impressions. Such an approach to research generates results either in non-
quantitative form or in the form which are not subjected to rigorous quantitative analysis.
Generally, the techniques of focus group interviews, projective techniques and depth
interviews are used. All these are explained at length in chapters that follow.

XII. PROCESS OF RESEARCH

(1) Formulating the research problem; (9) Hypothesis testing;
(2) Extensive literature survey; (10) Generalizations and interpretation,
(3) Developing the hypothesis; and
(4) Preparing the research design; (11) Preparation of the report or
(5) Determining sample design; presentation of the results, i.e.,
(6) Collecting the data; formal write-up of conclusions
reached.
(7) Execution of the project;
(8) Analysis of data;

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Sources:
• The Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English, Oxford, 1952, p. 1069.
• L.V. Redman and A.V.H. Mory, The Romance of Research, 1923, p.10.
• The Encyclopaedia of Social Sciences, Vol. IX, MacMillan, 1930.
• Pauline V. Young, Scientific Social Surveys and Research, p. 30.
• Robert C. Meir, William T. Newell and Harold L. Dazier, Simulation in Business and Economics, p. 1.
• Marie Jahoda, Morton Deutsch and Stuart W. Cook, Research Methods in Social Relations, p. 4.
• Bernard Ostle and Richard W. Mensing, Statistics in Research, p. 2
• Karl Pearson, The Grammar of Science, Part I, pp. 10–12.
• Ostle and Mensing: op. cit., p. 2.
• Carlos L. Lastrucci, The Scientific Approach: Basic Principles of the Scientific Method, p. 7.
• James Harold Fox, Criteria of Good Research, Phi Delta Kappan, Vol. 39 (March, 1958), pp. 285–86.
• Danny N. Bellenger and Barnett, A. Greenberg, “Marketing Research—A Management Information Approach”, p. 107–108.
• Linda Groat and David Wang, “Architectural Research Methods, 1st Ed.”, p. 6-8

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Module 01: Introduction to Research and Research in Architecture