ARC 029-RESEARCH METHODS

FOR ARCHITECTURE

WRITING A RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Presented By:
Archt. Maria Teresa Cuares- velasco
 The Research Process
Problem Hypothesis
Deductive
phase
Generalization Research
Theory Design

Data Analysis
Measurement
Inductive phase
Data Collection
From Nachmias and Nachmias and Babbie
 GETTING STARTED

Identifying Researchable Problem

-be truly sensitive to what is happening
in the environment
-must identify and choose research
problem that is not only worthy of time,
money and effort but is academically
significant as well
Where do research topics come
from?
 practical problems in the field

 literature in your specific field

 Office/classroom discussion
 Technological and scientific
advancement
 Offshoots of other researches
Subject – what problem
situation or issue do I like to
study?

Topic – what aspect of this

problem/situation interest me
most
Thesis statement – can I connect this issue to a
What = probable cause or effect
How = can I suggest specific courses of action to
remedy or solve the problem situation
Can I explain how these problems would be viewed
things of value (express a value based on
judgment)
 FACTORS INFLUENCE THE
SELECTION OF A PROBLEM
Personal – interest and training
cost and time
External - Availability of related information
Recency/importance of the issue
Facilities and equipment
 Subject selection
List 1: Topic of interest to the
researcher
List 2: Personal strengths and
weaknesses
List 3: Topics of current interest in
practice
List 4: Data required for each topic
List 5: Sources of data for each topic
List 6: Research limitations for each
topic
MUST BE DEFINITIVE
CLEAR AND SPECIFIC
NUMBER OF WORDS SHOULD NOT
EXCEED FIFTEEN(15) SUBSTANTIVE
WORDS
WRITTEN IN INVERTED PYRAMID
IMPORTANCE OF THE TITLE
 introduces the work to a reader
give impression that the
contents are desirable and
deserve a deeper look.
 helps the reader to know
whether the contents are within his
range of interest.
Sample Titles:

Proposed Animal Rescue & Rehabilitation Center in

________________.
Bahay Kanlungan: “ A proposed Home for the Aged with
Livelihood Program in ____________.
PAMANA : “ A Proposed Filipino Architecture Inspired
Center for Modern Arts, Cultural Heritage and Technology
in ________________“
Writing the First Chapter

THE PROBLEM
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
• Discuss the reason why the study
was chosen or why it is necessary
to solve the problem
• relevance of the study

• discuss the issue/problem to be

studied
Discuss the factors that lead to the
conceptualization of the problem i.e.
historical background when, how and
where and the contextual background

Describe the problematic situation, the

extent and gravity of the situation, who
are affected and its effect
THEORETICAL/CONCEPTUAL
FRAMEWORK AND RESEARCH
PARADIGM

The theoretical framework is a systematic

presentation of the theories that lend support to

the topic on hand. Only relevant theories must
be discussed herein. Theories shall help in the
interpretation of the research findings.
A conceptual framework is used to
illustrate what you expect to find
through your research, including how
the variables you are considering might
relate to each other.
 Criteria in Formulating
Problem Statement

 Must be stated in question form

 Should express relation between

two or more variables

 Imply possibilities of empirical

testing
Statement of the problem must have
general and specific questions.

Types of specific research questions

1. Descriptive/description
Ex. What is the level of risk?
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
-identify the value of the results of the
study to the body of knowledge, policy
formulation etc.
-write the specific benefits to specific
individuals, groups or organizations
 -Explain in what ways the expected
outcome or describe the benefits
accruing to each of the beneficiaries

Example:

Results of this study will serve as basis by the

contractors in improving the construction
mechanisms of school building projects.
 SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS
SCOPE
-Set boundaries in terms of
geographical location, time,
variables, applicability
LIMITATIONS
-identify constraints outside one’s
control or beyond the control of the
researcher such as availability of
records, weather/environmental
and must be explained
DEFINITION OF TERMS
-CONCEPTUAL definition- refers to the
definition found in the dictionaries. It is
the academic or the universal meaning
given to a word or group of words.
-OPERATIONAL definition-refers to the
specific way or the meaning used in the
study. It is the definition that operates or
function in the investigation.
Writing the Second Chapter
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

A literature review discusses published

information in a particular subject area,
within a certain time period.

 A literature review can be just a simple

summary of the sources, but it usually has an
organizational pattern and combines both
summary and synthesis.
Purpose of Literature Review
1. Place each work in the context of its
contribution to the understanding of the
subject under review .

2. Describe the relationship of each work to

the others under consideration

3. Identify new ways to interpret, and shed

light on any gaps in, previous research
4.Resolve conflicts amongst
seemingly contradictory previous
studies

5. Identify areas of prior scholarship to

prevent duplication of effort

6.Point the way forward for further

research
7. Place one's original work (in the
case of theses or dissertations) in the
context of existing literature.

8. The literature review itself, however,

does not present new primary
scholarship.
9. Always keep in mind that as you read
scholarly literature, you are looking for a
GAP your own research might fill.

10. It provides the theoretical and

conceptual framework of the planned
research.
Theoretical framework – presents
the theory which explains why
the problem under study exists.
Conceptual framework – presents
the relationship between the
different specific constructs the
researcher wants to study.
11. It provides information about past
researches related to the intended study.

The information could either be

research design used, treatments,
observation instrument , statistical
tools and findings/conclusions .
3. It ensures the clarity and focus of the
study.

4. It is a means of ensuring the originality

of one’s research.

4. It can broaden the researcher’s

knowledge base in the research area.
Development of the literature review
requires four stages:
1. Problem formulation—which topic or field is
being examined and what are its component
issues?

2. Literature search—finding materials relevant to

the subject being explored
3. Data evaluation—determining
which literature makes a significant
contribution to the understanding of
the topic

4. Analysis and interpretation—

discussing the findings and
conclusions of pertinent literature
Literature reviews should comprise the
following elements:

An overview of the subject, issue or theory

under consideration, along with the
objectives of the literature review

Division of works under review into

categories (e.g. those in support of a
particular position, those against, and those
offering alternative theses entirely)
Explanation of how each work is similar to
and how it varies from the others

Conclusions as to which pieces are best

considered in their argument, are most
convincing of their opinions, and make the
greatest contribution to the understanding
and development of their area of research
Assessing each piece, consideration
should be given to:
Provenance—What are the author's
credentials? Are the author's arguments
supported by evidence (e.g. primary
historical material, case studies, narratives,
statistics, recent scientific findings)?

Objectivity—Is the author's perspective even-

handed or prejudicial? Is contrary data
considered or is certain pertinent information
ignored to prove the author's point?
Persuasiveness—Which of the author's theses
are most/least convincing?

Value—Are the author's arguments and

conclusions convincing? Does the work
ultimately contribute in any significant way to an
understanding of the subject?
In the introduction of the literature
review, you should:
1. Define or identify the general topic, issue, or
area of concern, thus providing an appropriate
context for reviewing the literature.

2. Point out overall trends in what has been

published about the topic; or conflicts in
theory, methodology, evidence, and
conclusions; or gaps in research and
scholarship; or a single problem or new
perspective of immediate interest.
3. Establish the writer's reason (point of view)
for reviewing the literature; explain the
criteria to be used in analyzing and
comparing literature and the organization of
the review (sequence); and, when necessary,
state why certain literature is or is not
included (scope).
Guidelines in Doing the Review
1. Go over reading materials you have at
home, in your campus library or other
learning resource center.
2. Prepare a working bibliography.

3. Examine each material.

4. Record important details on a 3 x 5 index

card.
 Writing the Review
1. Text should be brief. Avoid direct quotation.

2. Have a plan on how you are to present the

review.

3. Emphasize relatedness.

4. Don’t reproduce the literature. Critically

review, not mere enumeration of information.
 Presenting the Review
1. Chronological approach- according to the
year when they were written

2. Thematic/variable approach- same

themes/concepts are grouped together.

3. Country of origin approach- categorized

by country where they came from.
A few guidelines in arranging the
literature
1. Work toward the proper psychological
orientation.
The review of literature should be like a
discussion with a friend concerning the
studies, research reports, and writings that
bear directly on your own effort.
2. Organize a plan.
Have an outline, for which the best guide is
the problem itself.
Begin the discussion from a broad
perspective and narrow to the specific
problem.
3. Stress Relatedness.
Remind the reader constantly of how the
literature you are discussing is related to the
problem. Use a skeleton outline to assist you
in establishing this relationship.

4. Review the Literature; Don’t Copy It!

More important than what the study says is
what you say about the study.
5. Establish the Relationship of the Literature
to your Research Project

• This can be done by charting each

study in relation to the problem or sub
problem it addresses. Study carefully before
beginning to write.
6. Summarize Your Thoughts and Ideas.

Continue asking the question, "What does it

all mean?" and continue searching for
relatedness.
Transitions
Transitions –to tie a piece of writing together
into a unified whole.

Words use to illustrate- for example, for

instance, take the case of, consider, to
illustrate

Words to show comparison – similarly, in the

same manner, by comparison, in the same
way, so, likewise, in the same way
Words to show sequence – logically,
chronologically, primarily, one, two, first,
second, step by step, sequentially

Words to show consequence – therefore,

accordingly, consequently, as a result, for
this reason, all this suggests, thus, hence

Words to tie relationships- next, then, later

on, sometimes later, a year later, at present,
at the same time, earlier, meanwhile
Words to make addition – moreover, also,
besides, to all these must be added, in
addition, furthermore, and , in like manner,
further

Words to sum up – in short, in other words, in

summary, in sum, finally, in conclusion