Research Methods

in Architecture
Introduction to
Research
Definition of

RESEARCH

CLASSICAL PERIOD

“IT IS SEEKING FOR THE TRUTH”

(SOCRATES)
“BEFORE YOU CAN SEEK THE
TRUTH, YOU MUST KNOW
THYSELF”
(SOCRATES)
Definition of

RESEARCH

RENAISSANCE PERIOD

ORIGIN OF THE TERM RESEARCH (1570-1580)

OLD FRENCH- EQUIVALENT TO RE+ CHERCHER- TO

SEARCH

MIDDLE FRENCH- RECHERCHE- TO SEEK

Definition of

RESEARCH

THEREFORE

RESEARCH IS A DILIGENT AND SYSTEMATIC INQUIRY

OR INVESTIGATION INTO A SUBJECT IN ORDER TO
DISCOVER OR REVISE FACTS, THEORIES AND
APPLICATIONS.

SOME DEFINITIONS OF RESEARCH MADE BY

INDIVIDUALS /AUTHORS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
Definition of

RESEARCH

RESEARCH IS A CAREFUL, CRITICAL, DISCIPLINED

INQUIRY VARYING IN TECHNIQUES AND METHOS
ACCORDING TO THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM
IDENTIFIED, DIRECTED TOWARDS THE CLARIFICATION
OR RESOLUTION OR BOTH OF A PROBLEM (GOOD)

RESEARCH IS A SYSTEMATIC SEARCH OF PERTINENT

INFORMATION ON A SPECIFIC TOPIC OR PROBLEM.
(AQUINO)
Definition of

RESEARCH

RESEARCH IS A SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION OF

PHENOMENA WHICH INCLUDES COLLECTION,
PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF FACTS
THAT LINKS MAN’S SPECULATION WITH REALITY.
(CALMORIN)
RESEARCH IS A SYSTEMATIC PROCESS OF LEARNING AND
FINDING THE SOLUTION TO THE COMPLEX INSTANCE,
PROBLEM OR PHENOMENON, THROUGH THE APPLICATION
OF RIGOROUS APPROACHES AND METHODOLOGIES,
DONE IN SYSTEMATIC, SCIENTIFIC AND ANALYTIC MEANS
(RB SANTOS)
Definition of

RESEARCH

ARCHITECTURAL RESEARCH IS THE SEARCH FO RNEW

KNOWLEDGE AND NEW IDEAS ABOUT THE BUILT
ENVIRONMENT (ARCH. JOSEPH BILLELO, PhD, AIA)
A STUDIOS INQUIRY OR EXAMINATION ESPECIALLY:
INVESTIGATION OR EXPEREMENTAION AIMED AT THE
DISCOVERY AND INTERPRETATION OF FACTS, REVISION
FO ACCEPTED THEORIES AND LAW IN THE LIGHT OF NEW
FACTS, OR PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF NEW THEORIES OR
LAWS. (MERRIAM-WEBSTER)
Reason for the Conduct of

RESEARCH

WHAT DOES THE RESEARCH REALLY WANTS TO

FIND OUT?
WHAT ARE THE RESEARCH PROCESSES THAT NEED
TO BE FOLLOWED TO PURSUE THE IDEA?
WHAT ARE THE RESEARCH ARGUMENTS THAT
NEED TO BE BUILTS AROUND A CONCEPT?
WHAT ARE THE RESEARCH EVIDENCES THAT WILL
BE REQUIRED THAT PEOPLE BELIEVE IN THE IDEA
OR CONCEPT?
Purpose of

RESEARCH

The main purpose of research is to serve man, while the goal of research to
provide for the good life. Specific purpose and goals of research are generally
as follows:

•It helps answer questions, solve problems and discover new facts.
•Improve existing techniques and develop new instruments of
products.
•It helps us identify and understand the causes and effects of a
situation or a phenomenon.
•To satisfy the researcher’s curiosity.
•Allows us to validate existing theories or generate new ones.
Purpose of
Research
Purpose of Research

By Category

EXPLORATORY RESEACH

-CONDUCTED TO EXPLORE THE RESEARCH

QUESTIONS AND MAY OR MAY NOT OFFER A FINAL
CONCLUSION TO THE RESEARCH CONDUCTED

-IT IS CONDUCTED TO HAVE A NEW PROBLEM

AREAS WHICH HAVEN’T BEEN EXPLORED BEFORE

-LAYS THE FOUNDATION FOR MORE CONCLUSIBE

RESEARCH AND DATA COLLECTION
Purpose of Research

By Category

DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH
-USED TO THROW MORE LIGHT IN CURRENT
ISSUES THROUGH DATA COLLECTION.
-USED TO DESCRIBE THE BEHAVIOR OF A
SAMPLE POPULATION
-ONLY ONE VARIABLE, THAT HAS QUNATITY OR
QUALITY THAT VARIES, OS REQUIRED TO
CONDUCT A STUDY
-THE THREE MAIN PURPOSES ARE TO DESRIBE,
EXPLAIN AND VALIDATE.
Purpose of Research

By Category

EXPLANATORY RESEARCH

-CONDUCTED TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT

OF A CERTAIN CHANGES IN EXISTING
STANDARD PROCEDURES

-ALSO KNOW AS CASUAL RESEARCH

The Researcher
CHARACTERISTICS OF A

GOOD RESEARCHER

INTELLECTUAL CURIOUSITY
Reflective thinking and inquiry of things, situations and
problems around him

PRUDENCE
Conducting the research study at the right time and
place wisely, efficiently and economically
QUALITIES OF A

GOOD RESEARCHER

R E S E A R C H E R
Characteristics of
Research
CHARACTERISTICS OF A

RESEARCH

EMPIRICAL
-based on direct experience or
observation by the researcher
-collected data relies on practical
experience without benefit of the
scientific knowledge or theory
CHARACTERISTICS OF A

RESEARCH

LOGICAL

-based on valid procedures and

principles

-enables the research to draw

valid conclusions
CHARACTERISTICS OF A

RESEARCH

CYCLICAL
-research is a cyclical process,
starts with a problem and ends
with a problem
- the cycle is repeated when the
researchers recommendations
crop up as other subjects for study
CHARACTERISTICS OF A

RESEARCH

ANALYTICAL
-utilizes proven analytical procedures
in gathering data, whether historical,
descriptive and experimental or case
study.
HISTORICAL- data gathered focus
on the past
DESCRIPTIVE- data gathered on the
present situation
CHARACTERISTICS OF A

RESEARCH

REPLICABILITY
-a research design and procedures
are replicated in order that the
researcher arrives at valid and
conclusive results
- the more replications of
researches, the valid and
conclusive the results can be
CHARACTERISTICS OF A

RESEARCH

CRITICAL
-exhibits careful and precise
judgement
-based on the confidence of
judgement, the researcher is
confidently precise in his
interpretations on whether the
results are significant or
insignificant
Types of Research
Types of Research

Pure Research

“Fundamental Research or Basic Research”

- Aims to discover basic truths or principles

Other examples:
a. Archimedes Principle
b. Newton’s Law
c. Hooke’s Law
d. Boyle’s Law
e. Charles’s Law
Types of Research

Applied Research

This type of research involves seeking new

applications of scientific knowledge to the solution of
the problem.

- In this type of research , the problem is identified

and a new system or new method is applied.
Types of Research

Action Research

This is a decision oriented research involving the

application of the steps of the scientific method in
response to an immediate need to improve existing
practices.
Types of Research

Applied Research

This process involves practitioners who study a

certain problems in vivo and from such experience
draw their decisions and actions as well as evaluation.
Classification of
Research
Classification of Research

1. Library Research
the historical method lend itself to library research because
the study is focused on the past and much of the primary
and secondary sources are found in the library.
Classification of Research

2. Field Research
it is conducted in a natural setting where no changes are
made in the environment. Example would be the use of
vetiver ground cover on a sloping terrain erosion using
coconut coir as an initial anchor matting
Classification of Research

3. Laboratory Research
it is conducted in an artificial or controlled conditions by
isolating the study in a specified and operationalized area.
The proposes of this research classification are as follows:
Classification of Research

Proposes of Laboratory Research:

A. To test hypotheses derived from theory

B. To control variance under research conditions

C. To discover the relations between the dependent and

independent variables
The Variable
The Variable

A variable is defined as a quantity or characteristic that has

two or more mutually exclusive value or properties.
Numerical values or categories represent these quantities or
characteristics.
Types of Variable

1. Independent Variable – It is known as the stimulus

variable which is chosen by the researcher to determine
its relationship to an observed phenomenon.

2. Dependent Variable – It is known as the response

variable which is observed and measured to determine the
effects on the independent variable.
Types of Variable

3. Moderate Variable – known as secondary or special type

of independent variable chosen by the research to ascertain
if it alters or modifies the relationships between the
dependent and independent variables

4. Control Variable – A variable that is controlled by the

researcher in which the effects can be neutralized by
eliminating or removing the variables
Types of Variable

5. Intervening Variable – A variable which interferes with

the independent and dependent variables, but its effects
can either strengthen or weaken the two variables present.
Scientific Research
Scientific Research

Scientific Research – is a type of research which

emphasizes on obtaining evidence to support or refute
proposed facts or principles.

Common Scientific Research Methodologies

1. Historical Research – It studies past accounts or events

by perusing documents of the period, examining relics, or
by interviewing individuals who live during that time.
Historical Research

Steps in Historical Research:

A. Defining the Problem (formation of hypothesis included)

B. Locating relevant sources of historical information
C. Summarizing and evaluating the information obtained from these sources.
Criteria for evaluation:
c.1 External Criticism – genuineness/authenticity of documents
c.2 Internal Criticism – accuracy of contents of evidence.

D. Presenting and interpreting the information as it relates to the problem or

question that originated the study.
Descriptive Research

It explains what is. It analyzes various aspects of the phenomena and

their interrelationships.

Basic steps in Descriptive Research

a. Problem Selection/ Formulation

b. Sample
c. Instruments
d. Design and Procedures
e. Data Collection
f. Data Analysis and Interpretation
Descriptive Research

Kinds of Descriptive Research

A. Descriptive Survey – describes thee characteristics of a population
thru the use of questionnaires, interviews, observations, etc….

B. Correlational research – sometimes known as associational

research. It studies the relationship among two or more variables.

C. Causal- Comparative Research – it determines the causes for or

the consequences of differences between two groups of people
Experimental Research
EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH – Attempts to influence a particular variable and the
only type that can really test hypotheses about cause and effect relationships

Example of Dependent Variables:

1. Achievement
2. Interest in a subject
3. attention span
4. motivation
Important Aspects of Experiments;
1. Comparison of Groups
2. Manipulation of Independent Variable
3. Randomization
Qualitative Research

Involves obtaining a holistic picture of what goes on in

a particular setting or situation

Kinds of Qualitative Research

A. Ethnographic study – it documents or portrays the
everyday experience of individuals by observing and
interviewing them and relevant others.
Qualitative Research

Kinds of Qualitative Research

B. Case study – detailed study of an important topic

or an individual.

example: a study about streetscape in manila

Components of the
Research Process
Components of the Research
Process

1. Problem / Objectives
The research problem is to be identified by the research together
with its implications. Based from the identified major problem,
formulation of the specific problems and objectives of the problem
can be made.
Components of the Research
Process

2. Theoretical / Conceptual Framework

• Is constructed by the researcher as basis for describing properly
the relationships to get used in the study.

Development of Conceptual Framework

Identify Concepts

Define Concepts

Operationalize Concepts

Explore Relationships between Concepts

Components of the Research
Process

3. Assumptions
The intelligent statements that can clearly provide the foundation of the study.

4. Hypotheses
With the use of specific problem/objectives, the hypothesis maybe tested either
null or alternative to have a scientific conclusion of study

5. Review of Related Studies (RRLs)

Determines the relationship of past studies with the present one to establish
similarities and differences of the findings of former studies and to gain insights into
the aspects of the problem that are critical and controversial
Components of the Research
Process

3. Assumptions
The intelligent statements that can clearly provide the foundation of the study.

4. Hypotheses
With the use of specific problem/objectives, the hypothesis maybe tested either
null or alternative to have a scientific conclusion of study

5. Review of Related Studies (RRLs)

Determines the relationship of past studies with the present one to establish
similarities and differences of the findings of former studies and to gain insights into
the aspects of the problem that are critical and controversial
Components of the Research
Process

6. Research Design
The accurate and appropriate course of action to take, from where the researcher
can decide the definite research instrument to be used.

7. Data Collection
Relevant information derived from research instruments used.

8. Data Processing and Statistical Treatment

Processing of data can be done manually or with the use of machines/computers
whichever is more economical and accurate using the correct statistical tools.
Components of the Research
Process

9. Analysis and Interpretation

Reasonable and precise analysis and interpretation of results can be attained if the
sequence has been followed.

10. Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations

The summary of the whole study is needed to draw conclusions based from the
findings and hypotheses tested and makes recommendations for further research.
It is to be noted that such recommendations are dovetailed with the conclusion.
The Research
Problem
The Research Problem

A research PROBLEM is researchable when:

• There is no known solution to the problem.

• The solution can be answered by statistical
methods/techniques.
• There are probable solution but they are not yet tested.
• The occurrence of phenomena require specific
investigation to arrive at precise solution.
The Research Problem

Characteristics of a Research Problem

Specific – the problem should be specifically stated.

Measurable – measuring by using research instruments
(questionnaires, tests, surveys, etc.)
Achievable – achievable data by using correct statistical techniques to
arrive at precise results.
Realistic – results should not be manipulated.
Time-bound – time frame is required in every activity – shorter
completion, the better.
 Sources of the
Research Problem
Sources of the Research Problem

Problem-centered
Includes perceived physical problems located in urban rurban or rural areas;
consequences of such problems; idealized solutions to such problems and others
Activity-centered
Work, recreational/sports, worship, education/scientific, economi health-related
activities and others.

Proponent-centered
What to do with investible funds; what to do with property; LGU’s initiated
partnerships (PPP, BOT, others)

Environment-centered
Climate change, disasters, depletion/pollution of the common good, and others.
 Criteria of Good
Research Problem
Criteria of Good Research Problem

1. Interesting
- must attract the attention of the researcher

2. Relevant
- should be derived to specific beneficiaries and not for personal gains
3. Innovative
-it may not necessarily new, but restructuring of an old problem to make it new. The results
will be more relevant and useful
4. Cost-effective
-application of the 4Ms- Man, Money, Materials, and Machinery

5. Measurable / Time-conscious
-research must be completed at a given time frame. The shorter the period, the
better.
The Research
Objectives
The Research Objectives

Research Objectives – defined as a statement of purpose for

which the investigation is to be conducted.
- has the same characteristics of a research problem
- are stated specifically in simple language
The Hypothesis
The Hypothesis

Hypothesis – a wise guess that is formulated and temporarily

adopted to explain the observed facts covered by the study.

The hypothesis guides the

investigator since it describes the
procedure to follow on conducting
the study.

It tells the researcher on what to do

and how to go about solving the
research problem.
The Hypothesis

There are two types of Hypothesis:

1. Null Hypothesis
- the denial of an existence of an attribute, a relationship, or a
difference of an effect and comes in the negative form.

2. Alternative Hypothesis
- An affirmation of the existence of an observed phenomenon
and comes in a positive form