Research Guidelines EIABC For Students

Design in research thesis Guidelines
Tigist Kassahun
30 October 2013
Ethiopian Institute of Architecture, Building Construction and City Development (EiABC)
What is research?
- Exploring a particular theme

- Writing in a convincing way
- Making a contribution to architectural knowledge
- Original + acknowledging others
- Study of specific architectural objects
- Application of interpretative framework
Research Thesis
WRITTEN/Research
Thesis: intelligent and synthetic disucssion
of a question, which proofs that the author
masters the critical methods of a field an
that (s)he is capable of applying them autnomously.
DESIGN /Projects
Thesis/project: intelligent and synthetic answer to a question, which proofs that the
author masters the critical design methods
of a field and that (s)he is capable of applying them autonomously.
DESIGNERLY RESEARCH
. Designerly research starts by reading of
the site, in which its history, characteristics,
the structural grounding of the site in the
urban morphology and the problems and
opportunities of the given urban site are
analyzed then explores the identity of the
study area and creatively speculates upon
the possibilities to reorganize or develop the
site with qualitative urban spaces and urban
activities. A variety of fields of knowledge
are deployed in this analysis: urban history
and morpho-typology, ecology and landscape, societal issues architecture and urbanism local social knowledge concerning daily life in particular places
(De Meulder, Loeckx, Shannon, 2004)
Exploring a topic/ a context
I dont have a topic...

I have an idea about the general topic
but....
look into your interests, read research,
talk to designers/ architects/researchers whose work you like
Exploring a topic/ a context
Angle of research can come from

personal experience, social context/
contemporary issues, theory, observations
Overall/General research questions
Listing appropriate questions

Is the question right for me?
Is it appropriate for the field?
Will it make a contribution?
TOPIC -
TOPIC & ISSUE
What your work is about the focus / the

subject [can be broken down in pieces]
Overall research question

What; where ; when and how?
ISSUE
CONCEPTS
point of discussion/debate/dispute/comment what you are trying to explore
Sub-questions | specific research questions

* the use and relevance of the general topic
for the context(look into theory/other
studies)
KEY CONCEPTS
to describe/analyze/enter/connect to the
processes relevant for your topic
e.g. Researching planning systems; possible
concepts governance, power, welfare
state
Selection of research methods - case study
Writing a research paper

Intro
Situate the general research context
TOPIC. what is the research about?
Where is the gap policy; planning; rules

and regulations; awareness; design; construction; assessment; quality?
e.g. ecology; health; housing; slum; market;

Tourism; sustainability
Occupy the niche what news/original approaches are you adding to address the
gap. your proposal
Establish the niche ISSUE what is missing in the literature; design; planning?
Description of your data

Interpretation of your data --> findings
Interventions design solutions

Link back to your intro how did you succeed in answering question, what did you
add with your work?
How does it connect to broader problems?
What can policy makers, community builders, architects learn from it?
What should a standard design in research project/paper be composed of ?

Dedication
Introductions
Body
Acknowledgement
General Overview
Problem Statement and Study Justification
Research Objective and Significance of the
study
Research Questions
Theoretical Framework / Literature Review
/Case Study
Research Design and Methodology
Sampling strategies and selection of Study
Participants / stakeholders
Description of the interviewee from the
stakeholders
Selection of the Study area
Data generation Methods and Research Instruments
Data Analysis and Interpretation
Scope and Limitation of the study
Structure of the study
Project development = from the urban till

architectural scale
Background information Existing situations Arguments , Case studies, Proposals.. Various Urban and Arch. Interventions urban and Arch. Design
Abstract
Table of Contents
List of Figures, Tables and Pictures
Acronyms and Abbreviation
Conclusion
the relevance, feasibility and how your
design works in both the urban and Arch.
Scale
Bibliography
Appendices
Appendix 1 Informed Consent
Appendix 2 Questionnaire/Interview

Dedication
Acknowledgement
Abstract
Table of Contents

Dedication
Acknowledgement
Abstract
Table of Contents

Dedication
Acknowledgement
Abstract
Table of Contents

Dedication
Acknowledgement
Abstract
Table of Contents

Dedication
Figures
Acknowledgement
Fig. 1.1 - Research design ......14

Fig. 1.2 - Distribution of ......19
Abstract
Table of Contents
Tables
Table 2.1 - Altitude and Climatic conditions
of Ethiopia ......25
Table 2.1 - Regional Distribution of the urban centres and Urban Population of Ethiopia ......30
Pictures
Picture 4.1 - the sloping landscape and
building arrangements ......................60
Picture 4.2 - monotony mass production
of the built fabrics of the University .... 62

Dedication
Figures
Acknowledgement
Fig. 1.1 - Research design ......14

Fig. 1.2 - Distribution of ......19
EiABC = Ethiopian Institute for Architecture Building construction and City development
Abstract
Table of Contents
Tables
Table 2.1 - Altitude and Climatic conditions of Ethiopia ......25
Table 2.1 - Regional Distribution of the urban centres and Urban Population of Ethiopia ......30
Pictures
Picture 4.1 - the sloping landscape and
building arrangements ......................60
Picture 4.2 - monotony mass production
of the built fabrics of the University .... 62
CED = Cost Efficient Design

CP = Campus Planning
CPH = Campus Phase

Dedication
Introductions
Acknowledgement
General Overview
study
Research Questions
/Case Study
stakeholders
Abstract
Table of Contents

Dedication
Introductions
General Overview
Acknowledgement
General Overview
study
Research Questions
Theoretical Framework / Literature Review /
Case Study
stakeholders
is a two-page summary which should be developed when your thesis is complete
Abstract
Table of Contents
it should give an overview of the whole design research project

Dedication
Introductions
Acknowledgement
General Overview
study
Research Questions
Theoretical Framework / Literature Review /
Case Study
stakeholders
Abstract
Table of Contents
Developing a problem statementand study

justification
Starting from a (broad) topic
(your interest, your fascination)
Suggesting a specific question(who, what,
when, where, whether, how, why)
Motivating the question (showing the relevance of this question for others positioning it in a field)
Conceptualizing the problem:
Problem definition ~ leads to methodology/approach to solution
Justify the relevance of your research for the
specific context or global...
* Cfr Booth, Colomb, Williams, The Craft of Research

Dedication
Introductions
Acknowledgement
General Overview
Research Objective and Significance of
the study
Research Questions
/ Case Study
Choice of Methodology
stakeholders
Abstract
Table of Contents

study
Ones the research problem is formulated
and conceptualized:
Where is there a niche/gap?
What is missing in literature/design/ planning/construction?
Identify issues/problems
THEN the research is relevant for
the point of trying to answer or give solution for the stated problem
who do you want your research results to
speak to?
For whom your research output is relevant?
What are the origins of a research question?
What has led to the formulation of a question?
defines your research / impact on research
design.... and thus what you bring to the
fore [and what will remain obscured]
throughout the whole research process

Dedication
Introductions
Research Questions
Acknowledgement
General Overview
study
Research Questions
/ Case Study
stakeholders
research question ....is crucial in determining the success of your study un-clear
question ...

will guide your project

sets boundaries to your project

is engaging/stimulating

is researchable is doable
Abstract
Table of Contents
you cant research the future....

Can information be collected in an attempt
to answer the question?
Do I have the skills and expertise necessary
to access this information?
Will I be able to get it all done within my
time constraints?
Are there any potential ethics problems? A
research question should not generate risks
(psychological, health, privacy)

Dedication
Introductions
Research Questions
Acknowledgement
General Overview
study
Research Questions
/ Case Study
stakeholders
Can not be answered through a single

source or fact
Is something you find interesting
is revisited through all stages of research; is
refined (narrow down!)
reformulated over and over again (iterative
process)
Is not too broad, neither to narrow what to
include? What to leave out?
Often searches for a relation (cause/depend/influence/indicate/affect/compare/
associate/...)
Describing a state how did something
come about (causes strategies) and how is
it maintained?
Describing processes how something develops changes
Leads to explanations/understanding of
situations or processes ...
Abstract
Table of Contents

Dedication
Introductions
Acknowledgement
General Overview
study
Research Questions
Theoretical Framework / Literature Review / Case Study
stakeholders
Abstract
Table of Contents
Theoretical Framework / Literature Review / Case Study

What is the main case in your research?
This is the case that you will develop original material upon.
Which are the background ones?
These are the ones that you will mainly discuss on the basis of secondary literature and
that will function as comparative cases.
Which question forms the link between
them?
This question defines the field in which you
are working. It will be a selecting tool for
composing the bibliography.
eg. Urban Development : Case of Universities as Strategic Urban Projects

Dedication
Introductions
Choice of Methodology
Acknowledgement
General Overview
study
Research Questions
/ Case Study
stakeholders
A method: is setting rules for a procedure

on how to layout a design process (time and
content) and proposing a systematical way
of accomplishing it with a product.
which methods are necessary to answer the
questions? Is it possible to study a question
with chosen methods?
Abstract
Table of Contents
Methodological approach:
Quantitative numerical data e.g. economic
data, demographics
Qualitative -holistic understanding e.g. social status
Participatory peoples perceptions
Finding appropriate sources:
Library catalogues, relevant journals, key
authors websites
Bibliographies of existing sources
Websites of development agencies
Analyzing literature
Read critically ~ interpretively
Which audience its written for?
What framework it uses? Issues overlooked?

Dedication
Introductions
Acknowledgement
General Overview
study
Research Questions
/ Case Study
stakeholders
Abstract
Table of Contents
Research Design

Research Design
Source: Tigist K.

Dedication
Introductions
Acknowledgement
General Overview
study
Research Questions
/ Case Study
stakeholders
Abstract
Table of Contents

stakeholders
Collection of data --> case study questions
institutional context, actor analysis ...
Selection of the participants, stakeholders
and interviewee should be strategic
people who are thought to provide rich information to meet the purpose of the research
To get responses from the people affected
by the problem ... this helps to understand
the problem in a realistic way
to have information that is not available in
documented materials
interview questions:
what happened when you did.....can you
describe me the process

Dedication
Introductions
Acknowledgement
General Overview
study
Research Questions
/ Case Study
stakeholders
Enviromental
Abstract
Table of Contents
Physical
Social
Economical
Contextual cultural; traditional
Spiritual
...

Dedication
Introductions
Acknowledgement
General Overview
study
Research Questions
/ Case Study
stakeholders
Data generation Methods and Research
Instruments
Abstract
Table of Contents
Data generation Methods and Research

Instruments
Primary data during the filed work
Master plans; drawings; policy rules and
regulations documents; written reports; interview and your own observations
Literature for theoretical framework and
critical analysis of the cases and justification of your interpretation and recommendation
Secondary data ...

Dedication
Introductions
Acknowledgement
General Overview
study
Research Questions
/ Case Study
stakeholders
Evaluation of questions <--> Analyzing

data
Abstract
Table of Contents
Formulation of the findings

The ambition of the research might be limited by specific realities of the context
Design potentials innovation and creativity in analyzing and interpretation
use of research instruments will uncover
some hidden realities and facts

Dedication
Introductions
Acknowledgement
General Overview
study
Research Questions
/ Case Study
stakeholders
The scope of the study can be limited as

per some criteria as the expected result
should be achievable within the timeframe
of research.
Abstract
Table of Contents
Availability; confidentiality... of datas will

also be some of the constraints that will be
faced during the research period

Dedication
Introductions
Acknowledgement
General Overview
study
Research Questions
/ Case Study
stakeholders
The research is organized into 6 chapters

Chapter 1 outlines... Chapter 2...
Abstract
Table of Contents
This should:
Logical construction
Simple and clear
efficient

Dedication
Introductions
Body
Acknowledgement
General Overview
study
Research Questions
/Case Study
stakeholders

architectural scale
Abstract
Table of Contents
Conclusion
Scale
Bibliography
Appendices

Dedication
Introductions
Body
Acknowledgement
General Overview
study
Research Questions
/Case Study
stakeholders

architectural scale
Abstract
Table of Contents

Dedication
Introductions
Body
Acknowledgement
General Overview
study
Research Questions
/Case Study
stakeholders

architectural scale
Abstract
Table of Contents
Conclusion
the relevance, feasibility and how your design works in both the urban and Arch.
Scale

Dedication
Introductions
Body
Acknowledgement
General Overview
study
Research Questions
/Case Study
stakeholders

architectural scale
Abstract
Table of Contents
Conclusion
Scale
Bibliography

Dedication
Introductions
Bibliography
Acknowledgement
General Overview
study
Research Questions
/Case Study
stakeholders
Composing a preliminary bibliography is

usually one of the first steps in a research
process. This preliminary bibliography is an
important tool, that is continuously refined
and made more complete.
Abstract
Table of Contents
After finishing the research, the final bibliography usually contains ONLY the material the author has consulted.
A bibliography is the list of articles, books
and other references that contain relevant
information with respect to a certain topic.
Articles from scholarly journals, professional magazines, newspapers, etc.
Books from scientific publishers, from international institutions, etc. (ISBN)
Other references can imply
Grey documents (reports, theses, etc.)
Websites Audio-visual materials ...

Dedication
Introductions
Bibliography
Acknowledgement
General Overview
study
Research Questions
/Case Study
stakeholders
Objectives for references

Possibility to retrace the works mentioned
Abstract
Table of Contents
References: complete and consistent

Order:
Alphabetically on the last name of the author
Categorically (books, articles, websites, audio-visual material)
Thematically (general, per chapter or section)

Dedication
Introductions
Bibliography
Acknowledgement
General Overview
study
Research Questions
/Case Study
stakeholders
Literal quotation:
Abstract
Table of Contents
John Turner formulates his central viewpoint as follows: In historical fact, good
housing like plentiful food, is more common where it is locally produced through
network structures and decentralizing
technologies. The thesis in this book is that
these are the only ways and means through
which satisfactory goods and services can
be obtained, and that they are vital for a stable planet. (1)
Paraphrasing quotation:
e.g. In Turners opinion network structures
and decentralization technologies are the
only satisfactory solution for the production of goods and services. ([1])
[1] TURNER, J.F.C., Housing by people,
London,M. Boyars, 1976, p.13-14

Dedication
Introductions
Bibliography
Acknowledgement
General Overview
study
Research Questions
/Case Study
stakeholders
BOOK
Abstract
Table of Contents
Author or editor
Title + subtitle
(series)
Publisher
City (+ state or country)
Date (year)
ARTICLE
Author(s)
Title article,
in:
Title periodical
Year
(volume)
Issues
Pages (first-last)

Dedication
Introductions
Bibliography
Acknowledgement
General Overview
study
Research Questions
/Case Study
stakeholders
Books
BERMAN, Marshall, All That Is Solid Melts
Into Air. - The Experience of Modernity,
Verso, London, 1985 (11982).
Abstract
Table of Contents
Translation:
ADORNO, Theodor W., Aesthetic Theory,
(translation by Robert Hullot-Kentor of
Aesthetische Theorie, 1970), University of
Minnesota Press, Minneaplis, 1997.
Part of a series:
CRYSLER, C. Greig, Writing Spaces. Discourses of Architecture, Urbanism and the
Built Environment; (The Architext Series),
Routledge, London, 2003
Editors:
HEYNEN, Hilde & BAYDAR, Gulsum
(eds.), Negotiating Domesticity. Spatial
Productions of Gender in Modern Architecture, Routledge, London, 2005

Dedication
Introductions
Bibliography
Acknowledgement
General Overview
study
Research Questions
/Case Study
stakeholders
Articles
TOSH, John, New men? The Bourgeois
cult of home, in History Today, 1996 (46)
12, pp. 9-16
HONNETH, Axel e.a., The Dialectics of
Rationalization: an Interview with Jrgen
Habermas, in: Telos, N 49, Fall 1981, pp.
5-32.
Abstract
Table of Contents
Articles in edited volume

JAMESON, Fredric, Postmodernism and
Consumer Society, in: FOSTER,Hal(ed.),
The Anti-Aesthetic, Bay Press, Port
Townsend (Wash.), 1983, pp. 111-125.
Internet
GOOGLE (for websites):
http://www.google.be/
reference of a website = author + title document + web-address + date of consultation!!!
Reliability ??? Quality ???

Dedication
Introductions
Bibliography
Acknowledgement
General Overview
study
Research Questions
/Case Study
stakeholders
Hierarchy of reliability:
Abstract
Table of Contents
international refereed journals

books from scientific publishers (University
Press)
scientific / scholarly periodicals - professional magazines
popularising books
courses
theses
websites

Dedication
Introductions
Bibliography
Acknowledgement
General Overview
study
Research Questions
/Case Study
stakeholders
Plagiarism
Abstract
Table of Contents
What is Plagiarism and Why is it Important?

we are continually engaged with other peoples ideas: we read them in texts, hear them
in lecture, discuss them in class, and incorporate them into our own writing. Plagiarism is then using others ideas and words
without clearly acknowledging the source
of that information.
How Can Students Avoid Plagiarism?
To avoid plagiarism, you must give credit
whenever you use another persons idea,
opinion, or theory; any facts, statistics,
graphs, drawingsany pieces of informationthat are not common knowledge;
quotations of another persons actual spoken or written words; or paraphrase of another persons spoken or written words.
Illustrations from another text or ALSO
downloaded from the internet should be
quoted...

Dedication
Introductions
Body
Acknowledgement
General Overview
study
Research Questions
/Case Study
stakeholders

architectural scale
Abstract
Table of Contents
Conclusion
Scale
Bibliography
Appendices
Guide for the interviewees

Dedication
Introductions
Body
Acknowledgement
General Overview
study
Research Questions
/Case Study
stakeholders

architectural scale
Abstract
Table of Contents
Conclusion
Scale
Bibliography
Appendices
References
OLeary, Z. (2004) The Essential Guide to
Doing Research. London: Sage
Flick, O (2002) An introduction to qualitiative research. Sage
Lofland, J., D. Snow, L. Anderson, and L.H.
Lofland. (2006). Analyzing Social Settings.
A guide to qualitative observation and analysis. . Fourth edition. Belmont: Thomson
Wadsorth.
May, T. (2001). Social Research. third edition. Maidenhead: Open University Press .
Sayer, A. (1992). Method in Social Science:
A Realist Approach. Routledge

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Design in research thesis Guidelines

- Exploring a particular theme

Exploring a topic/ a context

I dont have a topic...

Exploring a topic/ a context

Angle of research can come from

Overall/General research questions

Listing appropriate questions

TOPIC & ISSUE

What your work is about the focus / the

Overall research question

point of discussion/debate/dispute/comment what you are trying to explore

Sub-questions | specific research questions

Selection of research methods - case study

Writing a research paper

Where is the gap policy; planning; rules

e.g. ecology; health; housing; slum; market;

Description of your data

Interventions design solutions

What should a standard design in research project/paper be composed of ?

Project development = from the urban till

What should a standard design in research project/paper be composed of ?

What should a standard design in research project/paper be composed of ?

What should a standard design in research project/paper be composed of ?

What should a standard design in research project/paper be composed of ?

What should a standard design in research project/paper be composed of ?

Fig. 1.1 - Research design ......14

What should a standard design in research project/paper be composed of ?

Acronyms and Abbreviation

Fig. 1.1 - Research design ......14

CED = Cost Efficient Design

What should a standard design in research project/paper be composed of ?

What should a standard design in research project/paper be composed of ?

is a two-page summary which should be developed when your thesis is complete

it should give an overview of the whole design research project

What should a standard design in research project/paper be composed of ?

Developing a problem statementand study

* Cfr Booth, Colomb, Williams, The Craft of Research

What should a standard design in research project/paper be composed of ?

Research Objective and Significance of the

What should a standard design in research project/paper be composed of ?

you cant research the future....

What should a standard design in research project/paper be composed of ?

Can not be answered through a single

What should a standard design in research project/paper be composed of ?

Theoretical Framework / Literature Review / Case Study

What should a standard design in research project/paper be composed of ?

A method: is setting rules for a procedure

What should a standard design in research project/paper be composed of ?

What should a standard design in research project/paper be composed of ?

What should a standard design in research project/paper be composed of ?

Sampling strategies and selection of Study

What should a standard design in research project/paper be composed of ?

Selection of the Study area

What should a standard design in research project/paper be composed of ?

Data generation Methods and Research

What should a standard design in research project/paper be composed of ?

Data Analysis and Interpretation

Evaluation of questions <--> Analyzing

Formulation of the findings

What should a standard design in research project/paper be composed of ?

Scope and Limitation of the study

The scope of the study can be limited as