R E S E A R C H

METHODS IN
ARCHITECTURE
S E S S I O N 2
ARRS18 USTP CEA-Arch
Maria Rallah E. Villaseca

Ty p es o f R es ea rch i n
A r c h i t e c t u r e
Types of Researches in Architecture are always unique to the
researcher. Each research proposal embodies its own
research design. This is what makes every research output
unique and creative and this is why it is copyrighted and
subject to legal sanctions and subject to plagiarism if copied
without proper citations.
 Study
Areas/Fields in
Architecture
research range
from design to
theory
including
Types of Architecture everything in
research can range between, i.e.
from qualitative to construction or
descriptive, or design
simulation. This is technology.
what makes the
research design
unique.

Groat and Wang. (2013). Architectural Research Methods. John Wiley and Sons
 “What is the
purpose of your “What human
inquiry?” condition can
you improve
through
To begin with research, we try to answer: architectural
“Can you
improve it
by creating
solutions?”
“What is the purpose of your inquiry?” a new
design
theory?”
This is usually answerable by identifying aspects in human “Can you
“Will you be
life that you wish to solve/ alleviate through new designing a
improve it
through
architectural solutions. The solution can be manifested new
technology?
creative
design?
through design, as in a creative output in technology; or a ”

unique form of design process, as in new design theories.

 Which has more impact? Subjective or objective researches?
The right side is
more objective
(quantitative)

According to
Joroff and
Morse’s
framework,
the left side
of
architecture
research is
more
subjective
(qualitative)

Qualitative studies require non-biased points of view
in order for it to be valid and of good quality.
Quantitative studies, while highly numerical, tend to
become obsolete especially in the field of
architecture where creativity is difficult to quantify
and the human data is always changing.
“at its most basic level, this
terminology assumes that quantitative
research depends on the manipulation of
phenomena that can be measured by
numbers; whereas qualitative research
depends on non‐numerical evidence,
whether verbal (oral or written),
experiential
(film or notes about people in action) or
artifactual (objects, buildings, or urban
areas)”
On a methodological level, the
quantitative paradigm is seen as involving
a deductive process of inquiry that seeks
cause‐and‐effect explanations,
whereas the qualitative paradigm
necessitates an inductive process of
inquiry
that seeks clarification of multiple critical
factors affecting the phenomenon.
~GROAT AND WANG
 Hard Science Soft Science

Philosophical Field of Study

An investigation on
existing knowledge and
data
 THE PARADIGMS OR “MINDSETS”
OF RESEARCHERS
Positivism/Postpositivism
“Reality is out there and if we can
take enough samples of reality, we
can scale it down into a laboratory
where we can analyze it more
easily. Whatever results we gain
form the study (the small scale) can
lead to the representation of the
big scale”
Intersubjective
Research results and data is highly
dependent on context. For
example, there are many different
cultures and societies so data of
research in one society is not
automatically applicable to another
Constructivism
Data is always unique to the
specific sample set. Research is
seen as something similar to
“couture” and data or output
should be produced by the specific
people who will use the data
Is it possible to combine qualitative and quantitative methods
in one research design?
 An introduction to EXPERIMENTAL CORRELATIONAL
research methods that
can be used in 1. Often uses a control 1. Focuses on naturally
Architecture as presented group and has a focus on existing patterns
by Groat and Wang. COMBINED STRATEGIES causality. 2. Measurement of
2. Formulaic and precise specific variables, one
These strategies are constant, another flexible
introductory and not (relationship or causal
limiting. comparative)

QUALITATIVE

1. Studying the data in its SIMULATION/ LOGICAL

natural setting
2. Interpretation of a
phenomena based on
meaning that people (data)
perceive
3. Focus on respondents
4. Use of multiple tactics.
5. Critical importance of
Inductive logic
Examples:
Ethnographic studies
Phenomenonology
(hermeneutical, first-person, and
existential)
Grounded theory (validation of
known facts through numerics)
PROTOTYPE ARGUMENTATION
1. Simulation of real-world 1. Arguing against
HISTORICAL threats, i.e. fire drills. principles or theories of
design through the use of
1. Brings into view something
logic
from the past.
2. Subject to Interpretation.
3. Narrative
4. Cultural turn
(metanarratives sought from
contextualized histories)
5. The Spatial turn
Group Challenge (Quiz 2)

(1) Identify the potential strategies that your group will probably employ based on your chosen
research topic.
(2) Read Groat and Wang (reference) discussion on this particular strategy and report your
synthesis about why this strategy is potentially appropriate to your study. Defend your POV.
(3) present three additional researches similar to your chosen topic or your strategy and build your
case as to why it is necessary.

Answer in 1000 words. Attach full studies. Deadline Dec. 18, 2017 Friday 5PM
REFERENCES:

Groat and Wang. (2013). Architectural Research Methods. John Wiley and Sons