RESEARCH

METHODOLOGY

Lecture 1: Defining Research, and

Research in Architecture

College of Architecture Trivandrum

DEFINING
RESEARCH
“The difference between research and non-research activity
(study) is in the way we find answers to our research questions.”
-Ranjit Kumar (1999). Research Methodology: A Step-by-Step Guide

“[Research is] a noun describing a careful, systematic, patient

study and investigation in some field of knowledge, undertaken to
establish facts or principles.
-Grinnell (1993), Social Work Research & Evaluation

“A systematic investigation to find answers to a problem”

or to add to existing knowledge.
- RB Burns (1997). Introduction to Research Methods
 Conscious effort to:
DEFINING − Select appropriate information
RESEARCH − Categorize selected info
− Analyze the info systematically
− Present results

“Systematic inquiry
to find answers to a problem”

?
ALL DATA AVAILABLE
Research Paper Presentation
DEFINING
RESEARCH

The truth is that all research is reductionist in some form or other.

For research to be research, it necessarily involves reducing lived

experience or observed phenomena or complex realities to chunks of
information that are noted and categorized in some way.

- Groat, L. N., & Wang, D. (2002). Architectural research methods. New York: J. Wiley.
DEFINING
RESEARCH
Research comprises of the following steps:

– Define/redefine a problem

– Collect, categorize, evaluate relevant info

– Make deductions & conclusions

– Test conclusions and Present results

Main References:
Architecture / Research
DEFINING
DESIGN

Design [or architecture] is making “physical objects the occupy space […].”

"In a more general sense, a designer makes a representation [or image] of something to be
brought to reality.”

- Donald A. Schon. (1987), Educating the reflective practitioner.

- Quoted in Groat, L. N., & Wang, D. (2002). Architectural research methods. New York: J. Wiley.
DESIGN VS. RESEARCH
- Groat, L. N., & Wang, D. (2002). Architectural research methods. New York: J. Wiley.

Facets of Design Research

Difference
Contribution Proposal for an Object, Artifact Knowledge and/or Application
or Physical Space that can be generalized
(from small-scale to large-scale
interventions)

Dominant Generative or production Analytical or systematic

Processes (to create some physical object)

Temporal Focus Future Past and/or Present

(Time)

Impetus Design Problem Research Question

(Motivation)
DESIGN VS. RESEARCH

The complementary nature of research and design:

- Groat, L. N., & Wang, D. (2002). Architectural research methods. New York: J. Wiley.
 DESIGN RESEARCH

Research in Architecture:

To conduct research or inquiry on an aspect of the built environment—from the scale of:
• a building component or furniture,
• a room,
• a building,
• a neighborhood or community,
• or an urban center.

- Groat, L. N., & Wang, D. (2002). Architectural research methods. New York: J. Wiley.
ROLE OF A RESEARCHER
Sample 1:

Architectural research in history – the structural evolution of the Flying Buttress (13th century AD)
- Groat, L. N., & Wang, D. (2002). Architectural research methods. New York: J. Wiley.
Sample 2:

JNL Durand’s study to develop specific types (or typologies) in architecture (1800’s)
- Groat, L. N., & Wang, D. (2002). Architectural research methods. New York: J. Wiley.
Sample 3:

“Reconfiguring the User”: Framing a New Explanatory Theory

How do designers process information about users?

To answer the question, Isil Oygura embedded herself in two
architectural firms, two industrial design firms, and two interaction
design firms (i.e., web site designers). In each, she conducted
ethnographic research in how designers interacted with their target
users.

Sample studies: Isil Oygur, Reconfiguring the User: How Designers Process User Information,
PhD dissertation, Washington State University, May, 2012.

(Groat, L. N., & Wang, D. (2002). Architectural research methods. New York: J. Wiley.)
Sample 4:

OMA’s “Bigness”: A Design‐Polemical Theory

OMA’s theory of “Bigness” exemplifies design‐polemical theory. Rem

Koolhaas posits that we live in such a diverse, multicultural, and powerful
global reality that architecture simply limited to localized physical sites is
no longer adequate as an expression for the times. Instead, design must
somehow respond to the Bigness of a global culture enabled by the
instant and limitless connectivity of the Internet.

Sample studies: Rem Koolhaas /OMA, “Bigness, or the Problem of Large” [1994]. In Harry Francis
Mallgrave and Christina Contandriopoulos (eds.), Architectural Theory, Volume II: An Anthology from
1871–2005 (Malden, MA: Blackwell, 2008), 566–568.

(Groat, L. N., & Wang, D. (2002). Architectural research methods. New York: J. Wiley.)
Sample 5:

THE SOCIAL LIFE OF SMALL URBAN SPACES – A study of how

the public used New York City’s small urban spaces.

Whyte, William Hollingsworth. The Social Life Of Small Urban Spaces.

New York : Project For Public Spaces, 1980. Print.
 What is your area of interest????

Architecture Structures Performance of Environment Landscape

History and Built and Architecture
Construction Environment Sustainability
Techniques

Urban Studies Building Building Design Theory, Interior Design /

Materials Services Process, Product Design
and building Programming,
Components Diagramming,
Pedagogy
 What is your area of interest????

Architectural History • Study of existing structures of historical or cultural

relevance – different lenses – site, construction, social,
culture, climate, performance, materials, structure,
components, textures, tectonics

• Architect –style/concepts/bldgs.

• Architectural conservation
 What is your area of interest????
Structures • Technology – new
• Materials, Evolution, Form to structure
and
• Testing
Construction • New construction techniques
Techniques • Comparisons, analysis
 What is your area of interest????
Performance of Built • Light
Environment • Acoustics
• Thermal comfort
• Costing and estimation
• Activity – spatial efficiency, functional efficiency
 What is your area of interest????
Building Materials • Different components – any particular aspects – load
bearing, aesthetics, fire safety, textures, material
and building
efficiency, etc
Components • Bldg materials – detailed analysis and testing of
different aspects – sustainability, strength testing,
climate responsiveness
• Material – manufacture, evolution, etc
• New materials – “cradle to grave”, culture
 What is your area of interest????
Environment • Concepts and methods – new building techniques???
and Sustainability • Energy, waste, water – resources management
• Performance, material, cost
• Converting to eco friendly
• Rating systems – analysis or comparisons for policy
development, etc
• Issues related to existing technology
 What is your area of interest????
Landscape Architecture • Climate based
• Types of plants
• Concepts, evolution
• Human behaviour
• Public landscaped parks – activity study
 What is your area of interest????
Interior Design / • Lighting
Product Design • Functional basis – interior efficiency
• Separation of spaces –
• Space efficiency – how?
• multi functionality
• Flexibilty
• New concepts
• User interface design / user accessibility – pdt design
• Market research
 What is your area of interest????
Urban Studies • Urban context, evolution
• Transportation, infrastructure systems – new concepts,
efficiency of existing
• Housing
• Public parks and spaces
• Inclusivisity, Human behavious
• Activity studies
• Mapping and imaging process
 What is your area of interest????
Design Theory, Process, • Architects – process
Programming, • Diagramming – example
Diagramming, • Representation – efficiency
• Qualitative analysis – spaces – user activity
Pedagogy
• Architectural teaching methods
 Assignment 1
What is your area of interest????

Architecture Structures Performance of Environment Landscape

History and Built and Architecture
Construction Environment Sustainability
Techniques

Urban Studies Building Building Design Theory, Interior Design /

Materials Services Process, Product Design
and building Programming,
Components Diagramming,
Pedagogy
 Assignment 1 (contd..)
1. Conduct a Google Scholar search in an area of interest. Use Advanced
Search tools and better keywords to narrow down the search. Individual
Each Research Area group comes together and attempts to conduct multiple
searches within their area.
2. Make a list of keywords related to your study
3. Screenshot the search strings and results. At least 4 or 5
4. Download any 2 Full Papers from the search. Screenshot the first page of
the papers and add in the slides.
5. Include APA citation of each paper (copy from Google Scholar)

As a group, start a shared Google Slide ppt and update the data. Start
a shared Google Drive and upload the papers.
SUBMISSION: Before 3:30 pm. Next Thursday (Feb 1, 2024). Google slides
 ASSIGNMENT 1 (contd..)
Main points covered in the research paper you selected.

List down the different sections in your chosen work and discuss how the author is conveying the
information.
⮚Does the author present his/her research systematically?
⮚Can you understand the aim and objectives of the research?
⮚Can you understand the background literature study done by the author/s?
⮚What methods were used to conduct the study?
⮚What were the results?

Table form along ppt .

SUBMISSION: Before 3:30 pm. Next Wednesday (Feb 1, 2024).
Thank you…