Research Method

Purab Patel
DP21BRAR058

B.Arch-III Sem-VI
What is Research Method?
Ever wonder how detectives crack seemingly impossible cases? Research methods are
their secret weapon – a toolbox filled with techniques to gather clues (data) and solve
puzzling questions.

Imagine you're on a detective mission, determined to crack a puzzling case. Research

methods are your toolbox. They're the sets of techniques and tricks you use to gather
clues (data) and solve the mystery (answer your research question).

There are two main ways to approach your detective work:

● The By-the-Numbers Detective: This detective relies on hard evidence, counting

everything in sight and leaving no fingerprint unturned. Their methods involve
numbers, surveys, and experiments that paint a clear, statistical picture.
● The People Person Detective: This detective gets down on the ground, talking to
witnesses (interviewing people) and observing the scene closely. They're more
interested in understanding the why and the how, using methods like focus
groups and in-depth interviews to gather rich descriptions and stories.

No matter your detective style, the best approach often combines elements from both.
You might use numbers to understand how widespread a problem is, and then follow up
with interviews to understand the personal experiences behind those numbers.

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Cracking the Case

Research Method Focus How it helps

Descriptive Who, What, When, How Describes the characteristics

of a population, phenomenon,
or event. Often uses surveys,
observations, and census
data.

Example: A survey to
understand internet usage
patterns among teenagers
(Who: Teenagers, What:
Internet Usage, When:
Present, How: Survey)

Studying how office layouts

(What) affect worker
productivity (Who) through
space utilization surveys (How)
in modern office buildings
(When). <br> * Analyzing
historical building codes
(What) to understand
construction practices (How) in
a particular era (When).

Explanatory (Understanding Why & How (Relationships) Identifies factors that

Dimensions) contribute to a phenomenon
and explores the relationships
between variables. Often uses
experiments, case studies, and
comparative studies.

Example: An experiment to
see if limiting screen time
improves academic
performance in teenagers
(Why & How: Screen time
affects academic

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performance)

Conducting user experience

studies (How) to understand
how lighting design (What)
affects occupant well-being
(Why) in different types of
buildings. <br> * Comparing
energy consumption data
(How) of green buildings
(What) with traditional
buildings (What) to assess the
effectiveness of sustainable
design strategies (Why).

Explanatory (Case Study) Why & How (Specific Case) Analyzes a single event,
person, or group in detail to
understand the causes and
effects. Often uses interviews,
document analysis, and
observations.

Example: A case study of a

student who overcame
internet addiction to excel in
academics (Why & How:
Specific factors contributed
to overcoming addiction and
achieving success)

Analyzing the case study of

the Sydney Opera House
(What) to understand the
challenges and innovative
solutions employed during its
construction (Why & How).
<br> * Studying the social
impact (Why) of a new
community center (What) by
interviewing residents and
observing its usage patterns
(How).

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Primary Data Collection
Architects are like detectives of design, piecing together information to craft the perfect
space. Here's a breakdown of their primary data collection methods, minus the detective
jargon:

1. Interviews: One-on-One Conversations

Imagine chatting with people who will use the building. Architects conduct interviews to
understand their needs, preferences, and how they envision using the space. This could
involve talking to office workers about their ideal workspace setup or interviewing
families about their dream kitchen layout.

2. Surveys: Casting a Wider Net

Need to get a broader perspective? Surveys are questionnaires sent to a larger group of
people. This helps architects gather data on common needs and preferences. For
example, an architect designing a new library might survey students and faculty to
understand their preferred study environments.

3. Observations: Watching People in Action

Sometimes, seeing is believing. Architects might observe how people currently use a
space to identify areas for improvement. This could involve watching the flow of traffic in
a busy public area or observing how families interact in their living rooms.

4. User Experience Studies: Putting People in the Space

Architects can get even more hands-on with user experience (UX) studies. Here, people
try out mockups or simulations of the space to provide real-time feedback on
functionality and comfort. It's like a test drive for your future building!

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5. Focus Groups: Brainstorming with a Small Crew

Think of focus groups as brainstorming sessions with a select group of people. Architects
can guide the discussion to explore specific design elements and gather a range of
perspectives in a focused setting. This might involve bringing together a group of seniors
to discuss accessibility features in a new retirement community.

By using these methods, architects don't just design buildings, they design experiences.
They gather the "why" and "how" behind people's needs, ensuring their creations are not
just functional, but truly meet the needs of the people who will use them.

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Conclusion
● So, there you have it! We've cracked the case of research methods in architecture.
Remember, just like any good detective, an architect needs the right tools to solve
the design mystery. By combining:
● Descriptive techniques to understand the "who, what, when, and how" of a space,
● Explanatory methods to explore the "why" and "how" of different design elements,
and
● Case studies to delve deep into specific successes and challenges,
● Architects can gather the rich data they need to create buildings that are not just
functional, but truly user-friendly and impactful.
● And, of course, don't forget the power of primary data collection! By talking
directly to the people who will use the space (interviews, surveys), observing how
people interact with existing spaces, and even getting them to test out design
ideas (UX studies, focus groups), architects can ensure their designs are not just
beautiful, but truly meet the needs of the people who matter most.
● In short, research methods are the architect's secret weapon, helping them craft
spaces that not only stand the test of time, but also stand as testaments to human
needs and aspirations.