TITLE: DIFFERENT METHODS OF RESEARCH AS APPLIED TO ARCHITECTURAL STUDIES

INTRODUCTION


Architectural knowledge is the basis for giving form to the physical environment and its development. Architectural research is the search for new
knowledge and new ideas about the built environment. Research can be conducted in a variety of sub disciplines, including building technology,
environment-behavior studies, history of architecture, and computing technology. In each area of architectural research, certain presuppositions and
fundamental beliefs guide and determine the appropriate focus and method of inquiry, as well as the significance and merit of each research project.
Now, the goal of the research process is to produce new knowledge or deepen understanding of a topic or issue. But there are ways and methods in
producing and knowing unknown knowledge to be discovered. For Architecture, there are certain and specific methods of research as per applied to
Architectural studies.




BODY OF REPORT

As per today, there are many types of research methods in use in different types of researches. According to www2.webster.edu, there are four different
research methods in research studies. These include OBSERVATIONAL RESEARCH, CORRELEATIONAL RESEARCH, TRUE EXPERIMENTS, and QUASI-
EXPERIMENTS.

In observational research, there are many types of studies which are under this method. It includes case studies, ethnographic studies, ethnological
studies, etc. The primary characteristic of this method is that phenomena are being observed and recorded. A detailed report with analysis is used,
written and reported to constitute the study of the case. This may be qualitative in nature or includes qualitative components. Next is the correlational
research. It examines the co-variation of 2 or more variables. It can be accomplished by a variety of techniques which include the collection of empirical
data. Lastly, it is often conducted as explanatory or beginning research. Next is the true experiment, which is often thought of as a laboratory
experiment or study, but it is not always the case. True experiment is defined as an experiment conducted where an effort is made to impose control
over all other variables except the one under study. Lastly, the quasi-experiment is very similar to true experiment but use naturally formed or pre-
existing groups. Quasi-experiments may result from either studying naturally formed groups or use of pre-existing groups. As no random assignments
exist in quasi-experiments, no casual statements can be made on results of the study.

These methods are probably the basic methods of research based on any studies thatll be conducted. Others include: qualitative, longitudinal, cross-
sectional, microgenetic research, single subjects, and action research. But the topic is about the different methods for Architectural studies, so here are
the seven basic research strategies or methods. (AS PER ON THE IMAGE BELOW)



Based on the book called Architectural Research Methods by Linda N. Groat and David Wang, they tackled seven basic research strategies on
Architectural research or can be used as to inform the design process. It includes:

INTERPRETATIVE-HISTORICAL RESEARCH;
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH;
CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH;
EXPERIMANTAL AND QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH;
SIMULATION AND MODELING RESEARCH;
LOGICAL ARGUMENTATION; and
CASE STUDIES AND COMBINED STRATEGIES.

INTERPRETATIVE-HISTORICAL RESEARCH or DESIGN AND HISTORY RESEARCH

The main strategy of historical research is narrating a past event or any situation; but depends upon on gathering as much empirical or experimental
and deductive facts as can be identified. It is definitely the oldest type or strategy of Architectural research, or any type of research.
Design and History or Interpretative-Historical research is used as fixed points around which to weave or to emplot the narrative, which means,
framing method is done when conducting a research using this method or strategy. Also, this type of strategy or method is greatly beneficial to work in
historical restorations and such. For example:










This is the old Senate Session Hall. The left photo, circa 1926, shows the newly built session hall (photo courtesy of the Official Gazette of the
Philippines). The right one is the restored session hall just 2 years ago, October 2012. The restoration, funded mainly by PAGCOR, costs roughly P20
million as per the 111
th
anniversary of the National Museum. This will now be a for-rent place for private events as told by the assistant director of Natl
Museum, Ana Labrador. The Session Hall was designed by American architect Ralph Harrington Doanne, which is also a consultant for the Bureau of
Public Works, as a high-ceiling reading room.


Now, the researcher in Interpretative-Historical research must collect as much as evidence as possible in concern of a complex social phenomenon and
seek to provide an account of that certain phenomenon. This requires searching for evidence, collecting and organizing the said evidence, evaluating it,
and constructing a narrative statement of that evidence which must be holistic, complete, credible, realistic, and believable. Throughout the process,
interpretation is the key. The said process is to be seen in
this manner as per the chart on the right.




STRENGTHS OF INTERPRETATIVE-HISTORICAL/ DESIGN
AND HISTORY RESEARCH
Each of the strengths given describes what really is
Interpretative-Historical research is. The strengths of each
are as follows:

IT IS THE ONLY METHOD THAT OUTLINES
THE HISTORICAL EVENTS WHICH CAN BE
FRAMED BY FRAMED EACH AFTER AN EVENT.
ONLY INTERPRETATIVE-HISTORICAL RESEARCH PROVIDES THE MEANS OF GETTING IN TO A CONTEXT IN AN EVENT IN THE PAST.


WEAKNESSES OF INTERPRETATIVE-HISTORICAL/ DESIGN AND HISTORY RESEARCH
When there is strengths, there are bound to be weaknesses behind anything. These are the weaknesses behind Interpretative-Historical research.

THE GREATEST LIMITATION OF INTERPRETATIVE-HISTORICAL RESEARCH: THE OBJECT OF INQUIRY IS NOT EMPIRICALLY AVAILABLE
FOR OBSERVATION. BECAUSE IT HAPPENED IN THE PAST, THE RESEARCHER DOES NOT HAVE THE FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE OF THE
OBSERVATION NEEDED IN HISS/HER RESEARCH.
THE MEASURE OF ACCURACY OF HISTORICAL-NARRATIVE IS MORE FLEXIBLE THAN THE GUIDELINES FOR ACCURACY IN ANY
OTHER METHODS THAT IS THERE.



QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

The qualitative research strategy seeks to piece together an in-depth account of a social context by means of variety of tactics. Qualitative research is
multi-method in focus, involving an interpretive, naturalistic approach to its subject matter. It means that qualitative researchers study things in their
natural settings, attempting to make sense of, interpret, phenomena in terms of the meanings people bring to them. Qualitative research involves the
studied use and collection of a variety of empirical things.

As for its example, this is best example of a qualitative research
done into a design research and process. This is based on the book,
Architectural Research Methods by Linda Groat and David Wang:


This is St. Matthews Church in Los Angeles, designed by Charles
Moore. The original church was destroyed by fire, and Moores firm
was hired to design and rebuild the said structure with
requirements that the parish congregation must approve two thirds
of the proposal--- with one that sometimes have troubles knowing
what day it is. Moores solution is to conduct an open design
charrettes or an intense period of planning and design for a period
of time, over a period of four months. The first charrette, many
strategies was used by Moore and his firm to get an immediate
design consensus. This include an awareness walk where the congregation jotted down observations and feelings in the whole congregation then used
found objects just lying in the congregation to make various configurations. The second charrette, Moore and his team showed slides of other church
buildings which inspired the congregation with Aaltos white church. And during the third charrette, the congregation was given building shapes to
work with to their wishes. Moores team took all the input and developed drawings and models, and then they left it to the people for a month. In the
end, 87% of the congregation approved the design.

Charles Moores approach resembles the characteristics of a qualitative research such as not having any preset theories in going to the research site, and
living with the decision of other people to take care of the design which Moore only improved it.

The key feature of a qualitative research is its inductive approach. The analysis of in-depth interviews requires a long, interactive process of identifying
key frames, developing an elaborate coding scheme, and eventually synthesizing the results into the textual narrative.


Qualitative research is multi-method in focus, involving an interpretive, naturalistic approach to its subject matter. It means that qualitative researchers:
- study things in natural settings
- attempting to make sense of, or interpret
- Phenomena in terms of meanings people bring them.
Qualitative research involves the studied use and collection of a variety of empirical materials.


OTHER ASPECTS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
HOLISTIC The goal is to gain holistic (systematic, encompassing, integrated) overview of the context under study of the researcher.
PROLONGED The research is done or conducted to an intense and or prolonged contact with field situations.
OPEN ENDED tend to be more open-ended in both theoretical conception and research design than the other research strategies because it
shows notion of knowable or real.
RESEARCHER AS MEASUREMENT DEVICE
ANALYSIS THROUGH WORDS
PERSONAL INFORMAL WRITING STANCE

STRENGTHS OF A QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
Each of the strengths given describes what really is Qualitative research is. The strengths of each are as follows:
ITS CAPACITY TO TAKE IN RICH AND HOLISTIC QUALITIES OF REAL LIFE CIRCUMSTANCES.
THE FLEXIBILITY IN DOING DESIGN AND PROCEDURES ALLOWING ADJUSTMENTS IN PROCESSES.
SENSITIVITY TO MEANINGS AND PROCESSES OF ARTIFACTS AND PEOPLES ACTIVITIES.


WEAKNESSES OF A QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
When there are strengths, there are bound to be weaknesses behind anything. These are the weaknesses behind Qualitative research.

CHALLENGED WITH VAST QUANTITIES OF DATA
FEW GUIDELINE OROCEDURES ESTABLISHED
CREDIBILITY OF QUALITATIVE DATA CAN BE SEEN AS SUSPECT WITH RHE POSTPOSITIVIST PARADIGM.





CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH

Correlational research is characterized as: focused on only on naturally occurring patterns, measurements of the specific variables, and use of statistics
to clarify patterns of relationship.

FOCUSED ON ONLY ON NATURALLY OCCURING PATTERNS
Researchers want to clarify relationships between complex set of real-world variables (physical features of people, environment, etc.). A researcher
simply measures the variables of interest and analyzes the relationship among them.

MEASUREMENTS OF THE SPECIFIC VARIABLES
Researchers using the correlational research design must understand the implications of using different levels of measurement precision.

Categorical Measurement
The variable of the interest is sorted into discrete categories based on verbal or nominal terms.

Ordinal Scales
Ordinal scales provides greater degree of precision than categorical in that the variable in question, can, as the term applies, be ordered on some basis.


Interval and Ratio Scales
Interval and ratio scales is a more precise measure, but still is one of that specifies the exact distance (or interval) between one measurement and to
another. Any system that relies on an established and consistent unit of measurement satisfies the criterion of an interval scale.

TWO TYPES OF CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH
RELATIONSHIP STUDIES - This type is more focused specifically on nature and predictive power of such relationships.
CASUAL-COMPARATIVE STUDIES stakes out an intermediate position between the predictive orientation of relationship studies and focus
on causality that characterizes experimental research. Researchers select comparable people or physical environment and collects data on a
variety of relevant variables. The purpose if selecting comparable examples is to isolate the factor(s) that could reveal a cause for significant
differences in levels of measured variables.

CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH IS FOCUSED ONLY ON THE DATA BASED ON TE OBSERVATION THE RESEARCHER MADE BY ANY MEANS OF
COLLECTING DATA TO HIS/HER VARIABLES.


STRENGTHS OF A CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH
Each of the strengths given describes what really is Correlational research is. The strengths of each are as follows:
Correlational research can clarify relationships among two or more variables.
Well-suited to studying the breadth of a setting or phenomenon.
Can establish predictive relationships

WEAKNESSES OF A CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH
When there are strengths, there are bound to be weaknesses behind anything. These are the weaknesses behind Correlational research.
Researcher cannot control the degree levels of variables.
Less well-suited to exploring the setting or phenomenon in depth.
Cannot establish causality.

EXPERIMENTAL AND QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
The examples of the laboratory testing materials and construction assemblies abound. These affect the writing of codes and regulations for the
construction industry, which in turn affect the design built forms.

STRATEGIES IN EXPERIMENTAL AND QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
USE OF TREATMENTMENT OR INDEPENDENT VARIABLE In each studies above, researchers are seeking to study the impact of one or
more specific, identifiable variables on the phenomenon under study.
As for example, the metal roof study, researchers seek to test thermal impact on several conditions, both isolation and in combination,
including insulation, venting fan, and thermal mass.








MEASUREMENT OF ONE OR MORE OUTCOME VARIABLES in each study, researchers were able to specify the impact of the
experimental treatment by carefully measuring the outcome measures of the dependent variable.
As for the example for the metal roofs, the dependent variables were the temperature readings for indoor areas of the test cell environment
including the attic and indoor living area.

THE DESIGNATION OF A UNIT OF ASSIGNMENT In each of the study, researchers have applied the experiment treatment to a specified
unit of the assignment.
USE OF A COMPARISON OR CONTROL GROUP Most experimental studies measures the impact to the treatments against a
comparison or control group.
A FOCUS ON CAUSALITY The combined purpose of the defining features of the experimental research design is to enable the researcher
to credibly establish a cause-effect relationship.


DISTINGUISHING EXPERIMENTAL TO QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
The distinction rests on a manner in which the unit of assignment is selected. Although both have goals to achieve comparability among units in each
groups, such comparability is more precisely established in experimental research through random assignment. In contrast, quasi-experimental research
design is often employed in field settings where people/ groups cannot be randomly assigned for either ethical or practical reasons. In such cases,
researchers seek to ascertain or established effective comparability across as many as variables as possible.

STRENGTHS OF AN EXPERIMENTAL AND QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
Each of the strengths given describes what really Experimental and Quasi-Experimental research is. The strengths of each are as follows:
Potential for establishing causality.
Potential for generalizing results to other settings and phenomenon.
Ability to control all aspects of experimental design enables attribution of causality.


WEAKNESSES OF AN EXPERIMENTAL AND QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
When there are strengths, there are bound to be weaknesses behind anything. These are the weaknesses behind Experimental and Quasi-Experimental
research.
Reduction of complex causality reality identifies causal or independent variables.
Misuse by overgeneralization to different ethnic, gender population.
Overemphasis on control yield, ethnical problems, dehumanization.



SIMULATION AND MODELLING RESEARCH
Simulation research comes out on a general human fascination with replication of real-world realities. Many art forms are essentially simulative.

USES OF SIMULATION RESEARCH
- More standard use is that it can yield information about dangerous conditions without placing people in harms way. For example: BUILDING
SIMULATORS OF DISASTERS and FLIGHT SIMULATORS.








- Simulation research is useful when dealing with questions of scale and complexity.
- Simulation research is often used in material testing.
- In general sense, simulation research is useful for both developing and testing theories.


STRENGTHS OF A SIMULATION AND MODELING RESEARCH
Each of the strengths given describes what really Simulation and Modeling research is. The strengths of each are as follows:
Aim is to capture complexity of real-world behaviors.
Provide variety of ways to understanding future context behaviors.
Tend to be useful at tactical level to a variety of strategies.

WEAKNESSES OF A SIMULATION AND MODELING RESEARCH
When there are strengths, there are bound to be weaknesses behind anything. These are the weaknesses behind Simulation and Modeling research.
Replication of real-world behaviors has no definite way to assure completeness (or accuracy) of the simulation.
Can become very expensive very fast.



LOGICAL ARGUMENTATIO N RESEARCH
Logical argumentation is embedded in all modes of systematic inquiry; the logical construction is what makes an inquiry systematic. More specifically,
there are different ways that logical argumentation can be harnessed for Architectural research, ranging from systematic theory-making to more episodic
justifications for design action.
Example of systematic-theory, as well as many action designs predicted upon that theory, can
be found on the writings and works of Robert Venturi. And his complexity and contradictions
in Architecture is called now a cultural/discursive type of systematic theory.

STRENGTHS OF LOCAL ARGUMENTATION RESEARCH
Each of the strengths given describes what really Local Argumentation research is. The strengths of each are as follows:
The most ubiquitous method.
Very useful in providing theoretical foundations for a wide range of empirical manifestation.
As a research strategy, it is very powerful to situate a large and diverse amount of extant theoretical literature into a single conceptual system.


WEAKNESSES OF A LOCAL ARGUMENTATION RESEARCH
When there are strengths, there are bound to be weaknesses behind anything. These are the weaknesses behind Local Argumentation research.
May be hard to grasp for researchers since all frameworks need or have to be logical coherence.
Lack of technical terms.
Lack of ability to explain wide scope of variety.


CASE STUDY AND COMBINED STRATEGIES RESEARCH
Designers often use mixed-method of research since it approaches without explicitly calling these approaches mixed-methods or considering what they
are doing research.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF A CASE STUDY
FOCUSES ON CASES IN THEIR CONTEXTS focus on studying a setting of phenomenon embedded in its real-life context.
CAPACITY TO EXPLAIN CAUSAL LINKS Frequent issue, causality. It is in this latter sense that case studies can do so identify causal links
among an array of socio-physical factors and events.
THEORY DEVELOPMENT
USING MULTIPLE SOURCES OF EVIDENCE
GENERALIZABILITY TO THE THEORY

DISTINGUISHING CASE STUDY
Case study is a distinct research design. Indeed, there is no necessity for a qualitative research design to adopt a case study design. And, a case study
can be based on exclusively quantitative data or it may have a theory-driven focus rather than more favored in much, though not all, qualitative
research.

STRENGTHS OF A CASE STUDY AND COMBINED STRATEGY RESEARCH
Each of the strengths given describes what really Case Study and Combined Strategy research is. The strengths of each are as follows:
Focused on embeddedness of the case in its context.
Capacity to explain caused links.
Richness at multiple data sources.
Ability to generalize to a theory.



WEAKNESSES OF A CASE STUDY AND COMBINED STRATEGY RESEARCH
When there are strengths, there are bound to be weaknesses behind anything. These are the weaknesses behind Case Study and a Combined Strategy
research.
Potential for over-complication.
Causality likely to be multi-fected and complex.
Challenge of integrity many data sources in coherent way.
Replication required in other cases.
Difficult to do well.









CONCLUSION

There are seven methods and strategies of research as applied to Architectural studies. But for me, it depends on what you are taking up on research. There is
no specific type of research design as to apply to Architectural studies.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
BOOKS:
ARCHITECTURAL RESEARCH METHODS by LINDA N. GROAT & DAVID WANG

WEBLIOGRAPHY:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research
http://herballytraveltales.blogspot.com/2012/10/restored-old-senate-hall-philippine.html
http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/72314/old-senate-session-hall-restored-to-prewar-glory
http://jbilello.iweb.bsu.edu/teaching/arch_research_methods.pdf
http://www.education.com/reference/article/research-methods-an-overview/