research guidelines eiabc for students

Design in research thesis Guidelines

Tigist Kassahun 30 October 2013Ethiopian 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 aut-nomously.

DESIGN /Projects

Thesis/project: intelligent and synthetic an-swer to a question, which proofs that the author masters the critical design methods of a field and that (s)he is capable of apply-ing 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 land-scape, societal issues architecture and ur-banism local social knowledge concern-ing 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/research-ers whose work you like

Exploring a topic/ a context

Angle of research can come from personal experience, social context/ contemporary issues, theory, observa-tions

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 -

What your work is about the focus / the subject [can be broken down in pieces]

ISSUE

point of discussion/debate/dispute/com-ment what you are trying to explore

KEY CONCEPTS

to describe/analyze/enter/connect to the processes relevant for your topice.g. Researching planning systems; possible concepts governance, power, welfare state

TOPIC & ISSUE

Overall research question What; where ; when and how?

CONCEPTS

Sub-questions | specific research questions* the use and relevance of the general topic for the context(look into theory/other studies)

Selection of research methods - case study

Writing a research paper

Intro

Situate the general research context TOPIC. what is the research about?

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

Establish the niche ISSUE what is miss-ing in the literature; design; planning?

Where is the gap policy; planning; rules and regulations; awareness; design; con-struction; assessment; quality?

Occupy the niche what news/original ap-proaches are you adding to address the gap. your proposal

Description of your dataInterpretation of your data --> findings

Interventions design solutions

Link back to your intro how did you suc-ceed in answering question, what did you add with your work?

How does it connect to broader problems? What can policy makers, community build-ers, architects learn from it?

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

Dedication

Acknowledgement

Abstract

Table of Contents

List of Figures, Tables and Pictures

Acronyms and Abbreviation

Introductions

General OverviewProblem Statement and Study JustificationResearch Objective and Significance of the studyResearch QuestionsTheoretical Framework / Literature Review /Case Study Research Design and MethodologySampling strategies and selection of Study Participants / stakeholdersDescription of the interviewee from the stakeholdersSelection of the Study areaData generation Methods and Research In-strumentsData Analysis and InterpretationScope and Limitation of the studyStructure of the study

Body Project development = from the urban till architectural scaleBackground information Existing situa-tions Arguments , Case studies, Propos-als.. Various Urban and Arch. Interven-tions urban and Arch. Design

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



Figures

Fig. 1.1 - Research design ......14Fig. 1.2 - Distribution of ......19

Tables

Table 2.1 - Altitude and Climatic conditions of Ethiopia ......25Table 2.1 - Regional Distribution of the ur-ban centres and Urban Population of Ethio-pia ......30

Pictures

Picture 4.1 - the sloping landscape and building arrangements ......................60Picture 4.2 - monotony mass production of the built fabrics of the University .... 62

Dedication

Acknowledgement

Abstract

Table of Contents



Acronyms and Abbreviation EiABC = Ethiopian Institute for Architec-ture Building construction and City devel-opment

CED = Cost Efficient Design

CP = Campus Planning

CPH = Campus Phase

Figures

Fig. 1.1 - Research design ......14Fig. 1.2 - Distribution of ......19

Tables

Table 2.1 - Altitude and Climatic condi-tions of Ethiopia ......25Table 2.1 - Regional Distribution of the ur-ban centres and Urban Population of Ethi-opia ......30

Pictures

Picture 4.1 - the sloping landscape and building arrangements ......................60Picture 4.2 - monotony mass production of the built fabrics of the University .... 62


Dedication

Acknowledgement

Abstract

Table of Contents



Introductions



Dedication

Acknowledgement

Abstract

Table of Contents



Introductions

General OverviewProblem Statement and Study JustificationResearch Objective and Significance of the studyResearch QuestionsTheoretical Framework / Literature Review / Case Study Research Design and MethodologySampling strategies and selection of Study Participants / stakeholdersDescription of the interviewee from the stakeholdersSelection of the Study areaData generation Methods and Research In-strumentsData Analysis and InterpretationScope and Limitation of the studyStructure of the study

General Overview

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

it should give an overview of the whole de-sign research project


Dedication

Acknowledgement

Abstract

Table of Contents



Introductions


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 rele-vance of this question for others position-ing it in a field)Conceptualizing the problem:Problem definition ~ leads to methodol-ogy/approach to solution

Justify the relevance of your research for the specific context or global...

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


Research Objective and Significance of the study Ones the research problem is formulated and conceptualized:Where is there a niche/gap?What is missing in literature/design/ plan-ning/construction? Identify issues/problems

THEN the research is relevant for

the point of trying to answer or give solu-tion for the stated problemwho 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 ques-tion?

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

Acknowledgement

Abstract

Table of Contents



Introductions

General OverviewProblem Statement and Study JustificationResearch Objective and Significance of the studyResearch QuestionsTheoretical Framework / Literature Review / Case Study Research Design and MethodologyChoice of MethodologySampling strategies and selection of Study Participants / stakeholdersDescription of the interviewee from the stakeholdersSelection of the Study areaData generation Methods and Research In-strumentsData Analysis and InterpretationScope and Limitation of the studyStructure of the study


Research Questions research question ....is crucial in deter-mining the success of your study un-clear question ... will guide your project sets boundaries to your project is engaging/stimulating is researchable is doable

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

Acknowledgement

Abstract

Table of Contents



Introductions



Research Questions Can not be answered through a single source or factIs something you find interestingis 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/de-pend/influence/indicate/affect/compare/associate/...)Describing a state how did something come about (causes strategies) and how is it maintained?Describing processes how something de-velops changesLeads to explanations/understanding of situations or processes ...

Dedication

Acknowledgement

Abstract

Table of Contents



Introductions



Theoretical Framework / Literature Re-view / Case Study What is the main case in your research?This is the case that you will develop origi-nal material upon.

Which are the background ones?These are the ones that you will mainly dis-cuss 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 Universi-ties as Strategic Urban Projects

Dedication

Acknowledgement

Abstract

Table of Contents



Introductions

General OverviewProblem Statement and Study JustificationResearch Objective and Significance of the studyResearch QuestionsTheoretical Framework / Literature Re-view / Case Study Research Design and MethodologySampling strategies and selection of Study Participants / stakeholdersDescription of the interviewee from the stakeholdersSelection of the Study areaData generation Methods and Research In-strumentsData Analysis and InterpretationScope and Limitation of the studyStructure of the study


Choice of Methodology 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?

Methodological approach: Quantitative numerical data e.g. economic data, demographicsQualitative -holistic understanding e.g. so-cial status Participatory peoples perceptions

Finding appropriate sources:Library catalogues, relevant journals, key authors websitesBibliographies of existing sources Websites of development agencies Analyzing literatureRead critically ~ interpretively Which audience its written for?What framework it uses? Issues overlooked?

Dedication

Acknowledgement

Abstract

Table of Contents



Introductions

General OverviewProblem Statement and Study JustificationResearch Objective and Significance of the studyResearch QuestionsTheoretical Framework / Literature Review / Case StudyResearch Design and MethodologySampling strategies and selection of Study Participants / stakeholdersDescription of the interviewee from the stakeholdersSelection of the Study areaData generation Methods and Research In-strumentsData Analysis and InterpretationScope and Limitation of the studyStructure of the study


Research DesignDedication

Acknowledgement

Abstract

Table of Contents



Introductions



Research DesignSource: Tigist K.


Sampling strategies and selection of Study Participants / stakeholders

Description of the interviewee from the 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 in-formation to meet the purpose of the re-search

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

Acknowledgement

Abstract

Table of Contents



Introductions



Selection of the Study area

Enviromental

Physical

Social

Economical

Contextual cultural; traditional

Spiritual...

Dedication

Acknowledgement

Abstract

Table of Contents



Introductions



Data generation Methods and Research Instruments

Primary data during the filed work

Master plans; drawings; policy rules and regulations documents; written reports; in-terview and your own observations

Literature for theoretical framework and critical analysis of the cases and justifica-tion of your interpretation and recommen-dation

Secondary data ...

Dedication

Acknowledgement

Abstract

Table of Contents



Introductions

General OverviewProblem Statement and Study JustificationResearch Objective and Significance of the studyResearch QuestionsTheoretical Framework / Literature Review / Case StudyResearch Design and MethodologySampling strategies and selection of Study Participants / stakeholdersDescription of the interviewee from the stakeholdersSelection of the Study areaData generation Methods and Research InstrumentsData Analysis and InterpretationScope and Limitation of the studyStructure of the study


Data Analysis and Interpretation

Evaluation of questions Analyzing data

Formulation of the findings

The ambition of the research might be lim-ited by specific realities of the context

Design potentials innovation and crea-tivity in analyzing and interpretation

use of research instruments will uncover some hidden realities and facts

Dedication

Acknowledgement

Abstract

Table of Contents



Introductions



Scope and Limitation of the study

The scope of the study can be limited as per some criteria as the expected result should be achievable within the timeframe of research.

Availability; confidentiality... of datas will also be some of the constraints that will be faced during the research period

Dedication

Acknowledgement

Abstract

Table of Contents



Introductions



Structure of the study

The research is organized into 6 chaptersChapter 1 outlines... Chapter 2...

This should:

Logical construction

Simple and clear

efficient

Dedication

Acknowledgement

Abstract

Table of Contents



Introductions



Dedication

Acknowledgement

Abstract

Table of Contents



Introductions



Conclusion


Bibliography



Dedication

Acknowledgement

Abstract

Table of Contents



Introductions

General OverviewProblem Statement and Study JustificationResearch Objective and Significance of the studyResearch QuestionsTheoretical Framework / Literature Review /Case StudyResearch Design and MethodologySampling strategies and selection of Study Participants / stakeholdersDescription of the interviewee from the stakeholdersSelection of the Study areaData generation Methods and Research In-strumentsData Analysis and InterpretationScope and Limitation of the studyStructure of the study



Dedication

Acknowledgement

Abstract

Table of Contents



Introductions

General OverviewProblem Statement and Study JustificationResearch Objective and Significance of the studyResearch QuestionsTheoretical Framework / Literature Review /Case StudyResearch Design and MethodologySampling strategies and selection of Study Participants / stakeholdersDescription of the interviewee from the stakeholdersSelection of the Study areaData generation Methods and Research In-strumentsData Analysis and InterpretationScope and Limitation of the studyStructure of the study


Conclusion

the relevance, feasibility and how your de-sign works in both the urban and Arch. Scale


Dedication

Acknowledgement

Abstract

Table of Contents



Introductions



Conclusion

the relevance, feasibility and how your de-sign works in both the urban and Arch. Scale

Bibliography


Dedication

Acknowledgement

Abstract

Table of Contents



Introductions


Bibliography

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.

After finishing the research, the final bibli-ography usually contains ONLY the mate-rial 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, profes-sional magazines, newspapers, etc.

Books from scientific publishers, from in-ternational institutions, etc. (ISBN)

Other references can imply

Grey documents (reports, theses, etc.)Websites Audio-visual materials ...


Dedication

Acknowledgement

Abstract

Table of Contents



Introductions


Bibliography

Objectives for referencesPossibility to retrace the works mentioned

References: complete and consistent

Order:

Alphabetically on the last name of the au-thor

Categorically (books, articles, websites, au-dio-visual material)

Thematically (general, per chapter or sec-tion)


Dedication

Acknowledgement

Abstract

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Introductions


Bibliography

Literal quotation:

John Turner formulates his central view-point as follows: In historical fact, good housing like plentiful food, is more com-mon 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 sta-ble planet. (1)

Paraphrasing quotation:

e.g. In Turners opinion network structures and decentralization technologies are the only satisfactory solution for the produc-tion of goods and services. ([1])

[1] TURNER, J.F.C., Housing by people, London,M. Boyars, 1976, p.13-14


Dedication

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Introductions


Bibliography

BOOK

Author or editorTitle + subtitle(series)PublisherCity (+ state or country)Date (year)

ARTICLE

Author(s)Title article,in:Title periodicalYear(volume)IssuesPages (first-last)


Dedication

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Introductions


Bibliography

BooksBERMAN, Marshall, All That Is Solid Melts Into Air. - The Experience of Modernity, Verso, London, 1985 (11982).

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. Dis-courses 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 Archi-tecture, Routledge, London, 2005


Dedication

Acknowledgement

Abstract

Table of Contents



Introductions


Bibliography

ArticlesTOSH, 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.

Articles in edited volumeJAMESON, Fredric, Postmodernism and Consumer Society, in: FOSTER,Hal(ed.), The Anti-Aesthetic, Bay Press, Port Townsend (Wash.), 1983, pp. 111-125.

InternetGOOGLE (for websites):http://www.google.be/ reference of a website = author + title docu-ment + web-address + date of consulta-tion!!!Reliability ??? Quality ???


Dedication

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Introductions


Bibliography

Hierarchy of reliability:

international refereed journals

books from scientific publishers (University Press)

scientific / scholarly periodicals - profes-sional magazines

popularising bookscourses

theses

websites


Dedication

Acknowledgement

Abstract

Table of Contents



Introductions


Bibliography

Plagiarism

What is Plagiarism and Why is it Impor-tant?we are continually engaged with other peo-ples ideas: we read them in texts, hear them in lecture, discuss them in class, and incor-porate them into our own writing. Plagia-rism 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 informa-tionthat are not common knowledge; quotations of another persons actual spo-ken or written words; or paraphrase of an-other persons spoken or written words.Illustrations from another text or ALSO downloaded from the internet should be quoted...


Dedication

Acknowledgement

Abstract

Table of Contents



Introductions



Conclusion the relevance, feasibility and how your de-sign works in both the urban and Arch. Scale

Bibliography

Appendices Appendix 1 Informed Consent Appendix 2 Questionnaire/Interview Guide for the interviewees


Dedication

Acknowledgement

Abstract

Table of Contents



Introductions



Conclusion


Bibliography



OLeary, Z. (2004) The Essential Guide to Doing Research. London: Sage

Flick, O (2002) An introduction to qualitia-tive research. SageLofland, J., D. Snow, L. Anderson, and L.H. Lofland. (2006). Analyzing Social Settings. A guide to qualitative observation and anal-ysis. . Fourth edition. Belmont: Thomson Wadsorth.

May, T. (2001). Social Research. third edi-tion. Maidenhead: Open University Press .

Sayer, A. (1992). Method in Social Science: A Realist Approach. Routledge

References

research guidelines eiabc for students

Documents

designerly research

research paperintrosituate

contextangle of research

general research context

general topic

critical design methods

design projectsthesisproject

urban history