Advanced Research Methods in the Built Environment

Dr Andrew Knight, Principal Lecturer, School of Architecture, Design & Built Environment, Nottingham Trent UniversityProfessor Les Ruddock, Associate Dean of Research, Faculty of Business, Law & the Built Environment, and Professor of Construction & Property Economics, University of Salford

"[The book] will be of unquestionable interest, use and value to researchers undertaking al types and levels of research across the built environment spectrum … It will prove to be a valuable edition to the body of knowledge supporting research practice within the built environment ... Highly recommended." (Building Engineer, February 2009)

• Foreword xiIntroduction xiiiContributors xix1 Methodological Pluralism in Construction Management Research 1Andrew DaintyIntroduction 1Research strategy and design 3The dominant research paradigm within construction management 4Discussion: The implications of methodological uniformity 6The case for methodological pluralism in construction management research 8Challenges in undertaking multi-paradigm research 9Conclusions 10Acknowledgements 11Note 11References 122 Architectural Research 14Alan PennIntroduction 14A sketch of architectural design 15The structure of architectural research 17Space syntax and the social logic of space 18Conclusion 25Note 27References 273 Legal Research 28Paul ChynowethIntroduction 28The epistemology of legal scholarship 28In search of a methodology 31The cultural dimension 35Conclusion 37References 374 Feminist Research 39Pat Morton and Sara WilkinsonIntroduction 39What is feminist research? 39Locating feminism in the social sciences 40Locating the feminist researcher 42Ethical considerations 43Standpoint epistemologies 44Participatory action research 45Oral histories and diaries and women’s voices 45Can anyone be a feminist researcher? 46Conclusions 48References 485 Approaches to Economic Modelling and Analysis 51Les RuddockIntroduction 51General economic models 51Relationships between economic variables – econometrics 52Approaches and applications in the construction sector 56Conclusions 61References 626 Epistemology 64Andrew Knight and Neil TurnbullIntroduction 64Concepts 65Classical epistemology 66Modern epistemology 68Postmodernism and the critique of epistemology 71Conclusion 72References 747 Scientific Theories 75Göran Runeson and Martin SkitmoreIntroduction 75The philosophy behind theories 75Scientific theories 76Working as a scientist 77The plot gets complex 78Testing social science theories 79A solution (or two) 83Building new theories 83Conclusions 84References 848 Grounded Theory 86Kirsty Hunter and John KellyIntroduction 86What is grounded theory? 86Substantive to formal theory 87Data collection and analysis 89The theory building procedure 90Data sorting 91Coding and comparison groups 91Theory development in case studies 93Grounded theory challenges 93Scope and limitations of theory 94A good theory 95The derived theory 96Summary 96References 979 Case Study Research 99David Proverbs and Rod GamesonIntroduction 99Case study research: An overview 99Designing case studies 100Identifying and selecting the case(s) 101Collecting the information 101Analysing the information 103Writing up 104Example 104Conclusions 108Acknowledgement 109Notes 110References 11010 Interviews: A Negotiated Partnership 111Richard HaighIntroduction 111The interview method 112Interviews in the built environment disciplines 115Planning, conducting and analysing interviews 116Conclusion 120References 120Further reading 12011 Questionnaire Design and Factor Analysis 122Mike HoxleyIntroduction 122Construction 123Attitude scales 124Piloting 125Sampling 125Administration 126Coding 127Software packages 127Coding missing values 127Data entry 128Factor analysis 128Summary 133References 13412 Using Software to Analyse Qualitative Data 135Andrew KingIntroduction 135Why use software? 136Comparison of software 136Methodology and software 137Analytic distance 139Learning to use CAQDAS 139The quality of qualitative research 140Conclusion 141References 14113 Getting Started in Quantitative Analysis 144Chris LeishmanIntroduction 144The essence of sampling theory 145Other common forms of hypothesis test 147Inference and causality – basic regression models 148Multiple regression models 150Concluding remarks 153References 15414 Artificial Neural Network Modelling Techniques for Applied Civil and Construction Engineering Research 155Abdelhalim Boussabaine and Richard KirkhamIntroduction 155First concepts 155System dynamics 157Network structure and nomenclature 158System architecture design 160Recent advances in construction and civil engineering research 166Neuro-fuzzy modelling 167Conclusion: Why neuro-fuzzy models? 167References 16915 Social Network Analysis 171Stephen PrykeIntroduction 171Why choose social network analysis? 172Concepts and terminology 173Finally on SNA theory and techniques 178Software for the analysis of networks 178Conclusion 180References 18116 Managing the Thesis 183Alan Griffith and Paul WatsonIntroduction 183Defining the thesis 183Having a clear research focus 184Developing and managing the draft thesis 185Producing the final version of the thesis 188Knowing the thesis and preparing for the viva voce 189Conclusions 192References 192Further reading 19217 Getting Your Research Published in Refereed Journals 193Will HughesIntroduction 193Writing good journal papers 193Elements of a journal submission 198Editorial processes 202Publication and dissemination 205Conclusion 205Note 206References 20618 Researcher Attitudes and Motivation 207David BoydIntroduction 207Inner self 207Personal environment 211The research project 212Research environment 213Conclusion: Keeping going and succeeding 214References 21519 Built Environment Futures Research: The Need for Foresight and Scenario Learning 216John RatcliffeIntroduction 216Concept and context 216Conclusion 226References 227Index 229