Advanced Research Methods in the Built Environment

This book provides a bridge between the introductory research methods books and the discipline-specific, higher level texts. Its unique feature is the coverage of the detailed process of research rather than the findings of research projects. Chapter authors have been carefully selected by their expertise, discipline and location to give an eclectic range of perspectives. Particular care has been taken to balance positivist with interpretivist approaches throughout. The authors focus is on the practical consequences of research philosophies, strategies and techniques by using their own research and by evaluating the work of others. Advanced Research Methods in the Built Environment addresses common topics raised by postgraduate level researchers rather than dealing with all aspects of the research process. Issues covered range from the practicalities of producing a journal article to the role of theory in research. The material brought together here provides a valuable resource for the training and development of doctoral and young researchers and will contribute to a new sense of shared methodological understanding across built environment research.

Table of Contents:
Foreword xi Introduction xiii Contributors xix 1 Methodological Pluralism in Construction Management Research 1 Andrew Dainty Introduction 1 Research strategy and design 3 The dominant research paradigm within construction management 4 Discussion: The implications of methodological uniformity 6 The case for methodological pluralism in construction management research 8 Challenges in undertaking multi-paradigm research 9 Conclusions 10 Acknowledgements 11 Note 11 References 12 2 Architectural Research 14 Alan Penn Introduction 14 A sketch of architectural design 15 The structure of architectural research 17 Space syntax and the social logic of space 18 Conclusion 25 Note 27 References 27 3 Legal Research 28 Paul Chynoweth Introduction 28 The epistemology of legal scholarship 28 In search of a methodology 31 The cultural dimension 35 Conclusion 37 References 37 4 Feminist Research 39 Pat Morton and Sara Wilkinson Introduction 39 What is feminist research? 39 Locating feminism in the social sciences 40 Locating the feminist researcher 42 Ethical considerations 43 Standpoint epistemologies 44 Participatory action research 45 Oral histories and diaries and women’s voices 45 Can anyone be a feminist researcher? 46 Conclusions 48 References 48 5 Approaches to Economic Modelling and Analysis 51 Les Ruddock Introduction 51 General economic models 51 Relationships between economic variables – econometrics 52 Approaches and applications in the construction sector 56 Conclusions 61 References 62 6 Epistemology 64 Andrew Knight and Neil Turnbull Introduction 64 Concepts 65 Classical epistemology 66 Modern epistemology 68 Postmodernism and the critique of epistemology 71 Conclusion 72 References 74 7 Scientific Theories 75 Göran Runeson and Martin Skitmore Introduction 75 The philosophy behind theories 75 Scientific theories 76 Working as a scientist 77 The plot gets complex 78 Testing social science theories 79 A solution (or two) 83 Building new theories 83 Conclusions 84 References 84 8 Grounded Theory 86 Kirsty Hunter and John Kelly Introduction 86 What is grounded theory? 86 Substantive to formal theory 87 Data collection and analysis 89 The theory building procedure 90 Data sorting 91 Coding and comparison groups 91 Theory development in case studies 93 Grounded theory challenges 93 Scope and limitations of theory 94 A good theory 95 The derived theory 96 Summary 96 References 97 9 Case Study Research 99 David Proverbs and Rod Gameson Introduction 99 Case study research: An overview 99 Designing case studies 100 Identifying and selecting the case(s) 101 Collecting the information 101 Analysing the information 103 Writing up 104 Example 104 Conclusions 108 Acknowledgement 109 Notes 110 References 110 10 Interviews: A Negotiated Partnership 111 Richard Haigh Introduction 111 The interview method 112 Interviews in the built environment disciplines 115 Planning, conducting and analysing interviews 116 Conclusion 120 References 120 Further reading 120 11 Questionnaire Design and Factor Analysis 122 Mike Hoxley Introduction 122 Construction 123 Attitude scales 124 Piloting 125 Sampling 125 Administration 126 Coding 127 Software packages 127 Coding missing values 127 Data entry 128 Factor analysis 128 Summary 133 References 134 12 Using Software to Analyse Qualitative Data 135 Andrew King Introduction 135 Why use software? 136 Comparison of software 136 Methodology and software 137 Analytic distance 139 Learning to use CAQDAS 139 The quality of qualitative research 140 Conclusion 141 References 141 13 Getting Started in Quantitative Analysis 144 Chris Leishman Introduction 144 The essence of sampling theory 145 Other common forms of hypothesis test 147 Inference and causality – basic regression models 148 Multiple regression models 150 Concluding remarks 153 References 154 14 Artificial Neural Network Modelling Techniques for Applied Civil and Construction Engineering Research 155 Abdelhalim Boussabaine and Richard Kirkham Introduction 155 First concepts 155 System dynamics 157 Network structure and nomenclature 158 System architecture design 160 Recent advances in construction and civil engineering research 166 Neuro-fuzzy modelling 167 Conclusion: Why neuro-fuzzy models? 167 References 169 15 Social Network Analysis 171 Stephen Pryke Introduction 171 Why choose social network analysis? 172 Concepts and terminology 173 Finally on SNA theory and techniques 178 Software for the analysis of networks 178 Conclusion 180 References 181 16 Managing the Thesis 183 Alan Griffith and Paul Watson Introduction 183 Defining the thesis 183 Having a clear research focus 184 Developing and managing the draft thesis 185 Producing the final version of the thesis 188 Knowing the thesis and preparing for the viva voce 189 Conclusions 192 References 192 Further reading 192 17 Getting Your Research Published in Refereed Journals 193 Will Hughes Introduction 193 Writing good journal papers 193 Elements of a journal submission 198 Editorial processes 202 Publication and dissemination 205 Conclusion 205 Note 206 References 206 18 Researcher Attitudes and Motivation 207 David Boyd Introduction 207 Inner self 207 Personal environment 211 The research project 212 Research environment 213 Conclusion: Keeping going and succeeding 214 References 215 19 Built Environment Futures Research: The Need for Foresight and Scenario Learning 216 John Ratcliffe Introduction 216 Concept and context 216 Conclusion 226 References 227 Index 229

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

Review :
"[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)