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Project Introduction 7th Semester B. Arch.

researcHimanshu poptani,
assistant professor, dept. of architecture, nit raipur

What is Research?

research Noun

The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions.

Verb

Investigate systematically.

Synonyms

noun. investigation - exploration - search study inquiry verb. explore - investigate - search - study inquire

Research has been DEFINED in a number of different ways.

A broad definition of research is given by Martyn Shuttleworth - "In the broadest sense of the word, the definition of research includes any gathering of data, information and facts for the advancement of knowledge." Another definition of research is given by Creswell who states - "Research is a process of steps used to collect and analyze information to increase our understanding of a topic or issue". It consists of three steps: Pose a question, collect data to answer the question, and present an answer to the question. The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines research in more detail as "a studious inquiry or examination; especially : investigation or experimentation aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts, or practical application of such new or revised theories or laws"

Formation of Hypothesis
What is Hypothesis?

A hypothesis (plural hypotheses) is a proposed explanation for phenomenon.

A hypothesis can be defined as a tentative explanation of the research problem, a possible outcome of the research, or an educated guess about the research outcome.(Sarantakos, 1993: 1991)

An Example

Imagine the following situation: You are a nutritionist working in a zoo, and one of your responsibilities is to develop a menu plan for the group of monkeys. In order to get all the vitamins they need, the monkeys have to be given fresh leaves as part of their diet. Choices you consider include leaves of the following species: (a) A (b) B (c) C (d) D and (e) E. You know that in the wild the monkeys eat mainly B leaves, but you suspect that this could be because they are safe whilst feeding in B trees, whereas eating any of the other species would make them vulnerable to predation. You design an experiment to find out which type of leaf the monkeys actually like best: You offer the monkeys all five types of leaves in equal quantities, and observe what they eat. There are many different experimental hypotheses you could formulate for the monkey study. For example:

When offered all five types of leaves, the monkeys will preferentially feed on B leaves. This statement satisfies both criteria for experimental hypotheses. It is a

Prediction: It predicts the anticipated outcome of the experiment Testable: Once you have collected and evaluated your data (i.e. observations of what the monkeys eat when all five types of leaves are offered), you know whether or not they ate more B leaves than the other types.

http://www.public.asu.edu/~kroel/www500/hypothesis.pdf

Another Example..

A hypothesis may be defined as a proposition or a set of proposition set forth as an explanation for the occurrence of some specified group of phenomena either asserted merely as a provisional conjecture to guide some investigation or accepted as highly probable in the light of established facts. Quite often a research hypothesis is a predictive statement, capable of being tested by scientific methods, that relates an independent variable to some dependent variable. For example, consider statements like the following ones:

students who receive counselling will show a greater increase in creativity that students not receiving counselling Or the automobile A is performing as well as automobile B.

These are hypotheses capable of being objectively verifies and tested. Thus, we may conclude that a hypothesis states what we are looking for and it is a proposition which can be put to a test to determine its validity.

Social research refers to research conducted by social scientists, which follows by the systematic plan. Social research methods can generally vary along a quantitative/qualitative dimension. From searching for the best glass to prevent glare to determining how clients might react to colour choice for restaurant walls, research is a crucial tool that architects must master in order to effectively address the technical, aesthetic, and behavioural issues that arise in their work.

SEVEN RESEARCH STRATEGIES architectural research (types of research)

Interpretive-Historical Research Qualitative Research Correlational Research Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Research Simulation and Modeling Research Logical Argumentation Case Studies and Combined Strategies

Architectural Research Methods, By: Linda Groat; David Wang

Scope

Noun

The extent of the area or subject matter that something deals with or to which it is relevant.

1. The range of one's perceptions, thoughts, or actions. 2. Breadth or opportunity to function. 3. The area covered by a given activity or subject.

A telescope, microscope, or other device having a name ending in scope.

Verb

Look at carefully; scan.

Synonyms

range - extent - reach - purview sphere - area

Goal

Noun

(in football, soccer, rugby, hockey, and some other games) A pair of posts linked by a crossbar and often with a net attached behind it,... An instance of sending the ball or puck into or over this space, esp. as a unit of scoring in a game.

1. the aim or object towards which an endeavour is directed

2. the terminal point of a journey or race

Synonyms

aim - purpose - target - object objective - end - mark

limitation

1. The act of limiting or the state of being limited.

2. A restriction.
3. A shortcoming or defect.

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