Architectural Research Methods

Architectural Research Methods (written by Linda Groat and David Wang)

Architectural Research Methods is essential reference for architecture students and researchers as well as architects, interior designers, landscape architects and other professional related to building and or urban design.

Numerous research programs in architecture and built environment exist in all over the world. Many of them offer a multiple area of specialization or emphasis. Research method is typically a required course in those programs. Obviously there is a need for comprehensive book that introduces a range of method across multiple areas.

The aim of this book is to provide an introductory guide for anyone wishing to conduct research on an aspect of built environment. The full range of research method available and applicable to the diverse array of topics of architectural research is provided in this book.  A case study of each research methods strategies gives a clear discussion.

This book divided into 2 (two) major parts. Part one describes the domain of architectural research.
First chapter that is the scope of this book gives a clear description of what is architectural research and the integrative framework of the book. Systems of inquiries and standards of research quality in architectural research are explored in chapter two. The importance of literature review is in chapter three followed by description about theory in relation to method and design in relation to research.

Part two describe seven research strategies in architectural research. There are Intrepretive-Historical research, qualitative research, correlational research, experiment and quasi-experimental research, simulation and modeling research, logical argumentation and case studies and combined strategies.