Research Methods in Architecture Literature Review Dr. Yasser Mahgoub
Literature Review Architectural Research Methods Linda Groat & David Wang
Introduction • Knowledge we already possess New information • Literature Review (LR): – A survey of various sources to produce knowledge that is more lasting and has more widespread usefulness. – A very important part of the research process – Not only at the beginning of the process but throughout it.
Introduction Information from research: • Address a specific topic Summarized in several sentences) • Find its place in larger domain of relevant literature (community of people) • Should be able to stand on its own
Research Cyclical Process • A research must be informed about existing literature. • The outcome will expand that body of literature.
3.1.1. LR as an Exploratory System • LR: – A body of information existing in a wide varity of stored formats – Has conceptual relevance for a particular topic of inquiry. – Activities to use that body of information to define and address a topic of inquiry.
3.1.1. LR as an Exploratory System • Important issues: – Key sources – Key theories – Major issues and databases – Epistemological* and ontological** grounds – Main questions and problems * Epistemological - is the branch of philosophy concerned with the nature and scope of knowledge. ** Ontological - is the philosophical study of the nature of being, existence, or reality.
3.1.2. Annotated Bibliography vs LR • Annotated Bibliography: – Listing of references obtained from searching a field’s literature – Respond to each reference cited with a descriptive paragraph: Goals, Theoretical stance, Relevance for the investigation.
3.1.2. Annotated Bibliography vs LR • Annotated Bibliography: – Listing of references obtained from searching a field’s literature – Respond to each reference cited with a descriptive paragraph: Goals, Theoretical stance, Relevance for the investigation.
3.1.2. Annotated Bibliography vs LR • Annotated Bibliography: – Listing of references obtained from searching a field’s literature – Respond to each reference cited with a descriptive paragraph: Goals, Theoretical stance, Relevance for the investigation.
3.1.2. Annotated Bibliography vs LR • From Annotated Bibliography TO Literature Review – Introductory statement – Summary of the lines of existing research (grouped) – Observations on the state of literature: Expand – Covered – Arguments - …
3.1.3. Diagrammatic Structure for a Research Study • • • •
Question Audience Literature Topic Actions
3.1.4. LR for Designers vs LR for Researcher Design
Research
Aim
Empirical object Particular place and time
Explanatory conceptual Beyond place and time
Use
Pragmatic Typological - Facts for normative action
Connect topic f inquiry – Theoretical – Philosophical – Epistemological Methodolical
Outcome Loose connection – Designed object – Without reference to a larger literature
Connections – Explanatory – Relates to body of literature
3.2. Uses of LR • To identify the research question: – Emerge from analyzing, criticizing and suggesting improvements to an existing work. – Comparison of literature. – Existing Theory – Testing Theory – Expansion of concept or Theory • Mining the Literature to develop a research question
3.2. Uses of LR • Research Creativity: – Derive new implications from existing position – Critique past stances from an awareness of present positions – Project future conditions based upon learned premises.
3.2. Uses of LR • To Focus the topic of inquiry: – Topic should not be: • Too general • Too broad • Too restrictive • To Understand the Makeup of the Research Question – Back-and-forth between Literature and Research – Restate the topic several times
3.2. Uses of LR • To Understand an Idea’s Generic Roots – Historical lineage – Family tree – Network – Grow the tree
3.2. Uses of LR • To Understand the Current Conceptual Landscape – Contemporary context – Current points of view • Competing • Opposing • Nuanced (slight degree of difference) – Intellectual agenda (buzz-words) • Sustainability • Deconstruction • Transdisciplinary
3.3. General Topics • Facts and Ideas – Fact: Agreement – Quantifiable and certifiable – Idea: Inference or hypothesis (newspapers, letters, material objects, historical studies, …) • Primary and secondary Sources – Primary: Original – Secondary: A source can be primary or secondary • Methodology by Theory and by Application – Describe methodology – Apply methodology
3.4. Specific Tactics 1. Knowing where the resources are 2. Having an organizing and retrieving system 3. Motivation and imagination
3.4.1. Where to go: Resources • • • • • •
Internet Library Archives Organizations Agencies Media
3.4.1. Where to go: Resources •
Internet – Search Engines – Specialized Search Engines • •
Avery Architectural & Fine Arts Library, Colombia University – http://library.columbia.edu/indiv/avery/avery_index.html Arts and Humanities Search – http://www.thomsonscientific.com/cgibin/jrnlst/jloptions.cgi?PC=H
3.4.1. Where to go: Resources •
Internet – Full Text Services • •
eJournals eBooks – ProQuest http://www.proquest.co.uk/en-UK/ – ScienceDirect http://www.sciencedirect.com/ – NetLibrary http://www.netlibrary.net/
3.4.1. Where to go: Resources •
Internet – Library Databases – Specific Websites
3.4.2. What to do: Organization and Retrieval • • • • • •
Locating Borrowing Digest the gathered information Frame the research report Note taking Catalog Creative imagination
3.4.2. What to do: Organization and Retrieval •
Note taking – Systematic way – Index cards – Notebook – Laptop – Record all of the bibliographic Information of the source – Order – To be retrieved – Note taking Note organizing – Creativity and Imagination
3.4.2. What to do: Organization and Retrieval
iPad App Review: Index Card
iPad for Writers: Apps
END