Research Methods for Construction

Chapter 1: Introduction

• • 1.1 The concept of research
• • 1.1.1 Research: a careful search/investigation
• • 1.1.2 Research: contribution to knowledge
• • 1.1.3 A learning process
• • 1.1.4 Contextual factors affecting research
• • 1.2 Classifications of research
• • 1.2.1 Pure and applied research
• • 1.2.2 Quantitative and qualitative research
• • 1.2.3 Other categories of research
• • 1.3 Theories and paradigms
• • 1.3.1 Development of knowledge
• • 1.3.2 Testing a theory
• • 1.3.3 Paradigms
• • 1.3.4 Positivism
• • 1.3.5 Interpretivism
• • 1.3.6 Pragmatism
• • 1.3.7 Models and hypotheses
• • 1.4 Research styles/methods
• • 1.4.1 Action research
• • 1.4.2 Ethnographic research
• • 1.4.3 Surveys
• • 1.4.4 Case studies
• • 1.4.5 Experiments
• • 1.5 Quantitative and qualitative approaches
• • 1.5.1 Quantitative approaches
• • 1.5.2 Qualitative approaches
• • 1.5.3 Triangulated studies
• • 1.5.4 Data sources
• • 1.6 Where to begin
• • 1.7 Summary
• • References

Chapter 2: Topic for Study

• • 2.1 Selection of a topic
• • 2.1.1 Resources
• • 2.1.2 Subject selection
• • 2.1.3 Choosing a topic
• • 2.1.4 Evaluating alternatives
• • 2.1.5 Refining a topic
• • 2.2 Writing the proposal
• • 2.2.1 Aim
• • 2.2.2 Proposition
• • 2.2.3 Objectives
• • 2.2.4 Hypotheses
• • 2.2.5 Methodology and methods
• • 2.2.6 Programme
• • 2.2.7 Deliverables and industrial / practitioner support
• • 2.3 Summary
• • References

Chapter 3: Initial Research

• • 3.1 The research process
• • 3.1.1 Initial phase
• • 3.1.2 Data and information
• • 3.1.3 Dynamic process
• • 3.2 Initial search
• • 3.2.1 Definitions and assumptions
• • 3.2.2 Theory and literature reviews
• • 3.2.3 Analysing data from a search
• • 3.3 Literature based discovery
• • 3.4 Assembling the theoretical framework
• • 3.4.1 Theory borrowing
• • 3.4.2 Theorising
• • 3.5 Philosophy and paradigms
• • 3.5.1 Ontology, epistemology and axiology
• • 3.5.2 Positivism
• • 3.5.3 Realism
• • 3.5.4 Interpretivism
• • 3.5.5 Constructivism
• • 3.5.6 Phenomenalism
• • 3.5.7 Postmodernism
• • 3.5.8 Pragmatism
• • 3.6 Fuzzy thinking
• • 3.7 Theoretical models and constructs
• • 3.7.1 Theoretical model
• • 3.7.2 Constructs
• • 3.8 Proper referencing
• • 3.9 Summary
• • References

Chapter 4: Approaches to Empirical Work

• • 4.1 Starting data collection
• • 4.2 Experience
• • 4.3 Reasoning and inference
• • 4.3.1 Sensemaking
• • 4.3.2 Motivated reasoning
• • 4.3.3 Determinism and stochasticism
• • 4.3.4 Complexity
• • 4.4 Systems of methods
• • 4.5 Research design
• • 4.5.1 Context
• • 4.5.2 Variance and errors
• • 4.5.3 Empiricism, rationalism and verification
• • 4.6 Qualitative and quantitative approaches
• • 4.6.1 When are qualitative approaches employed?
• • 4.6.2 When are quantitative approaches employed?
• • 4.7 Experimental
• • 4.7.1 Experiments and quasi-experiments
• • 4.7.2 Variables
• • 4.7.3 Experimental control
• • 4.7.4 Replication
• • 4.7.5 Between-subjects design (simple randomised experiments)
• • 4.7.6 Between-subjects design (matched randomised groups)
• • 4.7.7 Within-subject design (repeated measure design)
• • 4.7.8 Factorial experiments
• • 4.8 Survey
• • 4.9 Secondary
• • 4.9.1 Archival
• • 4.9.2 Meta-analysis
• • 4.10 Case study
• • 4.11 Ethnographic
• • 4.11.1 Ethnography
• • 4.11.2 Ethnomethodology
• • 4.12 Action
• • 4.13 Grounded theory (development of theory from data)
• • 4.14 Narrative
• • 4.15 Modelling
• • 4.15.1 Classification of models
• • 4.15.2 Deterministic and stochastic models
• • 4.15.3 The modelling process
• • 4.16 Simulation
• • 4.16.1 Dynamism
• • 4.16.2 Heuristics
• • 4.16.3 Approaches
• • 4.17 Level of research
• • 4.18 Practise-based research
• • 4.19 Summary
• • References

Chapter 5: Hypotheses

• • 5.1 Essentials of a valid hypothesis
• • 5.2 Roles of hypotheses
• • 5.3 Objective testing of hypotheses
• • 5.4 Role of sampling
• • 5.5 Common statistical measures
• • 5.5.1 Normal distribution
• • 5.6 Null hypotheses
• • 5.7 Validities
• • 5.8 Summary
• • References

Chapter 6: Data Collection

• • 6.1 Data requirements
• • 6.2 Sources of quantitative data
• • 6.3 Collecting data from respondents
• • 6.3.1 Questionnaires
• • 6.3.2 Interviews
• • 6.4 Case studies
• • 6.5 Triangulation
• • 6.6 Sampling
• • 6.6.1 Sample size
• • 6.7 Scales of measurement
• • 6.7.1 Scaling techniques (non-metric and metric)
• • 6.7.2 Common scaling methods
• • 6.7.3 Development of multi-item scales
• • 6.8 Obtaining data
• • 6.9 Translation
• • 6.10 Response styles and biases
• • 6.11 Summary
• • References

Chapter 7: Data Analysis

• • 7.1 Analysing data
• • 7.2 Plotting data
• • 7.3 Statistical methods
• • 7.4 Non-parametric tests
• • 7.4.1 Sign test
• • 7.4.2 Rank-sum rests
• • 7.4.3 Chi-square (c2) test
• • 7.4.4 Goodness of fit
• • 7.5 Parametric tests
• • 7.5.1 _t_\-Test
• • 7.5.2 Analysis of variance (ANOVA)
• • 7.5.3 Regression and correlation
• • 7.5.4 Multiple regression
• • 7.5.5 Time series
• • 7.5.6 Index numbers
• • 7.6 Other analytical techniques
• • 7.6.1 Cluster analysis
• • 7.6.2 Factor analysis
• • 7.6.3 Path analysis
• • 7.6.4 Analytic hierarchy process (AHP)
• • 7.7 Analysis of qualitative data
• • 7.7.1 Analysing documents (from texts)
• • 7.7.2 Conversation analysis
• • 7.7.3 Discourse analysis
• • 7.7.4 Social network analysis
• • 7.7.5 Multi-level research
• • 7.7.6 Meta-analysis
• • 7.7.7 Longitudinal research
• • 7.8 Summary
• • References

Chapter 8: Ethics in Research

• • 8.1 The concepts of morals and ethics
• • 8.2 Research ethics
• • 8.2.1 Theory and literature
• • 8.2.2 Data collection, use and disposal
• • 8.3 Data analysis, intellectual property and data protection
• • 8.3.1 Data analysis, results and reporting
• • 8.3.2 Intellectual property
• • 8.3.3 Data protection
• • 8.4 Equality, diversity and inclusion
• • 8.5 Summary
• • References

Chapter 9: Results, Inferences and Conclusions

• • 9.1 Requirements for valid results
• • 9.2 Potential sources of error
• • 9.3 Reliability
• • 9.4 Results
• • 9.4.1 Producing the results
• • 9.4.2 Introductory results
• • 9.4.3 Substantive results
• • 9.4.4 Inferences
• • 9.4.5 Causal relationships
• • 9.4.6 Interpretation
• • 9.5 Conclusions
• • 9.5.1 How to write conclusions
• • 9.5.2 Further research
• • 9.6 Summary
• • References

Chapter 10: Reports and Presentations

• • 10.1 Report production
• • 10.2 Communication
• • 10.3 Contents of the report
• • 10.3.1 How to begin
• • 10.3.2 Text of the report
• • 10.3.3 Theory and literature
• • 10.3.4 Reporting on methodology and methods
• • 10.3.5 Reporting on data sourcing and data collection
• • 10.3.6 Presentation of results
• • 10.3.7 Discussion of results
• • 10.3.8 Conclusions
• • 10.3.9 Limitations
• • 10.3.10 Recommendations
• • 10.3.11 Introduction
• • 10.3.12 Remainder of the report
• • 10.4 Oral presentation
• • 10.5 Summary