Theories and methodologies of qualitative research in architecture

What is research and what is qualitative research in architecture? How do I research the relationship between human behavior and built environment via interview? How do I research the same relationship via mind maps and/or other graphic, cartographic and photographic methods of collection and analysis of data?

Students will write a bachelor thesis or a scientific paper. The topics will examine theories and methodologies of qualitative research in architecture in a critical manner. Research questions will be detailed in collaboration with the advisors. Students will also be introduced to principles of argumentation and of scientific research and writing.

Interested master and doctoral (PhD) students who have detailed research questions will have the opportunity to fine-tune their methodology and methods chapter for their thesis/research/grant/other proposal. Please come to the first class and we will sign you up manually.

Part A – The course will contain a broad introduction regarding the use of qualitative methods of research in the context of architecture. Students will read and analyse academic articles and will learn about theoretical vs. empirical research, quantitative vs. qualitative methods, hermeneutic understanding vs. scientific explanation, positivism vs. constructivism, and about the nomothetic vs. idiographic approaches.

Part B – Students will write a scientific paper, which will examine the appropriateness of qualitative research in architecture. The papers will especially consider graphic, cartographic, and photographic methods, as well as the ideas of “design thinking” and of the design process as hermeneutical. The essays will be completed in three steps: Assignment 1 will detail the research question. Assignment 2 will consider the proposed methodology and the case study/ies. Assignments 1 + 2 will be presented and discussed in class during a presentation with a subsequent group discussion. Assignment 3 is the finished scientific paper.

Bachelor thesis or scientific paper.

 A reader and a list of literature will be made available at the beginning of the course.