As an MFA candidate in the Interior Design department I'm in the process of developing a thesis project. One of the great things about having such a range of options available is the opportunity to explore new and totally unfamiliar topics. The challenge is that I'm completely bored by almost every topic I've put on paper, err, into cyber space. Why is it so difficult to come up with an original approach? For a supposedly creative individual, I've come up with a lot of hackneyed ideas. Therefore, I'm excited to use my Research Methods class to flush out topics related to my current ideas. I think by reading and analyzing existing work I just might learn more than enough to help me find a topic, and specifically an approach to that topic, that will lead to a thesis project concept.
Idea #1
The effect of incarceration facility interior design on the rehabilitation of an inmate.
Quantitative
The effect of square footage dedicated to communal spaces vs. square footage dedicated to isolation spaces on levels/rates of prison violence.
Qualitative
Perceived connection to the outside world vs. actual connection to the outside world .
The differences between these two approaches include the following:
The quantitative will look specifically at the connection between square footage distribution and violence levels. From these numbers and comparisons I will draw conclusions that are based on a small set of variables and allow little room for interpretation. Research will likely include reports from prisons including square footage and violent incidences.
The qualitative approach requires that I define "well-being" for the sake of this research. Based on that definition I will infer and asses whether connection to the world beyond the prison walls actually plays a role in their well-being. Research will likely include accounts from prison staff and prisoners regarding mental, emotional and physical health as related to isolation, visual access to the natural environment and access to the community surrounding the incarceration facility.
Idea #1
The effect of incarceration facility interior design on the rehabilitation of an inmate.
Quantitative
The effect of square footage dedicated to communal spaces vs. square footage dedicated to isolation spaces on levels/rates of prison violence.
Qualitative
Perceived connection to the outside world vs. actual connection to the outside world .
The differences between these two approaches include the following:
The quantitative will look specifically at the connection between square footage distribution and violence levels. From these numbers and comparisons I will draw conclusions that are based on a small set of variables and allow little room for interpretation. Research will likely include reports from prisons including square footage and violent incidences.
The qualitative approach requires that I define "well-being" for the sake of this research. Based on that definition I will infer and asses whether connection to the world beyond the prison walls actually plays a role in their well-being. Research will likely include accounts from prison staff and prisoners regarding mental, emotional and physical health as related to isolation, visual access to the natural environment and access to the community surrounding the incarceration facility.
Wow. Very interesting topic and stated problems. If you go with this I would be very interested in seeing what you develop. I just watched a documentary on solitary confinement and the terrible effects it was having on the psychological well being of inmates.
ReplyDeleteAs far as your problem statements, I think you could take "the effect" language out of the qualitative one. What are the relationships between prisoners perceptions about the outside world and their sense of well-being? maybe . . . .
You do a good job elaborating on the differences between the two problems. I would be interested in hearing a little more about how the types of knowledge produced are different. Why do a quantitative study? Why do a qualitative one?