Last but Not Least

This semester's course objectives:

1. Compare and contrast quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods approaches to research.
2. Explain what experimental, quasi-experimental and non-experimental research designs entail and describe their application to different research questions.
3. Explain descriptive statistical techniques such as measures of central tendency, standard deviation and correlation.
4. Explain the ethical principles that pertain to research involving human subjects and research conducted in educational settings.
5. Select a research problem and formulate appropriate research hypotheses and/or questions.
6. Conduct a review of educational literature from texts, journals and computer library databases.
7. Write a coherent synthesis of such literature as it relates to the research problem.
8. Prepare a viable research proposal.

As the semester progressed I found that quantitative and qualitative methods can be used in research related to architecture. Buildings are solid masses we can quantify and measure but they only exist to serve in combination with occupants and context so the interaction between is often what is in question. That interaction is not so quantifiable but in combination I think the two methods can be successful in comprehensively approaching many of my specific questions. Research designs models were especially interesting because they provide frameworks. Developing a research question is daunting enough. Having models to provide the framework has given me more confidence in developing research questions, proposals and experiments. Research question development is similar to concept development - I like the back and forth process. Literature synthesis and review is still challenging to me. I could use more time learning how to review different types of documents and where to find sources. Through the process of developing my research proposal I've learned most specifically about idea/question development, literature searches and thorough development and documentation of a process. Our conversations about validity and accuracy helped explain the reason behind the structure for these proposals.