Quantitative and qualitative research in the built environment: application of “mixed” research approach

Built environment research consists of cognitive and affective, as well as behavioural, components. Existing built environment research utilises either strong qualitative or, more often, strong quantitative methodologies. Aims to discuss some of the philosophical issues that would be considered when undertaking academic research into the built environment. Considers the available research options or paradigms and suggests ways in which a researcher can make an informed and sensible decision as to how to proceed. The main dimensions of the debate about the relative characteristics and merits of quantitative and qualitative methodology are outlined, developing the argument that the use of a single methodology often fails to explore all of these components. The use of a mixed methods approach is suggested to counteract this weakness and to enhance research into the built environment.

[1]  J. Gill,et al.  Research Methods For Managers , 1991 .

[2]  Gretchen B. Rossman,et al.  Numbers and words revisited: Being “shamelessly eclectic” , 1994 .

[3]  D. D. Vaus,et al.  Surveys in Social Research , 1991 .

[4]  M. Manen.  Linking Ways of Knowing with Ways of Being Practical , 1977 .

[5]  T. Das.  QUALITATIVE RESEARCH IN ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOUR , 1983 .

[6]  Joseph E. McGrath,et al.  Dilemmatics: The Study of Research Choices and Dilemmas , 1981 .

[7]  Julian L. Simon,et al.  Basic research methods in social science , 1985 .

[8]  Nigel King,et al.  The qualitative research interview , 1994 .

[9]  D. Then.  A study of organisational response to the management of operational property assets and facilities support services as a business resource - real estate asset management. Vol. 1-2 , 1996 .

[10]  M. Easterby-Smith,et al.  Management Research: An Introduction , 1991 .

[11]  Renata Tesch,et al.  Qualitative research : analysis types and software tools , 1990 .

[12]  Ian Jones,et al.  Mixing Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Sports Fan Research , 1997 .

[13]  Gretchen Rossman,et al.  Numbers and Words , 1985 .

[14]  Rom Harré,et al.  The Rules of Disorder , 1978 .

[15]  Douglas S. Nau.  Mixing Methodologies: Can Bimodal Research be a Viable Post-Positivist Tool? , 1995 .

[16]  R. Yin.  Case Study Research: Design and Methods , 1984 .

[17]  John W Buckley,et al.  Research Methodology and Business Decisions , 1976 .

[18]  M. Patton,et al.  Qualitative evaluation and research methods , 1992 .

[19]  A. F. Chalmers,et al.  What Is This Thing Called Science , 1976 .

[20]  David Baldry,et al.  Theory building in facilities management research: case study methodology , 2000 .

[21]  S. Kvale.  Interviews : an introduction to qualitative research interviewing , 1996 .

[22]  David Silverman,et al.  Qualitative research: meanings or practices? , 1998, Inf. Syst. J..