Research methods for construction / Richard Fellows and Anita Liu.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Part I: Producing a Proposal -- Chapter 1: Introduction -- 1.1 The concept of research -- 1.2 Classifications of research -- 1.3 Theories and paradigms -- 1.4 Research styles -- 1.5 Quantitative and qualitative approaches -- 1.6 Where to begin -- 1.7 Summary -- References -- Chapter 2: Topic for Study -- 2.1 Selection of a topic -- 2.2 Writing the proposal -- 2.3 Summary References -- Part II: Executing the Research -- Chapter 3: Initial Research -- 3.1 The research process -- 3.2 Initial search -- 3.3 Literature-based discovery -- 3.4 Assembling the theoretical framework -- 3.5 Philosophy and methodology -- 3.6 Theoretical models and constructs -- 3.7 Proper referencing -- 3.8 Summary -- References -- Chapter 4: Approaches to Empirical Work -- 4.1 Role of experience -- 4.2 Research design -- 4.3 Qualitative approaches -- 4.4 Quantitative approaches -- 4.5 Experimental design (including experiments and quasi-experiments) -- 4.6 Case study research -- 4.7 Modelling -- 4.8 Simulation -- 4.9 Level of research -- 4.10 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 -- 5.6 Null hypotheses -- 5.7 Validities -- 5.8 Summary -- References -- Chapter 6: Data Collection -- 6.1 Data requirements -- 6.2 Collecting data from respondents -- 6.3 Sampling -- 6.4 Sample size -- 6.5 Scales of measurement -- 6.6 Obtaining data -- 6.7 Response styles -- 6.8 Summary -- References -- Chapter 7: Data Analysis -- 7.1 Analysing data -- 7.2 Plotting data -- 7.3 Statistical methods -- 7.4 Non-parametric tests7.5 Parametric tests -- 7.6 Other analytical techniques -- 7.7 Summary -- References -- Chapter 8: Ethics in Research -- 8.1 The concepts of morals and ethics -- 8.2 Research ethics -- 8.3 Data analysis, intellectual property and data protection -- 8.4 Summary -- References -- Part III: Reporting the Results -- Chapter 9: Results, Inferences and Conclusions -- 9.1 Requirements for valid results -- 9.2 Potential sources of error -- 9.3 Results -- 9.4 Conclusions -- 9.5 Summary -- References -- Chapter 10: Reports and Presentations -- 10.1 Report production -- 10.2 Communication -- 10.3 Contents of the report.

Research Methods in Construction will help you instil rigour into your problem-solving, and into your reports and publications. It will be of value to construction, surveying, architecture and civil engineering students undertaking research, whether for bachelors and masters degree dissertations, or for masters and doctoral research degree theses. Now in its Fourth Edition, this remains one of the few books to provide guidance on research formulation, methodologies, and methods specifically for construction students.

Three main sections - Producing a Proposal, Executing the Research and Reporting the Results discuss the key issues in research and examine the primary approaches, both qualitative and quantitative. The methods adopted for scientific and engineering experiments, model building and simulations are discussed, as well as those employed for research into management, social and economic issues. The authors examine the requirements for data and analysis, including the important statistical considerations and a range of qualitative techniques that enable construction researchers to appreciate what needs to be evaluated in devising how research may be carried out effectively and efficiently.

This new edition has been updated to reflect current debates and concerns, including ethical issues, legislation and codes of practice concerning the collection, processing, storage, use and disposal of data. Pressures of time and funding to carry out the empirical work all too often lead to a lack of attention to how the study should be done and why. The authors address the importance of explaining the philosophical approach adopted (ontology, epistemology) and the consequent methodology. They advocate close scrutiny of the methods available for appropriateness, both academically and practically.

Description based on print version record and CIP data provided by publisher.