Designer’s Pocket Book for Basic Research

Designers of the built environment too often complete projects and swiftly shift their attention to the next undertaking, without formally assessing the strengths and shortcomings of their just-completed design through research.

This research is key to improving human well-being. Sound and useful research need not be expensive nor time-intensive; much can be learned by simply knowing what questions to ask and how to avoid common mistakes. This book provides basic principles of social science research for design and simple tools to execute research projects. Readers will come away from the book familiar with research approaches (correlational, experimental, qualitative), simple statistical tests (t-test, ANOVA, correlation, chi square), standard surveys (e.g., scales for such constructs as privacy and situational awareness) and where to find them, simple software tools that are available to gather, what ethical principles should be followed in using human participants, and when formal IRB (Institutional Review Board) evaluation is required. While not every designer will undertake independent research, even simply reading the literature necessitates knowing the basics.

This book will equip you with the tools to examine and more easily comprehend social science research literature. This will be a helpful resource for professionals in architecture, interior design, environmental design, landscape architecture, and urban planning, particularly those in small firms with limited research budgets, as well as for students.