This document discusses literature reviews as an important part of the research process in architecture. It begins by defining a literature review as a survey of sources that produces more lasting and widely useful knowledge. It then outlines the main components and purposes of conducting a literature review, including exploring existing knowledge on a topic, identifying gaps, and situating a research question within a body of literature. The document also compares annotated bibliographies to literature reviews and discusses organizing, taking notes, and retrieving information found during the review process.

1. Research Methods in
Architecture
Literature Review
Dr. Yasser Mahgoub

2. Literature Review
Architectural Research Methods
Linda Groat & David Wang

3. Introduction
• Knowledge we already possess  New information
• Literature Review (LR):
– A survey of various sources to produce knowledge that
is more lasting and has more widespread usefulness.
– A very important part of the research process
– Not only at the beginning of the process but throughout
it.

4. Introduction
Information from research:
• Address a specific topic Summarized in several sentences)
• Find its place in larger domain of relevant literature
(community of people)
• Should be able to stand on its own

5. Research Cyclical Process
• A research must be informed about existing literature.
• The outcome will expand that body of literature.

6. 3.1.1. LR as an Exploratory System
• LR:
– A body of information existing in a wide varity of
stored formats
– Has conceptual relevance for a particular topic of
inquiry.
– Activities to use that body of information to define and
address a topic of inquiry.

7. 3.1.1. LR as an Exploratory System
• Important issues:
– Key sources
– Key theories
– Major issues and databases
– Epistemological* and ontological** grounds
– Main questions and problems
* Epistemological - is the branch of philosophy concerned with the
nature and scope of knowledge.
** Ontological - is the philosophical study of the nature
of being, existence, or reality.

8. 3.1.2. Annotated Bibliography vs LR
• Annotated Bibliography:
– Listing of references obtained from searching a field’s
literature
– Respond to each reference cited with a descriptive
paragraph: Goals, Theoretical stance, Relevance for
the investigation.

9. 3.1.2. Annotated Bibliography vs LR
• Annotated Bibliography:
– Listing of references obtained from searching a field’s
literature
– Respond to each reference cited with a descriptive
paragraph: Goals, Theoretical stance, Relevance for
the investigation.

10. 3.1.2. Annotated Bibliography vs LR
• Annotated Bibliography:
– Listing of references obtained from searching a field’s
literature
– Respond to each reference cited with a descriptive
paragraph: Goals, Theoretical stance, Relevance for
the investigation.

11. 3.1.2. Annotated Bibliography vs LR
• From Annotated Bibliography TO Literature Review
– Introductory statement
– Summary of the lines of existing research (grouped)
– Observations on the state of literature: Expand –
Covered – Arguments - …

12. 3.1.3. Diagrammatic Structure for a
Research Study
• Question
• Audience
• Literature
• Topic  Actions

13. 3.1.4. LR for Designers vs LR for
Researcher
Design Research
Aim Empirical object Explanatory conceptual
Particular place and Beyond place and time
time
Use Pragmatic - Connect topic f inquiry –
Typological - Facts for Theoretical –
normative action Philosophical –
Epistemological -
Methodolical
Outcome Loose connection – Connections –
Designed object – Explanatory – Relates to
Without reference to a body of literature
larger literature

14. 3.2. Uses of LR
• To identify the research question:
– Emerge from analyzing, criticizing and suggesting
improvements to an existing work.
– Comparison of literature.
– Existing Theory
– Testing Theory
– Expansion of concept or Theory
• Mining the Literature to develop
a research question

15. 3.2. Uses of LR
• Research Creativity:
– Derive new implications from existing position
– Critique past stances from an awareness of present
positions
– Project future conditions based upon learned
premises.

16. 3.2. Uses of LR
• To Focus the topic of inquiry:
– Topic should not be:
• Too general
• Too broad
• Too restrictive
• To Understand the Makeup of the Research Question
– Back-and-forth between Literature and Research
– Restate the topic several times

17. 3.2. Uses of LR
• To Understand an Idea’s Generic Roots
– Historical lineage
– Family tree
– Network
– Grow the tree

18. 3.2. Uses of LR
• To Understand the Current Conceptual Landscape
– Contemporary context
– Current points of view
• Competing
• Opposing
• Nuanced (slight degree of difference)
– Intellectual agenda (buzz-words)
• Sustainability
• Deconstruction
• Transdisciplinary

19. 3.3. General Topics
• Facts and Ideas
– Fact: Agreement – Quantifiable and certifiable -
– Idea: Inference or hypothesis (newspapers,
letters, material objects, historical studies, …)
• Primary and secondary Sources
– Primary: Original
– Secondary: A source can be primary or secondary
• Methodology by Theory and by Application
– Describe methodology
– Apply methodology

20. 3.4. Specific Tactics
1. Knowing where the resources are
2. Having an organizing and retrieving system
3. Motivation and imagination

21. 3.4.1. Where to go: Resources
• Internet
• Library
• Archives
• Organizations
• Agencies
• Media

22. 3.4.1. Where to go: Resources
• Internet
– Search Engines
– Specialized Search Engines
• Avery Architectural & Fine Arts Library, Colombia University
– http://library.columbia.edu/indiv/avery/avery_index.html
• Arts and Humanities Search
– http://www.thomsonscientific.com/cgi-
bin/jrnlst/jloptions.cgi?PC=H

23. 3.4.1. Where to go: Resources
• Internet
– Full Text Services
• eJournals
• eBooks
– ProQuest
http://www.proquest.co.uk/en-UK/
– ScienceDirect
http://www.sciencedirect.com/
– NetLibrary
http://www.netlibrary.net/

24. 3.4.1. Where to go: Resources
• Internet
– Library Databases
– Specific Websites

25. 3.4.2. What to do: Organization and
Retrieval
• Locating   Borrowing
• Digest the gathered information
• Frame the research report
• Note taking
• Catalog
• Creative imagination

26. 3.4.2. What to do: Organization and
Retrieval
• Note taking
– Systematic way
– Index cards
– Notebook
– Laptop
– Record all of the bibliographic
Information of the source
– Order
– To be retrieved
– Note taking  Note organizing
– Creativity and Imagination

27. 3.4.2. What to do: Organization and
Retrieval
iPad App Review: Index Card iPad for Writers: Apps

29. END