Asking the Big Questions (??): Your PhD and its Contribution to the Built Environment Body of

Knowledge (BE-BOK)

Dr Nicholas Chileshe

PhD Workshop 30 November 2010

Outline of Presentation

1. Introduction2.Aims and Objectives3.Scientific Requirements of Knowledge4.Pillars of Knowledge5.Criteria for Matching Contribution to Knowledge6.Proposed Framework7.Application8. Conclusions

School of Natural & Built EnvironmentsResearching the Built Environment in Developing Countries

Introduction

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Little research conducted in demonstrating the necessary process for the identification of contribution to knowledge

in Built Environment

Researching the Built Environment in Developing Countries

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Aims and Objectives

•To highlight the general areas of what constitutes the potential areas for research within the field of Built Environment and its associated disciplines

• To match the specific criteria of contribution to knowledge with illustrative examples by exploring the application and theory development.

Researching the Built Environment in Developing Countries

Scientific Requirements of Knowledge (UPC)

•A method of organizing and categorising things (Typology)

• A sense of understanding about causes or events

• Prediction of future events

• Explanation of past events

• The potential for control of events

Researching the Built Environment in Developing Countries

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Pillars of KnowledgeFig 1.0: Induction

Observation Inductive Approach General Conclusion

Start Finish

Pillars of Knowledge -1

Pillars of KnowledgeFig 2.0: Deduction

SpecialObservation

General Knowledge

StartFinish

Deductive Approach

Pillars of Knowledge -2

Criteria for CPM Research

Figure 3.0: RAF Approach

2. Techniques Used

(Strengths &Limitations)

RM

Research in the BE

1.Existing Research

LRR A

3. Contribution to Built Environment Body of Knowledge (BE-BOK): Future Directions

F

Criteria for Matching Contribution to Knowledge

Principal Criterion for Award of PhD

• Original and Significant Contribution.

• discovery of new facts and /

• or the exercising of independent critical ability and /

• or the articulation of a new or novel approach to the research question

School of Natural & Built EnvironmentsResearching the Built Environment in Developing Countries

Original Contribution to Knowledge – Avenues

The following highlights the number of way an original contribution to knowledge might be reflected.

raising an important new problem or having addressed an existing problem in a novel way

investigation of previously ignored materials

development of new techniques for investigating issues, or

application of existing techniques to a new area of research

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Justification for Built Environment Research• The following must be taken into considerations by researchers within the Built Environment disciplines, for example Construction and Project Management

• Importance of Specific Area (i.e. SMEs in Construction)

• Relative Neglect of the Research problem by previous Research

• Relative neglect of the Research’s methodologies by previous Research

• Usefulness of Potential Applications of Research Findings

School of Natural & Built EnvironmentsResearching the Built Environment in Developing Countries

Framework for Assessing Original Contribution to Knowledge Levels Fig 4.0:Contribution to Built Environment Body of Knowledge

Levels

Orig

inal C

on

tribu

tion

to K

now

led

ge L

evels

10 M

atu

rity 8

7 A

dole

scen

ce 4

3 E

mb

ryon

ic 0

2. HOW's• Explanation Phase

3. WHY's• Explanation

and Justification Phase

Empirical Level

1. WHAT's• Description Phase• Discovery

Conceptual Levels"Building Blocks"

Proposed Framework

Discovery Phase

Component of Theory (COT) – What Pillar of Knowledge (POK) – Observation Purpose - Expand Boundaries; to investigate little understood phenomena

Examples of typical questions - What is going on here?; - Is it interesting to research?; - How much?; how many?

Australian example of studies in embryonic phase, i.e. gender issues in the built environment, (Francis , 2009)

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Discovery Phase - 2

Typical Research Questions Identify the major constructs of Total Quality Management

Identify the major constructs of Sustainable Construction.

Review of Teaching Measurement Skills

To Review and evaluate validated instruments used to measure Safety, Health, Environment and Quality Management within manufacturing and service industries

School of Natural & Built EnvironmentsResearching the Built Environment in Developing Countries

Adolescence Stage COT – How?; POK – Deduction

Purpose: To explain the forces causing the phenomena

Examples of Typical Questions - What is there?; - What are the key issues? - What is happening?

Examples of Studies in Construction Mgt & Planning-Usage of SEM to examine the strength of the relationship between TQM as a whole (Chileshe, 2004).- What will be the shape and structure of Delhi in 20 years? How to predict? (Karuppannan, 2000)

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Adolescence Stage - 2

Typical Research Questions

To determine if there any differences in Quality Management Implementation across the UK (Australia) Construction Related Organisations

Direct assessment of the links between the built environment and physical activity

Investigating the relationship between sustainability & affordability

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Maturity Phase (Old Age?)

COT – Why POK – Theory Testing Purpose – (Predictive) - To predict the outcomes of the phenomenon Modifications and development both of concepts and the Model

Typical Research Questions

To identify the linkages between attainment of a sustainable competitive advantage and TQM

School of Natural & Built EnvironmentsResearching the Built Environment in Developing Countries

Application

Classification of TQM Organisations in different levels (H, M, L) - Chileshe , (2004)

Findings TQM Implementation was of Medium Levels & S Awareness was low

Future Directions and Replication in Other Studies Methodology for Classification of Sustainability Awareness Levels

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Researching the Built Environment in Developing Countries

Researching the Built Environment in Developing Countries

Future Directions

Knowledge Management (KM) Emergence of Six Sigma Testing an Operations Managements (OM )Theory, Model or Framework Meta-Analysis of Existing OM Theory, Model or Framework Methodological Triangulation on an Existing OM Theory , Model or Framework Exploration of Fuzzy Logic / BIM Research into the Health and Well Being of Employees Time Lag Analysis (Longitudinal Studies) Gender Issue (In Construction; Academia) Empowerment

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Researching the Built Environment in Developing Countries

Researching the Built Environment in Developing Countries

Conclusions

Profession is established by developing body of knowledge which is unique – and that body of knowledge is produced through research

Example: The International Conference on Built Environment in Developing Countries (ICBEDC-2010)

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Researching the Built Environment in Developing Countries

Researching the Built Environment in Developing Countries

And Finally.........

As Every Field Matures, its strong ideals needs to be continually Refined and its Weak Concepts Abandoned

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Researching the Built Environment in Developing Countries

Researching the Built Environment in Developing Countries