BUIL1309 - Research Methods: Greenhouse Gas Emission Analysis Report

This report explores research methods within the built environment, specifically focusing on the analysis of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It discusses the application of semi-structured interviews as a qualitative research technique for gathering opinions and ideas related to emission reduction in the construction industry. The report details the process of designing and conducting such interviews, emphasizing the importance of question development, material considerations, and data analysis. It also includes example interview questions related to the built environment. Furthermore, the report presents recommendations for ensuring gender equality and balanced representation from public and private sectors in research. Key lessons learned include the importance of community involvement and the effectiveness of questionnaires in data collection. The study identifies strengths such as widening learners’ knowledge and weaknesses such as participant unwillingness and vague responses. The study can be applied to government, public, and private organizations. Desklib provides similar solved assignments and past papers for students.

RESEARCH METHODS 1
Research Methods for the Built Environment
Class
Instructor’s Name
University
Australia
Date

RESEARCH METHODS 2
Task 2.1: Introduction
The built environment shows data verification and transparency between individuals and the
working organization. Moreover, it is a diversified area of study in which most researchers
apply during their field work in relevant field. Additionally, majority of the questions in
research revolve around the in built environment by use of methodological techniques in areas
such as architecture, construction management and surveying (Scott,p 24, 2016).
TASK 2.1.1: DISCUSSION
In this scenario, the company chosen was a private sector following the data given in figure 8.
However, in my observation it was relevant because I noticed private sectors are more active in
the greenhouse business for power or plants generation. According to the previous studies, it
also shows that the private companies lead in carbon dioxide emissions within the living
environment. Furthermore, the results show that adults of age 20years and above highly work in
these sectors either private or public.
Task 2.2.0: DESIGNING A SEMI-STRUCTURED INTERVIEW
Semi-structured interview is an example of qualitative research and involve gathering of
different information to have people’s opinions and ideas depending on the field of interest. The
technique provides a flexibility balance to an open interview during the survey by exploring new
ideas during the research. Furthermore, semi-structured interview gives more detailed
information based on the experience of the interviewees as it involves one on one discussion
thereby getting first hand information. This will later make the interviewer determine the
specific topics in developing proper hypothesis for further research expansion and foundation. In
this way, an array list of different questions must be used as guide in conducting the interview.

RESEARCH METHODS 3
This kind of interview is done by a staff member as an internal evaluation program in realizing
the position of the company within the working environment (Doody & Noonan, p 32, 2013)
To have a successful semi-structured interview, the following procedure must be followed;
First is question development whereby open-ended questions must be developed to have
descriptive responses. During the process of conducting the interview, easy language understood
by the participants must be used by the researcher. The cultural and social contexts must be
adhered to during the question construction. Again, the questions must be concise and direct to
the point. At this first stage, the positive and negative association should be avoided for example,
why you don’t like working as a group among others.
Secondly, a person should consider the materials used in the study (Galletta, p 25, 2013). That is
to say, the order of the questions should be used such as asking the most sensitive questions first
followed by non-sensitive questions. In addition to this, several copies of consent forms must be
provided to the participants’ then record the information in an electronic device for future
reference, for example, computer or flash disks. Thirdly, are determination of interviewers and
the participants that is, targeting group and place where the interview shall be completed.
Another part is planning the structure of the session by making introduction to the team during
the study, asking questions to do with the demography of the area. This will provide a flexible
and open environment for group discussion (Blandford, p 5, 2013). Conversely, to attain a
successful interview, a problem solving method should be applied throughout the study in the
information gathering. The fifth procedure that must be used is having an analysis of the data
collected from field. A database from the computer is applicable in observing the behavioral
patterns and relationships of the research conducted based on the information. Later, a report

RESEARCH METHODS 4
will be given after completion of the survey and giving a presentation to a professional person.
After the presentation, the information shall be recorded and stored in computerized software for
further analysis or references (Du & Mouton, p 14, 2013). This will give a conversational
procedure to collecting different information from the same field of study and having freedom in
expressing their opinions and findings.
An example of such an interview:
a) What is a built environment?
Answer:
b) How can an individual get involved in the built environment group?
Answer:
c) What do people mean, when they talk about built environment?
Answer:
d) When transportation is considered complete within the living environment?
Answer:
e) What do we understand by an improved built environment?
Answer:
f) What benefits does the society achieve through having a healthy built environment?
Answer:
g) Which policies should be put in place to have a balanced built environment?
Answer:

RESEARCH METHODS 5
The interviewer should also end the discussion in an interesting manner to the participant for
example, “anything additional information you would like to share with me? It will make him
/her get encouraged in giving additional relevant information (Zorn, p1, 2011).
TASK 2.2.1: RECOMMENDATIONS
As a researcher, I will ensure that about three research techniques are applied during field work,
for example, sampling, interview or questionnaire. Based on the research, as a person I would
ensure that there is gender equality within the analysis sector. Additionally, the ration of staffs
from the public and private sector must be at equilibrium point. The reason is that when equality
of employees is exercised, an equal distribution of resources shall be applied in ensuring that
both parties benefit (Wang et al, p 8, 2013).
TASK 2.2.2: CONCLUSION
Lessons learnt
Some of the lessons learnt from the research are: first, in attaining a proper built environment,
the community must ensure that each citizen has a right to be heard based on the issues affecting
the environment. Second, by use of questionnaire as a data collection, better information was
retrieved and analyzed. Again, in conducting the research, the people, organizations and
community at large must be included both from the public and private sector (Groat &Wang, p
12, 2013). Further, this research will include the affective and cognitive analysis approach in
enlarging the research. A relative effort must be applied for examining rationality concept and
good attention to the social environment as a whole.
Strengths of the study

RESEARCH METHODS 6
The study widens learners’ knowledge in understanding different opinions. It also makes the
learner attain firsthand information from the respondent as it is a face to face conversation.
Weaknesses of the study
Some of the people were not willing to participate in the research questions. The answers given,
some of them may be irrelevant or vague to the subject topic. The possible application of the
study is that it can be applied in government, public or private organizations.

RESEARCH METHODS 7
References
Blannford Ann. (2013). Semi Structured Qualitative Studies. Available at
http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1436174/2/semi-structured_qualitative_studies.pdf
Doody, O. and Noonan, M., 2013. Preparing and conducting interviews to collect data.
Du Toit, J.L. and Mouton, J., 2013. A typology of designs for social research in the built
environment. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 16(2).
Galletta, A., 2013. Mastering the semi-structured interview and beyond: From research design to
analysis and publication. NYU press.
Scott, L., 2016. 12 Embedding action research in the built environment. Research Methodology
in the Built Environment: A Selection of Case Studies.
Wang, X., Kim, M.J., Love, P.E. and Kang, S.C., 2013. Augmented Reality in built environment:
Classification and implications for future research. Automation in Construction, 32.
Zorn T. Designing and Conducting Semi-Structured Interviews for Research. Available at
http://home.utah.edu/~u0326119/Comm4170-01/resources/Interviewguidelines.pdf.