Bernold, L E and Lee, T S (2010) Experimental research in construction. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 136(1), pp. 26-35. ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
Humans' unique use of tools originated with their capability to observe, to link causes with effects and to conduct trial and error experiments. Experimental research today is still using these same basic elements albeit augmented by sophisticated tools and methods. Researchers conducting scientific experiments in the construction arena, however, face a "harsh" environment to work in. This paper draws from 20 years of experimental work in construction and engineering education. It provides a short historic background before discussing a framework useful to categorize the various ways researchers conducted experiments that provided meaningful results. Many examples are used to underscore the most important points.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | comparative evaluations; consent forms; controlled experiments; experimental research; pilot study |
| Index terms: | experiment, face, engineering education |
| Subjects: | psychology, data collection methods, professional education |
| Topics: | Organizational Design, Education, Research Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 2 CE |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here