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Abowitz, D A and Toole, T M (2010) Mixed Method Research: Fundamental Issues of Design, Validity, and Reliability in Construction Research. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 136(01), 108–16.

Azhar, S, Ahmad, I and Sein, M K (2010) Action Research as a Proactive Research Method for Construction Engineering and Management. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 136(01), 87–98.

Bernold, L E and Lee, T S (2010) Experimental Research in Construction. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 136(01), 26–35.

Flood, I and Issa, R R A (2010) Empirical Modeling Methodologies for Construction. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 136(01), 36–48.

Gibson, G E and Whittington, D A (2010) Charrettes as a Method for Engaging Industry in Best Practices Research. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 136(01), 66–75.

Green, S D, Kao, C and Larsen, G D (2010) Contextualist Research: Iterating between Methods While Following an Empirically Grounded Approach. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 136(01), 117–26.

Hallowell, M R and Gambatese, J A (2010) Qualitative Research: Application of the Delphi Method to CEM Research. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 136(01), 99–107.

Kandil, A, El-Rayes, K and El-Anwar, O (2010) Optimization Research: Enhancing the Robustness of Large-Scale Multiobjective Optimization in Construction. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 136(01), 17–25.

Leicht, R M, Hunter, S T, Saluja, C and Messner, J I (2010) Implementing Observational Research Methods to Study Team Performance in Construction Management. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 136(01), 76–86.

  • Type: Journal Article
  • Keywords: Research; Methodology; Construction management; Productivity; Teamwork; Research methods; Observational studies; Content analysis;
  • ISBN/ISSN: 0733-9364
  • URL: https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000080
  • Abstract:
    The evolution of research in the area of construction engineering and management has moved toward the use of quantitative metrics and research methods for identifying and evaluating the impact of events or procedures on the construction process. While quantitative research methods can be very important for answering certain research questions, there are important reasons for adopting qualitative or mixed methodology studies to gain a better understanding of complex phenomena. This paper explores the use of observational studies and their potential use within the field of construction research. Observational studies can provide answers to “what” phenomena occurred, particularly when people are involved in a process, along with gaining insights into “why” the phenomena occurred. This paper discusses two types of observational studies, structured and unstructured, and provides a procedure for their implementation within construction research. To clearly demonstrate the methodology, a case study focused on the investigation of two different versions of an educational simulation application, the virtual construction simulator (VCS), is used to illustrate the benefits and challenges of implementing mixed methodology observational studies. The case study involved the video recording and analysis of interactions between student team members when using the VCS application for a construction sequencing task. The video recordings were analyzed, and important insights were identified, both qualitative and quantitative. Through content analysis, it was determined that the improvements made in a new version of the VCS application were beneficial, and the detailed observational studies identified insights into why the revisions in the application yielded improved results. This case study details the steps and considerations involved in planning an observational study, as well as the benefits and challenges that researchers may encounter when using observational research methodologies.

Lucko, G and Mitchell, Z W (2010) Quantitative Research: Preparation of Incongruous Economic Data Sets for Archival Data Analysis. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 136(01), 49–57.

Lucko, G and Rojas, E M (2010) Research Validation: Challenges and Opportunities in the Construction Domain. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 136(01), 127–35.

Martinez, J C (2010) Methodology for Conducting Discrete-Event Simulation Studies in Construction Engineering and Management. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 136(01), 3–16.

Phelps, A F and Horman, M J (2010) Ethnographic Theory-Building Research in Construction. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 136(01), 58–65.