research construction

The Built & Human Environment Review, Volume 3, Special Issue 1, 2010

Evaluating Research Methodology in Construction
Productivity Studies
Panas, A. and Pantouvakis, J. P. [e-mail] and [e-mail]
Centre for Construction Innovation, Department of Construction Engineering and Management, Faculty of Civil
Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Greece

Abstract
Despite the large number of published papers in the area of construction productivity, a critical review of contemporary thinking with a discussion of the implications to current researchers is rarely attempted. As such, this paper investigates the subject based upon published papers in major peer-reviewed journals during the last decade. Eighty-nine papers published in both construction journals and broader management science journals have been analysed. Three broad classifications were used for summarizing the methodologies adopted within the papers: Qualitative, quantitative and mixed-method research approaches. The research taxonomy further identified three major fields based on each study’s research focus: Archival studies, empirical research and simulation proposals. In terms of the methodological structure followed, three main categories have been recognised: Experimental frameworks, data collection techniques and modelling proposals. A methodological framework is developed upon the evaluation’s results and its implementation on an actual research project is illustrated. The main conclusion is that the selection of the research methodology in published journal papers has been an intuitive decision, mainly relating upon the researcher’s ontological and epistemological stance.
However, general guidelines on the selection of the most appropriate methodology in relation to the research aims and objectives may also be proposed.

Keywords: Construction, Methodology, Productivity, Research

Introduction
The research methodology encompasses the

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