Browsing by Author "Du Toit, Jacques Louis"

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    A typology of designs for social research in the built environment
    (Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2010-12) Du Toit, Jacques Louis; Mouton, J.; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Sociology and Social Anthropology
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this metamethodological study was to construct a typology of designs for social research in the built environment, i.e., architecture, urban design and planning. Currently there is no such typology, while the notion of “research design” is relatively unknown in methodological literature in the built environment field. An outline of the dimensions of social research provided a theoretical lens for methodological analysis, and identified six methodological considerations as classification criteria, including (1) research context, (2) research aim, (3) research purpose, (4) methodological paradigm, (5) methodological approach, and (6) source of data. Exploratory interviews and a survey and methodological content analysis of built environment theses provided a better understanding of methodological issues in conducting social research in the built environment and the potential relevance of a typology of designs. A review of methodological literature identified 25 research design subtypes that can be clustered into 10 prototypical designs for inclusion in the typology, namely: (1) surveys, (2) experiments, (3) modelling, simulation, mapping and visualization, (4) textual and narrative studies, (5) field studies, (6) case studies, (7) intervention research, (8) evaluation research, (9) participatory action research, and (10) metaresearch. A survey and methodological content analysis of journal articles determined the extent to which these designs feature in social research in the built environment. Although all the designs and subtypes feature, metaresearch, case studies, evaluation research and surveys predominate. An initial typology classified the 10 prototypical designs in terms of the six methodological considerations. The typology was tested to see how well it classified the designs of actual studies and revised accordingly. Possible benefits of the typology include greater clarification, improved teaching and decision-making, and methodological reflection. Thus, the typology may support lecturers, students, supervisors, researchers, peer-reviewers and practitioners to have a more articulate, reflexive, and critical orientation with regard to research design to maximize the validity of findings and advance theory, methodology and practice in built environment disciplines. The study concludes that the typology may also mitigate post-modern criticisms against social research in the built environment.
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    The use of survey methodology to determine residents' environmental attitudes towards a modern high-rise public housing complex
    (Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2000) Du Toit, Jacques Louis; Bekker, S. B.; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Sociology and Social Anthropology.; Jacobs, Ivan
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This is an applied methodological thesis about the attitudes of residents towards a modern high rise public housing complex. A definition and analysis of the theme show that this housing type is characterised by a distinctive design and style known as modernist. Therefore, modern and postmodern theory is used to formulate a general existential hypothesis as to residents attitudes towards this housing type. A cross-sectional survey research design was used to research the thesis. Data was collected by means of questionnaires and analysed in the form of a perceived environmental quality index. It was found that residents show a negative overall attitude towards the housing complex. However, there are also some indications of positive attitudes towards the complex, and significant differences were found between the attitudes of particular groups. The thesis is concluded with the suggestion that this housing type can be regarded as an option for certain groups in the context of South Africa’s current housing situation.