Scientific Theory and Research Methodology in Architecture

KTH Royal Institute of Technology

Scientific theory and research methodology within architecture aims at giving an introduction to basic questions in scientific theory and methodology as well as develop the doctoral student´s understanding of the relations between epistemology, ontology and methodology. This framework includes both practise based research and artistic research, and more traditional theories and methods, as well as both qualitative and quantitative traditions. The student will on the one hand develop understanding for how different fields approach and formulate research questions, and on the other hand develop an increased understanding of their own field in a scientific context. In addition, the course addresses the interplay between research question, method, and result.

After the course, the doctoral student should be able to on the one hand position their own project in a scientific and theoretical context, and on the other hand have an understandig of how other fields operate and reason, and perform research work. The course hereby supports interdisciplinary understanding and development. In addition, the student should have basic knowledge of the relation between research question and methodology, as well as between strengths and weaknesses of different methodological approaches.

The theoretical and methodologiacal focus of the course vary between the occasions the course is run, which is described in each individual course announcement, but the aim is always to give a wide understanding that includes the different theoretical and methodological fields within the School of architecture as well as architecture reseeach in a wide, international perspective.

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