Fulufhelo Nemasetoni_u17354821

RFS 700_ Quarter 3Assignment: Research Methodology and Methods

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TITLE: Suitability of Universal Design Principles in the design of Public

Buildings with an aim of accommodating the visually impaired.

1.1 Introduction

All research is underpinned by a ‘philosophical assumption’ about the validity of the study
or methodology which is justifiable and defensible in that field of knowledge. [ CITATION
Tho \l 1033 ]It is imperative to understand what these assumptions are and research strategies
in order to be able to critically evaluate the research study’s validity and relevance to the
field of study. This study is an evaluation of the suitability of Universal Design Principles in
public buildings in accommodating the visually impaired user. Thus, it is imperative for me
to critically understand how the visually impaired experience and understand and navigate
through space in order to be able to ascertain whether principles of Universal Design are
accommodating of this kind of spatial cognition which is very different to that of sighted
persons. It will also be of value to understand how the visually impaired used the other 4
senses to perceive space. Thus Secondly, it will be imperative to understand which principles
of Universal Design are specifically relevant to the concerns of the visually impaired and be
able to test these to determine whether they are efficient.

The Universal Design Handbook which provides detailed information of the principles of
Universal Design defines universal design as “the design of products and environments to be
usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible.” [ CITATION Pre11 \l 7177 ] The guidelines
are not specific to any form of disability but aim for the creation of space that is inclusive.
[ CITATION Won14 \l 7177 ] Universal Design is widely used in the design of public buildings
and so this study is important in that it aims to ascertain whether these principles responds
effectively to the specific needs of the visually impaired
1.2 Research Paradigm

A paradigm can be described as a ‘framework of systems and academic ideas.’ (Olsen,

Lodwick and Dunlop, 1992:16) There are also prevalent patterns as well as assumptions and
values. The research paradigm I will be using the pragmatism paradigm which is a mixed
method design. My research question needs both a qualitative and quantitative approach.
Perception of space is affected by one’s former experience of the space stored in the memory,
one’s knowledge and physical experience. Thus, a different approach is needed when looking
at a universal approach to spatial perception. Wong describes the phenomelogical approach
which is a ‘qualitative research method.’ [ CITATION Won14 \l 7177 ] Universal Design
Principles have certain guidelines and parameters. Thus, there is a qualitative aspect to this
study.

1.2.1 Existential Phenomelogical Research

The objective of phenomelogical research is to investigate experiences and sensory

perception in order to formulate knowledge or understanding based on these experiences
and perception with the aim of documenting the ‘nature of the particular phenomenon’ with
all attempts to remove visual architectural biases and ocular-centrism. [ CITATION Ote171 \l
1033 ]Our aim is having a holistic understanding of the visually impaired perceive and
navigate through space, in particular, the built environment that Thus, the research strategy
will be based on people’s experiences, both the visually impaired and my own as the
researcher.

1.3 Research Methodology

The research method is the research strategy where the study moves from the assumed
hypothesis to the research design and the collection of data needed to prove or disprove the
hypothesis. (Myers, 2009).

I will be using a study done by Sarah M. Oteifa, Lobna A. Sherif, Yasser M. Mostafa named
Understanding the Experience of the Visually Impaired towards a Multi-Sensorial
Architectural Design as a case study to guide my first research objective which is to
understand spatial perception in the visually impaired. This study research paradigm was that
of ‘intersubjectivity,’ with the aim pf extracting themes on how the visually impaired ‘filter
out and prioritize tactile, acoustic and olfactory spatial qualities.’ [ CITATION Dis02 \l 1033 ]
Here 3 sources were interviewed namely, descriptions of spatial experiences by visually
impaired persons and architects, observations of how visually impaired children learn to
perceive space and observations from personal experiences obtained by the researcher
blindfolding themselves and documenting their experiences of space.

Due to the explorative nature of the research objectives, it would be more appropriate to
interview visually impaired persons using a structured and well researched questionnaire
aimed at extracting the qualities of space that are important for spatial perception.

The second case study I will be using is the study done by Hong-Li Wong named
Architecture Without Barriers: Designing Inclusive Environments Accessible to All. This
case study is a study of existing design interventions aimed at achieving inclusive
environments and their strengths and weaknesses. Using this methodology, I aim to extract
relevant Universal Design Principles as my test parameters. [ CITATION Won14 \l 1033 ]

1.4 Research Design

Research design is the logical progression or overall plan of a research that explains how the
study will be conducted.[ CITATION Tho \l 1033 ] It specifies all the components of the
research study such as the measures, sample and group and programs and how they fit
together to achieve the objectives of the study. [ CITATION Tho \l 1033 ] It also specifies how
the research plan will be executed in terms of specifics of participants, data collection and
analysis.

Participants

In the first case study, the literature of blind architect Downey explaining his spatial
experiences were analysed. He lost his eyesight at age 45 and was already practicing as an
architect. He continued to practice after the eye sight loss and became more focussed on
architecture for the visually impaired. Another interesting interview was conducted with
formerly blind Persons who are currently sighted after medical intervention. Both these
sources offered valuable insight for a more qualitative study. Other sources included
interviews with both sighted and visually impaired person. With an attempt to remove ocular
centric biases, studies were conducted at a school for the visually impaired children as they
would have less experiences and memories of spaces and thus offer less influenced
understanding of spatial perception. [ CITATION Ote171 \l 1033 ]

1.5.4 Data Sources

Relevant data sources would include:

Structured interviews with using a set of prepared well researched qualitative questions in
the form of questionnaires will be used. Unstructured interviews would also be valuable to
uncover new information relevant to the study. Structured interviews with experts and
professionals in the architecture field as well as specialist practitioners in the services of the
visually impaired will aid the study. Other data sources would include focus group
interviews.

Data collected from observations of test situations conducted with visually impaired person
and sighted people need to also be well documented and used in the study.

1.5.5 Data Collection and Analysis

The aim of analysis of qualitative data in a qualitative study is to discover patterns, concepts,
themes and meanings. [CITATION Tho \l 1033 ] Transcriptions of interview result must be
analysed and compared to draw conclusions and distil major themes. In a qualitative study
this can challenging. The aim however should be to draw meaning from the information.

1.5.7. Ethical Considerations

This being a qualitative study, the researcher has to interact deeply with the participants and
the tutor, thus entering their personal domains of values, weaknesses, individual learning
disabilities and the like to collect data. Silverman (2000, p. 201)

In a qualitative study, the researcher will interact personally with the participants and thus,
due to the personal nature of this study, research ethics is very important. [ CITATION Tho \l
1033 ]The researcher will also be dealing with persons who are visually impaired and must
be sensitive to this and attuned to correct procedures on how to be sensitive to this type of
disability without compromising the study.
References
Ahmer, C., 2014. Making Architecture Visible to the Visually Impaired, Bergen: Bergen University
College.

Anon., 2016. www.leading-architects.eu. [Online]

Available at: http://www.leading-architects.eu/features/featurenotes-on-blindness-architecture-
serves-the-visually-impaired-5710984/
[Accessed 12 April 2019].

Burcin , B.-K., 2013. A phenomenological study of spatial experiences without sight and critique of
visual dominance in architecture. Milan, European Architectural Endoscopy Association.

Dischinger, M., 2002. Designing For All Senses, Goteborg: Chalmers University of Technology.

Goldsmith, S., 1997. Designing for the Disabled: The New Paradigm. Second ed. London: Routledge.

Imrie, R. & Hall, P., 2001. Inclusive Design: Designing and Developing Accessible Environments. First
ed. New York: Spon Press .

Lynch, K., 1960. The Image of the City. Massachusetts: Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Oteifa, S. M., Sherif, L. A. & Mostafa, Y. M., 2017. Understanding the Experience of the Visually
Impaired towards a Multi-Sensorial Architectural Design. International Journal of Architectural and
Environmental Engineering , 11(7), pp. 946-951.

Preiser, W. F. & Smith, K. H., 2011. Universal Design Handbook. Second ed. New York: McGraw Hill.

Thomas, P. Y., 2010. TOWARDS DEVELOPING A WEB-BASED BLENDED LEARNING ENVIRONMENT,

Pretoria: University of South Africa .

Wong, H. L., 2014. Architecture Without Barriers, Ontario: Ryerson University.