Methods used in social sciences that suit energy research: A literature review on qualitative methods to assess the human dimension of energy use in buildings

2020 ◽  
Vol 209 ◽  
pp. 109702 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mateus V. Bavaresco ◽  
Simona D'Oca ◽  
Enedir Ghisi ◽  
Roberto Lamberts
2021 ◽  
pp. 053901842110221
Author(s):  
Magda Nico

Social mobility is one of the concepts which is the most intrinsically bound to sociology. Hence, the diachronic analysis of this concept contributes to our understanding of sociology and the way that the discipline has changed, as it turned to individual social trajectories according to different topics. Aimed at contributing to this understanding, I’ve developed a literature review based on a systematic collection of the scientific publications in social sciences directly addressing social mobility. A database with conceptual and methodological variables was compiled (N=1054) and worked on. Distinct periods in the life course of this concept have been identified, with the emergence of a scattered concept (1920–1959), the golden age of social mobility (1960–1989), followed by a period of fragmentation and resistance (1990–2012). These three periods are characterized by different methodological and geographical hegemonies, flows and volumes of publications, and also by different tendencies and theoretical and disciplinary rivalries.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 6753
Author(s):  
Moiz Masood Syed ◽  
Gregory M. Morrison

As the population of urban areas continues to grow, and construction of multi-unit developments surges in response, building energy use demand has increased accordingly and solutions are needed to offset electricity used from the grid. Renewable energy systems in the form of microgrids, and grid-connected solar PV-storage are considered primary solutions for powering residential developments. The primary objectives for commissioning such systems include significant electricity cost reductions and carbon emissions abatement. Despite the proliferation of renewables, the uptake of solar and battery storage systems in communities and multi-residential buildings are less researched in the literature, and many uncertainties remain in terms of providing an optimal solution. This literature review uses the rapid review technique, an industry and societal issue-based version of the systematic literature review, to identify the case for microgrids for multi-residential buildings and communities. The study describes the rapid review methodology in detail and discusses and examines the configurations and methodologies for microgrids.


2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 118-131
Author(s):  
Danilo Gomes ◽  
Patricia Tzortzopoulos

Collaboration is essential for the success of construction projects. However, the concept of collaboration is unclear, and the term is often related to different meanings. Construction research defines collaboration in different ways, having been influenced by other research fields (e.g., social sciences and philosophy). This paper discusses existing definitions of collaboration and how they relate to three perspectives on the nature of collaborative interactions, linked to organisational metaphors. The research was developed through a literature review, including the conceptual analysis of existing definitions of collaboration. The discussion proposes that metaphors not only describe collaboration ontologically, but also establish different appreciative systems by which individuals conceive and evaluate their collaborative performance. The aim of this discussion is to address the lack of consistency in defining collaboration in construction, embracing the coexistence of interpretations. This can help researchers and practitioners understand how to overcome misunderstandings and explore initiatives to improve collaboration.


2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 033004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vedran Lesic ◽  
Wändi Bruine de Bruin ◽  
Matthew C Davis ◽  
Tamar Krishnamurti ◽  
Inês M L Azevedo

2021 ◽  
Vol 250 ◽  
pp. 07001
Author(s):  
Wadim Strielkowski

This paper aims at explaining the universality and broadness of the research in energy studies. Specifically, it wants to show that the energy research is not a solely engineering or natural sciences field and how it can be done in social sciences. The paper draws some relevant examples including energy research in literature and poetry, history, religion, art, as well in other social sciences and humanities. In general, it becomes apparent that energy research can boast vast depths and angles that are worth exploring for any social scientist. Given the key importance of energy research in the third decade of the 21st century and the worldwide focus on the renewable energy sources, electrification of transport and heating in the face of the threatening global warming and climate change, it seems relevant to focus on researching the perspectives and paradigms for the traditional and renewable energy sources in the 21st century using the toolbox of the social sciences.


Author(s):  
Najibah Mustaffa ◽  
Mohd Zamro Muda

The article discusses the literature review, whether in the form of research, books, articles, etc. on the issue of the management, challenges and the way forward of waqf in higher education institutions in Malaysia.The study was conducted using qualitative methods by taking a literature study approach. There has been a lot of writing, throwing ideas and discussions were made by the experts, academician and governments on the issue. Waqf of education in Malaysia is seen growing with the establishment of waqf fund for education in several institutions such as the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and many more. The literature review found that the development of waqf in higher education can be intensified by effective fund management, strong legislation, good governance, marketing efforts and identify appropriate waqf management model to be applied. A special guideline for the management is to be established and a waqf management model is designed to be used as a reference all the Heigher Education Institutions.Keywords: Endowments (waqf), education, management of waqf, institutions of higher education.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (17) ◽  
pp. 9591
Author(s):  
Sepehr Abrishami ◽  
Rocío Martín-Durán

The main goal of this study is to explore the adoption of a design for manufacturing and assembly (DfMA) and building information management (BIM) approach during the whole lifecycle of assets. This approach aims to tackle issues inherent in the design of traditional construction methods, such as low productivity and quality, poor predictability and building performance, and energy use, through the implementation of a BIM library of off-site components. In recent years, a renewed interest has been directed to the attempt to provide solutions to these urgent problems through the adoption of new advancements in technologies. However, while there are studies focussing on a BIM-DfMA approach, there is a lack of research regarding how this approach should be adopted during the whole lifecycle of the assets. Furthermore, to the best of our knowledge, defining an efficient way of developing a component-based BIM object library has not yet been included in any of the available studies. A mixed methodology approach has been used in this research. A conceptual framework was developed as the result of an extensive literature review to investigate new advancements in the AEC sector. Following the literature review, the framework was tested and validated through a case study based on the production and adoption of a BIM library of off-site components at the design stage of an asset. The architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry has recognised the necessity of a new approach that helps to resolve the well-known issues presented in traditional methods of construction. The conceptual framework and case study proposed presents a valuable new method of construction that support the implementation of a BIM and DfMA approach, highlighting their benefits. This framework has been created using many valuable and reliable sources of information. The result of this research supports the idea of a novel new construction method that focuses on a manufacturing-digital-driven industry, with the use of DfMA in a BIM-integrated approach. This novel method will add significance and be beneficial for a wide range of aspects in the construction sector, contributing to the theoretical and practical domain.


Author(s):  
Manfredi Valeriani ◽  
Vicki L. Plano Clark

This chapter examines mixed-methods research, which is an approach that involves the integration of quantitative and qualitative methods at one or more stages of a research study. The central idea behind mixed-methods research is that the intentional combination of numeric-based methods with narrative-based methods can best provide answers to some research questions. The ongoing attempts to construct a simple and common conceptualization of mixed-methods provide a good indicator of the status of mixed-methods itself. mixed-methods research has emerged as a formalized methodology well suited to addressing complex problems, and is currently applied throughout the social sciences and beyond. Nowadays, researchers interested in combining quantitative and qualitative methods can benefit from the growing knowledge about the epistemological foundations, essential considerations, and rigorous designs that have been advanced for mixed-methods research.


Author(s):  
Mathieu Ouimet ◽  
Pierre-Olivier Bédard

This chapter highlights literature review. Reviewing the published literature is one of the key activities of social science research, as a way to position one’s academic contribution, but also to get a bird’s eye view of what the relevant literature says on a given topic or research question. Many guides have been created to assist academic researchers and students in conducting a literature review, but there is no consensus on the most appropriate method to do so. One of the reasons for this lack of consensus is the plurality of epistemological attitudes that coexist in the social sciences. Before initiating a literature review, the researcher should start by clarifying the need for and the purpose of the review. Once this has been clarified, the actual review protocol, tools, and databases to be used will need to be determined to strike a balance between the scope of the study and the depth of the review.


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