Ethnographic Theory-Building Research in Construction
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 136, Issue 1
Abstract
Traditional construction research methods have enabled focused but narrow advances in our understanding of industry phenomena. While contributing new insight, these methods are often not adequate to enable understanding of the complex interactions that lead to many of the industry’s pervasive social and technical problems. One means of addressing these limitations is for the construction research community to complement prevalent quantitative and case study methodologies with qualitative theory-building methodologies, specifically ethnographic studies or those based on detailed and long-term observation of project environments. This paper identifies the critical need for theory-building methods and their methodological conventions, challenges, and opportunities. Specifically, the paper focuses on data collection in ethnographic studies and analysis of that data through the use of grounded theory. Through better understanding and more widespread use of theory-building methods, the construction research community can provide a needed complement to the current prevailing methods and greatly aid the maturation of our important field.
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Information & Authors
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Published In
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 136 • Issue 1 • January 2010
Pages: 58 - 65
Copyright
© 2010 ASCE.
History
Received: Aug 19, 2008
Accepted: Jun 15, 2009
Published online: Jun 17, 2009
Published in print: Jan 2010
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