Using Correlational Research Design, Article Review Example

Understanding the Different Aspects of Using Correlational Research Design

An analytical presentation on the differing elements of the study pursued By Whyte and Kim regarding developing urban plazas in New York City

Introduction

Research procedures come in different forms designed to particularly respond to particular study-requirements. For different reasons of studying a particular issue, there also exist different measures of research procedures designed to create complex conditions that would test the variables involve, thus creating stronger conclusions that are able to provide what the researchers are specifically looking for. One particular form of research approach is that of the correlational research. Correlational research is specifically described as the overall measurement of all the variables involved in a particular study. Their measurement shall impose on how much they impact the development of the issue being tackled. To be able to see what particular variable is able to comprehend to the required results, the researcher shall make each variable react with another in a cross-sectional manner hence weighing the importance of one against that of the other.

To further show how a correlational study affects specific expertise in the field of architecture and development, a focus on how the said approach of research shall be better identified in the discussion that follows. Researchers Whyte and Kim shall be compared as to how they utilize the correlational study-design in coming up with a more complex presentation on what urban plaza should have to better improve functionality and efficiency for the society that it is supposed to serve. Approaching the topic in two particular procedures of correlational study, these researchers’ competency in their field shall be better identified herein.

Summary of thesis advanced by author:

As mentioned earlier, correlational research intends to utilize all the necessary variables needed to create a more extensive presentation of results out from the data that have been collected for a particular study. In this aspect of measuring the worth of the data collected, correlational study intends to utilize each variable in comparison with the others hence taking note of the value that one variable has against the other [serving a particular elimination approach]. As for the issue considered, the value of the people against that of the value of the plaza shall be better measured. In this regard, it could be noted that the existence of human influence in the process of finding out what makes a good plaza the best place for the people to stay in plays a great role in determining the primary factors contributing the practical functionality of urban plazas. The study being situated in New York, the life lead by people in the city should also be given attention to. Given that city-life has its own expectations; people living in it are also expected to have some specific demands especially when it comes to meeting their levels of satisfaction.

Definition of Key Terms and Variables:

Satisfaction is one particular variable that is given attention to in the studies. No matter how different the approaches of the researchers were, it could not be denied that their basic goal is to impose satisfaction on the people’s capability to live life in a better manner. Nonetheless, the authors also considered the availability of the participants and the areas concerned as to how these elements are supposed to contribute in the process of finding out what makes urban plazas more functional and how their state of reputation could be further developed.

Both Whyte and Kim made sure that their studies are duly directed towards assuring the elemental contributions of these variables into their course of identifying what makes urban plazas more productive for the communities that they ought to serve. Conditions of development are seen by the researchers to be specifically dependent upon the understanding of these elements of social growth and communal change.

Methodologies Used:

Whyte’s team chose to utilize the correlational research method through the collaborative involvement of video-capturing to impose on the use of observation. Through this process, Whyte’s team expects to collect practical data while also keeping a good record of what they have observed among the people involved and the places being studied. Through setting up a video recorder in 18 participating plazas and observing how people use the said areas within the span of 6 months, the team of Whyte hopes to see what specific elements contribute to the satisfaction of the people who are regularly visiting the said areas in a community. With time-lapse effect, it is expected that the interpretation of the result would specifically show the immediate reaction of the people towards the facilities present in the area while actually assuming [based on close observation] what the people still require of the area to further increase their satisfaction.

On the other end, Kim’s team decides to use the survey approach where they hope to eliminate the elements that do not contribute to the users’ satisfaction while brining out those elements that specifically increase the functionality-level of the said areas of interest. With the utilization of the survey process, Kim’s team believes on the capability of statistical data to manifest one variable’s importance against the other. To note, Kim’s team hopes to measure the variables through a comparative level that makes it easier for leveling one element against the other hence furthering the value of one variable against the others that have been observed based on the data collected.

The Authors’ Arguments:

Visual observation by Whyte’s team imposed on the understanding of the matter concerned based on what they actually see. The activities that the people usually do during specific target hours [lunch time and break times] have been considered as particular variables that shall help the researchers find out what is needed in such urban plaza-settings. With the use of time-lapse approach, the comparison of the observed activities becomes more effective. This study hopes to see how the regularity of the habitual activities of the people actually affects the functional worth of the plaza. At some point, Whyte’s team found out that throughout the observation, one variable of functionality remains extensively demanded by the people using the place in consideration, sitting place (208). With many people wanting to use the area all at the same time, sitting seems to be a crucial demand that needs to be given attention to by urban developers. According to report, the said consideration has already been made specific in the revised zoning code in New York that is followed by construction entities in the area.

Going back to Kim’s study, the survey questionnaires were sent out to residents within the concerned areas. In these questionnaires, Kim and the team were able to compile information that they believe would help in identifying the factors of satisfaction that contribute to the functionality value of the plaza. Through categorizing the variables of their research, Kim’s team was able to come up with a conclusion that it was the sitting availabilities in the plaza that makes the stay of the people in the area more satisfying.

Findings and Conclusion of Studies Compared:             

In immediately comparing the garnered results of the studies of both Kim and Whyte’s team, it could be assumed that the outcome was specifically compatible and likely similar. However, further exploring on what has been caught in video and taking down notes on what the images impose in relation to the development of the research being pursued, Whyte’s team found out more about what elements specifically make up user-satisfaction in the plazas. Among the said elements include proximity to transportation and/or street life, availability of sunlight, water-fountains, plants and accessibility to food sources (210). With these garnered results, it could be analyzed how much productive Whyte’s research has been compared to that of Kim’s. The difference here is the fact that Whyte’s team chose to utilize actual evidence to measure the situational variables involved in the research. Having a concrete data from where the conclusions are to be based in makes a research much easier to establish especially that it is dependent on actual visionary evidences.

Literary Basis of Conclusions:

One helpful matter that could have increased the dependability of Whyte’s research against that of the data garnered by Kim’s team is the fact that the observation completed specifically showed an evident representation of what Todd Bress mentioned as he said “community planning must assert the importance of public and private values” (206). It is with the visual aid used by Whyte’s team in the research that they were able to clearly find out how to separate the public values of the people from their private values. Apparently, it is not only how the area functions for the people that matters. The meaning that it holds for the community is also a remarkable aspect of consideration that the users of plaza were observed to demand for. Asking what could possibly make the plaza an interesting area to stay in made a great impact on how Whyte’s team tried to consider the individuality of each person using the plaza during specific times of the day. This is why after two years of actually measuring how the elements of human behavior and the reaction it has towards the condition of the environment, Whyte’s team and their suggestions on how to improve urban place development has become part o the new zoning code in modern cities at present.

Critical Issues for Debate:

Basing from the study that has been conducted by Whyte’s and Kim’s team, the development of an initial course of satisfactory details towards making efficiently functioning urban plazas, there are two primary elements that should be given attention to, availability of space and sitting, and the ambiance that the plaza offers. With these factors in mind, it is essential that constructors find a way to make each urban plaza responsive to what the people who are to use the place expects of the area. Question about the attitude of the people towards such features however change, and somehow, with the changing culture of human needs, construction engineers and architectural designers are expected to convincingly follow through the developments required from them based on time and social adjustments. Hence, it is expected that the debate upon the ongoing applicability of the result garnered from both studies handled by Whyte and Kim should be further pursued in the aim of improving the value of applicability of each conclusion considered in both studies performed.

Relevance of Issues Presented:

Correlational studies specifically challenges the capability of the researchers to use unconventional approaches to study thus creating a more implicative source of understanding that would both be practical and usable for the development of the urban plazas’ function to the communities they serve. The architectural design of these areas in the community is indeed important in showing their value for the people. Through comparing the researches lead by Whyte and Kim, it could be analyzed through this discussion that correlational research helps in the process of improving practical designs that would relatively affect the connection between human behavior and their environment. Guided by particular theories that define the connection between human satisfaction and the aesthetics of their existing backgrounds made it easier for Whyte’s team to understand how the reactive connection between these two variables could work well in redefining the zoning codes in the aim of improving the function of urban plazas around New York City.

Reference

Part II: Seven Research Strategies.  Chapter 8: Correlational Research.