Book 2025

A practical research process for developing a sustainable built environment in emerging economies

A Practical Research Process for Developing a Sustainable Built Environment in Emerging Economies
Journal · pp. 1-135
Abstract

A Practical Research Process for Developing a Sustainable Built Environment in Emerging Economies aims to fill the dearth of practical research guidance and reference material with specific focus on the built environment in developing countries. Global policy agendas such as Agenda 2030 (the SDGs) are highlighting the importance and growth of research and knowledge from emerging nations who are increasingly contributing to research that is critical for development and advancement. The role of built environment practitioners will continue to evolve by building on the sound foundations laid down by the professions and by exploiting to the full the new technologies available to us through conducting innovative research, but more guidance on the research process is necessary to ensure the integrity and quality of the output. This book has been structured so that each chapter is largely free-standing, allowing the reader (undergraduate, postgraduate, or practitioner) to reference the material with ease. It aims to provide practical guidance on conducting research and on writing a dissertation or report and begins by considering the general research background in a built environment context. It then covers research ethics, before moving on to discuss the importance of selecting the right research topic and title and writing a clear abstract. The chapters then cover introducing a research project and the authors include a section on the problem statement, research questions, aims and objectives, research gap(s), and motivations for the study. The book goes on to cover the literature review section, theoretical and conceptual frameworks, the various types of methodological approach and when to apply them. The findings section, discussion of the results, and the study's implications are then discussed, before the final chapters cover the conclusion and recommendations. The book provides a useful reference for higher education students, graduates, postgraduates, and practitioners engaged in all aspects of construction and built environment research. © 2025 Andrew Ebekozien, Clinton Ohis Aigbavboa, and Wellington Didibhuku Thwala. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Author Keywords

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Index Keywords

Sustainable development Students economics Reviews Sustainable building Built environment Innovative research Emerging economies Free standings Global policies Practical guidance Reference material Research ethics Research process Research topics
Author Affiliations
Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa, School of Environmental Studies, Auchi Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria
University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Walter Sisulu University, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Funding & Acknowledgements
No funding information
References 10 References
1 Aghimien, Douglas Omoregie, Making a case for nature-based solutions for a sustainable built environment in Africa, Sustainable Development, 32, 5, pp. 4686-4706, (2024)
2 Allen, Natalie Elizabeth, The Value of Constructivist Grounded Theory for Built Environment Researchers, Journal of Planning Education and Research, 38, 2, pp. 222-232, (2018)
3 Research Design Qualitative Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches, (2003)
4 Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design Choosing Among Five Traditions, (1998)
5 Proceedings Third Scottish Conference for Postgraduate Researchers of the Built and Natural Environment, (2007)
6 Organising A Research Project, (2009)
7 Ebekozien, Andrew, Training needs of built environment professionals: the role of fourth industrial revolution, Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 31, 11, pp. 4353-4371, (2024)
8 Ebekozien, Andrew, Generic skills of future built environment practitioners in South Africa: unexplored mechanism via students’ perception, Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, 22, 2, pp. 561-577, (2024)
9 Research Ethics Framework, (2005)
10 Research Methods for Construction, (1997)
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