Methods of gathering information – Learning about people in the designed environment

Creating environments which all people can experience in an inclusive and positive manner is important.  The previous course in this sequence (ARC 620 : Space and Behavior) explored behavioral issues related to different environmental settings. This course explored the methods by which we can learn about people’s responses to the designed environment. Learning about these techniques is critical to get evidence-based user information for future design & planning work. Information gathering methods explored during this course included both qualitative and quantitative approaches : archival methods, trace measures, spatial syntax analysis, observational techniques (both indirect and direct), focus group methods, interviews and surveys.