A review of the research methods profile of a research study as reported in an article: Housing Studies 02

A review of the research methods profile of a research study as reported in an article [information from chatpdf.com]. This 02 note is mainly for my Housing Studies students. The research methods profile of a study influences its priority of literature review effort.

The name of the article: "Identification of indicators of urban affordable housing location choice for low-income households: a Delphi analysis", Housing and Society

My question 1: "What are the research objectives of the article?"

The reply: "The research objectives of the article are:

1. To identify the indicators that affect the choice of the spatial location of affordable housing for low-income households in metropolitan cities.
2. To establish a consensus on identified indicators from selected experts, facilitating targeted housing interventions that meet the specific needs of low-income urban populations , ."

My question 2: "What were the main kinds of academic information reviewed in the literature review exercise of the article: academic concepts? academic theories? research methods? theoretical perspectives? empirical findings?"

The reply: "The literature review in the article primarily involved reviewing the following kinds of academic information:

1. Academic Concepts: The study examined various concepts related to affordable housing and its definitions in different contexts.

2. Empirical Findings: The review included findings from previous research that identified key indicators affecting housing choice, including spatial characteristics, accessibility to facilities, and neighborhood attributes.

3. Theoretical Perspectives: The review covered urban economic theories that discuss the importance of proximity to employment opportunities in housing location preferences.

4. Research Methods: The literature highlighted different methodologies used in prior studies, particularly focusing on how the Delphi method is suited for gathering expert opinions and building consensus on indicators.

Overall, the literature review aimed to contextualize the study within existing research and provide a framework for the identification of relevant housing location indicators , , ."

My question 3: "What type of research is the study: descriptive research, exploratory research or causal research?"

The reply: "The study is primarily exploratory research. This type of research is evident as the study seeks to identify and prioritize indicators affecting the choice of affordable housing locations for low-income households. The researchers employed the Delphi method to gather expert opinions and build consensus on these indicators, indicating a focus on exploring new dimensions of the issue rather than testing specific hypotheses or establishing causal relationships , ."

My question 4: "What research philosophies have been adopted in the study as reported in the article?"

The reply: "The study adopts a pragmatic research philosophy as reflected in its use of the Delphi method, which values practical outcomes and expert consensus over rigid methodologies. The approach combines qualitative aspects (gathering expert opinions to explore housing choice factors) with quantitative assessments (using Likert scales for evaluating the significance of indicators). Moreover, the study aims to address real-world issues related to affordable housing, aligning with a pragmatic perspective that seeks to find solutions grounded in practical application rather than purely philosophical considerations , ."

My question 5: "Is the research work mainly consulting-oriented or academic-oriented?"

The reply: "The research work is primarily academic-oriented. This is evident as the study employs the Delphi method to rigorously identify and evaluate indicators influencing housing location choice, which contributes to the broader academic discourse surrounding affordable housing issues. While the findings may have practical applications for policymakers and urban planners, the emphasis on validating indicators through expert consensus and the detailed methodology suggest an intention to contribute to existing literature and knowledge rather than simply serve consultative purposes , ."

My question 6: "Did the literature review effort of the study reflect its main academic-orientation?"

The reply: "Yes, the literature review effort of the study reflects its main academic orientation. The research extensively reviews existing literature to identify and categorize 48 indicators affecting housing location choice for low-income households, showcasing a thorough understanding of the topic within the academic context. This comprehensive engagement with previous works demonstrates a commitment to grounding their research in established theory and empirical findings, which is characteristic of academic research , . Additionally, the literature review informs the methodology and helps to refine the study’s objectives, further emphasizing its academic focus on contributing to knowledge in the field of urban planning and affordable housing ."

** A relevant reading: a note on the priority of the literature review effort.

Reference: a collection of blog notes on using chatgpt for research purpose.