1、 Bryce Johnson is a Mechanical Professional Engineer in Lincoln, Nebraska. He recently served as Chapter Chair for the United States Green Building Council Nebraska Flatwater Chapter, and is currently a PhD Student at the University of Nebraska Lincoln studying in the Human Dimensions Specialty in t
2、he School of Natural Resources. Mixed Methods Applied to the Building Energy Quotient Bryce G. Johnson, PE Member ASHRAE ABSTRACT This paper is about the application of Mixed Methods for design professionals and social science researchers. The purpose is to describe an intellectual commons which int
3、egrates qualitative and quantitative data related to sustainable design and operation of the built environment. Once described, the proposed intellectual commons would include a form of communication based on data described by symbolism and logic to be shared by the broad range of worldviews in our
4、global society. This form of communication models a common process of problem solving for many academic and professional disciplines: First, choose to draw a diagram. Second, use standard symbols that appeal to a broad spectrum of worldviews. Third, use the symbols and diagrams to support the narrat
5、ive description of the problem and provide for an understanding of results that are measurable, repeatable, and generalizable beyond the current case or data set. Designers of the built environment have made great strides towards efficiency, but we are running out of physics. The next path towards s
6、ustainability runs through the social sciences, especially as it relates to human behavior. This authors social constructivist worldview sees hope in the realm of positive psychology as a motivator. Thus it is proposed that engineers meet the social scientists at the entrance to this new intellectua
7、l commons which we can develop together. We should explore qualitatively described opportunities in addition to solving problems with pre-formatted solutions. If the solution is lower resource consumption per unit area of building we are missing an important qualitative and quantitative product: the
8、 purpose of the building as described in personal narratives and the goals of the owner/occupant. The “information age” has been driven by quantitative data. The current processor age derives value through the integration of quantitative data and qualitative analysis. This paper describes how that v
9、alue is presented in the form of a Mixed Methods Energy Quotient. The ASHRAE bEQ process includes a methodology for convergence. The as-designed and in-operation consumption data are compared. If favorable, that is convergence. If not, that is divergence. This is a variation on a mixed methods basic
10、 convergent design inclusive of expected imperfection that may be addressed by the commissioning process. After the integration step in the mixed methods design, different paths are followed in the on-going operations cycles. Convergence in the form of continuous commissioning and high performance b
11、uilding operation. Divergence to be addressed via narrative in the issues and resolutions log. INTRODUCTION The distance between logical paths in the physical and social sciences is very small at numerous points on the road to environmental stewardship. The most important thing I learned in my early
12、 studies of qualitative and mixed methods research design is that bridges may be built along these paths on a foundation of diagrams, scales, and symbolism. Mixed Methods is about 25 years old and is still evolving in terms of philosophical assumptions and research methodology. Focusing on the metho
13、dology it may be described as “An approach to research in the social, behavioral, and health sciences in which the investigator gathers both quantitative (closed-ended) and qualitative (open-ended) data, integrates the two, and then draws interpretations based on the combined strengths of both sets
14、of data to understand research problems.” (Creswell, 2014). A social science researcher uses quantitative methods that are different from engineers and architects. Their work typically involves a hypothesis, the measurement of variables, statistical analysis, and an interpretation of results. In thi
15、s paper a mixed methods design is proposed that incorporates the quantitative data and analysis that designers, builders, and operators use to construct and maintain the built environment. We define the goals, describe a plan, execute the plan, and then compare the result with what was originally in
16、tended. Our work to create a new or improved built environment is more like an experiment with specific measurable results (including return on investment and time sensitive deliverables.) Assuming these substitute quantitative elements can be incorporated into a valid mixed methods design, our next
17、 focus is on qualitative methods. Qualitative research involves open-ended questions with focus groups, thematic analysis, stories and narratives and a different set of methods. Among a wide variety of qualitative research methods are the primary categories of Narrative Research, Phenomenological Re
18、search, Grounded Theory Method, Ethnography, and Case Study Research. In my survey of these methods I found Grounded Theory Method (Glaser Measuring Industry Progress Toward 2030, 3rd Annual Report 2013. The American Institute of Architects, Washington, DC. ASHRAE (2008), ASHRAE Vision 2020; Providi
19、ng tools by 2020 that enable the building community to produce market-viable NZEBs by 2030. ASHRAE (2013-1), American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Public Policy Issue Brief, Energy Use Metrics and Targets for Commercial Buildings. https:/www.ashrae.org/gov
20、ernment-affairs/public-policy-issue-briefs-letters-testimony ASHRAE (2013-2), ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 202, Commissioning Process for Buildings and Systems, ASHRAE Standards Committee, Illuminating Engineering Society, American National Standards Institute. Charmaz, K (2006). Constructing grounded t
21、heory: A practical guide through qualitative analysis. London: Sage. Clifton, Hollingsworth, Hall (1949), A Projective Technique for Measuring Positive and Negative Attitutudes Towards People in Real-Life Situation, University of Nebraska Creswell, J.W. (2014), A concise introduction to mixed method
22、s research. Los Angeles, CA: Sage. Creswell, J.W., & Plano Clark, V.L. (2011), Designing and conducting mixed methods research (2rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Glaser & Strauss (1967), The Discovery of Grounded Theory. Chicago: Aldine. Montgomery, R., Wentz, T.G., (2014). Putting bEQ in Practice. ASHRAE Journal 56(5):62-71, May 2014.
