A FRAMEWORK FOR DATA COLLECTION IN FACILITY PROGRAMMING: THE SUBJECT-OBJECT APPROACH

Abstract

This study presents a framework designed to enable facility programming scholars to more easily handle the extremely large amounts of information they typically utilize, to guide the development of their research designs and procedures, and to suggest process structure. This framework?s development was informed by both Activity Theory and Systems Theory and synthesizes knowledge about the most important aspects and layers of the sociospatial realm, articulating those analytical clusters that can be used as guides for developing programmatic research designs. The framework created is general enough to cover a wide variety of building types and programming situations. It is also flexible enough to be modified in multiple ways, including the possible addition of vast amounts of supplementary detail, to custom fit a specific facility programming project. The idea of creating a flexible guiding framework is based on the notion that in each programmatic situation content must be updated and aligned with specific organizational realities. Although very important to have theoretical support and shared research experience, each facility programming project is different and requires the adaptation of existing knowledge, as well as methodological erudition and proficiency to deal with the idiosyncrasies that emerge; all of which are possible with this framework. As such, this framework is foundational and pliable enough for further adaptation.The essence of this framework is reflected in by a matrix consisting of vertical and horizontal axes. This matrix emphasizes those facets most important to exploring sociospatial structures and relationships. The horizontal axis of the framework is based on an activity model that consists of agents, their goals, activities, necessary conditions, and the built environment. The vertical axis includes three levels or scales for analyzing the social realm: organization, groups and individuals. Each matrix cell provides information that can be used to develop guidelines for developing customized programmatic research designs and instruments. Each of the resulting 15 cells in this matrix is elaborated in detail. We believe that this framework will make significant contributions to the area of facility programming by providing an easily accessible and useful tool to area experts.