About the research

The underpinning research and evidence

The insights and innovations outlined on this website and informing the BMF Initiative were derived from nearly a decade of privately-funded, ‘grounded’ empirical research.  In this type of research, the evidence and findings informed the development of theoretical insights in what is called a grounded approach.  Here, rather than testing theories and hypotheses on data gathered to support or refute theory (risking data being manipulated to fit the theory), broad then focused research questions are asked and then data generated to provide evidence that lend insights to the actual way the world works.  When sufficient evidence is obtained that represents the way the world works in a variety of circumstances (instances, cases, similar situations, etc.), then more generalised theoretical insights are formed — moving from specific instances to patterns seen in specific instances, then to plausible explanations for those patterns across instances, cases, and broader situations.  Only then can the theoretical insights be said to apply to various circumstances (i.e., generalisable) with a strong likelihood of being accurate reflections. Most importantly, the research was subjected to rigorous peer review at numerous key stages of the work, then peer reviewed in detail and rigorously assessed and evaluated at its completion.

Twenty-two studies were conducted in total, comprised of four main stages related to purposes and analytical level, including pilot testing, extensive exploratory studies, and rigorous structured and systematic studies. Seventeen empirical studies were conducted with practicing senior project professionals, using a case-based grounded approach to administer focus groups, questionnaires, and one-to-one expert interviews. These were followed by five meta-analytic studies to synthesise and evaluate the findings within and across participant groups. The study breakdowns are outlined below, followed by a link to download the entire study with appendices (circa 780 pages).

Preliminary Exploratory Studies

  • Initial Pilot Study ES1: Exploring values influences on framing sustainability
    • Study MA1: Initial thematic concept mapping results
    • Study ES1a: Influences of human values and decision-problem framing in sustainable design decision-making processes
    • Study ES1b: Human values and problem framing as influential heuristics in sustainable design decision processes
    • Study ES1c: Managing sustainability through decision processes: the influence of values and frames
    • Study ES1d: Psychosocial influences in design for sustainability: values and frames in the built environment
    • ES1-2 Phase transition: Implications and impacts
  • Exploratory Study ES2: Preliminary exploratory study of values influences
    • Study MA2: Initial framing process mapping
    • Study ES2a: Exploring basic parameters of values influences on framing
    • Study ES2b: Exploring values influences on architect’s initial framing interactions
    • Study ES2c: Exploring two emergent factors: Frame effects on decisions in critical challenges
    • ES to SS Phase transition: Implications and impacts

Structured Exploratory Studies

  • Study ES3: Structured exploratory study of key emergent factors
    • Study ES3a: Typical influences and ‘Space for Meaningful Choice’
    • Study MA3: Revised mapping techniques
    • Study ES3b: Spaces for meaningful choice: Values-and-frames in decision-making
    • Study ES3c: Opportunities for meaningful choice: Values influence pathways via frames
    • ES to SS Phase transition: Implications and impacts

Systematic Studies

  • Study SS1: First Systematic Study: Useful frame options
  • Study SS2: Second Systematic Study: Values-framing
    • Study MA4: Mapping refined: values influence pathways
    • Study SS2a: Success factors in values-framing: Architect’s interpretation of client values
    • Study SS2b: Success factors in values-framing: Architect’s framing to values
    • Study SS2c: Frame effects on decisions via values as strategic ‘framing approaches’
    • SS to XGS Phase transition: Implications and impacts

Cross-group meta-analyses

  • Study XGS1: Cross-Group Analysis of the Composite Values-and-Frames approach
  • Study XGS2: Cross-Group Analysis of the Content and character of sustainability decision-making
  • Study XGS3: Cross-Group Analysis of the Interactions between Values-and-Frames
  • Study XGS4: Cross-Group Analysis of the Pathways for meaningful choices about sustainability
  • Study XGS5: Cross-Group Analysis of Values-framing and Values-frames

Current knowledge and emergent literature reviews

  • LIT1: Frames and framing in communication and decision-making: Literature applicable to sustainability and architectural design decision-making
  • LIT2: Design decision-making processes and sustainability: A grounded thematic narrative literature review
  • LIT3: Foundations of design decision-making processes concerning sustainability: Core concepts, relationships, and approaches in literature
  • LIT4: Values-and-frames’ relationships in decision-making: Literature on approaches and interrelations applicable to architectural sustainability
  • LIT5: Shaping choice pathways to improve sustainability decisions: Literature on choice structuring through values-and-frames
  • LIT6: An integrated theoretical and conceptual framework for researching the influences of values and frames on sustainability in architectural design decision processes

The entire project has been published in the British Library under the following title:

Managing sustainability through architectural design decision processes: influences of values and frames

Click the link above or search here: https://ethos.bl.uk/Home.do