Research Ideologies, Information, and Moral Dilemmas

Abstract

Is there a "shape” to information? I have been asking this question of my latest Ph.D. class in theory. To produce a "knowledge-based design” architecture practice and/or teaching we have to process information in a way that we find useful, being a generally pragmatic group. Information, however, is a tricky subject. For instance, is the "shape” of information (mathematical equations, matrices, shape grammars, typologies, taxonomies, hypothesis, content analysis, allegories...etc) dictated by "how” you ask a question much less "what” is the question you are asking? Ph.D. students in architecture struggle, in their first semester and beyond, with what question they are asking and what methodology they should use to "find out” the information needed to answer the question.