218.717 Research Methods in the Built Environment Assessment 2 Brief 2025-26 | Massey

218.717 The Brief

This assessment requires you to analyse the data that was gathered using a questionnaire study assessing the challenges of Building Information Modelling (BIM) implementation. The information on the questionnaire study is in this journal article:

Ma, L., Lovreglio, R., Yi, W., Yiu, T. W., & Shan, M. (2022). Barriers and strategies for building information modelling implementation: a comparative study between New Zealand and China. International Journal of Construction Management, 1-10.

A copy of this article and an excel sheet with some of the raw data which was collected is provided in the Assessment Resources folder on Stream. The data was collected in New Zealand and China with people working in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry. A sample of data is attached in the Excel spreadsheet. This article identified several challenges on BIM implementation, including knowledge barriers, cost barriers, willing barriers, technology barriers, and legal barriers.

• If the last digit of your ID number is 1 or 2, you analyse the knowledge barrier and apply the statistical analysis to Average Knowledge score in the attached Excel spreadsheet.
• If the last digit of your ID number is 3 or 4, you analyse the cost barrier and apply the statistical analysis to Average Cost score in the attached Excel spreadsheet.
• If the last digit of your ID number is 5 or 6, you analyse the willing barrier and apply the statistical analysis to Average Willing Score in the attached Excel spreadsheet.
• If the last digit of your ID number is 7 or 8, you analyse the technology barrier and apply the statistical analysis to Average Technology Score in the attached Excel spreadsheet.
• If the last digit of your ID number is 0 or 9, you analyse the legal barrier and apply the statistical analysis to Average Legal Score in the attached Excel spreadsheet.

You submit a report with the following sections:

Introduction [10 Marks]

This section should use the reference provided to give a definition and explanation of BIM. Please do a short literature review to highlight the barrier of BIM implementation associated to your student ID number. Please state your research objective.

Methodology [10 Marks]

• A description of the population and sample you are investigating.
• A summary of the statistical tests you adopted in this report (from a to g) and why you selected these statistical tests.

Data Analysis:

a. A box plot of the average score data. Report the mean, median, and standard deviation. [5 marks]

Remember:

• If the last digit of your ID number is 1-2, you apply the statistical analysis to Average Knowledge score.
• If the last digit of your ID number is 3-4, you apply the statistical analysis to Average Cost score.
• If the last digit of your ID number is 5-6, you apply the statistical analysis to Average Willing Score.
• If the last digit of your ID number is 7-8, you apply the statistical analysis to Average Technology Score.
• If the last digit of your ID number is others, you apply the statistical analysis to Average Legal Score.

b. Examine the score data associated to your student ID number and explain what steps you would take to do data cleaning. Provide a table showing each step of the process. In the table identify the rows/columns/cells affected, explain your decisions for each step. Discuss why data cleaning should be done before any data analysis. [5 marks]

c. A test to determine whether the score has a normal distribution. [5 marks]

• State the null hypothesis for this statistical test and the p-value conditions.
• State the name of the test, the test result and an explanation of what the result means.

d. A statistical comparison between the age of Male and Female respondents, including: [5 marks]

• The statistical test needed (including justification), specification of the dependent and independent variables.
• The null hypothesis and the p-value conditions.
• The test results and an explanation of what the results mean.
• The mean, median, standard deviation and skewness for each of the two groups and an explanation of what each of these terms tells you about the two groups.

e. Test the hypothesis that role (e.g., client, consultant) affects the barrier using BIM in a real project. [5 marks]

• State the test used including the null hypothesis.
• Report the result of the test and what it means.

f. Test whether a linear relationship exists between respondent age and the average Score. [10 marks]

• State the test used, the equation that you are investigating and the test hypothesis.
• Report the results of the test and explain what they mean.

g. Use multi-linear regression to test whether there is a relationship between the barrier to use BIM and the participant characteristics of age, having a consultant role and having an education at the Masters/PhD level. [10 marks]

Write the equation that you are investigating, and the hypotheses you will test.
Report the results of the test and explain what they mean.

Results [25 Marks]

• For c in Data Analysis, present a graph on the cumulative probability.
• For d in Data Analysis, present a box plot showing the comparison between the two groups.
• For e in Data Analysis, present a table for the results of the test.
• For f in Data Analysis, plot the variation in the score with age and explain what the plot shows.
• For g in Data Analysis, compare the predicted and actual score values in a graph. For each graph or table, please explain what they mean.

Discussion And Conclusions [5 Marks]

Provide the key limitations of the analysis presented in the journal article by Ma et al., (2022) and discuss their recommendations on the barriers associated to your student ID number.

Quality Of Report [5 Marks]

Recommended Length and Formatting:

Length: Approximately 10 pages (Approximately 3000–4000 words, excluding references). Do not exceed 15 pages.

Formatting: Use Times New Roman, with an 11 pt font size. Line spacing should be 1.5. Include a separate title page with your name, student ID number, course number, assessment number, and title. Use a table of contents and include page numbers.

For the distribution of marks, please read the marking criteria document carefully Penalties:

Plagiarism: All written assignments will be submitted to Turnitin, which generates a similarity report identifying text copied from other sources. You must write your assessment in your own words. If you use direct quotes, they must be enclosed in quotation marks and followed by a reference to the source. Unreferenced bulk quoting will be penalized. Copying work from another student constitutes serious misconduct and will be reported to the Teaching and Learning Director for the College of Sciences. Penalties may include a zero mark for the assessment and exclusion from the course.

Late Submission: A late penalty of 3% per day applies, including weekends and public holidays. Work submitted more than 14 days after the due date will not be marked.