Method

Based on the methodology roadmap in Figure 6 below this research was carried out. Figure 6 below is adapted from Wieringa (2014) and is stated in (University of Technology Eindhoven, n.d.). This roadmap has two main paths that can be followed. There is the Design problem and the Knowledge question. In the case of a Design Problem, research is carried out into an unsolved state or an issue that a system being designed needs to take into consideration. In the case of a knowledge question, research is carried out to answer a question about knowledge rather than focusing on specific content or situations. In this study, the Design Problem path was chosen as the methodology roadmap. This study focuses on a problem in a system, and a system or prototype needs to be further developed to solve the problem in question. For this reason, the Design problem method was selected for this study. The Design Problem path has two methods, namely Design cycle, and Engineering cycle. The Design cycle is the problem-solving process taught as: Read, Plan, Solve and Check. The Engineering cycle involves open-ended problem-solving. Here, the following research steps are standard: Ask, Research, Plan, and Create. In this method, needs and constraints are identified, the problem is researched, a promising solution is identified, a prototype is built, the prototype is evaluated and a redesign is made if necessary. In this study, the problem is investigated based on literature, after which the needs and limitations of the current prototype (quality assurance process) are identified. The QA protocol is then developed, after which it is validated and improved where necessary. For this reason, the Engineering Cycle has been chosen as the research method. So this study follows the Design cycle (left), with the Engineering Cycle, where first the problem is investigated and then the QA prototype is designed and then validated.

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Figure 6 Methodology roadmap (adapted from (University of Technology Eindhoven, n.d.))

As mentioned above, the Engineering cycle consists of 7 steps. These steps in relation to this research will be explained below.

The methodological step ‘Ask’ identifies the needs and constraints. This study investigates the limitations and needs of the current QA protocol (process and system). These limitations and needs are analysed and collected by means of semi-structured interviews. The results (limitations and needs) are used in the design of the new QA protocol.

The methodological step ‘Research’ investigates the problem. In this study, the problem was examined by means of a literature review. During this literature review, insight was given as to why this study should be conducted.

The methodological step ‘Image’ develops possible solutions to this problem. In this study, the possible applications and means of solving the problem were investigated by means of literature research. This research resulted in literature-based solutions that have been taken into account in this study.

The methodological step ‘Plan’ selects a promising solution. In this study, the best solutions in terms of desired functionalities and desired experiences were investigated. The preconditions for the new QA protocol were chosen on the basis of the literature and the semi-structured interviews about the current QA process. prototype was validated by performing an experiment at the construction site. After the on-site experiment, the QA protocol was validated by means of a survey and a semi-structured interview.

Page 45 of 282 The methodological step ‘Improve’ carries out a redesign if necessary. In this study, the results from the validation are used to provide insight into the suitability of the developed QA protocol. And if necessary, the results will indicate improvements for the QA protocol.

3.1.1. Methodological justification

As described in Chapter 1.3. the research is divided into 6 different phases. Below, these 6 different phases will be further explained concerning the method and choice for the type of research. Phase I is qualitative because, in the explorative phase, the research questions, purpose, problem analysis and methodology will be examined. Literature is used to answer these aspects. A literature study will be carried out in which scientific articles were collected and analyzed. With the help of this literature, the knowledge gap and the results of previous research will be examined, and this study will be drawn up based on this information. The problem definition and background analysis will also be established through discussions with companies.

In phase II, sub-question 1 will be answered, with the results of this sub-question a clarification of the various concepts based on a literature study will be provided. Furthermore, the advantages of AR in the construction sector will be examined and explained. These results will be produced through the literature study that will be carried out, in which literature will be collected and analyzed and this will be based on a qualitative method.

In phase III, questions 2 will be investigated through qualitative research. This sub-question provides answers to which building elements are important for quality assurance and should be implemented in the process, and what status can be given to these building elements. The data needed to answer these questions will be collected through interviews and company information on construction projects. This data will be collected by recording these interviews. Furthermore, the current quality assurance process will be analyzed and a process model will define the current situation. Also, the desired functionalities and experiences will be a result of this phase and will be used for the development of the QA prototype. The data from these interviews will be transcribed. Furthermore, the company's current database will be used to gain insight into its current working methods. Also, data and information will be collected by making observations on the construction site and in the office.

After this data collection, the information will be used for analysis and to find answers. These answers contribute to the design of the implementation of AR as quality assurance because they show which building elements should be shown through AR and which labels should be attached to these building elements during quality assurance.

The research of sub-question 3 contributes to the development of the Quality Assurance prototype. In this phase, the sub-questions will be used as a guideline to subsequently examine in the business process how this guideline can be followed to implement AR as a quality assurance instrument. The QA prototype will be developed, describing the process and

Page 46 of 282 the product for quality assurance on the construction site. These will be based on sub-questions 1 to 2. The result will be the report on how quality assurance through AR can be implemented. The complete Quality Assurance prototype will be explained.

In phase V, sub-question 4 will be answered, whereby quantitative research will be carried out. The research into sub-question 4 contributes to the validation of the developed AR quality assurance process. By means of surveys, the effect of the use of AR in this process will be investigated. This effect will be measured by conducting a survey on the construction site among the personnel that perform the current quality assurance processes. Afterwards, the survey and semi-structured interview will be recorded after testing the new quality assurance prototype. In this way, the advantages and disadvantages experienced at the construction site will be examined. This way, the developed AR product and process can be validated.

In the final phase of this research, phase VI, the main question and the sub-questions are answered. In this last phase, the results from the sub-questions will be combined. Here, the conclusions, and recommendations, will be elaborated.

Furthermore, to give a clearer overview of the research process, the different sub-questions are divided into several components. By doing so it becomes more clear how the sub-questions are related to the used data. This is presented in Figure 7 below.

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Figure 7 - Research Design

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