Review of Research Problems in Construction, as Analysed Using Survey Studies

Abstract

Abstract This paper is a review of the literature and focuses on recent studies in construction, specifically construction project engineering, in which surveys and/or interviews were used. This allowed an identification of current research trends in construction project engineering, essential and topical problems of contemporary construction, which were studied using surveys. Second, it was possible to demonstrate that surveys, despite often being used in the social sciences and finding rare use in the technical sciences, are nevertheless a highly effective tool that can be used to solve research problems in construction. They provide useful data that is then analysed, mostly using statistics, and the findings of such analyses and the conclusions that can be drawn from them support decision-makers in construction. The presented research problems that were solved using surveys are highly diverse and concern, among others: building information modelling (BIM), identifying adverse risk factors, design and execution errors, assessing a building’s technical condition, assessing comfort, satisfaction and the social aspect of construction, conflicts and disagreements, cooperation and trust, management, success factors, prefabrication, technologies, waste, green building, sustainable development, safety and cost. In summary, the review of research problems analysed using surveys, as presented, can act as proof that such methods are recognised by scholars all around the world and are used in practically all thematic fields that concern construction project engineering. Survey study methods are a source of valuable data, either independently or in combination with other methods, and supply precious information that can diagnose and aid forecasting phenomena and problems, controlling processes and supporting decision-makers in the difficult process of making decisions, and are often the basis for specific choices.