Key factors for the evaluation of the quality of rural shelter structures

Improved decision-making by rural shelter seekers can best be promoted by providing some methodology to assist with the evaluation of competing shelter alternatives. The most suitable evaluation methodology investigated was composed of weighted factors for use in comparative evaluations of shelter structure quality.

The problem of the study was to identify, validate, and weigh the relative importance of key factors for prepurchase comparative evaluations of the quality of shelter structure options. The methods employed in this study included research of relevant literature, synthesis of ideas, and descriptive survey research.

This study consisted of three major parts: the initial identification of key factors by the researcher; the revision, validation, and preliminary weighing of the key factors by shelter experts; and the final weighing of the key factors by the experts. The key factors were divided into the categories of durability, safety, operating costs and utility.

As a result of the literature review, sources were identified as valid and useful references in the factor identification process. A draft list of 29 initial key factors with specific definitions was developed by the researcher. Twenty-seven experts who were mailed the Content Questionnaire returned usable completed forms. Twenty-one factors were accepted as key by the experts and one factor was added by Q-Sort.

The final weights for each of the 22 key factors was determined by the responses of shelter experts to the Study Questionnaire. The 23 responding experts included university professors, architects, non-profit housing managers, and others.

The final weights ranged from 9.78 to 4.48 on a scale from 1 (least important of the key factors) to 11 (most important of the key factors). The four key factors with the highest weights were (in order): (1) Resistance to roof leaks/flashing; (2) Resistance to heat conduction; (3) Resistance to air infiltration; and (4) Resistance to easy fire starts.

Overall, it was concluded that, despite their differing regions and occupations, the experts expressed a high level of agreement concerning the selection and weights of the key factors. It was concluded that the final list of weighted key factors offers potential uses to shelter providers, low-income shelter seekers, and a variety of educators.