Clustering students based on their acoustical-related preferences of study places

Abstract

Students are exposed to various environmental stimuli at their home study places. However, different students have different preferences in terms of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) aspects and psychosocial aspects of these places. A previous study on students' preferences of their study places resulted in nine profiles based on their IEQ and psychosocial preferences of their study places. It was found that there are profiles that were not highly concerned with sounds at their study places, while other profiles are concerned about sounds. Accordingly, this present study aims at clustering students based on their acoustical-related preferences of their study places. A questionnaire survey was completed by 451 first-year bachelor students at the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment at TU Delft. TwoStep cluster analysis was performed, and five unique profiles were identified. These are: 1) sound extremely concerned introvert, 2) sound unconcerned introvert, 3) sound partially concerned introvert, 4) sound concerned extrovert, and 5) sound unconcerned extrovert. The outcomes of this study showed that TwoStep cluster analysis facilitate researchers to better understand the different profiles of students based on their acousticalrelated preferences in study places.