- "In its most common sense, methodology is the study of research methods."
Research methodology involves the process of conducting research, including the research design, data collection methods, and data analysis.
The Scientific Method: The scientific method is a structured approach for data collection, analysis, and interpretation to generate accurate and reliable scientific knowledge.
Research Design: Research design is a framework for conducting research, which includes the selection of research methods, types of investigation, and the organization of data.
Data Collection Methods: Data collection methods are various techniques used to gather data, which includes interviews, surveys, observations, and experiments.
Sampling Techniques: Sampling techniques are methods used to select a representative group of participants from a larger population, including simple random sampling, stratified sampling, and cluster sampling.
Data Analysis: Data analysis techniques include various statistical methods used to analyze the collected data, including descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, and data visualization techniques.
Research Ethics: Research ethics deals with moral principles and guidelines for conducting research, ensuring the rights and well-being of research participants, avoiding conflicts of interest, and protecting sensitive information.
Literature Review: A literature review is an overview of existing research relevant to a particular topic or research question, which includes identifying gaps in the literature, synthesizing relevant studies, and providing a research foundation for the study.
Research Proposal Writing: Research proposal writing is a crucial part of the research process, which involves outlining the research design, methods, and objectives, and presenting a convincing argument for the study.
Conceptual Framework: A conceptual framework is a roadmap that outlines the key concepts, variables, relationships, and assumptions in a research study, providing a framework for analysis and interpretation of data.
Research Report Writing: Research report writing is a formal document that presents the research findings, including an overview of the research design, methods, results, and conclusions, to provide a clear and concise summary of the research.
Qualitative research methodology: This approach is used primarily to understand the complexities behind various human behaviors and attitudes. It involves the collection of non-numerical data in various forms, such as interviews, observations, focus groups, and case studies.
Quantitative research methodology: This type of research is based on the collection and analysis of numerical data through methods like surveys, experiments, and statistical analysis. It aims to test hypotheses and understand patterns of behavior.
Mixed-methods research methodology: This approach combines both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis techniques to gain a fuller understanding of a research problem. It involves using both numerical and non-numerical data to draw meaningful conclusions.
Action research methodology: This research method focuses on implementing changes in real-world settings and evaluating the impact of those changes. It involves collaboration between researchers and stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes.
Ethnographic research methodology: This type of research involves the in-depth study of a particular culture or community to gain a better understanding of its beliefs, behaviors, and practices. It involves direct observation and participation over an extended period to capture the nuances of social interactions.
Case study research methodology: This approach involves detailed examination of a particular event, person, or situation in order to understand its complexities and unique features. It involves detailed investigations using a variety of research methods and sources of information.
Experimental research methodology: This approach involves the manipulation of one or more variables in order to observe the effect on the outcome. It involves the manipulation of independent variables to determine their impact on the dependent variable.
Historical research methodology: This method involves the collection and analysis of data from historical sources. Researchers use this data to analyze and interpret past events, people, and cultures in order to understand the present.
Grounded theory research methodology: This approach is used when there is little prior knowledge about a particular topic. Researchers use observations and interviews to develop a theory that is grounded in the data collected.
Survey and questionnaire research methodology: This approach involves the collection of data through surveys and questionnaires. It is frequently used in social science research to study a particular population and their attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors.
- "The term can also refer to the methods themselves or to the philosophical discussion of associated background assumptions."
- "A method is a structured procedure for bringing about a certain goal, like acquiring knowledge or verifying knowledge claims."
- "This normally involves various steps, like choosing a sample, collecting data from this sample, and interpreting the data."
- "The study of methods concerns a detailed description and analysis of these processes. It includes evaluative aspects by comparing different methods."
- "It is assessed what advantages and disadvantages they have and for what research goals they may be used."
- "These descriptions and evaluations depend on philosophical background assumptions."
- "Examples are how to conceptualize the studied phenomena and what constitutes evidence for or against them."
- "Methodologies are traditionally divided into quantitative and qualitative research."
- "Quantitative research is the main methodology of the natural sciences."
- "Its goal is usually to find universal laws used to make predictions about future events."
- "The dominant methodology in the natural sciences is called the scientific method."
- "Qualitative research aims more at an in-depth understanding of the meaning of the studied phenomena and less at universal and predictive laws."
- "Common methods found in the social sciences are surveys, interviews, focus groups, and the nominal group technique."
- "In recent decades, many social scientists have started using mixed-methods research, which combines quantitative and qualitative methodologies."
- "Many discussions in methodology concern the question of whether the quantitative approach is superior."
- "A few theorists reject methodology as a discipline in general."
- "For example, some argue that it is useless since methods should be used rather than studied. Others hold that it is harmful because it restricts the freedom and creativity of researchers."
- "Methodologists often respond to these objections by claiming that a good methodology helps researchers arrive at reliable theories in an efficient way."
- "Interest in methodology has risen in the 20th century due to the increased importance of interdisciplinary work and the obstacles hindering efficient cooperation."