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    Research Methodology

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    Mubarak Ali

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Research Methodology

    Uploaded by

    Mubarak Ali
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    41 views4 pages

    Research Methodology

    Uploaded by

    Mubarak Ali

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as TXT, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
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    of 4

    What Is Research Methodology?

    (Why It’s Important and Types)

    In a thesis, dissertation, academic journal article or other formal pieces of


    research, there are often details of how the researcher approached the study and
    the methods and techniques they used. If you're designing a research study, then
    it's helpful to understand what research methodology is and the selection of
    techniques and tools available to you. In this article, we explore what research
    methodology is, the types of research methodologies and the techniques and tools
    commonly used to collect and analyze data.

    What is research methodology?

    Research methodology is a way of explaining how a researcher intends to carry out


    their research. It's a logical, systematic plan to resolve a research problem. A
    methodology details a researcher's approach to the research to ensure reliable,
    valid results that address their aims and objectives. It encompasses what data
    they're going to collect and where from, as well as how it's being collected and
    analyzed.

    Why is a research methodology important?

    A research methodology gives research legitimacy and provides scientifically sound


    findings. It also provides a detailed plan that helps to keep researchers on track,
    making the process smooth, effective and manageable. A researcher's methodology
    allows the reader to understand the approach and methods used to reach conclusions.
    Having a sound research methodology in place provides the following benefits:
    Other researchers who want to replicate the research have enough information to do
    so.
    Researchers who receive criticism can refer to the methodology and explain their
    approach.
    It can help provide researchers with a specific plan to follow throughout their
    research.
    The methodology design process helps researchers select the correct methods for the
    objectives.
    It allows researchers to document what they intend to achieve with the research
    from the outset.

    Types of research methodology

    When designing a research methodology, a researcher has several decisions to make.


    One of the most important is which data methodology to use, qualitative,
    quantitative or a combination of the two. No matter the type of research, the data
    gathered will be as numbers or descriptions, and researchers can choose to focus on
    collecting words, numbers or both.
    Here are the different methodologies and their applications:

    Qualitative
    Qualitative research involves collecting and analyzing written or spoken words and
    textual data. It may also focus on body language or visual elements and help to
    create a detailed description of a researcher's observations. Researchers usually
    gather qualitative data through interviews, observation and focus groups using a
    few carefully chosen participants.

    This research methodology is subjective and more time-consuming than using


    quantitative data. Researchers often use a qualitative methodology when the aims
    and objectives of the research are exploratory. For example, when they perform
    research to understand human perceptions regarding an event, person or product.

    Quantitative
    Researchers usually use a quantitative methodology when the objective of the
    research is to confirm something. It focuses on collecting, testing and measuring
    numerical data, usually from a large sample of participants. They then analyze the
    data using statistical analysis and comparisons. Popular methods used to gather
    quantitative data are:
    Surveys
    Questionnaires
    Test
    Databases
    Organizational records

    This research methodology is objective and is often quicker as researchers use


    software programs when analyzing the data. An example of how researchers could use
    a quantitative methodology is to measure the relationship between two variables or
    test a set of hypotheses.

    Mixed-method
    This contemporary research methodology combines quantitative and qualitative
    approaches to provide additional perspectives, create a richer picture and present
    multiple findings. The quantitative methodology provides definitive facts and
    figures, while the qualitative provides a human aspect. This methodology can
    produce interesting results as it presents exact data while also being exploratory.

    Types of sampling design in research methodology


    When creating a sample design, a researcher decides from who or what they'll
    collect data. They also choose the techniques and procedures they'll use to select
    items or individuals for the sample. There are several types of sample design that
    fall into two main categories:

    Probability sampling
    This sampling method uses a random sample from the pool of people or items you're
    interested in, called the population, and is random or chance sampling. Every
    person or item in the population has an equal chance of being selected. Using this
    method is the best way to get a truly representative sample, and researchers can
    generalize the study's results to the entire population.

    Nonprobability sampling
    Nonprobability sampling is not random, as the researcher deliberately selects
    people or items for the sample. Researchers also refer to this method as deliberate
    sampling, judgment sampling or purposive sampling. Every person or item in the
    population doesn't have an equal chance of being selected, and the results are
    typically not generalizable to the entire population.

    Common data collection methods


    Once a researcher has finalized their population sample, they need to decide how to
    collect data. There are several options for data collection, and the best research
    method to use will depend on the research topic, methodology, type of data and the
    population sample.
    Although there are many ways to collect data, people often broadly group them in
    these ways:

    Interviews: Researchers can carry out interviews in a structured, semi-structured,


    or unstructured format, depending on how formal the questions are.

    Surveys: Surveys can be online or in-person and have either free-answer, essay-
    style questions, or closed, multiple-choice style questions. Depending on the data
    required, a survey could also use a mixture.
    Focus groups: Focus groups have interviewees give their thoughts, opinions,
    perspectives and perceptions on specific topics. A moderator usually leads the
    group to help guide the discussion and ensure everyone has a chance to share their
    thoughts.
    Observations: Direct observation involves observing the spontaneous behavior of
    participants without interference from the researcher, while participant
    observation is more structured, and the researcher interacts with the participants.

    Documents and records: Researchers collect data such as published reports and
    official documents of international bodies, government agencies or private
    institutes and internal records such as employees' payroll, raw material quantities
    and cash receipts.

    Common data analysis methods


    Researchers use different data analysis methods depending on whether the data is
    qualitative or quantitative. For example:

    Qualitative data analysis


    Qualitative data is usually in spoken or written information, such as interview
    transcripts, video and audio recordings, notes, images and text documents.
    Qualitative data analysis involves identifying common patterns in participants'
    responses and critically analyzing them to achieve research aims and objectives.

    The most commonly used qualitative data analysis methods are:

    Content analysis: This is one of the most common methods used to analyze documented
    information and is usually used to analyze interviewees' responses.

    Narrative analysis: Researchers use this method to analyze content from several
    sources, including interviews, observations and surveys. It focuses on using
    people's stories and experiences to answer research questions.

    Discourse analysis: This method analyzes spoken or written language in its social
    context and aims to understand how people use language in day-to-day situations.

    Grounded theory: This method uses qualitative data to discover or construct a


    theory explaining why something happened. It uses a comparative analysis of data
    from similar cases in different settings to derive explanations.

    Quantitative data analysis


    Quantitative data analysis involves turning numbers into meaningful data by
    applying rational and critical thinking. Most researchers use analytical software
    to assist with quantitative data analysis. The first stage in analyzing
    quantitative data is validating, editing and coding the data. Once completed, the
    data is ready for analysis.

    The most commonly used quantitative data analysis methods are:


    Descriptive analysis: This method uses descriptive statistics like mean, median,
    mode, percentage, frequency and range to find patterns.

    Inferential analysis: This method shows the relationships between multiple


    variables using correlation, regression and variance analysis.
    Factors to consider when choosing a research methodology

    Here are some factors to consider when choosing a research methodology:


    The research objective: Consider the research project objective. When researchers
    know what information they require at the end of the project to meet their
    objectives, it helps them select the correct methodology and research method.

    Significance of statistics: Another factor to consider is whether you require


    concise, data-driven research results and statistical answers. Or whether the
    research questions require an understanding of reasons, perceptions, opinions and
    motivations.

    Nature of the research: If the aims and objectives are exploratory, the research
    will probably require qualitative data collection methods. However, if the aims and
    objectives are to measure or test something, the research will require quantitative
    data collection methods.

    Sample size: How big does the sample need to be to answer the research questions
    and meet the objectives? The sample size can determine your data-gathering methods,
    such as whether to use in-person interviews or smaller samples or online surveys
    for larger ones.

    Time available: If there are time constraints, consider techniques like random or
    convenience sampling and tools that allow for data collection in a few days. If
    there's more time available for data collection, in-person interviews and
    observations are possible.

    Frequently asked questions

    What's the difference between research methods and methodology?


    Research methods are individual tools, techniques, or behaviors a researcher uses
    to collect information. A research methodology is a specific way of conducting
    research that may incorporate multiple research methods. It details the what, where
    and how of data collection and analysis.

    What are the six basic research methods?


    The six basic research methods, or tools for collecting information, are:
    Social surveys
    Interviews
    Experiments
    Ethnography
    Longitudinal studies
    Participant observation

    How do you choose the right research methodology?


    You can choose the right research methodology by determining the type of data
    necessary for answering your research question. For instance, you may require
    numerical data to generate concrete measurements or test your hypothesis. If you
    want to explore more abstract concepts, consider collecting qualitative data.
    Researchers might also choose between primary and secondary data when determining
    whether they want to collect data first-hand or analyze vast amounts of existing
    information. Additionally, note that experimental methods are appropriate for
    establishing relationships between variables while descriptive methods can help you
    better understand the characteristics of whatever you're studying.

    What are the main components of a research methodology?


    The main components of a research methodology are:
    Design
    Sampling
    Collection procedures
    Tools
    Analysis
    Ethical considerations
    You may consider these components when creating your methodology. They might also
    be necessary to include in the methodology section of your research paper to help
    readers understand the approach you used when gathering data.

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