What are the 3 methodologies?
The methodology section should generally be written in the past tense.
Researchers use three primary methodology types:
qualitative
quantitative
mixed methods
Within these broad categories, more specific methods include an array of options, such as case studies, self reporting and surveys
How do I choose a research methodology?
Research aims and objectives will form the basis for decisions on your approach to the methodology.
The first question you need to ask yourself is whether your research is exploratory or confirmatory in nature.
Purpose
When researchers document their studies, they typically include a methodology to describe the processes and outcomes of their research. If you’re covering a thesis topic, submitting a dissertation or documenting a project for your employer, including a methodology helps summarize your studies for readers who review your work. Additionally, the methodology is important for providing insight into the validity and reliability of your research. In this article, we explore what a methodology is, what to include in this part of your paper and how it differs from your research methods with an example of methodology in a research paper.
What is a methodology in a research paper?
The methodology in a research paper, thesis paper or dissertation is the section in which you describe the actions you took to investigate and research a problem and your rationale for the specific processes and techniques you use within your research to identify, collect and analyse information that helps you understand the problem.
What is a methodology in a research paper?
The methodology section of your research paper allows readers to evaluate the overall validity and reliability of your study and gives important insight into two key elements of your research: your data collection and analysis processes and your rationale for conducting your research.
When writing a methodology for a research paper, it’s important to keep the discussion clear and succinct and write in the past tense.
What to include in a methodology
The first part of a methodology section usually describes the type of research you perform and how you develop your research methods.
This section also discusses the question or problem you investigate through your research and the type of data you need to perform evaluations and research assessments.
Additionally, the methodology often includes the criteria your experimental studies need to meet to produce valid and reliable evidence. The information you cover in this part of your methodology allows readers to gain insight into how you measure validity and reliability during your studies.
Data collection process
The methodology also includes an explanation of your data collection process. For instance, if you perform experimental tests on samples, conduct surveys or interviews or use existing data to form new studies, this section of your methodology details what you do and how you do it.
Several key details to include in this section of a methodology focus on how you design your experiment or survey, how you collect and organize data and what kind of data you measure. You may also include specific criteria for collecting qualitative and quantitative data.
Data analysis process
Your data analysis approaches are also important in your methodology. Your data analysis describes the methods you use to organize, categorize and study the information you collect through your research processes. For instance, when explaining quantitative methods, you might include details about your data preparation and organization methods, along with a brief description of the statistical tests you use. When describing your data analysis processes in regard to qualitative methods, you may focus more on how you categorize, code and apply language, text and other observations during your analysis.
Structure Summary
Methodology; Describes the type of research you perform and how you develop your research methods, establishes the question or problem you investigate and the type of data you need to perform evaluations and research assessments.
Data collection process; An explanation of experimental tests on samples, conducting surveys or interviews or analysis existing data.
Data analysis process; The methods you use to organize, categorize and study the information you collect.
Resources, materials and tools; The tools, materials and other resources you need for your research.
Rationale behind the research; Should include why your studies are relevant, what industries your studies relate to and how other researchers can replicate your results .