In the research process, writing a methodology is one of the significant steps. Basically, the researchers compose research methodology to explain how they are going to carry out their research. It is a logical and systematic plan formulated to fix a research problem. Whenever you are working on a thesis, dissertation, academic journal, or any other professional piece of research, you must prepare a methodology. Right now, are you struggling to write a research methodology? If yes, then continue reading this blog post. Here, we have explained everything about research methodology and also have shared how to write a methodology effectively.
What is a Methodology?
The term research methodology refers to the actions that you take while investigating a research problem. In simple, it denotes the procedures that you utilize for the identification, selection, processing, and analysis of information that is used for understanding a research problem.
Mostly, a methodology encompasses what data you are going to collect, from where you are collecting the data, and how the data is being collected and analyzed. Through methodology, you can explain your research approach to ensure valid results as addressed in your aims and objectives.
A well-written methodology should give detailed information on the methods you used and the reasons why you chose that. Also, it should explain how you got the answers to the questions addressed in the research paper with the method you selected.
The Purpose of Writing a Methodology
Here are some important reasons why you should write a methodology.
- To inform your readers how you obtained your research data.
- To add legitimacy to your research.
- To make your readers understand why you chose a specific technique for investigating your research problem.
- To clarify to your readers that you have collected data in a consistent manner that is acceptable in your research area.
Research Method Groups
There are two groups of research methods in social science. They include the empirical and the interpretive group. Both these groups play an important role when you handle the methods section of your research.
The Empirical Group
It is an analytical group approach to study that mainly focuses on objective knowledge, the Yes or No research questions, and the operational definition of measuring variables. In this group, you should rely on deductive reasoning which employs the existing theories as a base for the formulation of the hypothesis that you evaluate. More specifically, the empirical group approach gives close consideration to the arrangement of a clarification.
The Interpretive Group
It focuses on comprehensive and holistic ways of understanding a phenomenon. It rationally reveals the practices that deal with the importance of human subjects. It especially, explains how, by what means, and for what reasons human beings do what they do. Also, for generating notable outcomes, this method shows the arrangement of practices.
With this interpretive group, you can identify the association you have with a phenomenon that is under investigation. It gives more importance to the subject knowledge by examining your variables. To start this, you should be aware of what the methodology is.
How to Write a Research Methodology?
When you write a methodology, make sure to follow the below-mentioned steps in order.
Restate your research problem
Your methodology’s first part should be a restatement of your research problem. The thesis restatement will help your readers to follow your methodology steps from the beginning to the end. Also, it will give you an opportunity to address the assumption and list the variables you tested in the research.
Describe your selected approach
After restarting your thesis, describe the type of research type you used. Explain why you have chosen qualitative or quantitative research or any other alternative method suitable for your field of study.
Clarify the uncommon methodology you have used
If you have used any methodology outside of the regular methods in your research field, then clarify it. To prove that the findings that you have demonstrated with your approach or methodology are valid, you need to provide a strong statement of why you have used that alternate approach for your research problem.
Explain the methods of your data collection
Mention whether or not you have used qualitative or quantitative data in your research. Here, mention how you have collected the data you have used for the research. While explaining your data collection process, make sure to mention the details about the experiment that you have conducted to collect your variable along with the design of the experiment. Also, make a note to share details about the tools you used for conducting an experiment and the list of existing data you used.
Describe your data analysis method
After explaining all the details about how you have collected the data, next you need to describe what method you have used to analyze the data you have collected. Here, don’t include details about your results. In the case of quantitative research, list the steps you have done for data accuracy, any software you have used for data analysis, and any statistical testing you implemented. For qualitative research, your analysis can be content-based, theme-based, or discourse-based.
Justify the methodological choices
Explain the criteria you have used for choosing your research approach along with a piece of evidence. Also, list the weakness of your methodology and why you have chosen that particular methodology.
Explain the obstacles and their solutions
List the obstacles you have encountered while doing your research and also share how you overcame them. Here, the problem-solving skills you mention will strengthen your research’s validity.
Citation of sources determining the methodology choices
In the final section of your methodology, mention the references or cite the sources that you have referred to or used when you determine your overall methodology.
Essential Elements of a Good Methodology
A good research methodology should contain
- A prologue to the methodological method of examining the research process
- How your methodology fits into the research plan
- The information assortment methods you utilize
- Clarification of how you will examine your outcomes
- Reasoning the methodologies that are uncomfortable to the users
- Justification for your examining methods and subject determination
- Possible Limitations
When you write a methodology, remember to present all the above elements clearly with coherence. If your research needs qualitative techniques of interviews and observation, then in such instances, you may require approval from the approval board.
Tips for Writing a Methodology
Here are a few important tips for writing a methodology.
- Your method description should not be simple. It should explain in detail how you used them and why you used them. Remember, explaining this point in detail will stand as proof that you have conducted your research rigorously.
- Prepare notes and create an outline sketch for your methodology. Drafting the content will help you capture all the details accurately without missing them. In real-time, if you record your techniques and methods in a better way, then your methodology will also be better.
- Give utmost importance to your research questions. Connect your methodology choice to the central research theme in order to show that you have used the best methods to address the research problem.
- Always know your audience and write for them. Your methodology should be well-crafted and structured in a way including all the necessary elements of the standard format. Be unique in your writing style and also include more technical details.
Conclusion
We hope you have now gained a good knowledge of how to write a research methodology. But, especially during the methodology selection, out of the different sorts of methodologies available, make sure to choose the relevant one suitable for your field of research. Also, remember to present the methodology part in a clear manner that is suitable for your readers to understand your research answers. In case, you have no idea how to write a research methodology, quickly contact us .
