Research Methods and Methodology
In the context of academic and scientific research, research methods and research methodology are two terms that are often used interchangeably but have distinct meanings.
Together, methods and methodology provide the foundation for designing and executing a research study, ensuring that the study is both rigorous and systematic, while appropriately addressing the research questions posed.
This module will explain each concept in detail, highlight their differences, applications, and discuss how they work together in the research process.
3. How Research Methods and Methodology Work Together
Research methods and methodology work in tandem to form the foundation of the entire research process. Here’s how they interact:
1. Theoretical Framework: The methodology provides the philosophical and theoretical basis for the research, guiding the researcher in choosing appropriate methods. For instance, a positivist methodology may guide a researcher to use quantitative methods like surveys or experiments to test hypotheses.
2. Alignment: The methods chosen (e.g., surveys, interviews, experiments) must align with the methodology. For example, a qualitative methodology would typically involve methods such as interviews or focus groups, whereas a quantitative methodology might involve surveys or statistical analysis.
3. Coherent Research Design: The methodology guides the overall research design (e.g., whether the research will be exploratory, descriptive, or experimental), and the methods determine how data will be collected to answer the research questions posed within the design.
Examples of How Methods and Methodology Interact:
1. Qualitative Methodology:
- Methodology: Interpretivism (understanding the meanings behind human behavior).
- Methods: Semi-structured interviews, thematic analysis.
- The researcher might aim to explore how people interpret their experiences with a social phenomenon (e.g., the effects of remote work on employee well-being).
2. Quantitative Methodology:
- Methodology: Positivism (belief in objective measurement of reality).
- Methods: Surveys, experiments, statistical analysis.
- The researcher might measure the impact of remote work on employee productivity through a survey with a large sample size and analyze the data using statistical tests.
3. Mixed Methods:
- Methodology: Pragmatism (using both qualitative and quantitative methods to answer a research question).
- Methods: Qualitative interviews to explore perceptions of remote work and a quantitative survey to measure its impact on productivity.
- The researcher could use qualitative methods to explore in-depth personal experiences and quantitative methods to generalize findings to a larger population.