Research methodology1,2 is a structured and scientific approach used to collect, analyze,

and interpret quantitative or qualitative data to answer research questions or test

hypotheses. A research methodology is like a plan for carrying out research and helps keep
researchers on track by limiting the scope of the research. Several aspects must be
considered before selecting an appropriate research methodology, such as research
limitations and ethical concerns that may affect your research.
The research methodology section in a scientific paper describes the different
methodological choices made, such as the data collection and analysis methods, and why
these choices were selected. The reasons should explain why the methods chosen are the
most appropriate to answer the research question. A good research methodology also helps
ensure the reliability and validity of the research findings. There are three types of research
methodology—quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method, which can be chosen based on
the research objectives.

What is research methodology?

A research methodology describes the techniques and procedures used to identify and
analyze information regarding a specific research topic. It is a process by which researchers
design their study so that they can achieve their objectives using the selected research
instruments. It includes all the important aspects of research, including research design,
data collection methods, data analysis methods, and the overall framework within which the
research is conducted. While these points can help you understand what is research
methodology, you also need to know why it is important to pick the right methodology.

Why is research methodology important?

Having a good research methodology in place has the following advantages:3
 Helps other researchers who may want to replicate your research; the explanations will
be of benefit to them.
 You can easily answer any questions about your research if they arise at a later stage.
 A research methodology provides a framework and guidelines for researchers to clearly
define research questions, hypotheses, and objectives.
 It helps researchers identify the most appropriate research design, sampling technique,
and data collection and analysis methods.
 A sound research methodology helps researchers ensure that their findings are valid
and reliable and free from biases and errors.
 It also helps ensure that ethical guidelines are followed while conducting research.
 A good research methodology helps researchers in planning their research efficiently,
by ensuring optimum usage of their time and resources.
 Types of research methodology
There are three types of research methodology based on the type of research and the data
required.1
 Quantitative research methodology focuses on measuring and testing numerical
data. This approach is good for reaching a large number of people in a short amount of
time. This type of research helps in testing the causal relationships between variables,
making predictions, and generalizing results to wider populations.
 Qualitative research methodology examines the opinions, behaviors, and
experiences of people. It collects and analyzes words and textual data. This research
methodology requires fewer participants but is still more time consuming because the
time spent per participant is quite large. This method is used in exploratory research
where the research problem being investigated is not clearly defined.
 Mixed-method research methodology uses the characteristics of both quantitative
and qualitative research methodologies in the same study. This method allows
researchers to validate their findings, verify if the results observed using both methods
are complementary, and explain any unexpected results obtained from one method by
using the other method.
What are the types of sampling designs in research
methodology?
Sampling4 is an important part of a research methodology and involves selecting a
representative sample of the population to conduct the study, making statistical inferences
about them, and estimating the characteristics of the whole population based on these
inferences. There are two types of sampling designs in research methodology—probability
and nonprobability.
 Probability sampling
In this type of sampling design, a sample is chosen from a larger population using some
form of random selection, that is, every member of the population has an equal chance of
being selected. The different types of probability sampling are:

 Simple random—every single member is chosen randomly.

 Systematic—sample members are chosen at regular intervals. It requires selecting a
starting point for the sample and sample size determination that can be repeated at
regular intervals. This type of sampling method has a predefined range; hence, it is the
least time consuming.
 Stratified—researchers divide the population into smaller groups that don’t overlap but
represent the entire population. While sampling, these groups can be organized, and
then a sample can be drawn from each group separately.
 Cluster—the population is divided into clusters based on demographic parameters like
age, sex, location, etc.
 Nonprobability sampling
This involves feedback based on a researcher’s sample selection capabilities and not on a
fixed selection process. The different types of nonprobability sampling methods are:

 Convenience—selects participants who are most easily accessible to researchers due to

geographical proximity, availability at a particular time, etc.
 Purposive—participants are selected at the researcher’s discretion. Researchers consider
the purpose of the study and the understanding of the target audience.
 Snowball—already selected participants use their social networks to refer the researcher to
other potential participants.

 Quota—while designing the study, the researchers decide how many people with which
characteristics to include as participants. The characteristics help in choosing people most
likely to provide insights into the subject.

What are data collection methods?

During research, data are collected using various methods depending on the research
methodology being followed and the research methods being undertaken. Both qualitative
and quantitative research have different data collection methods, as listed below.

Qualitative research5
 One-on-one interviews: Helps the interviewers understand a respondent’s subjective
opinion and experience pertaining to a specific topic or event
 Document study/literature review/record keeping: Researchers’ review of already
existing written materials such as archives, annual reports, research articles, guidelines,
policy documents, etc.
 Focus groups: Constructive discussions that usually include a small sample of about 6-
10 people and a moderator, to understand the participants’ opinion on a given topic.
 Qualitative observation: Researchers collect data using their five senses (sight, smell,
touch, taste, and hearing).
Quantitative research6
 Sampling: The most common type is probability sampling.
 Interviews: Commonly telephonic or done in-person.
 Observations: Structured observations are most commonly used in quantitative
research. In this method, researchers make observations about specific behaviors of
individuals in a structured setting.
 Document review: Reviewing existing research or documents to collect evidence for
supporting the research.
 Surveys and questionnaires. Surveys can be administered both online and offline
depending on the requirement and sample size.
What are data analysis methods?
The data collected using the various methods for qualitative and quantitative research need
to be analyzed to generate meaningful conclusions. These data analysis methods7 also
differ between quantitative and qualitative research.
Quantitative research involves a deductive method for data analysis where hypotheses
are developed at the beginning of the research and precise measurement is required. The
methods include statistical analysis applications to analyze numerical data and are grouped
into two categories—descriptive and inferential.
Descriptive analysis is used to describe the basic features of different types of data to
present it in a way that ensures the patterns become meaningful. The different types of
descriptive analysis methods are:

 Measures of frequency (count, percent, frequency)

 Measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode)
 Measures of dispersion or variation (range, variance, standard deviation)
 Measure of position (percentile ranks, quartile ranks)
Inferential analysis is used to make predictions about a larger population based on the
analysis of the data collected from a smaller population. This analysis is used to study the
relationships between different variables. Some commonly used inferential data analysis
methods are:

 Correlation: To understand the relationship between two or more variables.

 Cross-tabulation: Analyze the relationship between multiple variables.
 Regression analysis: Study the impact of independent variables on the dependent
variable.
 Frequency tables: To understand the frequency of data.
 Analysis of variance: To test the degree to which two or more variables differ in an
experiment.
Qualitative research involves an inductive method for data analysis where hypotheses are
developed after data collection. The methods include:
 Content analysis: For analyzing documented information from text and images by
determining the presence of certain words or concepts in texts.
 Narrative analysis: For analyzing content obtained from sources such as interviews,
field observations, and surveys. The stories and opinions shared by people are used to
answer research questions.
 Discourse analysis: For analyzing interactions with people considering the social
context, that is, the lifestyle and environment, under which the interaction occurs.
 Grounded theory: Involves hypothesis creation by data collection and analysis to
explain why a phenomenon occurred.
 Thematic analysis: To identify important themes or patterns in data and use these to
address an issue.

How to choose a research methodology?

Here are some important factors to consider when choosing a research methodology:8
1. Research objectives, aims, and questions—these would help structure the research
design.
2. Review existing literature to identify any gaps in knowledge.
3. Check the statistical requirements—if data-driven or statistical results are needed then
quantitative research is the best. If the research questions can be answered based on
people’s opinions and perceptions, then qualitative research is most suitable.
4. Sample size—sample size can often determine the feasibility of a research
methodology. For a large sample, less effort- and time-intensive methods are
appropriate.
5. Constraints—constraints of time, geography, and resources can help define the
appropriate methodology.
 How to write a research methodology?
A research methodology should include the following components:3,9
1. Research design—should be selected based on the research question and the data
required. Common research designs include experimental, quasi-experimental,
correlational, descriptive, and exploratory.
2. Research method—this can be quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-method.
3. Reason for selecting a specific methodology—explain why this methodology is the
most suitable to answer your research problem.
4. Research instruments—explain the research instruments you plan to use, mainly
referring to the data collection methods such as interviews, surveys, etc. Here as well, a
reason should be mentioned for selecting the particular instrument.
5. Sampling—this involves selecting a representative subset of the population being
studied.
6. Data collection—involves gathering data using several data collection methods, such
as surveys, interviews, etc.
7. Data analysis—describe the data analysis methods you will use once you’ve collected
the data.
8. Research limitations—mention any limitations you foresee while conducting your
research.
9. Validity and reliability—validity helps identify the accuracy and truthfulness of the
findings; reliability refers to the consistency and stability of the results over time and
across different conditions.
10. Ethical considerations—research should be conducted ethically. The considerations
include obtaining consent from participants, maintaining confidentiality, and addressing
conflicts of interest.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What are the key components of research methodology?
A1. A good research methodology has the following key components:

1. Research design
2. Sampling
3. Tools
4. Data collection procedures
5. Data analysis methods
6. Ethical considerations
Q2. Why is ethical consideration important in research methodology?
A2. Ethical consideration is important in research methodology to ensure the readers of the
reliability and validity of the study. Researchers must clearly mention the ethical norms and
standards followed during the conduct of the research and also mention if the research has
been cleared by any institutional board. The following 10 points are the important principles
related to ethical considerations:10
1. Participants should not be subjected to harm.
2. Respect for the dignity of participants should be prioritized.
3. Full consent should be obtained from participants before the study.
4. Participants’ privacy should be ensured.
5. Confidentiality of the research data should be ensured.
6. Anonymity of individuals and organizations participating in the research should be
maintained.
7. The aims and objectives of the research should not be exaggerated.
8. Affiliations, sources of funding, and any possible conflicts of interest should be declared.
9. Communication in relation to the research should be honest and transparent.
10. Misleading information and biased representation of primary data findings should be
avoided.
Q3. What is the difference between methodology and method?
A3. Research methodology is different from a research method, although both terms are
often confused. Research methods are the tools used to gather data, while the research
methodology provides a framework for how research is planned, conducted, and analyzed.
The latter guides researchers in making decisions about the most appropriate methods for
their research. Research methods refer to the specific techniques, procedures, and tools
used by researchers to collect, analyze, and interpret data, for instance surveys,
questionnaires, interviews, etc.

Research methodology is, thus, an integral part of a research study. It helps ensure that you
stay on track to meet your research objectives and answer your research questions using
the most appropriate data collection and analysis tools based on your research design.