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Writing a Research Methodology Guide

The document discusses how to write the methodology section of a thesis or dissertation. It explains that the methodology section describes the type of research conducted, how data was collected and analyzed, any tools used, and the rationale for the chosen methods. It should generally be written in past tense. The section then lists the steps for writing the methodology, including explaining the overall methodological approach, describing data collection and analysis methods, evaluating choices, and providing tips.

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Amra Dzananovic
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19 views1 page

Writing a Research Methodology Guide

The document discusses how to write the methodology section of a thesis or dissertation. It explains that the methodology section describes the type of research conducted, how data was collected and analyzed, any tools used, and the rationale for the chosen methods. It should generally be written in past tense. The section then lists the steps for writing the methodology, including explaining the overall methodological approach, describing data collection and analysis methods, evaluating choices, and providing tips.

Uploaded by

Amra Dzananovic
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

How to write a research methodology

Date published February 25, 2019 by Shona McCombes. Date updated: March 13, 2020

In your thesis or dissertation, you will have to discuss the methods you used to do your
research. The methodology or methods section explains what you did and how you did it,
allowing readers to evaluate the reliability and validity of the research. It should include:

 The type of research you did


 How you collected your data
 How you analyzed your data
 Any tools or materials you used in the research
 Your rationale for choosing these methods

The methodology section should generally be written in the past tense.

Table of contents
1. Explain your methodological approach
2. Describe your methods of data collection
3. Describe your methods of analysis
4. Evaluate and justify your methodological choices
5. Tips for writing a strong methodology
6. Frequently asked questions about methodology

Step 1: Explain your methodological approach


Begin by introducing your overall approach to the research. What research problem or
question did you investigate, and what kind of data did you need to answer it?

 Quantitative methods (e.g. surveys) are best for measuring, ranking, categorizing,
identifying patterns and making generalizations
 Qualitative methods (e.g. interviews) are best for describing, interpreting,
contextualizing, and gaining in-depth insight into specific concepts or phenomena
 Mixed methods allow for a combination of numerical measurement and in-depth
exploration

Depending on your discipline and approach, you might also begin with a discussion of the
rationale and assumptions underpinning your methodology.

 Was your aim to address a practical or a theoretical research problem?


 Why is this the most suitable approach to answering your research questions?
 Is this a standard methodology in your field or does it require justification?
 Were there any ethical or philosophical considerations?
 What are the criteria for validity and reliability in this type of research?

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