Research methodology choice is determined by the overarching research philosophy and the research type. Choosing the right research methodology is crucial since your research findings depend entirely on the methodology. Methodology delineates the underlying assumptions of your research approach and also informs the reader about the practical steps taken to arrive at results. Therefore, it is imperative to carefully plan the methodology section and select a suitable approach to help you address the research questions. This article will tell you what steps you can take to choose the right research methodology.
Types of Research Methodologies
First, it is important to understand how many research types are available for you to choose from. Usually, there are three types of research methods; quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research that you can use for the research methodology section. They all differ from each other in the following manner:
Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods
Qualitative research methods encompass using non-numerical data for the research. On the other hand, quantitative research deals with numerical and hard data. In quantitative research, researchers collect numerical data for running statistical analysis and quantify the variables. In contrast, in the qualitative approach, a researcher collects non-numerical data such as opinions and various texts. Qualitative research seeks to comprehend the qualitative experience of human life, i.e., human emotions, feelings, opinions, ideas and personal experiences. Qualitative research seeks to capture information about the intangible and abstract notions of human life compared to numerical data of quantitative research, which seeks to quantify data to establish a connection between variables.
Qualitative research is primarily used in exploratory studies to probe deeply into an issue and understand the underlying theoretical and ideological underpinnings. Contrarily, quantitative research methodology develops a hypothesis and collects data that either confirms or disproves the hypothesis. In a nutshell, qualitative research methods are descriptive and exploratory, and quantitative research methods are confirmatory. Here are the key differences between both research methods, and it is imperative to understand them before you embark on selecting the overarching research methodology:
Qualitative Research
- It uses an inductive approach, i.e., collecting data from the ground up to build a theory
- Qualitative research is subjective
- It is a flexible method that is open to interpretations and receptive to multiple ideas
- The researcher gets the chance to have close interaction with the research participants
- Utilises interviews and focus group discussions for collecting qualitative data
- Usually, qualitative research encompasses a small sample size
- Analysis techniques encompass thematic and content analysis
Quantitative Research
- It relies on a deductive approach, i.e., stats from broad generalisations to particular instances
- Utilised in theory testing
- It is considered an objective research process
- Close-ended and tightly planned, and inelastic approach
- Researchers do not have close interaction with the respondents
- Data collection methods encompass surveys and experiments for gathering numerical data
- Relies on large sample sizes
- Analysis techniques encompass statistical evaluation
Mixed methods research
The mixed methods approach in research methodology involves synthesising quantitative and qualitative approaches. It takes the best of both and combines them to generate useful insights into a topic. So, it is imperative to choose the research approach because it will determine the rest of the research methodology. Once you select the approach, the next steps are easier because you only need to chart a practical course of action for sampling, data collection and analysis.
What are the important factors to consider while choosing the research methodology?
Here are a few factors that you must consider while choosing an appropriate research methodology:
- The overarching approach of your research, aims and objectives and research questions
- What are the existing research approaches in the literature?
- Feasibility and limitations
Overarching approach of research: A key factor
The overarching approach of your research and the nature of your aims, objectives and research questions are the key factors that help you select an appropriate research methodology. In broad terms, there are three types of research approaches that are most common:
Exploratory Research
Exploratory research seeks to explore an issue when the existing literature does not have sufficient information to explain the chosen topic. It is used to explore further about the topic by collecting data and formulating theories.
Confirmatory Research
Confirmatory research builds upon the theories and extends them further by building a hypothesis to either confirm or disprove a hypothesis. It involves empirical data collection and analysis, which usually encompasses various statistical techniques.
Mixed Approach
In a mixed approach, a researcher explores the issue further, builds a theory, and then builds a hypothesis to prove or disprove a theory. It is generally used in lengthy research projects stretched across a significant period.
Generally, exploratory research employs a qualitative research approach. On the other hand, confirmatory research utilises a quantitative research approach. The third approach mentioned above combines quantitative and qualitative techniques to build theories and test them. Designing the research methodology section requires being well-versed with the approaches mentioned above; therefore, if you cannot do it by yourself, you can always take help from expert writers at Research Proposal Help.
Review the Existing Approaches
It is imperative to review the existing approaches in your field while choosing an appropriate research methodology. You must identify the studies relevant to your research goals and objectives. Some generally accepted standard practices are often used in a particular discipline. However, it does not necessarily mean you should blindly follow the conventions. But it is useful to review those approaches and evaluate their strengths and shortcoming. Once you do that, you will have a fair idea of the existing approaches and help you choose the best research methodology. One of the advantages of reviewing the existing research approaches is that you can imitate the data collection techniques that other researchers used because it will help save your time.
Feasibility and Limitations
Understanding the feasibility and limitations of your research methodology and scope is imperative. There are always differences between ideals and actual realities. Although you must be ambitious to produce outstanding research, it must not be detached from reality. You must focus on the doable aspects and consider the following limitations:
- Accessibility of data, i.e., whether you can gather the required data and how you will do it
- Financial constraints and time limit
- Tools and software required to conduct analysis
- Last but not least your expertise and subject knowledge
Conclusion
Choosing the right research methodology requires being clear about the type of research you want to conduct. The clarity in the approach helps you chart out a practical and feasible course of action that leads to valid and credible results.