What is the difference between methodology and methods in research

Which method would you choose while balancing cost, research time, and utility of the data? We want to have data from a large number of participants, so we must choose a quantitative method, such as a Likert scale. The phenomenological methodology was chosen for this study on the experience of people residing in low-income housing in California because the holistic living experience uncovered areas of opportunity for the state to implement for its next housing project for low-income people.

To create a new party board game, we used the participatory methodological approach in our design research process. This allowed us to consider the social atmosphere and receive feedback from our participants when developing the game and the rules. Research methods are the various procedures, schemes, steps, and algorithms used in research.

They are essentially planned, scientific, and value neutral. They include observations, theoretical procedures, experimental studies, numerical schemes, statistical approaches, etc. Research methods help us collect samples, data and find the solution to a specific problem.

Research methodology is a systematic way of solving a problem. It is a science of studying how research is carried out. Essentially, the procedures by which researchers do their job of describing, explaining, and predicting phenomena are called research methodology. It is also defined as the study of methods by which knowledge is acquired. Its objective is to give the work plan of the investigation. A method is what you did. It is a simple description.

For example, you selected rats and measured their weight. You fed some rats and some you didn't. A week later, you measured their weights again.

The methodology is why you should give you a meaningful result and why you used some specific method and not another. This would include, in particular, how you have controlled for bugs, for example why you fed the rats for a week instead of a month, and why rats you thought were enough. The differences between the research method and the research methodology can be clearly established for the following reasons: The research method is defined as the procedure or technique applied by the researcher to undertake the research.

On the other hand, the research methodology is a system of methods, scientifically used to solve the research problem. The research method is nothing more than the behavior or the tool used to select and develop the research technique. Rather, research methodology involves the science of analysis, the way in which research is properly conducted.

The research method deals with conducting experiments, tests, surveys, interviews, etc. In contrast to this, research methodology deals with learning various techniques that can be used in conducting experiments, tests, or surveys. The research method covers various research techniques. Unlike the research methodology, which consists of a comprehensive approach aligned with the achievement of a purpose.

Why are samples used in research? When are populations used in research? What is sampling error? What is sampling bias? Why is sampling bias important? What are some types of sampling bias? How do you avoid sampling bias? What is probability sampling? What is non-probability sampling? Why are independent and dependent variables important? What is an example of an independent and a dependent variable?

The type of soda — diet or regular — is the independent variable. The level of blood sugar that you measure is the dependent variable — it changes depending on the type of soda. Can a variable be both independent and dependent? Can I include more than one independent or dependent variable in a study? Why do confounding variables matter for my research? What is the difference between confounding variables, independent variables and dependent variables? How do I prevent confounding variables from interfering with my research?

What is data collection? What are the benefits of collecting data? When conducting research, collecting original data has significant advantages: You can tailor data collection to your specific research aims e. What is operationalization? What is hypothesis testing? What are the main qualitative research approaches?

There are five common approaches to qualitative research : Grounded theory involves collecting data in order to develop new theories. Ethnography involves immersing yourself in a group or organization to understand its culture. Narrative research involves interpreting stories to understand how people make sense of their experiences and perceptions. Action research links theory and practice in several cycles to drive innovative changes. How do you analyze qualitative data?

There are various approaches to qualitative data analysis , but they all share five steps in common: Prepare and organize your data. Review and explore your data. Develop a data coding system. Assign codes to the data. Identify recurring themes. What is a Likert scale? Are Likert scales ordinal or interval scales? What is the difference between a control group and an experimental group? Do experiments always need a control group? What is blinding? What is the difference between single-blind, double-blind and triple-blind studies?

In a single-blind study , only the participants are blinded. In a double-blind study , both participants and experimenters are blinded. In a triple-blind study , the assignment is hidden not only from participants and experimenters, but also from the researchers analyzing the data. Why is blinding important? What is a quasi-experiment? When should I use a quasi-experimental design? What is simple random sampling? What is an example of simple random sampling?

When should I use simple random sampling? However, it can sometimes be impractical and expensive to implement, depending on the size of the population to be studied, If you have a list of every member of the population and the ability to reach whichever members are selected, you can use simple random sampling.

What is cluster sampling? The clusters should ideally each be mini-representations of the population as a whole. What are the types of cluster sampling? In single-stage sampling , you collect data from every unit within the selected clusters.

In double-stage sampling , you select a random sample of units from within the clusters. In multi-stage sampling , you repeat the procedure of randomly sampling elements from within the clusters until you have reached a manageable sample. What are some advantages and disadvantages of cluster sampling? What is stratified sampling? When should I use stratified sampling? Can I stratify by multiple characteristics at once? What is systematic sampling? How do I perform systematic sampling?

There are three key steps in systematic sampling : Define and list your population , ensuring that it is not ordered in a cyclical or periodic order. Decide on your sample size and calculate your interval, k , by dividing your population by your target sample size. Choose every k th member of the population as your sample.

How can you tell if something is a mediator? Why should you include mediators and moderators in a study? What is a control variable? Why are control variables important? What is random assignment? How do you randomly assign participants to groups? When do you use random assignment? Can you use a between- and within-subjects design in the same study? What are the pros and cons of a between-subjects design? Advantages: Prevents carryover effects of learning and fatigue.

Shorter study duration. Disadvantages: Needs larger samples for high power. Uses more resources to recruit participants, administer sessions, cover costs, etc. Individual differences may be an alternative explanation for results. What are the pros and cons of a within-subjects design? Advantages: Only requires small samples, Statistically powerful, Removes the effects of individual differences on the outcomes.

Disadvantages: Internal validity threats reduce the likelihood of establishing a direct relationship between variables, Time-related effects, such as growth, can influence the outcomes, Carryover effects mean that the specific order of different treatments affect the outcomes.

What is a factorial design? What are the types of extraneous variables? Experimenter effects : unintentional actions by researchers that influence study outcomes. What are the requirements for a controlled experiment?

Controlled experiments require: A control group that receives a standard treatment, a fake treatment, or no treatment. Random assignment of participants to ensure the groups are equivalent. What are explanatory and response variables? The difference between explanatory and response variables is simple: An explanatory variable is the expected cause, and it explains the results. A response variable is the expected effect, and it responds to other variables.

How do explanatory variables differ from independent variables? How do you plot explanatory and response variables on a graph? If you have quantitative variables , use a scatterplot or a line graph. If your response variable is categorical, use a scatterplot or a line graph. If your explanatory variable is categorical, use a bar graph. Is random error or systematic error worse? How do you avoid measurement errors? What is a correlation? A positive correlation means that both variables change in the same direction.

A negative correlation means that the variables change in opposite directions. What is correlational research? What is a correlation coefficient? How many variables are in a correlation? In an experimental design , you manipulate an independent variable and measure its effect on a dependent variable. In a correlational design , you measure variables without manipulating any of them. How do you order a questionnaire? How do you administer questionnaires? What is a research design?

What do I need to include in my research design? Why is research design important? What are the main types of research design? Quantitative research designs can be divided into two main categories: Correlational and descriptive designs are used to investigate characteristics, averages, trends, and associations between variables.

Experimental and quasi-experimental designs are used to test causal relationships. What are the assumptions of the Pearson correlation coefficient? What do the sign and value of the correlation coefficient tell you? Is the correlation coefficient the same as the slope of the line? What is multistage sampling? What is triangulation in research? What are the main types of mixed methods research designs? These are four of the most common mixed methods designs : Convergent parallel: Quantitative and qualitative data are collected at the same time and analyzed separately.

After both analyses are complete, compare your results to draw overall conclusions. Embedded: Quantitative and qualitative data are collected at the same time, but within a larger quantitative or qualitative design.

One type of data is secondary to the other. Explanatory sequential: Quantitative data is collected and analyzed first, followed by qualitative data. You can use this design if you think your qualitative data will explain and contextualize your quantitative findings. Exploratory sequential: Qualitative data is collected and analyzed first, followed by quantitative data.

You can use this design if you think the quantitative data will confirm or validate your qualitative findings. What are the pros and cons of multistage sampling? Is multistage sampling a probability sampling method? What are ethical considerations in research? Why do research ethics matter?

What is research misconduct? Ask our team Want to contact us directly? Email info scribbr. How does Scribbr help students graduate? What type of documents does Scribbr proofread? What technology does the Scribbr Plagiarism Checker use? Methodology looks into epistemological and ontological assumptions underlying your research. Instrumentation e. And, even the later chapters that mostly focus on research in the area of organizational studies start out with sections on philosophical traditions i.

This is helpful in any research context. Succint and perfect. Now all the other things I've been reading about the two make sense! Many thanks. You have helped. My methodology involves dramaturgy and the method to be used after the data is collected is narrative. It needs to work, thanks for the insight.

Thank you Deborah. I hope to find the Students' Guide to Methods and Methodology in the library. I tutor two graduate students and your information has been most informative. Thank you very much Deborah, with your specification on method and methodology, I can differentiate them now as well explaining them clearly in my research and to others who are interested in research.

Hi Deborah, I am a first year PhD student. I found this post very helpful and informative. Would you please let me know how can I develop strengthen my methodological perspective? Thanks, Rabeya. Dear Deborah, Thanks, this article has clarified my thoughts around these two confusing terms. Regards Rob.

Thank you Deborah, I can now differetiate methodology and methods, inductive and deductive, its very educative. I would like to know about conceptual frame work, how is it involved in research?

Thank you so much Deborah for giving such a wonderful way of differenciating methods and methodoligy. Thank you for your clear explanation. I do have a chapter on on this but it's at Masters level. Thanks for your post…it has helped me though i still need more examples of methods and methodology. Thank you very much for your clear explanation on the difference between methods and methodology. This is very helpful. I really needed something practical and to the point.

Though I was thinking along the same lines, this post just gave me the reassurance that I needed. I thank you Deborah for helping me to carry out my project work.

Now I can differentiate between method and methodology. God bless you. Pingback: Hi Deborah, thanks this is very useful!

However, when we are doing our PhD, for instance we have four sub research questions, So it means that each of them will have their own methodology and methods, and then we also will have one GRAND methodology for our MAIN research questions.

Is it right? Hi Annisa, There is one methodology that is applied to the entire research project — not one for each research question. When examining methodology you look at the project as a whole. Thanks Deborah. As a first year DProf student returning to academia after 11 years away, I find myself on a wonderfully eye opening journey, not least because of the diversity of terminology.

You have just enlightened me no end!! Hi Rowley, A big congrats for your return to academia and becoming a PhD student. Keep in touch! Very beautiful site.. Thanks for explaining this better than what i have so far found. What I have gathered is method is the way you conduct the research and methodology is why you chose that method. There could be other alternatives too. Could you give some other example as well because I saw two questions which leave me more mixed up:.

Hi Piu, spot on regarding the simple difference between methods and methodology. With regards to your two questions, the same principles apply. Why choose a particular reserch method? The answer should be because it is the most effective method to answer the research quetions and it is appropriate for the participants.

So you would need to give your reasons for choosing focus groups over one-to-one interviews. Question 2 merely asks you to expand your answer by elaborating on your methodologies. In other words, how and why you have designed the whole research project in a particualr way. So I am an undergrad nursing student trying to explain methodology used and compare 2 studies qualitative and quantitative. Would the methodologies be the theories and theorists that the researcher has used to choose the design and method of collecting their data?

Methodology — The process of fully interrogating the values and assumptions that influence the study. The starting point, once you know what you want to research is creating the research questions that will guide the entire study and shape your decisions, such as whether to adopt an inductive or deductive approach, whether to undertake interviews or focus groups as a qualitative research method.

The justification or rationale for these research decisions occur throughout this process. Thank you Dr. I am currently doing My thesis on the assesing the contributing factors of academic achivements of secondary school students in Ethiopia. I employee mixed method. An I am still confused in how to fix philosophical assumption, method and methodology. Now I get hint and I elaborate this idea.

But could you send me some supporting materials on this regards? Gabriel, this is very nicely described. You are totally correct in your advice on the two being needing to be thought of and understood at the onset of a study. Fortunately, I saw that there was a need for me to understand it early enough during my previous doctoral program simply due to the fact that I kept seeing the two different words in various information.

It was then that I decided to look deeper to find out why one was always just called "methods" while the other was "methodology". Thank you for sharing this thoughtful and needed post. Rick D. Hi Miss Deborah! Can you help me with my undergrad thesis problem? Hi Nurtimhar, I am going to write a post today on writing literature reviews that should help you — so keep an eye out — or sign up to my RSS feed! Could you please help with the correct link to follow.

Thank you. Hi Deborah! Thank you for your views of posting very interesting and important explanation on PhD as I am on the way to complete my PhD preliminary tentative research proposal. Please help. As you read you will find specific areas that interest you — for example, occupational health.

You should narrow your reading to this area and look for the gaps in the literature. I am in the second year of my PhD and you just helped me understand the fundamental difference between methods and methodology.