Download a glossary of terms used in this course.
Choosing an appropriate research methodology is one of the most important decisions you will need to make as a researcher. To do this effectively, you need to understand:
Consider the following videos to find out more about what is meant by methodology and method.
Continue on to find out more about what is meant by methodology and method.
Your methodology will provide a framework for guiding ethical choices and decisions throughout your project, from the design stage through to data collection, analysis, sharing and protection. All research that involves human subjects needs to obtain ethics approval, so ensure that ethics are at the forefront of your methodological choices and decisions.
There are a number of issues that you need to take into account when you start to think about an appropriate methodology. These issues are connected to, and influence, your choice of methodology.
The following graphic illustrates how methodology is connected to other aspects of the research process. Select each segment to learn about the questions that you need to ask when you begin to make decisions about your methodology.
Continue on to learn about how methodology is connected to other aspects of the research process. Select each tab to learn about the questions that you need to ask when you begin to make decisions about your methodology.
Continue on to learn about how methodology is connected to other aspects of the research process and about the questions that you need to ask when you begin to make decisions about your methodology.
How does your chosen framework for organising and explaining observations and evidence influence your methodological choices?
How do your beliefs about the acquisition and constitution of valid knowledge influence your methodological choices?
What methodologies are the most suitable for your research topic? Why are others not suitable?
Your research question is a clear, concise and well-formulated question around which your research is focused. How might this influence your methodological choices?
When choosing an appropriate methodology, it is important that you assess and critique your choices. Be prepared to adapt, modify, change or combine methodologies as this will help you to make the most suitable choices (see the 'Interdisciplinary pod' for further information).
Disciplinary research and methodology are closely entwined: each discipline can have its own frameworks, methods and ethical principles. Therefore, when you undertake interdisciplinary research, you may have to reconcile, or integrate, different perspectives. There are various strategies you can adopt to do this: