SIP: Methodology

CHAPTER 3
Methodology: Types and Definition
• Methodology is the theory or analysis of how a process
or operation is conducted, or how research should
proceed. It can also refer to a set of methods, rules, or
procedures used by a discipline.

• In research, methodology is the specific procedures

and techniques used to identify, select, process, and
analyze information about a topic. It's the practical
"how" of a research study, and it's designed to
ensure that the results are valid and reliable.
Types of Methodology
• 1. Qualitative Research Methodology Qualitative
Methodology- focuses on understanding human
experiences, behaviors, and social phenomena. It
uses non-numerical data and is often exploratory.

• Characteristics: Subjective and descriptive. Data

collected through interviews, focus groups, or
observations. Analyzes themes, patterns, and
narratives.

• Example: A study exploring teachers’ perceptions of remote

learning challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Types of Methodology
• 2. Quantitative Research Methodology Quantitative
Methodology- focuses on measuring and analyzing
numerical data to test hypotheses or answer
research questions. It is often used for studies
requiring statistical analysis.

• Characteristics: Objective and structured. Data collected

through surveys, experiments, or secondary datasets.
Statistical methods used for data analysis.

• Example: Examining the relationship between study hours and academic

performance among high school students. Best online courses
Types of Methodology
• 3. Mixed Methods Research Methodology-
Mixed Methods combine qualitative and
quantitative approaches to provide a comprehensive
understanding of a research problem.

• Characteristics: Integrates numerical data with detailed

narratives. Offers both breadth and depth in analysis. Often
uses sequential or concurrent designs.

• Example: Investigating how healthcare workers perceive

telemedicine (qualitative) and evaluating patient satisfaction scores
(quantitative).
Types of Methodology
• 4. Descriptive Research Methodology Descriptive
research aims to describe characteristics, phenomena,
or trends in a specific population or setting.

• Characteristics: Non-experimental. Data collected

through surveys, case studies, or observations.
Focuses on “what” rather than “why” or “how.”

• Example: Surveying college students to understand their

preferred learning platforms.
Types of Methodology
• A common technique for qualitative analysis is the case study method,
which entails thorough observation of a social unit and focuses on the in-
depth study. The case study emphasizes the detailed examination of a
smaller set of circumstances and their interactions. Finding the elements
that collectively account for the behavior patterns of the provided unit is
the goal of the case study method.
• In this method of research methodology, the researcher considers different
cases, and the proper one for the research is selected. Case studies help to
develop an idea of the research and help in the foundation of the research.
• One considers various facts and theories from the case studies that help to
form proper reviews about the research topic. Researchers can make the
topic general or specific according to the literature reviews from the
studies. The researcher can make an appropriate understanding of the
research from the case study.
• Also, we have focus groups and research interviews to understand the
types of research methods in a well-defined manner. Various methods can
follow structured and unstructured methods.
How to Write a Proper Methodology

• A methodology section in a research paper or thesis outlines how the

study was conducted, ensuring the process is transparent,
reproducible, and credible. Here's an explanation of the elements you
mentioned:
• 1. A Restatement of the Thesis or Research Problem
• This briefly reiterates the purpose of the research to provide context
for the methodology.
• Example: "This study aims to examine the impact of social media
usage on academic performance among high school students."
• 2. An Explanation of the Approach Chosen
• Explains whether the study is qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-
methods and why this approach suits the research problem.
• Example: "A quantitative approach was chosen to statistically
How to Write a Proper Methodology
• 3. An Explanation of Any Uncommon Methodology
Used
• If unique or less common methods are employed, this
section clarifies their use and relevance.
• Example: "A Delphi method was used to gain consensus
among experts, as it allows for iterative feedback on
complex issues."
• 4. A Description of How the Data Was Collected
• Details the process of data collection, including
participants, tools, and procedures.
• Example: "Data was collected through online surveys
distributed to 500 high school students via email."
How to Write a Proper Methodology
• 5. An Explanation of the Methods Used to Analyze the Data
• Describes the statistical or qualitative techniques applied to make
sense of the collected data.
• Example: "A regression analysis was conducted to identify the
strength of the relationship between social media usage and
academic performance."
• 6. An Evaluation and Justification of the Methodological
Choices Made
• Provides a critical assessment of the chosen methods and explains
why they are appropriate for addressing the research question.
• Example: "While a qualitative approach could offer deeper
insights, a quantitative study was chosen to provide generalizable
results across a larger population."
• Methodology has several parts
namely: the subject of the study,
the procedure, research design and
the statistical treatment
Research Design: Definition and Types
• Research design is a systematic plan outlining how a
study is conducted, including methods of data collection,
procedures, and tools for analysis. It aligns the research
question with the appropriate methods, ensuring that
the study remains focused, feasible, and ethically sound.

• Research design is the framework or blueprint that

guides the collection, measurement, and analysis of
data in a study. It provides a structured approach to
answering research questions, ensuring that the study’s
goals are met in an organized, reliable, and valid
manner. Research design is crucial as it directly impacts
the study’s quality, credibility, and findings.
Types of Research Design

• Research designs are typically classified into three main types: qualitative,
quantitative, and mixed methods. Each type serves different purposes and is selected
based on the nature of the research question, objectives, and resources.

• 1. Qualitative Research Design

• Definition: Qualitative research focuses on exploring complex phenomena,
understanding individual experiences, and generating insights into social or human
behavior. It often involves non-numerical data, such as interviews, observations, and
textual analysis.
• Key Methods: Data analytics tools
• Case Study: In-depth analysis of a specific individual, group, or event.
• Ethnography: Study of cultural groups and practices within their natural setting.
• Grounded Theory: Development of a theory based on observed data.
• Phenomenology: Exploration of lived experiences and perceptions.
• Example: A case study on how remote work impacts employee well-being by
conducting interviews with employees from various industries to gather personal
insights and themes.
Types of Research Design
• 2. Quantitative Research Design

• Definition: Quantitative research is focused on quantifying variables and using

statistical analysis to test hypotheses. It often involves large samples,
standardized data collection tools, and numerical data.
• Key Methods:
• Descriptive: Provides a summary of characteristics or behaviors within a
population (e.g., surveys, cross-sectional studies).
• Correlational: Examines relationships between two or more variables without
manipulating them.
• Experimental: Involves manipulation of variables to establish cause-and-effect
relationships.
• Quasi-Experimental: Similar to experimental design but lacks random
assignment.
• Example: An experimental study investigating the effect of a new teaching
method on student test scores, with one group using the new method and a
Types of Research Design
• 2. Quantitative Research Design

• Definition: Quantitative research is focused on quantifying variables and using

statistical analysis to test hypotheses. It often involves large samples,
standardized data collection tools, and numerical data.
• Key Methods:
• Descriptive: Provides a summary of characteristics or behaviors within a
population (e.g., surveys, cross-sectional studies).
• Correlational: Examines relationships between two or more variables without
manipulating them.
• Experimental: Involves manipulation of variables to establish cause-and-effect
relationships.
• Quasi-Experimental: Similar to experimental design but lacks random
assignment.
• Example: An experimental study investigating the effect of a new teaching
method on student test scores, with one group using the new method and a
Types of Research Design
• 3. Mixed-Methods Research Design

• Definition: Mixed-methods design combines both qualitative and quantitative

approaches in a single study, providing a more comprehensive analysis of the
research question.
• Types:
• Explanatory Sequential Design: Quantitative data is collected and analyzed
first, followed by qualitative data to explain or expand on the quantitative
findings.
• Exploratory Sequential Design: Qualitative data is collected first to explore a
phenomenon, followed by quantitative data to confirm or generalize findings.
• Convergent Design: Both qualitative and quantitative data are collected
simultaneously and compared to produce integrated insights.
• Example: A study on customer satisfaction, first surveying customers to get
quantitative data and then conducting follow-up interviews to explore
specific customer feedback in detail.
How to Write a Proper Research Design
• Step 1: Establish Priorities for Research Design
• Before conducting any research study, you must address an
important question: “how to create a research design.”
• The research design depends on the researcher’s priorities and
choices because every research has different priorities. For a
complex research study involving multiple methods, you may
choose to have more than one research design.
• Multimethodology or multimethod research includes using
more than one data collection method or research in a research
study or set of related studies.
How to Write a Proper Research Design
• Step 2: Data Type you Need for Research
• Decide on the type of data you need for your research. The type
of data you need to collect depends on your research questions
or research hypothesis. Two types of research data can be used
to answer the research questions:
The 2 types of Data
• Primary Data Vs. Secondary Data

• Primary Data- The researcher collects the primary data

from first-hand sources with the help of different data
collection methods such as interviews, experiments,
surveys, etc. Primary research data is considered far more
authentic and relevant, but it involves additional cost and
time.
• Secondary Data-Research on academic references which
themselves incorporate primary data will be regarded as
secondary data. There is no need to do a survey or
interview with a person directly, and it is time effective. The
researcher should focus on the validity and reliability of the
How to Write a Proper Research Design
• Step 3: Data Collection Techniques
• Once you have selected the type of research to answer your
research question, you need to decide where and how to collect
the data.
• It is time to determine your research method to address the
research problem. Research methods involve procedures,
techniques, materials, and tools used for the study.
• For instance, a dissertation research design includes the
different resources and data collection techniques and helps
establish your dissertation’s structure.
How to Write a Proper Research Design
• Step 4: Procedure of Data Analysis
• Use of the correct data and statistical analysis technique is
necessary for the validity of your research. Therefore, you need to be
certain about the data type that would best address the research
problem. Choosing an appropriate analysis method is the final step
for the research design. It can be split into two main categories;
• Quantitative Data Analysis
• The quantitative data analysis technique involves analyzing the
numerical data with the help of different applications such as; SPSS,
STATA, Excel, origin lab, etc.
• This data analysis strategy tests different variables such as
spectrum, frequencies, averages, and more. The research question
and the hypothesis must be established to identify the variables for
testing.
Data Analysis
• Qualitative Data Analysis
• Qualitative data analysis of figures, themes, and words allows
for flexibility and the researcher’s subjective opinions. This
means that the researcher’s primary focus will be interpreting
patterns, tendencies, and accounts and understanding the
implications and social framework.
• You should be clear about your research objectives before
starting to analyze the data. For example, you should ask
yourself whether you need to explain respondents’ experiences
and insights or do you also need to evaluate their responses
with reference to a certain social framework.
How to Write a Proper Research Design
• Step 5: Write your Research Proposal
• The research design is an important component of a research
proposal because it plans the project’s execution. You can share
it with the supervisor, who would evaluate the feasibility and
capacity of the results and conclusion.
• Read our guidelines to write a research proposal if you have
already formulated your research design. The research proposal
is written in the future tense because you are writing your
proposal before conducting research.
• The research methodology or research design, on the other
hand, is generally written in the past tense
Statistical Treatment
• Statistical treatment involves applying statistical methods
to a data set to extract meaningful insights. It can be
divided into:

• Descriptive statistics: Describe the relationship between

variables in a population.

• Inferential statistics: Test hypotheses by making inferences

from collected data.
Statistical Treatment
• Comparative Statistics: This involves comparing two or more
groups or conditions to see if there are significant differences.
Techniques include t-tests, ANOVA, and chi-square tests.

• Correlation and Regression Analysis: These methods examine

the relationship between two or more variables. Correlation
measures the strength and direction of the relationship, while
regression analysis predicts the value of one variable based on
another.

• Non-parametric Tests: These are used when the data doesn't

meet the assumptions of parametric tests (e.g., normal
distribution). Examples include the Mann-Whitney U test and
the Kruskal-Wallis test.
What is Used in Statistical Treatment
• Mean: The mean, or average, is the sum of all the values in
a data set divided by the number of values. For example,
the mean of {2, 3, 4, 5, 6} is (2+3+4+5+6)/5 = 4.

• Mode: The mode is the value that appears most frequently

in a data set. For example, in {1, 2, 2, 3, 4}, the mode is 2.

• Median: The median is the middle value in a data set when

the values are arranged in ascending or descending order.
If there's an even number of values, the median is the
average of the two middle values. For example, the median
of {1, 2, 3, 4, 5} is 3, and for {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}, it is (3+4)/2
= 3.5.
What is Used in Statistical Treatment
• Regression: Regression analysis is used to understand the
relationship between two or more variables. It allows us to predict
the value of a dependent variable based on the value of one or more
independent variables. Simple linear regression uses one
independent variable, while multiple regression uses two or more.
• Conditional Probability: This is the probability of an event occurring
given that another event has already occurred. It is denoted as P(A|
B), the probability of event A occurring given that event B has
occurred. For example, if you want to find the probability of drawing
an ace from a deck of cards given that you already drew a heart, you
would use conditional probability.
• Sampling: Sampling involves selecting a subset of individuals from a
population to estimate characteristics of the whole population.
Different methods of sampling include random sampling, stratified
sampling, and cluster sampling. It is crucial in research to ensure
that the sample is representative of the population.
What is Used in Statistical Treatment
• Standard Deviation: This measures the amount of variation
or dispersion in a set of values. A low standard deviation
means the values are close to the mean, while a high
standard deviation indicates that the values are spread out
over a wider range. It is calculated as the square root of the
variance.

• Distribution Range: The range is the difference between the

highest and lowest values in a data set. It gives an idea of
the spread of the data. For example, in the data set {2, 4,
6, 8, 10}, the range is 10 - 2 = 8.
What is Used in Statistical Treatment
• One-Way ANOVA is used when you have one independent variable
with multiple levels (groups) and you want to see if there are
significant differences in the dependent variable among these
groups. For example, if you're testing the effect of different diets
(independent variable) on weight loss (dependent variable) across
three groups (Diet A, Diet B, Diet C), a one-way ANOVA would be
appropriate.

• Two-Way ANOVA is used when you have two independent variables

and you want to understand their individual and interactive effects
on the dependent variable. This method allows you to see if there
are interactions between the two factors. For example, if you're
studying the effect of diet (independent variable 1) and exercise
(independent variable 2) on weight loss (dependent variable), a
two-way ANOVA would help you determine if the combination of
diet and exercise has a different impact than either factor alone.
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