methodology

(noun)

A detailed explanation of specific components of a research project, such as phases, tasks, methods, techniques, and tools.

Related Terms

Examples of methodology in the following topics:

  • Conducting Research

    • Before you begin researching, think about the kind of data you need and which methodology would be most useful in gathering it.
    • The three methodologies most commonly used are applied, quantitative, and qualitative research.
    • The better you understand your subject matter and the goal of your paper, the more equipped you will be to begin researching using one of the above listed methodologies.
    • Researching with the most appropriate methodology will allow you to collect information that is highly applicable to your topic.

  • Making Your Own Arguments

    • Scientific papers present their methodology and the findings from a research experiment, and then make an argument based on the results.
    • Therefore, stopping at the description of your methodology before detailing your results is insufficient.

  • Starting with the Data

    • It is equally important present your methodology, or the steps you took while conducting experiments.
    • The body of an IMRAD paper is concerned with presenting your data (in the sections on methodology and results) and then drawing conclusions from it (in the sections on analysis and discussion).
    • This will be presented to the reader in the section on methodology.
    • It is equally important to present your methodology, or the steps you took while conducting experiments.

  • Methods

    • Scientific papers need a thorough description of methodology in order to prove that a project meets the criteria of scientific objectivity: a testable hypothesis and reproducible results.

  • Overview of the IMRAD Model

    • Address potential problems with your methodology, and discuss how you dealt with these problems.
    • After you provide a rationale for your methodology, explain your process in detail.

  • Raising the Stakes of Your Argument

    • Susan Miller, author of the foundational book Religion and Guilt, wrote a paper that questioned his methodology: "Pocket Full of Questions: Methodology and Bias in Recent Scholarship. " Jones responded to her concerns in a post on his personal blog, and Miller responded that she was satisfied.

  • Critical Thinking

    • Is the methodology valid?