Search wikiHow...

The research
DESCRIBING methodology
YOUR section ofYOUR
METHODS JUSTIFYING any CHOICE
academic research paper
OF METHODS gives YOUR
CONNECTING you the opportunity
METHODS TO YOURto RESEARCH GOALS
convince your readers that your research is useful and will contribute to your field of study. An
 
effective research methodology is grounded in your overall approach – whether qualitative or
quantitative – and adequately describes the methods you used. Justify why you chose those
methods over others, then explain how those methods will provide answers to your research
questions.[1]

Data Science Course OPEN

9 Industry Projects, 20 Case Studies EDVANCER

Part One of Three:

Describing Your Methods

1 Restate your research problem. Begin your research methodology section by listing the
problems or questions you intend to study. Include your hypotheses, if applicable, or what
you are setting out to prove through your research.[2]

• In your restatement, include any underlying assumptions that you're making or conditions that
you're taking for granted. These assumptions will also inform the research methods you've
chosen.
 • Generally, state the variables you'll test and the other conditions you're controlling or Search wikiHow...
assuming are equal.
DESCRIBING YOUR METHODS JUSTIFYING YOUR CHOICE OF METHODS CONNECTING YOUR METHODS TO YOUR RESEARCH GOALS

 

2 Establish your overall methodological approach. Your overall approach will be either
qualitative or quantitative. Occasionally, you may also use a mix of both approaches. Briefly
explain why you chose your approach.[3]

• If you want to research and document measurable social trends, or evaluate the impact of a
particular policy on various variables, use a quantitative approach focused on data collection
and statistical analysis.
• If you want to evaluate people's views or understanding of a particular issue, choose a more
qualitative approach.
• You can also combine the two. For example, you might look primarily at a measurable social
trend, but also interview people and get their opinions on how that trend is affecting their
lives.
 Search wikiHow...

DESCRIBING YOUR METHODS JUSTIFYING YOUR CHOICE OF METHODS CONNECTING YOUR METHODS TO YOUR RESEARCH GOALS

 

3 Define how you collected or generated data. This portion of your methodology section tells
your readers when and where you conducted your research, and what basic parameters
were put into place to ensure the relative objectivity of your results.[4]

• For example, if you conducted a survey, you would describe the questions included in the
survey, where and how the survey was conducted (such as in person, online, over the
phone), how many surveys were distributed, and how long your respondents had to complete
the survey.
• Include enough detail that your study can be replicated by others in your field, even if they
may not get the same results you did. [5]
 Search wikiHow...

DESCRIBING YOUR METHODS JUSTIFYING YOUR CHOICE OF METHODS CONNECTING YOUR METHODS TO YOUR RESEARCH GOALS

 

4 Provide background for uncommon methods. Particularly in the social sciences, you may
be using methods that aren't typically used, or that don't seem to fit with your research
problem. These methods may require additional explanation.[6]

• Qualitative research methods typically require more detailed explanation than quantitative
methods.
• Basic investigative procedures don't need to be explained in detail. Generally, you can
assume that your readers have a general understanding of common research methods that
social scientists use, such as surveys or focus groups.
 Search wikiHow...

DESCRIBING YOUR METHODS JUSTIFYING YOUR CHOICE OF METHODS CONNECTING YOUR METHODS TO YOUR RESEARCH GOALS

 

5 Cite any sources that contributed to your choice of methodology. If you used anyone
else's work to help you craft or apply your methodology, discuss those works and how they
contributed to your own work, or how your work is building on theirs.[7]

• For example, suppose you conducted a survey and used a couple of other research papers to
help construct the questions on your survey. You would mention those as contributing
sources.

1 Weekend Course By Edvancer

Join Over 5000 Alumni & Get 100% Job Assistance EDVANCER

2 Nature Briefing - The latest science

news
An essential round-up of science news, opinion & analysis, free in your inbox.
nature.com
Advertisement

Part Two of Three:

Justifying Your Choice of Methods
 Search wikiHow...

DESCRIBING YOUR METHODS JUSTIFYING YOUR CHOICE OF METHODS CONNECTING YOUR METHODS TO YOUR RESEARCH GOALS

 

1 Explain your selection criteria for data collection. If you're collecting primary data, you
likely set eligibility parameters. State those parameters clearly and let your readers know why
you set those parameters and how they are important to your research.[8]

• Describe study participants specifically, and list any inclusion or exclusion criteria you used
when forming your group of participants.
• Justify the size of your sample, if applicable, and describe how this affects whether your study
can be generalized to larger populations. For example, if you conducted a survey of 30
percent of the student population of a university, you could potentially apply those results to
the student body as a whole, but maybe not to students at other universities.
 Search wikiHow...

DESCRIBING YOUR METHODS JUSTIFYING YOUR CHOICE OF METHODS CONNECTING YOUR METHODS TO YOUR RESEARCH GOALS

 

2 Distinguish your research from any weaknesses in your methods. Every research
method has strengths and weaknesses. Briefly discuss the weaknesses or criticisms of the
methods you've chosen, then explain how those are irrelevant or inapplicable to your particular
research.[9]

• Reading other research papers is a good way to identify potential problems that commonly
arise with various methods. State whether you actually encountered any of these common
problems during your research.
 Search wikiHow...

DESCRIBING YOUR METHODS JUSTIFYING YOUR CHOICE OF METHODS CONNECTING YOUR METHODS TO YOUR RESEARCH GOALS

 

3 Describe how you overcame obstacles. Overcoming obstacles in your research can be
one of the most important parts of your methodology. Your problem-solving abilities can
enhance your readers' confidence in the results of your study.[10]

• If you encountered any problems as you collected data, explain clearly the steps you took to
minimize the effect that problem would have on your results.
 Search wikiHow...

DESCRIBING YOUR METHODS JUSTIFYING YOUR CHOICE OF METHODS CONNECTING YOUR METHODS TO YOUR RESEARCH GOALS

 

4 Evaluate other methods you could have used. Particularly if you're using a method that
seems unusual for your particular subject matter, include a discussion of other methods that
are more typically used for your type of research. Explain why you chose not to use them.[11]

• In some cases, this may be as simple as stating that while there were numerous studies
using one method, there weren't any using your method, which caused a gap in
understanding of the issue.
• For example, there may be multiple papers providing quantitative analysis of a particular
social trend. However, none of these papers looked closely at how this trend was affecting
the lives of people.

1 Weekend Course By Edvancer

Join Over 5000 Alumni & Get 100% Job Assistance EDVANCER

2 Nature Briefing - The latest science

news
An essential round-up of science news, opinion & analysis, free in your inbox.
nature.com
Advertisement
Part Three of Three:
Connecting Your Methods to Your Research Goals Search wikiHow...

DESCRIBING YOUR METHODS JUSTIFYING YOUR CHOICE OF METHODS CONNECTING YOUR METHODS TO YOUR RESEARCH GOALS

 

1 Describe how you analyzed your results. Your analysis generally depends on whether
your approach is qualitative, quantitative, or a mixture of the two. If you're using a quantitative
approach, you may be using statistical analysis. With a qualitative approach, state what
theoretical perspective or philosophy you're using.[12]

• Depending on your research questions, you may be mixing quantitative and qualitative
analysis – just as you could potentially use both approaches. For example, you might do a
statistical analysis, and then interpret those statistics through a particular theoretical lens.
 Search wikiHow...

DESCRIBING YOUR METHODS JUSTIFYING YOUR CHOICE OF METHODS CONNECTING YOUR METHODS TO YOUR RESEARCH GOALS

 

2 Explain how your analysis suits your research goals. Ultimately, your overall
methodology should be capable of producing answers to your research questions. If it isn't
well-suited, you need to either adjust your methodology or reframe your research question.[13]

• For example, suppose you're researching the effect of college education on family farms in
rural America. While you could do interviews of college-educated people who grew up on a
family farm, that would not give you a picture of the overall effect. A quantitative approach
and statistical analysis would give you a bigger picture.
 Search wikiHow...

DESCRIBING YOUR METHODS JUSTIFYING YOUR CHOICE OF METHODS CONNECTING YOUR METHODS TO YOUR RESEARCH GOALS

 

3 Identify how your analysis answers your research questions. Relate your methodology
back to your original research questions and present a proposed outcome based on your
analysis. Describe specifically what your findings will reveal about your research questions.[14]

• If in answering your research questions, your findings have raised other questions that may
require further research, state these briefly.
• You can also include here any limitations to your methods, or questions that weren't
answered through your research.
 Search wikiHow...

DESCRIBING YOUR METHODS JUSTIFYING YOUR CHOICE OF METHODS CONNECTING YOUR METHODS TO YOUR RESEARCH GOALS

 

4 Assess whether your findings can be transferred or generalized. You may be able to
transfer your findings to other contexts, or generalize them to broader populations.
Transferability can be difficult in social science research, particularly if you used a qualitative
approach.[15]

• Generalization is more typically used in quantitative research. If you have a well-designed

sample, you can statistically apply your results to the larger population your sample belongs
to.

Weekend Course By Edvancer

Join Over 5000 Alumni & Get

100% Job Assistance
EDVANCER

Advertisement

Community Q&A

Question
 What is a common method for a qualitative research?
Search wikiHow...

AneHane
DESCRIBING YOUR METHODS JUSTIFYING YOUR CHOICE OF METHODS CONNECTING YOUR METHODS TO YOUR RESEARCH GOALS
Community Answer
 

Common examples are qualitative video analysis, photography analysis, qualitative interviews, group
discussions, discourse analysis and biographical research. You might also look into the topic of
triangulation; that is, combining two or more methods.

1 0

Ask a Question

Your question here

Submit

Data Science Course OPEN

9 Industry Projects, 20 Case Studies EDVANCER

Advertisement

Tips

• Organize your methodology section chronologically, starting with how you prepared to conduct
your research methods, how you gathered data, and how you analyzed that data.[16]
6 Helpful? 0

• Write your research methodology section in past tense, unless you're submitting the
methodology section before the research described has been carried out.[17]
2 Helpful? 1

• Discuss your plans in detail with your advisor or supervisor before committing to a particular
methodology. They can help identify possible flaws in your study.[18]
1 Helpful? 1

• Write your methodology in passive voice to put the focus on the action being done, rather than
on the person doing the action.[19]
 Helpful? Search wikiHow...

DESCRIBING YOUR METHODS JUSTIFYING YOUR CHOICE OF METHODS CONNECTING YOUR METHODS TO YOUR RESEARCH GOALS

 Know a good tip? Add it. Add 

Hotels in Pattaya Hotels in Phuket City Hotels in Lonavala Hotels in Ahmedabad

from ₹ 576 from ₹ 553 from ₹ 736 from ₹ 641

Book Now Book Now Book Now Book Now

Advertisement

Related wikiHows

How to
Write an Abstract
 Search wikiHow...

DESCRIBING YOUR METHODS JUSTIFYING YOUR CHOICE OF METHODS CONNECTING YOUR METHODS TO YOUR RESEARCH GOALS

 

How to
Write a Research Proposal

Nature Briefing - The PhD Topic and International Research PCB Fab and
latest science news Proposal Help - Unique Journal - Read Research Assembly
and Novel Suggestions Papers Online
Ad nature.com Ad phdhyderabad.com Ad authorservices.taylorandfrancis.c… Ad PCBA Store

How to
Write a Reaction Paper
 Search wikiHow...

DESCRIBING YOUR METHODS JUSTIFYING YOUR CHOICE OF METHODS CONNECTING YOUR METHODS TO YOUR RESEARCH GOALS

 

How to
Write a Summary

How to
Write a Critical Analysis
 Search wikiHow...

DESCRIBING YOUR METHODS JUSTIFYING YOUR CHOICE OF METHODS CONNECTING YOUR METHODS TO YOUR RESEARCH GOALS

 

How to
Write a Synopsis

How to
Write a Seminar Paper
 Search wikiHow...

DESCRIBING YOUR METHODS JUSTIFYING YOUR CHOICE OF METHODS CONNECTING YOUR METHODS TO YOUR RESEARCH GOALS

 

How to
Write

How to
Write a Rhetorical Analysis
 Search wikiHow...

DESCRIBING YOUR METHODS JUSTIFYING YOUR CHOICE OF METHODS CONNECTING YOUR METHODS TO YOUR RESEARCH GOALS

 

How to
Write a Precis

How to
Review a Journal Article
 Search wikiHow...

DESCRIBING YOUR METHODS JUSTIFYING YOUR CHOICE OF METHODS CONNECTING YOUR METHODS TO YOUR RESEARCH GOALS

 

How to
Summarize an Article

How to
Write a Commentary
 Search wikiHow...

DESCRIBING YOUR METHODS JUSTIFYING YOUR CHOICE OF METHODS CONNECTING YOUR METHODS TO YOUR RESEARCH GOALS

 

How to
Write a Glossary

Hotels in Lonavala Hotels in Pattaya Hotels in Ahmedabad Hotels in Phuket City

from ₹ 736 from ₹ 576 from ₹ 641 from ₹ 553

Book Now Book Now Book Now Book Now

Advertisement

About This Article

Co-Authored By:
wikiHow Staff Editor

This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and
comprehensiveness. Together, they cited information from 19 references. wikiHow's Content Management Team
carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article meets our high standards.

Co-authors: 4
Updated: March 29, 2019
47 votes - 87%
Views: 150,908

Categories: Research | Academic Writing

Article Summary

References

1. ↑ http://expertjournals.com/how-to-write-a-research-methodology-for-your-academic-article/
 2. ↑ http://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/methodology
Search wikiHow...
3. ↑ http://www.socscidiss.bham.ac.uk/methodologies.html
4. ↑ http://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/methodology
DESCRIBING YOUR METHODS JUSTIFYING YOUR CHOICE OF METHODS CONNECTING YOUR METHODS TO YOUR RESEARCH GOALS

 5. ↑ http://expertjournals.com/how-to-write-a-research-methodology-for-your-academic-article/ 

6. ↑ http://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/methodology
7. ↑ http://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/methodology
8. ↑ http://expertjournals.com/how-to-write-a-research-methodology-for-your-academic-article/
9. ↑ https://www.skillsyouneed.com/learn/dissertation-methodology.html

More References

Reader Success Stories

Shimola Makondo
SM Jul 20

"The guidelines were very helpful, especially for students taking sociology. It took one straight to
the research ..." more

More reader stories

Share your story

Did this article help you?

Yes No

Data Science Course OPEN

9 Industry Projects, 20 Case Studies EDVANCER

Advertisement

rprise Me
Su
!
 wikiHow to... Search wikiHow...

DESCRIBING YOUR METHODS JUSTIFYING YOUR CHOICE OF METHODS CONNECTING YOUR METHODS TO YOUR RESEARCH GOALS

 