Research Methodology



Research Methodology

Research methodology refers to the process of identifying, assessing, and evaluating data sets to determine the validity and reliability of the findings of a study or investigation. The term is also used to describe the documentation of the actions performed in the conduct of the investigation. It is a logbook that allows the researchers to. The methods section describes actions to be taken to investigate a research problem and the rationale for the application of specific procedures or techniques used to identify, select, process, and analyze information applied to understanding the problem, thereby, allowing the reader to critically evaluate a study’s overall validity and reliability. Mixed methodology also enables verification of the research findings through comparison across multiple sources, and can mutually dilute the biases or weaknesses of different data collection methods (Creswell, 2014). Researchers already familiar with conducting behavioral mapping studies will know the importance of triangulating the data in. Research methodology is taught as a supporting subject in several ways in many academic disciplines such as health, education, psychology, social work, nursing, public health, library studies. Use of the scientific method in applied research assures objectivity in gathering facts and testing creative ideas for alternative business strategies. The essence of research, whether basic or applied, lies in the scientific method, and much of this book deals with scientific methodology. The difference in the techniques of basic and applied.

PdfResearch

Dear Faculty and Students,

Research Methodology

Wits is a research intensive university meaning that all academic staff are meant to be engaged with research, in addition to teaching and service work. In fact, there is an expectation that all academics are 'research active' which embraces publishing research outputs, raising external research funding, and supervising postgraduate students on an ongoing basis.

These expectations can be demanding in the context of other expectations related to teaching excellence and service commitments. The good news is that at Wits academics are not expected to do their research without support. The University Research Office (RO), Wits Enterprise (WE) and Wits Health Consortium (WHC) and the Library work in unison to provide an array of administrative supports for all active researchers. These include supports for:

  1. Research integrity and guidance on ethical research
  2. Legal advice
  3. Assistance with the selection of funding agencies
  4. Support for proposal writing, budgeting, and approval
  5. Advice and support with intellectual property protection and exploitation
  6. Assistance with human resource management
  7. Assistance with grant finance management and administration
  8. Library collections and services to support the needs of researchers

This Library Guide provides insight into how you can be 'research active.' Please use it for your benefit and tell others about the guide if you found it useful. Please also tell us (the authors) how we can improve the guide and make it more accessible for users.

Regards,

Maryna van den Heever and Robin Drennan

What is the difference between Research Design and Research Method?

Research design is a plan to answer your research question. A research method is a strategy used to implement that plan. Research design and methods are different but closely related, because good research design ensures that the data you obtain will help you answer your research question more effectively.

Research Methodology Pdf

Which research method should I choose?

It depends on your research goal. It depends on what subjects (and who) you want to study. Let's say you are interested in studying what makes people happy, or why some students are more conscious about recycling on campus. To answer these questions, you need to make a decision about how to collect your data. Most frequently used methods include:

  1. Observation / Participant Observation
  2. Surveys
  3. Interviews
  4. Focus Groups
  5. Experiments
  6. Secondary Data Analysis / Archival Study
  7. Mixed Methods (combination of some of the above)

Research Methodology Examples

One particular method could be better suited to your research goal than others, because the data you collect from different methods will be different in quality and quantity. For instance, surveys are usually designed to produce relatively short answers, rather than the extensive responses expected in qualitative interviews.

What other factors should I consider when choosing one method over another?

Introduction To Research Methodology Pdf

Time for data collection and analysis is something you want to consider. An observation or interview method, so-called qualitative approach, helps you collect richer information, but it takes time. Using a survey helps you collect more data quickly, yet it may lack details. So, you will need to consider the time you have for research and the balance between strengths and weaknesses associated with each method (e.g., qualitative vs. quantitative).