LESSON 11 RESEARCH

METHODOLOGY
WHAT IS A RESEARCH METHODOLOGY?
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research methodology is a way to systematically solve
the research problem. It may be understood as a
science of studying how research is done scientifically.
(C.R. Kothari, 2004)
Guidelines in writing research methodology
• The Research Methodology section is written with two
purposes in mind: 1) replicate and 2) evaluate.
• The scientific method requires that the results be
reproducible, and the researcher must provide a basis for
repetition of the study by others.
• this ensures that the study has undergone scientific process
and that the tools utilized in the study are valid and reliable.
• Flaws in this section usually result to rejection in
publication.
• This section has several subsections. The number of
subsections will sometimes depend on the format of the
institution or the target journal of the researcher.
• To ensure that no section of this section will be missed, it is
advisable to follow the sections explicated in this manual.
RESEARCH DESIGN
• Discuss the approach (qualitative/ quantitative) and design
(phenomenology, experimental, descriptive, etc.) used in the
study.
• The reason why the design was chosen must be justified.
• Just like in any problem or any question, there are several
possible solutions or answers, but the most appropriate one
must be chosen.
RESEARCH LOCALE
• Describe the geographic characteristics of the place of study.
• In this section, anonymity must always be observed.
• It is also imperative to state the reasons why the specific
locale was chosen.
• The locale or the place where the study will be conducted
must be fit to address the needs of the study.
Population and Sampling/ Key Informant
Selection
• Describe the demographic characteristics of the
respondents/participants.
• Describe the sampling technique used.
• Enumerate the inclusion and exclusion criteria used in
the selection of the participants.
Population and Sampling/ Key Informant
Selection
• For animal samples, the genus and species must be
specified.
• The researchers also need to specify the condition of the
animals (i.e. castrated, pregnant, etc.).
• the manner on how they were fed, and their environment
(temperature, lighting) during the experiment.
Research Ethics
• This is the section where the researcher can attest that the
study was conducted with consideration to the rights of the
human subjects they will involve in the study.
• In this section, the researchers must enumerate the ethical
principles maintained in the study, and how it was
maintained, including ethical board reviews or permissions
on animal usage.
Research Instruments
• Each instrument or questionnaire used in the study must be
described in detail here.
• Mention the number of parts, the types of questions, the
number of items, and which item or part will answer specific
question.
• Whether the instrument is borrowed or made by the
researcher, it must be stated in this section.
• For borrowed questionnaires, permission to use must be
secured from the original author.
Research Instruments
• The researcher also needs to mention how validity and
reliability testing were done.
• If equipment and materials were use, just like in
experiments, those available off the shelf should be
described exactly and the sources of materials or specimens
should be given.
• Modifications to equipment or equipment constructed
specifically for the study must be carefully described in
detail.
Data Collection
• The step-by-step process must be explained
comprehensively by the researcher.
• For experimental studies, the methods used to
prepare reagents, fixatives, and stains should be
stated exactly, though often, references to standard
recipes in other will suffice.
Data Collection
• For studies where subjects are exposed to a certain
intervention, the intervention must be described in
detail.
• The type of intervention, how it was designed, who
designed it, the duration and frequency of exposure,
the manner on how observations will be measured or
tested, and who will measure the observations need
to be explained in this section.
Data Collection
• The usual order or presentation of methods may need to be
described together and strict chronological other cannot
always be followed.
• If the methods are new, the researcher must provide all of
the details required to repeat the methods.
• However, of a method has been previously published in
standard journal, only the name of the method and a
literature reference need to be cited.
Data Analysis
• The statistical tests used in the study will be mentioned here.
• When and how each statistical test was used must be
specified.
• The researcher must be precise in describing
measurements and he must include errors of measurements.
• Ordinary statistical methods could be used without citations,
while advanced or unusual methods may require a literature
citation.
Data Analysis
• Basic formulas are not needed to be included, unless
originally created by the researcher, or the formula is
unusual.
• If a statistical software was utilized, it is advisable to specify
the software used and the version in this section.