This article explains the meaning of research methodology and the purpose and importance of writing a

research methodology section or chapter for your thesis paper. It discusses what to include and not
include in a research methodology section, the different approaches to research methodology that can
be used, and the steps involved in writing a robust research methodology section.

What is a thesis research methodology?

A thesis research methodology explains the type of research performed, justifies the methods that you
chose by linking back to the literature review, and describes the data collection and analysis procedures.
It is included in your thesis after the Introduction section. Most importantly, this is the section where the
readers of your study evaluate its validity and reliability. What should the research methodology section
in your thesis include?

The aim of your thesis

An outline of the research methods chosen (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods)

Background and rationale for the methods chosen, explaining why one method was chosen over another

Methods used for data collection and data analysis

Materials and equipment used—keep this brief

Difficulties encountered during data collection and analysis. It is expected that problems will occur
during your research process. Use this as an opportunity to demonstrate your problem-solving abilities
by explaining how you overcame all obstacles. This builds your readers’ confidence in your study
findings.

A brief evaluation of your research explaining whether your results were conclusive and whether your
choice of methodology was effective in practice

What should not be included in the research methodology section of your thesis?

Irrelevant details, for example, an extensive review of methodologies (this belongs in the literature
review section) or information that does not contribute to the readers’ understanding of your chosen
methods

A description of basic procedures

Excessive details about materials and equipment used. If an extremely long and detailed list is necessary,
add it as an appendix

Raw data

Types of methodological approaches

The choice of which methodological approach to use depends on your field of research and your thesis
question. Your methodology should establish a clear relationship with your thesis question and must also
be supported by your literature review. Types of methodological approaches include quantitative,
qualitative, or mixed methods. Quantitative studies generate data in the form of numbers to count,
classify, measure, or identify relationships or patterns. Information may be collected by performing
experiments and tests, conducting surveys, or using existing data. The data are analyzed using statistical
tests and presented as charts or graphs. Quantitative data are typically used in the Sciences domain. For
example, analyzing the effect of a change, such as alterations in electricity consumption by municipalities
after installing LED streetlights.

The raw data will need to be prepared for statistical analysis by identifying variables and checking for
missing data and outliers. Details of the statistical software program used (name of the package, version
number, and supplier name and location) must also be mentioned. Qualitative studies gather non-
numerical data using, for example, observations, focus groups, and in-depth interviews. Open-ended
questions are often posed. This yields rich, detailed, and descriptive results. Qualitative studies are
usually subjective and are helpful for investigating social and cultural phenomena, which are difficult to
quantify. Qualitative studies are typically used in the Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) domain.

For example, determining customer perceptions on the extension of a range of baking utensils to include
silicone muffin trays. The raw data will need to be prepared for analysis by coding and categorizing ideas
and themes to interpret the meaning behind the responses given. Mixed methods use a combination of
quantitative and qualitative approaches to present multiple findings about a single phenomenon. This
enables triangulation: verification of the data from two or more sources.

Data collection

Explain the rationale behind the sampling procedure you have chosen. This could involve probability
sampling (a random sample from the study population) or non-probability sampling (does not use a
random sample). For quantitative studies, describe the sampling procedure and whether statistical tests
were used to determine the sample size.

Following our example of analyzing the changes in electricity consumption by municipalities after
installing LED streetlights, you will need to determine which municipal areas will be sampled and how
the information will be gathered (e.g., a physical survey of the streetlights or reviewing purchase orders)
.For qualitative research, describe how the participants were chosen and how the data is going to be
collected. Following our example about determining customer perceptions on the extension of a range
of baking utensils to include silicone muffin trays, you will need to decide the criteria for inclusion as a
study participant (e.g., women aged 20–70 years, bakeries, and bakery supply shops) and how the
information will be collected (e.g., interviews, focus groups, online or in-person questionnaires, or video
recordings).

Data analysis

For quantitative research, describe what tests you plan to perform and why you have chosen them.
Popular data analysis methDescriptive statistics (e.g., means, medians, modes)

Inferential statistics (e.g., correlation, regression, structural equation modeling)

For qualitative research, describe how the data is going to be analyzed and justify your choice. Popular
data analysis methods in qualitative research include:
Qualitative content analysis

Thematic analysis

Discourse analysis

Narrative analysis

Grounded theory

Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA)

Evaluate and justify your methodological choices

You need to convince the reader that you have made the correct methodological choices. Once again,
this ties back to your thesis question and literature review. Write using a persuasive tone, and use
rhetoric to convince the reader of the quality, reliability, and validity of your research.

Ethical considerations

The young researcher should maintain objectivity at all times

All participants have the right to privacy and anonymity

Research participation must be voluntary

All subjects have the right to withdraw from the research at any time

Consent must be obtained from all participants before starting the research

Confidentiality of data provided by individuals must be maintained

Consider how the interpretation and reporting of the data will affect the participants

Tips for writing a robust thesis research methodology

Determine what kind of knowledge you are trying to uncover. For example, subjective or objective,
experimental or interpretive.

A thorough literature review is the best starting point for choosing your methods.

Ensure that there is continuity throughout the research process. The authenticity of your research
depends upon the validity of the research data, the reliability of your data measurements, and the time
taken to conduct the analysis.

Choose a research method that is achievable. Consider the time and funds available, feasibility, ethics,
and access and availability of equipment to measure the phenomenon or answer your thesis question
correctly.

If you are struggling with a concept, ask for help from your supervisor, academic staff members, or fellow
students.
Conclusion A thesis methodology justifies why you have chosen a specific approach to address your
thesis question. It explains how you will collect the data and analyze it. Above all, it allows the readers of
your study to evaluate its validity and reliability.

A thesis is the most crucial document that you will write during your academic studies. For professional
thesis editing and thesis proofreading services, Explain why your chosen approach is relevant to the
overall research design and how it links with your thesis question.

Justify your chosen method and why it is more appropriate than others.

Provide background information on methods that may be unfamiliar to readers of your thesis.

Introduce the tools that you will use for data collection, and explain how you plan to use them (e.g.,
surveys, interviews, experiments, or existing data).

Explain how you will analyze your results. The type of analysis used depends on the methods you chose.
For example, exploring theoretical perspectives to support your explanation of observed behaviors in a
qualitative study or using statistical analyses in a quantitative study.

Mention any research limitations. All studies are expected to have limitations, such as the sample size,
data collection method, or equipment. Discussing the limitations justifies your choice of methodology
despite the risks. It also explains under which conditions the results should be interpreted and shows
that you have taken a holistic approach to you