Method vs. Methodology

Category: Education

Most researchers are commonly asked to re-write the methods and methodology section. It happened to me as well when writing my thesis because of the lack of clear understanding of the two words. My supervisor believed in tough love and only told me that instead of working on the superficial technicalities I should read in depth about methods and methodologies. Methods include the actual steps taken when conducting your research, whereas methodology is the technique and a comprehensive analysis of the techniques and steps taken in your field of study. This table of differences between method and methodology, from the teaching assistant, was my saving grace when I was struggling to frame my methods and methodology section. The above table also taught me a hierarchy that most people fail to see exists. A technique is far more specific than a method and a method is far more specific than the methodology. Methodology is the systematic approach one takes to solve the research question. Method is the collection of steps one takes to solve the research question and technique is one of the specific steps taken to solve the research question. Most researchers spend the lion’s share of their efforts on the literature review, without realizing that the method and methodology section forms the spine of your research. If this section falls weak or crumbles, then there is no way your paper will be able to stand its ground. A clear knowledge of various methods and methodologies implemented in research will also make your process of reviewing other literature easier. And, the best way to write this section is to elaborate on the interconnectedness between the methods and the methodology applied in your study. For your research paper to be viewed as a good quality paper, it is very important to have a robust method and methodology section. So, don’t let it be the most neglected or the most superficial section of your paper. You need to find your way of swimming to the deep end so you can go beyond enlisting the steps or the audit trails you followed to reach the answer to your research question. I leave you with a table with the techniques used for various methods when conducting different types of research (C. R. Kothari), to help you draft the methods section better.