Writing Methodology Section

Writing methodology section for your research paper, dissertation or thesis is not an easy task. Yet, it is usually one of the earliest assignments in your research study and the way how it is accomplished will affect all the subsequent data collection and analysis.

While writing methodology section of your research paper, you should provide the information by which a study’s validity is judged. That is why clear and precise descriptions and explanations are required. Explicate how the information was gathered, or how an experiment was done, and how the research question is going to be answered.

Below is the simplest working outline for those who don’t know how (or what about) to write the methodology section of their research paper / dissertation / thesis. To organize and write your methodology section well, it is suggested to use the corresponding subheadings:

1. Ontology and Epistemology. Refer to ontology and epistemology and define these (both generally and in relation to your research).
2. Type of Research. Distinguish among exploratory, descriptive, explanatory and prescriptive research.
3. Research Approach. Choose among positivist, interpretivist / constructivist, and realist approaches.
4. Data Collection. Describe and choose among the available data collection techniques: quantitative / qualitative / mixed methods (dual research).
5. Sampling / Participants. Describe your sampling / participants.
6. Rigor. Estimate the rigor of your research: Talk about the credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability of the results obtained. Or just describe at least validity and reliability of the research conducted.
7. Ethical Issues. Research permission and other ethical issues.
8. Summary. Summarize the chosen approach and refer to it as a research philosophy rather than a set of separate elements.

Scientific writing is direct and orderly. While writing methodology section, be precise and present all the elements as clearly and logically as possibly. Include description of preparations. Follow the chronology.

Also remember that the methodology section is often one of the shortest sections of a research paper. Try to be thorough but succinct.

Source: AEssay Team