Understanding Research Methodology: A Simplified Guide with Examples

Methodology | Quantitative vs Qualitative | Sampling | Data Collection | Data Analysis

Imagine your research as a journey—your methodology is the roadmap that guides every step, showing exactly how you’re navigating your questions and reaching your findings. A well-crafted methodology doesn’t just make your work credible; it’s like leaving clear markers so others can follow, test, or even expand on your path.

1. How to write the Research Methodology?

Writing your research methodology is all about showing the “how” behind your study. Keep it clear and direct—explain your research design, data collection methods, participant selection, analysis techniques, and your rationale behind each choice.

1.1. What type of data to collect?

Choosing the correct type of data to collect is essential for aligning your research with your goals. Start by considering your research questions: Are you looking to measure something numeric or explore opinions and experiences?

1.2. Who to collect data from?

Who you collect data from—and how you select them—can make or break your research’s credibility. Start by identifying your target population: who has the insights or experiences you need to answer your research question? Then, select a sample from the population.

Here is how you might select samples from a specific population.

1.3. How to collect it?

Collecting data is where your research starts to come to life, so it’s worth doing right! The methods you choose—whether surveys, interviews, experiments, or observations—depend on the kind of insights you’re after.

✖ Misaligned data collection method – Follow-up questions and participant elaboration not possible

Using a Likert Scale survey to measure a complex emotional experience.

✔ Improved data collection method – Interviewer can ask follow-up questions. Participant can give in-depth responses.

Using an in-depth interview to measure a complex emotional experience.

1.4. How to analyze it?

Data analysis is where all that collected information transforms into real insights! Choosing the proper technique to make sense of your data, whether through statistical tests or thematic analysis. Whatever method you choose, think of it as a way to let your data tell its story.

2. Research Methodology Examples

Let’s look at examples of a research methodology for quantitative, qualitative, and mixed studies.

2.1. Example 1 (Quantitative)

2.2. Example 2 (Qualitative)

2.3. Example 3 (Mixed)

3. What do reviewers expect in a Methodology?

3.1. Reproducibility of your Methodology

Reviewers expect to be able to replicate your study because you have provided the level of detail required.

Here is a good and bad example of a research methodology for quantitative methods study

✖ Data will be collected from students on their sleep patterns and performance. Then, it will be analyzed

_ Very vague and not detailed

✔ We will survey 500 undergraduates on their average sleep hours, sleep quality, and GPA. Using statistical software, we’ll analyze correlations and regressions to assess how sleep duration and quality relate to GPA, with sleep quality as a possible moderator. This will help us see if better or longer sleep links to improved academic performance

_ Type of data _ Who collected from? _ How collected? _ How analyzed?

Here is a good and bad example of a research methodology for qualitative methods study

✖ Data will be gathered from employees about remote work and analyzed.

_ Very vague and not detailed

✔ We will conduct semi-structured interviews with 30 remote employees from various tech organizations, selected for diverse experience and roles. Questions will cover benefits, challenges, and impacts of remote work on job satisfaction and productivity. Transcripts will be thematically analyzed in NVivo to identify common attitudes, helping us understand remote work’s influence on satisfaction and productivity.

_ Type of data _ Who collected from? _ How collected? _ How analyzed?

Here is a good and bad example of a research methodology for mixed methods study

✖ We will collect data from teachers and students about the effectiveness of technology use in the classroom.

_ Very vague and not detailed

✔ We will use a mixed-method approach, surveying 200 high school students and 20 teachers on student engagement and teachers’ views of technology’s impact on learning. Additionally, in-depth interviews with 10 teachers will explore specific uses, benefits, and challenges. Survey data will be analyzed statistically, while interview data will undergo thematic analysis. This study aims to assess if technology boosts engagement and learning and to identify factors influencing its success or limitations.

_ Type of data _ Who collected from? _ How collected? _ How analyzed?

3.2. Justification of methodological choices made

Even when you provide a detailed research methodology, it is still not enough to satisfy reviewers. They want to know how you justified your choices! Let’s look at justifying a qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method study.

4. Summary

Think of research methodology as your study’s game plan—it shows each step you take to ensure your work is credible and reproducible. This guide walked you through crafting a transparent, straightforward methodology, covering essentials like research design, data collection, participant selection, and analysis methods. With examples for quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods, it highlights how different approaches can shape your insights. Finally, the guide focused on what reviewers expect: a methodology that’s both reproducible and well-justified. Nail this, and you’ll have research that stands strong and invites others to build on your work.