Difference Between Research Method and Research Methodology

Edited by Diffzy | Updated on: June 06, 2023

       

Difference Between Research Method and Research Methodology

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Introduction

Research can be defined as a methodical, thorough search for relevant information on a specific topic. One must clearly formulate the problem, develop a hypothesis, collect and analyze information and draw conclusions based on the collected facts and materials.

Research Method vs Research Methodology

All the methods a researcher employs to carry out the research process and address the issue collectively are referred to as research methods. The research methodology is a strategy for analyzing the different procedures frequently performed by a researcher to carry out a systematic analysis of his research problems, as well as the underlying logic, assumptions, explanations, and reasoning.

Difference between Research Method and Research Methodology (In Tabular Form)

BasisResearch MethodResearch Methodology
MeaningThe term "research method" refers to the techniques the researcher uses to carry out the investigation.Research methodology refers to a process for effectively addressing research issues.
What is it?The study technique was built and selected based on the behavior and equipment employed.science of comprehending, the systematic conduct of the investigation.
Encompassesdoing an experiment, test, survey, etc.Explore the different methods that can be used to conduct experiments, tests, research, etc.
Comprise ofvarious investigative methods.the entire plan of action for achieving the goal.
Objectiveto identify a research problem's solution.must follow the right steps in order to arrive at solutions.

Research Method

Because they are how you will get the data for your research endeavor, research methods differ from research methodologies.  The topic of your project, the kind of data you'll need, and the subjects or things you'll be collecting data from all play a significant role in determining the ideal strategy.  A list of quantitative, qualitative, and hybrid research methods is provided in the boxes below.

Types of Research Method

Quantitative Method

  1. Close-Ended Questionnaire: - These kinds of questions or surveys require respondents to choose from a list of predetermined answers, much like "multiple choice" tests.  They must choose the option with which they agree the most given the question's content.  Because the data is straightforward to combine and measure, this method is the most straightforward in quantitative research.
  2. Structured Interviews: - Because the data can be quantified, this is a popular research technique in market research.  They are specifically created to leave very little "wiggle room" during the interview process, preventing the data from being biased.  Structured interviews can be conducted over the phone, online, or in person.

Constructing Questionnaire

There are steps you can do to make sure your survey or questionnaire questions are precise and simple to comprehend while creating them: -

  • Short and basic questions are preferred.
  • Make sure your inquiries are free of any possible bias.  Make sure they don't use language that favors one viewpoint over another.
  • Asking indirect questions rather than direct ones may be preferable if your subject is very delicate.  Participants won't feel frightened or hesitant to express their actual responses as a result.
  • If you are utilizing a closed-ended question, make an effort to provide each response that a participant might provide.
  • Avoid posing queries that make assumptions about the participant.  Before asking the participant how frequently they exercise, you should include a question that inquires as to whether they exercise at all because the question "How often do you exercise?" assumes the person is exercising (when they may not be).
  • Try to make the questionnaire as brief as you can.  The longer a questionnaire is, the more likely it is that the person won't finish it or will get too exhausted to provide honest answers.
  • At the outset of the survey, assure participants of anonymity.

Levels of measurement

You must decide which types of measurements you will employ in your study before you can decide whether to adopt a quantitative approach to your research.  What kind of numbers you use to get your data will depend on this.  Four degrees of measuring exist:

  • Nominal: These are numbers in which the sequence of the digits is irrelevant.  They seek to isolate the information.  One illustration is getting research participants' zip codes.  Although the sequence of numbers in each zip code indicates a different piece of information, the order of the numbers is irrelevant. The interval is the time during which the data are arranged, and the researcher is concerned with the spacing between the numbers.  Each number is separated by the same amount of space.  Test scores are an illustration of interval data.
  • Ratio: This is the case where the data are arranged and the spacing between the numbers is constant but there is a "zero point."  This implies that whatever you are measuring in your study may have a measurement of zero (Adamson and Prion, 2013).  Measuring something's height serves as an illustration of ratio data because the "zero point" is constant throughout all measurements.  Something's height could possibly be zero.
  • Because of how important the order of these numbers is, ordinal is also known as ranks.  This is the process when objects are ranked in accordance with predetermined standards. 
  • Ranking-based questionnaires, in which participants are asked to rank objects from least to most preferred, are a typical illustration of ordinal measurements.  Another typical illustration is a pain scale, in which a patient is asked to rate their level of discomfort on a range of 1 to 10.

Qualitative Methods

Focus Groups: - This occurs when a small group of people meet to discuss a specific subject.  Group interviews or discussion groups are other names for them.  A moderator frequently leads them, helping to direct the conversation and pose specific questions.  In order to prevent someone from controlling the conversation, it is essential that the moderator gives everyone in the room an opportunity to speak.  Focus groups are used to acquire information, usually in the form of views, opinions, and viewpoints about a subject.

Observations: - Two approaches exist for making research observations:

  • Direct observations: - The researcher keeps watch over a subject in a setting.  The researcher often keeps a notebook or collects data using technology such as a tape recorder or camera. The researcher does not communicate or interfere with the subjects. In psychological and health studies, this methodology is frequently employed.
  • Participant Observations: - To better comprehend the research issue, the researcher engages in direct interaction with the participants.  This is a typical research strategy while attempting to comprehend a different culture or group.  Deciding between an overt (where participants are aware that the researcher is watching them) and a covert (where participants are unaware that the researcher is watching them) observation is crucial since it may be unethical in some circumstances to conduct one or the other.

Open-Ended Questionnaire: - Because the participant must fill in the response boxes, these questions differ from "multiple choice" questionnaires in this way.  This implies that participants may submit either brief or in-depth responses to the questions.  After obtaining the responses, researchers will frequently "quantify" the data by classifying the responses.  As the examiner must read each answer carefully, it may take some time.

Semi-Structured Interviews: - This is the most typical interview approach in which researchers seek out specific data to compare it to other interview data. Each interviewer should ask the same questions while maintaining flexibility in candidate responses. This requires the addition of follow-up questions if the subject gives a definite answer.  Interview schedules, which include a list of the subjects or inquiries that will be covered at each interview, are frequently utilized to help the interviewers .

Unstructured Interviews: - These are in-depth interviews in which the researcher seeks to comprehend the viewpoint of an interviewee about a circumstance or problem.  They are referred to as life history interviews at times.  To allow the interviewee to freely express their opinions, it's crucial to refrain from asking them too many questions.

Mixed Method Approach

This strategy entails including components from both types of questionnaires (open-ended and close-ended) in your data collection.  Participants may use prewritten responses for some questions while providing original responses for other questions.  This approach has the advantage of combining both methods of data collection to provide a more comprehensive knowledge of your participants.  To come to a decision, you must carefully consider how you will examine this material.

The research topic greatly influences other mixed method approaches that combine quantitative and qualitative research techniques.  Working together with your academic advisor before deciding on a mixed-method approach is highly advised.

Research Methodology

Research methodology is the main idea that will direct your investigation.  It becomes the overarching strategy for researching your subject and establishes the research methodology you'll employ. Research techniques are the tools you use to collect your data, whereas research methodologies are distinct. When choosing the best methodology for your topic, you must consider several factors.  Research restrictions and moral quandaries are only a couple of the problems that could affect how well your study turns out. 

Quantitative Methodology

By employing survey research to collect data, quantitative research approaches aim to produce numerical statistics.  This strategy typically reaches a greater number of people in less time.  Labaree identifies three components of a quantitative research methodology:

  • Population sample
  • How you plan to gather data is the research methodology.
  • How you'll conduct data analysis

Qualitative Methodology

Through methods of inspection, qualitative research procedures analyze people's behaviors, attitudes, and experiences. Typically, this method involves fewer people but spends more time with each one.  It allows participants in research the chance to express their own views on a particular subject.

  1. Action research is when a researcher collaborates with a team to improve a certain aspect of an environment.  It is a typical methodology for study in agricultural production, education, community development, and organizational administration.
  2. Ethnography is the process of classifying and describing cultural behaviors.  To gain an "inside look" into the group they are studying, researchers may immerse themselves in a different culture.  The method is frequently time-consuming because the researcher will work on it for a considerable amount of time.  Another name for this is “Participant Observation”.
  3. Feminist Approach: - The purpose of this methodology is to research subjects that have primarily been studied by men.  It intends to research women and contrast the findings with earlier studies that included male subjects.
  4. Creating a theory to explain a phenomenon only based on the data from a study is known as constructing a "grounded theory."  It differs from other research approaches in which the researcher makes a hypothesis before gathering evidence and then tries to verify it.  Focus groups and interviews are common research techniques for this strategy.
  5. Mixed Methodology

You can use hybrid methodology to combine the advantages of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.  In some situations, you can discover that this would be advantageous for your research assignment.  This strategy is advantageous because it enables each methodology to strengthen the shortcomings of the other.  This choice should be carefully considered because, if improperly designed, it could complicate your research.

Main Differences Between Research Method and Research Methodology in Points

The following factors make it easy to distinguish between research methodology and research method:

  1. The procedure or technique used by the researcher to conduct research is referred to as the research method. Research methodology, on the other hand, is a set of techniques that are scientifically applied to address a research topic.
  2. The process of choosing and developing a research technique is known as the research method. On the other hand, research methodology denotes the art of analysis and the proper way to do research.
  3. Performing tests, surveys, interviews, and other types of experiments are all part of the research methodology. Contrarily, research methodology is concerned with learning different methods that can be used to conduct experiments, tests, or surveys.
  4. The term "research method" refers to numerous study methods. Unlike research methodology, which entails a comprehensive strategy geared toward the achievement of the aim.
  5. The goal of the research methodology is to identify the answer to the current issue. Contrarily, the research methodology aims to use proper methods to identify solutions.

Conclusion

Since the research method is a subset of research methodology, the former's reach is greater than the latter. The researcher should be familiar with both the research technique and the procedures to fully comprehend the research topic.

In a nutshell, a research method is a methodology that can be used to investigate the nature of the environment we live in. The foundation for understanding the factors determining the efficacy of the procedures used, on the other hand, is research methodology.


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"Difference Between Research Method and Research Methodology." Diffzy.com, 2024. Sun. 24 Mar. 2024. <https://www.diffzy.com/article/difference-between-research-method-and-research-methodology>.



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