4

WRITING THE RESEARCH

METHODOLOGY:
OVERVIEW, TIPS, AND TECHNIQUES
for RESEARCH
Special Science High School Grade 10
Quarter 2 / Week 4

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 FOREWORD

Research IV for Grade 10 aims to enhance the research project

conducted in Grade 9. Competencies were designed to equip students with
enhanced knowledge of conducting experimental research. Research IV may
serve as an avenue for students to demonstrate higher level of competence
in research by enhancing their previous research project and conducting a
continuing research or a new research project.

To acquire mastery and competence in conducting sound researches,

establishing a stronger linkage, collaboration and maximizing the available
resources of research institutions and the community shall be practiced.
Likewise, constant coaching and consultation with experts will also be done for
robust and well-guided execution of the enhanced research project/plan.

This paper discusses the importance of good research and the common
causes of research bias. It also provides guidelines for evaluating research and
data quality and describes examples of bad research.

This learning kit is composed of three parts:

1. What Happened

This section provides activities that will prepare learners to the

discussion of the topic provided in this material.

2. What To Learn

This is the discussion section of the SLK. Exercises after the

discussion are also provided to further enrich student’s learning of the
topic.

3. What You Have Learned

This portion will gauge student’s learning and will determine how
much the learner has learned.

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COMPETENCIES:

• Utilizes the standards (criteria or checklist) in evaluating research paper

(peer/group/expert evaluation).

• Revises/ enhances the research project by incorporating the

suggestions given by the peer/group/experts.

OBJECTIVES:

At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:

K: Identify the contents of the methodology section of a

research paper.
S: Create a sample methodology using the research (SIP)
done in grade 9; and
A: Express appreciation on the effectiveness of a well-written
methodology by accomplishing the tasks and activities
provided.

Now, let’s begin this learning journey…

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What Happened
PRETEST:
Directions: Carefully read the descriptions below and choose the correct
answer from the box. Do this in your activity notebook.

Research Methods Methodology Research Methodology

Experiment Research Qualitative

Mixed Methods Quantitative Researcher

1. Is defined as the systematic method to resolve a research problem

through data gathering using various techniques, providing an
interpretation of data gathered and drawing conclusions about the
research data.

2. Science of understanding how research is performed methodically.

3. Behaviors and instruments used in the selection and construction of the

research technique.

4. This approach aims to count things in order to explain what is observed,

the qualitative research method is geared toward creating a complete
and detailed description of your observation as a researcher.

5. Someone whose job involves discovering or verifying information for use

in a book, and a program.

6. The existence of this approach stemmed from its potential to help

researchers view social relations and their intricacies clearer by fusing
together the quantitative and qualitative methods of research while
recognizing the limitations of both at the same time.

7. This research method is subjective and requires a smaller number of

carefully chosen respondents.

8. This approach follows a structured data collection process with data

output in the form of numbers.

9. A scientific procedure undertaken to make a discovery, test a

hypothesis, or demonstrate a known fact.

10. The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in
order to establish facts and reach new conclusions.
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What I Need To Know
DISCUSSION:

According to Goddard and Melville (2001, p.1), research goes beyond

the process of gathering information; rather, it is also about finding answers to
unanswered questions as part of discovering and/or creating new knowledge.
And in order for this newly discovered or created knowledge to be recognized
or noticed, you have to prove that it is valid.

Determining the validity of your study is anchored on your research

paper’s methodology. According to Somekh and Lewin (2005), a research
methodology is both “the collection of methods or rules” you apply to your
research, as well as the “principles, theories, and values” that support your
research approach. Simply put, a research paper’s methodology section must
shed light on how you were able to collect or generate your research data
and demonstrate how you analyze them (SHU Library, 2020).

For novice researchers, writing the methodology of a research paper can

be an overwhelming process, especially considering the intricate elements
covered by this section (J. Ellis & Levy, 2009, p. 323). The goal of this article is to
guide novice researchers in writing an effective research methodology by
helping them gain a clear understanding of a research methodology’s
structure.

What is a research methodology?

Methodology in research is defined as the systematic method to resolve a

research problem through data gathering using various techniques, providing
an interpretation of data gathered and drawing conclusions about the
research data. Essentially, a research methodology is the blueprint of a
research or study (Murthy & Bhojanna, 2009, p. 32).

Methodology vs. Methods

The confusion between methodology and methods in research is a

common occurrence, especially with the terms sometimes being used
interchangeably. Methods and methodology in the context of research refer
to two related but different things: method is the technique used in gathering
evidence; methodology, on the other hand, “is the underlying theory and
analysis of how research does or should proceed” (Kirsch & Sullivan, 1992, p.
2). Similarly, Birks and Mills (2011, p. 4) define methodology as “a set of principles

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and ideas that inform the design of a research study.” Meanwhile, methods
are “practical procedures used to generate and analyze data (Birks and Mills,
2011, p. 4).

To summarize these definitions, methods cover the technical procedures

or steps taken to do the research, and methodology provides the underlying
reasons why certain methods are used in the process.

Methodological Approach or Methods Used in Research

Traditionally, academic researchers often approach research studies

through two distinct paradigms, namely positivistic and phenomenological
(Collis & Hussey, 2013). Also sometimes called qualitative and quantitative
(Dumay, 2008), positivistic and phenomenological approaches play a
significant role in determining your data gathering process, especially the
methods you are going to use in your research.

Research methods lay down the foundation of your research. According

to Neil McInroy, the chief executive of Centre for Local Economic Strategies,
not using the appropriate research methods and design creates “a shaky
foundation to any review, evaluation, or future strategy (Macdonald et al.,
2008, p. 3). In any type of research, the data you will gather can come either
in the form of numbers or descriptions, which means you will either be required
to count or converse with people (Macdonald et al., 2008, p. 9). In research,

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there are two fundamental methods used for either approach—quantitative
and qualitative research methods.

Quantitative
This approach is often used by researchers who follow the scientific
paradigm (Haq, 2014, p. 1). This method seeks to quantify data and generalize
results from a sample of a target population (Macdonald et al., 2008, p. 9). It
follows a structured data collection process with data output in the form of
numbers. Quantitative research also observes objective analysis using
statistical means (Macdonald et al., 2008, p. 9).

Based on a report, quantitative research took the biggest portion of the

global market research spend in 2018 (ESOMAR, 2019, page 27).

Qualitative
Unlike the quantitative approach that aims to count things in order to
explain what is observed, the qualitative research method is geared toward
creating a complete and detailed description of your observation as a
researcher (Macdonald et al., 2008, p. 9). Rather than providing predictions
and/or causal explanations, the qualitative method offers contextualization
and interpretation of the data gathered. This research method is subjective
and requires a smaller number of carefully chosen respondents.

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Mixed Methods
A contemporary method sprung from the combination of traditional
quantitative and qualitative approaches. According to Brannen and Moss
(2012), the existence of the mixed methods approach stemmed from its
potential to help researchers view social relations and their intricacies clearer
by fusing together the quantitative and qualitative methods of research while
recognizing the limitations of both at the same time.

Mixed methods are also known for the concept of triangulation in social
research. According to Haq (2014, p. 11), triangulation provides researchers
with the opportunity to present multiple findings about a single phenomenon
by deploying various elements of quantitative and qualitative approaches in
one research.

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Writing Your Research Paper Methodology
Saunders et al. (2007) proposed the concept of the research onion
model to help researchers develop a methodology and construct a research
design within the field of future studies. This research onion model has six main
layers, which serve as a step-by-step guide for researchers to create and
organize their research methodology.

The methodology section of your research paper is not all about

describing your data gathering process and your analysis. Methodology is
about the overall approaches and perspectives of the research process. Here
are some tips as well as the problems to avoid in order to write an effective
research methodology.

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How to Write an Effective Methodology Section?

o Introduce your methods. Introduce the methodological approach

used in investigating your research problem. In one of the previous
sections, your methodological approach can either be quantitative,
qualitative, or mixed methods.
o Establish methodological connection. Explain the relevance of your
methodological approach to the overall research design. Keep in
mind that the connection between your methods and your research
problem should be clear. This means that your methodology must be
appropriate to achieve your research paper’s objective—to
address the research problem you presented.
o Introduce your instruments. Indicate the instruments you are going
to use in collecting your data and explain how you are going to use
them. These tools and instruments can be your surveys,
questionnaires for interviews, observation, etc. If your methods
include archival research or analyzing existing data, provide
background information for documents, including who the original
researcher is, as well as how the data were originally created and
gathered.
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 o Discuss your analysis. Explain how you are going to analyze the
results of your data gathering process. Depending on the methods
you use, you can use statistical analysis or explore theoretical
perspectives to support your explanation of observed behaviors.
o Provide background information. When using methods that your
readers may be unfamiliar with, make sure to provide background
information about these methods.
o Discuss sampling process. Explain the reason behind your sampling
procedure. For example, if you are using statistics in your research,
indicate why you chose this method as well as your sampling
procedure. If you are going to do interviews, describe how are you
going to choose the participants and how the interviews will be
conducted.
o Address research limitations. Make sure to address possible
limitations you may encounter in your research, such as practical
limitations that may affect your data gathering process. If there are
potential issues you anticipate to encounter in the process, indicate
your reason why you still decide to use the methodology despite the
risk (SHU Library, n.d.).

Step 1:

➢ Explain your methodological approach

Begin by introducing your overall approach to the research. What
problem or question did you investigate, and what kind of data did you need
to answer it?
• Quantitative methods (e.g., surveys) are best for measuring, ranking,
categorizing, identifying patterns, and making generalizations
• Qualitative methods (e.g., interviews) are best for describing,
interpreting, contextualizing, and gaining in-depth insight into specific
concepts or phenomena
• Mixed methods allow for a combination of numerical measurement and
in-depth exploration

Depending on your discipline and approach, you might also begin with
a discussion of the rationale and assumptions underpinning your methodology.
• Was your aim to address a practical or a theoretical problem?
• Why is this the most suitable approach to answering your research
questions?
• Is this a standard methodology in your field or does it require justification?
• Were there any ethical or philosophical considerations?
• What are the criteria for validity and rigorousness in this type of research?

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 In a quantitative experimental study, you might aim to produce
generalizable knowledge about the causes of a phenomenon. Valid research
requires a carefully designed study with controlled variables that can be
replicated by other researchers.

In a qualitative participant observation, you might aim to produce

ethnographic knowledge about the behaviors, social structures, and shared
beliefs of a specific group of people. As this methodology is less controlled and
more interpretive, you will need to reflect on your position as researcher, taking
into account how your participation and perception might have influenced
the results.

Step 2:

➢ Describe your methods of data collection and/or selection

Once you have introduced your overall methodological approach, you
should give full details of the methods you used to conduct the research.
Outline the tools, procedures, and materials you used to gather data, and the
criteria you used to select participants or sources.

Quantitative methods

Surveys
Describe where, when, and how the survey was conducted.
• How did you design the questions and what form did they take (e.g.,
multiple choice, rating scale)?
• How did you find and select participants?
• Did you conduct surveys by phone, mail, online or in person, and how
long did participants have to respond?
• What was the sample size and response rate?
You might want to include the full questionnaire as an appendix so that your
reader can see exactly what data was collected.

Experiments
Give full details of the tools, techniques, and procedures you used to conduct
the experiment.
• How did you design the experiment (e.g., between-subjects or within-
subjects)?
• How did you find and select participants?
• What tools or technologies did you use in the experiment?

In experimental research, it is especially important to give enough detail for

another researcher to reproduce your results.

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Existing data
Explain how you gathered and selected material (such as publications or
archival data) for inclusion in your analysis.
• Where did you source the material?
• How was the data originally produced?
• What criteria did you use to select material (e.g., date range)?

➢ Quantitative methods example

The survey consisted of 5 multiple-choice questions and 10 questions that
the respondents had to answer with a 7-point Likert scale. The aim was to
conduct the survey with 350 customers of Company X on the company
premises in The Hague from 4-8 July 2017 between 11:00 and 15:00. A customer
was defined as a person who had purchased a product from Company X on
the day of questioning. Participants were given 5 minutes to fill in the survey
anonymously, and 408 customers responded. Because not all surveys were fully
completed, 371 survey results were included in the analysis.

➢ Qualitative methods

Interviews or focus groups

Describe where, when, and how the interviews were conducted.
• How did you find and select participants?
• How many people took part?
• What form did the interviews take (structured, semi-structured,
unstructured)?
• How long were the interviews and how were they recorded?

Participant observation
Describe where, when, and how you conducted the observation.
• What group or community did you observe and how did you gain
access to them?
• How long did you spend conducting the research and where was it
located?
• How did you record your data (e.g., audiovisual recordings, note-
taking)?

Existing data
Explain how you selected case study materials (such as texts or images) for the
focus of your analysis.
• What type of materials did you analyze?
• How did you collect and select them?

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Qualitative Methods Example
In order to gain a better insight into the possibilities for improvement of the
product range, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 8 returning
customers from the main target group of Company X. A returning customer was
defined as someone who usually bought products at least twice a week from
Company X. The surveys were used to select returning customer participants
who belonged to the target group (20-45 years old). Interviews were conducted
in a small office next to the cash register and lasted approximately 20 minutes
each. Answers were recorded by note-taking, and seven interviews were also
filmed with consent. One interviewee preferred not to be filmed.

Step 3:

➢ Describe your methods of analysis

Next, you should indicate how you processed and analyzed the data.
Avoid going into too much detail—you should not start presenting or discussing
any of your results at this stage.

Quantitative methods
In quantitative research, your analysis will be based on numbers. In the
methods section you might include:
• How you prepared the data before analyzing it (e.g., checking for
missing data, removing outliers, transforming variables)
• Which software you used to analyze the data (e.g., SPSS or Stata)
• Which statistical methods you used (e.g., regression analysis)

Quantitative methods example

Before analysis, the gathered data was prepared. The dataset was checked for
missing data and outliers. For this the “outlier labeling rule” was used. All values
outside the calculated range were considered outliers (Hoaglin & Iglewicz,
1987). The data was then analyzed using statistical software SPSS.

Qualitative methods
In qualitative research, your analysis will be based on language, images, and
observations. Methods might include:
• Content analysis: coding and categorizing themes and ideas
• Narrative analysis: looking at storytelling structures and tropes and
interpreting their meaning
• Discourse analysis: looking at communication and meaning (including
language, images, and nonverbal interactions) in relation to their social
context

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Qualitative methods example
The interviews were transcribed and open coded to categorize key themes
and identify patterns. Each theme was analyzed to gain a deeper
understanding of participants’ perceptions and motivations.

Step 4:

➢ Evaluate and justify your methodological choices

Your methodology should make the case for why you chose these
particular methods, especially if you did not take the most standard approach
to your topic. Discuss why other methods were not suitable for your objectives
and show how this approach contributes new knowledge or understanding.
You can acknowledge limitations or weaknesses in the approach you chose
but justify why these were outweighed by the strengths.

▪ Lab-based experiments can’t always accurately simulate real-life

situations and behaviors, but they are effective for testing causal
relationships between variables.
▪ Unstructured interviews usually produce results that cannot be
generalized beyond the sample group, but they provide a more in-
depth understanding of participants’ perceptions, motivations and
emotions.

➢ Tips for writing a strong methodology

Remember that your aim is not just to describe your methods, but to
show how and why you applied them and to demonstrate that your research
was rigorously conducted.

Focus on your objectives and research questions

The methodology section should clearly show why your methods suit
your objectives and convince the reader that you chose the best possible
approach to answering your problem statement and research questions.
Throughout the section, relate your choices back to the central purpose of
your dissertation.

Cite relevant sources

Your methodology can be strengthened by reference to existing
research in the field, either to:
• Confirm that you followed established practices for this type of research
• Discuss how you evaluated different methodologies and decided on
your approach
• Show that you took a novel methodological approach to address a gap
in the literature

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Write for your audience
Consider how much information you need to give, and don’t go into
unnecessary detail. If you are using methods that are standard for your
discipline, you probably don’t need to give lots of background or justification.
But if you take an approach that is less common in your field, you might need
to explain and justify your methodological choices.

In either case, your methodology should be a clear, well-structured text

that makes an argument for your approach, not just a list of technical details
and procedures.

Discuss obstacles
If you encountered difficulties in collecting or analyzing data, explain
how you dealt with them. Show how you minimized the impact of any
unexpected obstacles. Pre-empt any major critiques of your approach and
demonstrate that you made the research as rigorous as possible.

➢ What to avoid in writing the methodology section of your ressearch?

o Avoid including irrelevant details.
o Keep your methodology section straightforward and thorough.
Details that do not contribute to the readers’ understanding of your
chosen methods should not be included in your methodology
section.
o Irrelevant information includes unnecessary explanations of basic
procedures. Basic procedures should only be explained if they are
unconventional and unfamiliar to the readers.
o Do not ignore the problems you might encounter during the data
gathering process. Instead of turning a blind eye, describe how you
handled them (SHU Library, n.d.).

➢ Ethical Considerations
Researchers must adhere to ethical norms to ensure trust, accountability,
mutual respect, and fairness (Resnik, 2015). According to Saunders, Lewis, and
Thornhill (2003, p. 131), there are some ethical considerations that researchers
must be mindful of, especially during the process of gathering and presenting
research data:
o The rights to privacy of the individuals involved.
o The nature of participation in the research must be voluntary and
the individuals involved must have the right to withdraw partially or
completely from the process.
o All participants must provide their consent first.
o Maintenance of the confidentiality of data provided by individuals
as well as identifiable participants’ anonymity.

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 o How participants react to the researchers’ methods in seeking to
collect data.
o How the participants will be affected by the way in which data is
analyzed and reported.
o The behavior and objectivity of the researcher.

➢ Choosing a Research Methodology

It’s now clear that the methodology section is where a researcher
indicates and elaborates on the plans that must be put into motion in order to
achieve the objective of the research. Being acquainted with research
methodologies, however, does not make choosing the appropriate
methodology easier. Walker (2006) states that selecting which research
methodology is a difficult step in the research process. It can be confusing and
overwhelming, especially for novice researchers.

According to Holden and Lynch (2004), research should not only be

“methodologically led” but the choice of which methodology to use should
be consequential not only to the social science phenomenon to be
investigated but also to the philosophical stance of the researcher. Similarly,
Goulding (2002) claims that the choice of methodology should be based on
the researcher’s interests, beliefs, and convictions. Meanwhile, other significant

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factors such as epistemological concerns must also be taken into
consideration when choosing a research methodology (Buchanan & Bryman,
2007). On top of philosophical underpinnings and personal convictions, there
are also practical considerations that can affect a researcher’s decision on
what methodology to use, including the amount of existing data or
knowledge, available time, and other resources (Ahmed et al., 2016, p. 32).

Keep in Mind

Before the year ends, you need to come up with a research paper in
order to pass the subject. Please start constructing it as early as today.

Task 1.
Directions: Testing your learning from the dicussion above, identify whether the
statement in each item is true or false. On your activity notebook,
write T for true and F for false.

1. Research methods lay down the foundation of your research.

2. The qualitative method seeks to quantify data and generalize results

from a sample of a target population.

3. The terms “methods” and “methodology” can be used

interchangeably.

4. Researchers must adhere to ethical norms to ensure trust,

accountability, mutual respect, and fairness.

5. Triangulation provides researchers with the opportunity to present

multiple findings about a single phenomenon by deploying various
elements of quantitative and qualitative approaches in one research.

6. Ethical norms must be considered especially during the process of

gathering and presenting research data.

7. Problems encountered during the data gathering procedure can be

ignored.

8. The quantitative method aims to count things in order to explain what

is observed and is geared toward creating a complete and detailed
description of your observation as a researcher.

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 9. Researchers ought to discuss and explain how they dealt with
difficulties in collecting or analyzing their data.

10. An effective methodology section includes an introduction of the

methods, methodological connection, instruments, analysis,
background information, sampling process, and research limitations.

What I Have Learned

POST-TEST:
Directions: Complete the statement below by writing what you have learned
from the discussion about writing the research methodology. Do this
in your activity notebook.

I have learned that ________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________.

REFERENCES
https://www.guide2research.com/research/how-to-write-research-
methodology

https://www.scribbr.co.uk/thesis-dissertation/methodology/

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 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF NEGROS ORIENTAL

SENEN PRISCILLO P. PAULIN, CESO V

Schools Division Superintendent

FAY C. LUAREZ, TM, Ed.D., Ph.D.

OIC - Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
Acting CID Chief

NILITA L. RAGAY, Ed.D.

OIC - Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

ROSELA R. ABIERA
Education Program Supervisor – (LRMDS)

ARNOLD R. JUNGCO
PSDS – Division Science Coordinator

MARICEL S. RASID
Librarian II (LRMDS)

ELMAR L. CABRERA
PDO II (LRMDS)

EVERON JOY P. CATANUS

CHERRY MAE L. ELVINIA
Writers

GERALD T. UBAG
Illustrator/Lay-out Artist

_________________________

ALPHA AND BETA QA

GRACIA RODEL B. DELORIA

DISCLAIMER
The information, activities and assessments used in this material are designed to provide
accessible learning modality to the teachers and learners of the Division of Negros Oriental. The
contents of this module are carefully researched, chosen, and evaluated to comply with the set
learning competencies. The writers and evaluator were clearly instructed to give credits to
information and illustrations used to substantiate this material. All content is subject to copyright
and may not be reproduced in any form without expressed written consent from the division.

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SYNOPSIS 10. T
9. T
This Self Learning Kit will develop students’ 8. F
understanding about the methodology 7. F
section of a research paper. The learners 6. T
will gain knowledge on the techniques by 5. T
applying what they learned from the 4. T
lesson discussed above and hopefully will 3. F
guide them in their future studies. 2. F
1. T
Try This
10. Research
9. Experiment
8. Quantitative
7. Qualitative
6. Mix Methods
5. Researcher
4. Qualitative
3. Research Methods
2. Research Methodology
1. Methodology
What Happened

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Everon Joy P. Catanus finished her bachelor’s degree at
Negros Oriental State University—Dumaguete City Campus
in the year 2016 and is currently completing her master’s
degree in English Teaching at Foundation University. She is
presently a grade 7 adviser and teaches English 7,
Developmental Reading 7, and ESP 7. She also functions as
the School Paper Adviser and Junior High School Registrar
at Zamboanguita Science High School, Zamboanguita
District.

Cherry Mae L. Elvinia completed her BSE-Biological Science

degree at Claret College in the year 2017 of Isabela and
earned master’s units (Master of Arts in Teaching Science)
at Negros Oriental State University. She teaches Research IV
and MAPEH 7. She is a teacher-facilitator and is designated
as the School Property Custodian and Laboratory In-
Charge at Zamboanguita Science High School,
Zamboanguita District.

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