How to write Research Methodology in dissertation for PhD Scholars

Introduction

In dissertation includes multiple chapters such as abstract, introduction, Literature Review, research methodology, results, conclusion and future work.  Most of the researchers concentrate on the research methodology chapter because, in this chapter, they innovate new concepts, techniques and their applications.  When we start to write the Research Methodology, some questions are arises like,

• How am I going to conduct the research?
• Can my research resolve the problems?
• What are the reasons to do the research work?

For that reason, we need to design the road map according to research. The research scholars need to differentiate between methodology and methods. The methodology referred to a theoretical analysis of the research, and the method is referring as systematic and measurement of research work.  Research methodology requires different methodologies. Different kind of research requires different methodologies.

Useful Tips in writing research methodology

Selecting methodology is based on the research work. The objective of the research work to answer the research questions. In general, the Research Work Includes Research Design,

Bring back the problems: The Methodology section of a Dissertation generally follows another section, typically the literature review. Therefore to make sure that your readers are focused on the central research question, you should restate it once more in a brief description.

Put in the layers: While explaining the techniques and methods that are using for your research, you need to be organized. After you have restated the problem statement, you need to mention the context of the methods.

Reproducibility: Draft the methods and techniques as you perform them. Do not wait to finish the research for starting to write the methodology. Writing while performing the methods will help you to mention every little detail and tricks about the method

Justify: Always justify the methods which are selected by the researchers. The justification should be sounding enough for the reader to agree with the research work.

Cite: here, we mention the sources that came to know about the particular method.

In general, the Research Methodology is prepared by some specific model or structure. In this article, the Research Onion model, which is one of the most popular models used in academic researches.

The research methodology can be categorized into different layers or parameters such as Research Philosophy, Research Approaches, Research Strategies, Time Horizons and Data Collection Methods.

Research Philosophy: The research philosophy identifies the specific data set and where it has been gathered and utilized for research work. Commonly, a researcher selects some philosophies like positivism, realism and interpretivism.

Research Approach: The research approach categorizes the logical reasoning that is selected by researcher scholars. Typically, it has deductive and inductive approaches. The inductive approach agrees with a new theory based on the collected information, and the deductive approach supports making if the grouped information aligns with existing theories.

Research Strategies: Research strategies comprise the nature and source of the data which are collected to meet the intentions of the research study. Based on its nature, the information can be categorized into quantitative or qualitative. Otherwise, based on collected data, it can be either be primary or secondary.

Time Horizon: Time horizon delivers a clear cut idea of the timeline in which the research work has been accompanied. Typically, the time horizons are categorized into two, such as longitudinal and cross-sectional. In a cross-sectional study, the data signifies a phenomenon that takes place at a single point in a timeline.

Data Collection:  in this stage, the researcher collects the required data which are used in their research work and also, the scholars can identify the tool which is used by the research work.

What are the things need to avoid writing research methodology

• Avoid irrelevant information
• Avoid generic content and specifically write the research methodology information
• Need to include the data collection information
• Details explained the research work which is done by researchers.

Conclusion

At the end of Research Methodology Chapter, briefly explained the outcome of the research work and also answered the all research questions. They should be clear and precise.

References

1. Sandelowski, Margarete, and Julie Barroso. “Writing the proposal for a qualitative research methodology project.” Qualitative health research 13, no. 6 (2003): 781-820.
2. Polio, Charlene. “Research methodology in second language writing research: The case of text-based studies.” On second language writing (2001): 91-115.
3. Kothari, Chakravanti Rajagopalachari. Research methodology: Methods and techniques. New Age International, 2004.
4. Flick, Uwe. “Introducing research methodology: A beginner’s guide to doing a research project.” (2015).
5. Lopez, Gerardo R., and Laurence Parker. Interrogating Racism in Qualitative Research Methodology. Counterpoints. Peter Lang Publishing, Inc., 275 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, 2003.