Explain the Research Methods versus methodology

Explain the Research Methods versus methodology

Research Methods versus Methodology: 

    It seems appropriate at this juncture to explain the difference between research methods and research methodology. Research methods may be understood as all those methods/techniques that are used for conduction of research. Research methods or techniques', thus, refer to the methods.

    At times, a distinction is also made between research techniques and research methods. Research techniques refer to the behavior and instruments we use in performing research operations such as making observations, recording data, techniques of processing data and the like. Research methods refer to the behavior and instruments used in selecting and constructing research technique. For instance, the difference between methods and techniques of data collection can better be understood from the details given in the following chart -

Research Methods and Techniques

Type	Methods		Techniques
1. Library Research	(i) Analysis of historical records		Recording of notes, Content analysis, Tape and Film listening and analysis.
	(ii) Analysis of documents		Statistical compilations and manipulations, reference and abstract guides, content analysis.
2. Field	(i) Non participant direct observation		Observational behavioral scales, use of score cards, etc.
	(ii) Participant observations		Interactional recording, possible use of tape records, photographic techniques.
	(iii) Mass observation		Recording mass behavior, interview using independent observers in public places.
	(iv) Mail questionnaire		Identification of social and economic background of respondents.
	(v) Opinionnaire		Use of attitude scales, projective techniques, use of sociometric scales.
	(vi) Personal interview		Interviewer uses a detailed schedule with open and closed questions.
	(vii) Focused interview		Interviewer focuses attention upon a given experience and its effects.
	(viii) Group interview		Small groups of respondents are interviewed simultaneously.
	(ix) Telephone survey		Used as a survey technique for information and for discerning opinion; may also be used as a follow up of questionnaire.
	(x) Case study and life history		Cross sectional collection of data for intensive analysis, longitudinal collection of data of intensive character.
3. Laboratory Research	Small group study of random behavior, play and role analysis		Use of audio-visual recording devices, use of observers, etc.

Conclusion

    From what has been stated above, we can say that methods are more general. It is the methods that generate techniques. However, in practice, the two terms are taken as interchangeable and when we talk of research methods we do, by implication, include research techniques within their compass.

    Researchers use in performing research operations. In other words, all those methods which are used by the researcher during the course of studying his research problem are termed as research methods. Since the object of research, particularly the applied research, is to arrive at a solution for a given problem, the available data and the unknown aspects of the problem have to be related to each other to make a solution possible. Keeping this in view, research methods can be put into the following three groups:

 

1. In the first group we include those methods which are concerned with the collection of data already available are not sufficient to arrive at the required solution; 
2. The second group consists of those statistical techniques which are used for establishing relationships between the data and unknowns;
3. The third group consists of those methods which are used to evaluate the accuracy of results obtained.

    Research methods falling in the above stated last two groups are generally taken as the analytical tools of research.

    Research methodology is a way to systematically solve the research problem. It may be understood as a science of studying how research is done scientifically. In it we study the various steps that are generally adopted by a researcher in studying his research problem along with the logic behind them. It is necessary for the researcher to know not only the research methods/techniques but also the methodology. Researchers not only need to know how to develop certain indices or tests, how to calculate the mean, the mode, the median or the standard deviation or chi-square, how to apply particular research techniques, but they also need to know which of these methods or techniques, are relevant and which are not, and what would they mean and indicate and why. Researchers also need to understand the assumptions underlying various techniques and they need to know the criteria by which they can decide that certain techniques and procedures will be applicable to certain problems and others will not.

     All this means that it is necessary for the researcher to design his methodology for his problem as the same may differ from problem to problem. For example, an architect, who designs a building, has to consciously evaluate the basis of his decisions, i.e. he has to evaluate why and on what basis he selects particular size, number and location of doors, windows and ventilators, uses particular materials and not others and the like. Similarly, in research the scientist has to expose the research decisions to evaluation before they are implemented. He has to specify very clearly and precisely what decisions he selects and why he selects them so that they can be evaluated by others also.

   From what has been stated above, we can say that research methodology has many dimensions and research methods do constitute a part of the research methodology. The scope of research methodology is wider than that of research methods. Thus, when we talk of research methodology we not only talk of the research methods but also consider the logic behind the methods we use in the context of our research study and explain why we are using a particular method or technique and why we are not using others so that research results are capable of being evaluated either by the researcher himself or by others. Why a research study has been undertaken, how the research problem has been defined, in what way and why the hypothesis has been formulated, what data have been collected and what particular method has been adopted, why particular technique of analyzing data has been used and a host of similar other questions are usually answered when we talk of research methodology concerning a research problem or study.