Writing your dissertation requires the different sections to not only be individually high quality but to also flow together well and effectively link together. The methodology is an important and essential section of your dissertation which explains how you carried out your research and why you chose the methods you did. Here are some tips to write an effective methodology:
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Be very clear about your research philosophy: Start by stating your overarching research philosophy, e.g., positivism, interpretivism, pragmatism. This informs your methodological choices and provides context for your reader. Briefly explain why this philosophy is appropriate for your research question.
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Clearly define your research design: Outline the specific design you employed, e.g., case study, survey, experiment, ethnography, mixed methods. Explain why this design was the most suitable for answering your research question and achieving your objectives.
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Detail your data collection methods: Provide a thorough description of how you collected your data. Or, if using databases, it would be good to reference literature where these databases have been used in prior research.
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Quantitative: Specify your sampling strategy, sample size, data collection instruments , e.g., questionnaires, surveys, and how you ensured validity and reliability.
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Qualitative: Describe your participant selection process, data collection methods and how you ensured trustworthiness.
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Mixed methods: Clearly articulate how you integrated your quantitative and qualitative approaches and the rationale behind this integration.
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Explain your data analysis techniques: Detail how you analysed the data you collected.
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Quantitative: Specify the statistical software or programming languages and packages used and the specific statistical tests performed. Justify why these tests were appropriate for your data and research questions.
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Qualitative: Describe your analytical approach, e.g., thematic analysis, discourse analysis, content analysis. Explain the steps you took to identify patterns, themes, and meanings in your data.
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Mixed methods: Explain how you integrated the findings from your quantitative and qualitative analyses to provide a more comprehensive understanding of your research question.
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Justify your choices: For every methodological decision you made, provide a clear and logical justification. Explain why you chose a particular sampling strategy, data collection method, or analysis technique. Referencing relevant literature can strengthen your justifications.
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Address ethical considerations: Clearly outline any ethical considerations related to your research, such as informed consent, anonymity, confidentiality, and data security. Explain how you addressed these considerations to ensure ethical research practice.
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Acknowledge limitations: Be honest about the limitations of your chosen methodology. No research design is perfect. Acknowledging potential limitations demonstrates critical self-awareness and strengthens the credibility of your work.
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Structure and clarity are key: Organize your methodology section logically with clear headings and subheadings. Use precise language and avoid jargon where possible. Ensure a smooth flow of information so your reader can easily understand your research process.
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Align with your research question and objectives: Constantly refer back to your research question and objectives. Ensure that your methodology directly addresses them and that your chosen methods are appropriate for answering what you set out to investigate.