Dissertation methodology is the most important part of the thesis or dissertation work. It is because it tells the reader about what methods you used for performing your research.
It details the process and all the techniques and strategies of your thesis. A well-written methodology describes how you concluded, why you chose this method, and how this method led you to the answer you raise in your problem statement.
So here in this read, you will find some exciting points that will make it easier for you to write a methodology for your thesis, dissertation, or research paper. We have brought some helpful tips to write good methodology and answers to a few frequently asked questions.
So, without wasting a single moment, let’s get into it.
What Is Methodology?
When you’re working on a research paper or thesis/dissertation, you have to explain what makes you get the answer to your research question. The methodology gives information to the reader on how you get the conclusion of your problem statement.
In what way did your research plan come true. The reader evaluates reliability, the validity of the work. What sample size did you take, from where did you collect the data, materials you have used to conduct the result of your problem, and more.
All the information about the activities should be written in the methodology section. Every research type has its specifications. So, academic guidelines can also help you understand inserting more information according to your paper’s needs.
To write an accurate methodology and understand how to input the information correctly and interestingly, keep reading to write a methodology for a dissertation/thesis.
Why is Methodology Section Important?
Writing methodology means you are providing legitimacy for your research. The wrong composed methodology takes you toward the wrong results.
The reader of your paper requires you to choose an authentic and reliable way of solving your research problem. Using a repeatable method is essential. It means that anyone who chooses the same method to solve a similar type of research reaches the correct and valid results.
In this section, we usually write about the sample size for the paper, from where we collected the data, and for which specific period. Here we explain all about the dependent and independent variables and related variables (if any) talk about the formulas and tools we are using to analyze data.
Steps to Write Methodology
Here we go to discuss the steps to steps methodology. It will give us the right way with ease.
Step 1- Write Your Problem Statement Again
You have to start writing your problem statement again because it can help the reader follow the step-by-step method you are solving. In this, the reader can easily relate your explained variables and understand the formula that constructs to bring your valid answer.
For example, “Capital Structure Impact profitability.” Your research topic’s problem statement is ” Does capital structure create any impact on a company’s profitability?”
Discussing your problem statement will help explain variables like the above example, “capital structure” is an independent variable, and “profitability” is a dependent variable. This way, addressing any assumption and explaining the hypothesis becomes more understanding.
Step 2- Explain Methodological Approach
Now it’s time to explain what method to choose and why. Here you will tell your reader what methodological approach you need for your investigation. For example, “if your question needs a describing approach or needs some facts and figures.”
Do you need to collect primary data or secondary? Is your data controllable or descriptive data that is based on observation.
It would help if you had quantitative data to explain your topic and set its assumptions in words. And in the other approach, you need to collect quantitative data expressed in numbers, and your problem will be solved on the facts and the figure. For instance, the above example topic needs a quantitative approach for collecting data such as “figures for structuring capital in different companies and ratios of profitability.”
Step 3- Data Analysing Method
Here you explain how you will analyze the data you collect to get the answers. It would help if you went straight to the data analyzing method without too much detail. And also, there is no need to discuss results in this section.
For example, If your paper is based on quantitative research, you must have collected numeric data. So, you would describe in the method section: your sample size, such as “ten-year data of seven top-rated companies in a specific industry.” How did you collect your data, like through “surveys or online collection of past data, etc.?”
Another thing you would explain is what software you will be using to analyze your data, such as SPSS, Stata, or any other. Which test will apply, like regression analysis, t-test, one-tailed or two-tailed regression, correlation, simple linear regression, etc.?
In the Quantitative method, your analysis would be based on observation images. In short, it’s a wordy description. In this regard, you may need to take “content analysis, in which you explain the meanings of wording, sentences, or phrases.”
Thematic analysis, in this you have to examine coding closely to identify larger theme patterns.
Step 4- Answer To Justify Your Methodological Choice
In the fourth step, you have to tell your reader why you choose this method for your research problem-solving.
This step is essential, especially when you did not take the most standard method choice to your problem. You have to tell why other approaches were not suitable for answering your topic and how your selection contributes to your research best way.
Here you will also discuss the weaknesses or limitations of your chosen approach but must justify how it is outweighed for your dissertation.
For example, “lab testing does not always relate to real-life circumstances, but it can give accurate results about the relationship between the variables.” A
nd also, some “amorphous interviews general results that can never be applied beyond that specific group, but they are more precisely providing the answer for participants’ thoughts, feeling, and emotion.”
Tips To Write Methodology
Make sure your whole methodology doesn’t only rely on describing the method of your topic. But also show why and how you applied to get the results and how generous it is.
1. Prioritize To Answer Your Objectives
Your methodology should transparently show how the best approach suits your research questions. Keep remembering the main purpose of your dissertation.
2. Add Existing Reference
Referencing gives more strength to your methodology. It is necessary to follow established research practices for your relevant research type. It will help you clarify your methodologies in a better way. Also, discussing various methodologies with the reader helps you decide your method for your dissertation.
3. Consider Your Reader
It is more important to write for your reader. There is no need to add too much or irrelevant information. Your methodology should be written clearly and built in a well-structured manner. Make structured arguments instead of listing technical facts.
4. Talking About Obstacles
Somehow we have you go through some difficulties while collecting our research data. Explain your obstacles and how you managed to deal with that hurdle.
Some Frequently Ask Questions
What Do You Understand By Method Or Methodology?
Methodology means the strategy for solving the research problem. What theories, methods, and principles that you use to explain your progress. And method means the specific tool or procedure to analyze your data.
What Is a Quantitative And Qualitative Method?
Quantitative means when it deals with numerical or statistical data. At the same time, qualitative method research depends on words, phrases, sentences, etc.
What is Sampling?
Sampling refers to making a subset from a larger scale population. Select a set of specific groups from which you collect data for the research paper.
Where Does Methodology Section In A Dissertation?
Usually, the methodology comes after the introduction. In most of the dissertations, there are more heading after introduction, such as problem statement, the scope of the study, and then methodology comes. But this has become before the results and conclusion.
