Research Methods

Research Methodology

Methodologies provide a useful way to structure research projects.  Generally, methodologies can be categorised as either quantitative or qualitative.  The third methodology is known as mixed methods.  Mixed methods allow researchers to use aspects of both quantitative and qualitative methods to gain a more complete understanding of the problem.  Each methodology has a number of strategies of inquiry associated with it.

The following table is taken from Creswell’s(2009) book on research design.  It provides a useful table to illustrate which strategies are associated with each methodology. Click on the links for further information on your chosen methodology or, if applicable, your strategy of inquiry.

*Creswell, John W.  (2009) Research design: qualitative, and mixed methods approaches.  Sage, Los Angeles, pp 12