how to write a methodology
How to Write a Methodology
Writing a methodology becomes difficult for most of the students at the time of writing a research paper or dissertation. We shall see some information that will help one understand how to write a methodology chapter.
- Title Page
- Table of Contents
- Chapter I - Introduction
- Chapter II - Background
- Chapter III - Methodology
- Chapter IV - Results
- Chapter V - Conclusions and Recommendations
- References
- Appendix
- Participants: You need to define the population or sample you have taken into consideration in this part. Then, you need to explain how many participants or samples were included in the study and the way you selected them. For example, "The population considered for this study is defined is the number of OPD patients who have made a purchase from the hospital pharmacy during the time frame of this sampling." You can explain the population considered using just one short statement or explanation. However, when it comes to the procedure of sampling, you need to explain it in detail. You will also have to give details of how you selected the sample, the place, time, specific names (if possible or needed), number of participants or samples considered, etc. Do not miss out on any details, as it very important to explain the representation of your population to the reader.
- Instrumentation: The instrumentation part is where you explain the calculations, techniques, procedures, calibration plots, or equipment used, whichever is applicable for your paper. If you have conducted a survey, then explain how, when, and why you conducted it. If you are using a survey conducted by someone else, make sure that you cite the source. You should include the original copy of the survey in the appendix and state in your methodology that the survey is included in the appendix.
- Time Period and Procedure: Another important aspect is to explain when you began conducting your research and the time it ended or will end. You should also explain any of the procedures you followed while conducting the research, such as filling consent forms by the participants, instructions handed out to the participants, etc.
- Analysis: Now comes the most significant part of writing a methodology, where you need to analyze the data that you acquired in detail. You need to answer each of the research questions that you have to address. Perform the statistical tests, specifically the ones that help identify the dependent and independent variables in the data (if present). You can even explain the software that was used to help you come to the conclusion.
- Assessment: In case of the instruments you have used for your research, e.g., a survey, you need to prove its validity as well as reliability. You need to include the face validity of your survey, content validity that covers the topic, and construct validity that refers to the theories you have used to explore the survey. Reliability is the stability of your research over time. If your survey consists of a measurement that can undergo random errors, it loses its reliability.
- Assumptions: As you are writing a research paper, you will need to propose the assumptions that you made at the outset. You will need to specifically state the different assumptions made to support your research questions.
- Limitations and Scope: Limitations and scope is the part and parcel of every research. Scope is the extent to which the research can be expanded and limitations include the time constraints, lack/loss of participants, etc. The quality of the research takes a downfall with an increase in the number of limitations.