Skip main navigation

New offer! Get 30% off one whole year of Unlimited learning. Subscribe for just £249.99 £174.99. New subscribers only T&Cs apply

Find out more

Why methodologies are important?

Research is a vast & often cyclical process with no clear path from A to B. Watch Emma Thompson explain how the correct research methodology can help.
5.5
EMMA: Research is a vast and often cyclical process with no clear path from a to b. But as with any kind of exploration, it is always worth following a path of some kind, the one that you think is most appropriate and you know that you can stick to. A methodology will give you that path. And choosing a wholly suitable and sound method that is right for your research project will give you the path to help you succeed. A methodology will give you the guidelines to make your project manageable, smooth and effective. What we’re going to do is hopefully convey the importance of choosing the right methodology. The most important thing is not to be led by your preconceptions.
53.3
You might already have an idea of a method that you would like to use, say a survey or a questionnaire. But if it’s not suitable for your project, then there’s no point in using it. The next step will give you some ideas of the different range of methodologies that you could possibly use. It’s worth having a look at these, also doing a little bit of research on them, and finding out which ones are more appropriate for your discipline than others. That way, you can make an informed judgement about which method is best for you to use.

Research is a vast and often cyclical process with no clear path from A to B. But as with any kind of exploration, it is always worth following a path of some kind, the one that you think is most appropriate and you know that you can stick to.

In this video, Emma explains how the correct methodology will give you the path to help you succeed.

Through this week’s activities we encourage you to:

  • find out what type of research methods are appropriate for your topic

  • consider in depth the benefits and drawbacks for the research methods that you have selected and whether your research questions and hypotheses may need re-thinking

  • update your research proposal to include your methodologies

This article is from the free online

Developing Your Research Project

Created by
FutureLearn - Learning For Life

Reach your personal and professional goals

Unlock access to hundreds of expert online courses and degrees from top universities and educators to gain accredited qualifications and professional CV-building certificates.

Join over 18 million learners to launch, switch or build upon your career, all at your own pace, across a wide range of topic areas.

Start Learning now