I would be grateful if somebody can clearly explain the difference between methods and methodology.
Please refer to the the following helpful links that discuss the difference between methods and methodology:
https://deborahgabriel.com/2011/05/13/methods-and-methodology/#:~:text=Method%20is%20simply%20a%20research,using%20a%20particular%20research%20method.
https://www.scribbr.com/frequently-asked-questions/method-vs-methodology/
But in essence, methods are used in very specific and short research projects, whereas methodology is more comprehensive and used for larger research projects such as a thesis.
The above is a good explanation and good links. See also this link; I have copied some of it below. The reference is: https://uxdesign.cc/method-vs-methodology-whats-the-difference-9cc755c2e69d
UX refers to the website
"Method
A method is simply the tool used to answer your research questions — how, in short, you will go about collecting your data. Examples of UX research methods include:
- Contextual inquiry
- Interview
- Usability study
- Survey
- Diary study
- Card sort
Methodology
A methodology is the rationale for the research approach"
Methodologies are described as below; (some text omitted here; look at the website)
"
- Phenomenology: describes the “lived experience” of a particular phenomenon
- Ethnography: explores the social world or culture, shared beliefs and behaviors
- Participatory: views the participants as active researchers
- Ethnomethodology: examines how people use dialogue and body language to construct a world view
- Grounding theory*: assumes a blank slate and uses an inductive approach to develop a new theory"
In modern English there appears to be none. See virtually any science research journal. Best, D. Booth
In a research paper. the whole task from background information, statements of objectives, literature review up to data analysis, statement of results, conclusion and recommendation together constitute what is generally regarded as research methodology.
On the other hand, within the research methodology, the section immediately following the literature review is generally referred to as methods and procedure section. This is the section that details issues on sampling, data collection and statistical techniques to be used.
So research methodology is more encompassing than research methods alone.
I agree that methods are specific tools for collecting to analyzing data. Some people try to dress this up by referring to almost any use of methods as methodology. I prefer to think of methodology as what the root composition of the name implies: the study of methods. This is includes questions of how and why methods get used the way they do, but at the level of fields and disciplines, rather than individual projects.
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