In social science research, research strategy and research methodology are often used interchangeably, yet upon examination of many articles, in particular the methodology section, there seems to be significant differences that are difficult to articulate. What are your views on this?
I agree with Your term "interchangeability"! This question is explained here:
http://researchletters.org/2012/01/15/what-is-the-difference-between-research-methods-and-research-methodology/
Also, I do find this paper very useful for this issue regarding the difference between research strategy and research methodology!
I agree with Your term "interchangeability"! This question is explained here:
http://researchletters.org/2012/01/15/what-is-the-difference-between-research-methods-and-research-methodology/
Also, I do find this paper very useful for this issue regarding the difference between research strategy and research methodology!
Hi everyone,
I think each time people discuss these Dialectical Questions, they almost have the same result; that: for each philosophical topic there are a number of perspectives and points of view, and all of them have a piece of reality. it's depends on your background, accumulated knowledge, and your perception of life, facts, and reality.
For example Prof Mahfuze's answer could be used to clarify the difference between Research Methodology and Research Methods as it used for the difference between Research Strategy and Research Methodology.
Thanks, Ljubomir -
A very concise and succinct article! I could not have explained it better myself!
Research Methodology is generic knowledge relating to how research could be undertaken. Research strategy is one specific course of action being followed in a specific instance. A course on methodology would include different ways of dealing with different research problems. Research strategy would be a unique choice of research method adopted to one specific problem.
Kothari C.R. Research Methodology : Methods & Techniques. — New Delhi ; Bangalore ; Mumbai : New Age International Ltd., 2009. — 418 p.
“Research methods may be understood as all those methods/techniques that are used for conduction of research. Research methods or techniques, thus, refer to the methods the researchers use in performing research operations” [p. 3].
“Research methodology is a way to systematically solve the research problem” [p. 4]
“Thus, when we talk of research methodology we not only talk of the research methods but also consider the logic behind the methods we use in the context of our research study and explain why we are using a particular method or technique and why we are not using others so that research results are capable of being evaluated either by the researcher himself or by others” [p. 4].
I think an answer that may be appropriate answer in grad school will not be an appropriate answer in many undergraduate classes. This interchangeability is fine for researchers but how do you explain it to a neophyte in a succinct way?
I am free to propose a CRISP approach which is very obvious from the following scheme.
http://www.integreon.com/solutions/research-solutions/strategic-research.html
A big thank you to everyone for their valuable and insightful comments.
It was a good discussion, I enjoyed reading it. In my opinion Research Strategy is covered Research Methodology. Research Methodology is a general term for all researchers while Research strategy denotes plans and actions of of a researcher when he is dealing with a particular research problem with his particular set of objectives, questions and methods which he selected for his investigations.
- Badges
- Science method
- Similar topics
- Methodology
- Research Methodology
- Qualitative Research