There is a basic difference between research methodology and research method. Research methodology.

Research methodology:

Research Methods

Datta, R., Khyang, U. N., Khyang, H. K. P., Kheyang, H. A. P., Khyang, M. C., & Chapola, J., (2015). Participatory action research and researcher’s responsibilities: An experience with Indigenous community. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 18(6)DOI: 10.1080/13645579.2014.927492.

There is a basic difference between research methodology and research method. Research methodology.

Research methodology:

Research Methods

Datta, R., Khyang, U. N., Khyang, H. K. P., Kheyang, H. A. P., Khyang, M. C., & Chapola, J., (2015). Participatory action research and researcher’s responsibilities: An experience with Indigenous community. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 18(6)DOI: 10.1080/13645579.2014.927492.

As Ranjan Datta clarifies, the two are different. But methodology means logos about methods. If research methodology has the meaning of presenting the research methods used, it is etymologically correct.

If research methodology has the meaning of "I use this methodology to solve the problem", it is not correct. I apply the method and respect the research methodology.

I agree with Ranjan Datta. The methodology is the justification for the research method, while the research method is to the tools, which is more of an aspect of the methodology.

I also agree with Ranjan Datta. I personally would say that. methods are tools and techniques, while methodology is about the larger questions involved in why methods are used the ways that they.

I think that the main reason the two get confused is that too many people wrongly say methodology when they are simply talking about methods. Apparently they think this some how "elevates" what they are saying.

I agree with the others weighing in here that the distinction between research methodology often gets blurred or confused. In my own case I regard the term research methodology to be the overriding umbrella term that applies to the various approaches that might be brought to bear to address a particular research question, covering the broad waterfront of qualitative to quantitative one. Out of this myriad of possible approaches to a question a particular approach or research method will be zeroed in on based largely on a review of the literature, or if choosing to not go with the flow, providing a rationale for departure from convention, that defines the specific plan for proceeding with the research in question.

In others a researcher invariably proceeds from a consideration of research methodology, which entails identifying the various ways and means that can be brought to bear on a particular research question to consideration of the pros and con and feasibility of the specific research methods that might be brought to bear on a particular research question on hand. Moreover it needs to be kept in mind that the results obtained from any study may well prove to be a function of the research methods selected, with different methods often yielding different and incompatible results.

Just to clarify the matter further I will provide three examples to illustrate the above. First of all there is the research on ’lie detection’ using various physiological measures in controlled laboratory conditions involving student research subjects randomly assigned to groups that are instructed to lie or be truthful to questions posed to them. The purpose here would be for the person reading the physiological responses to accurately determine correct or truthful responses or corresponding lies. Another quite different way of going about this type of study would be to use suspected offenders where the truth of a respondent is not as evident as in the foregoing student study. These two very different approaches illustrate the risky business of generalizing the result of the former to the latter.

My second example would entail zoological studies. Clearly a study of the behaviour of various species in zoos is more convenient and easier to accomplish than observations of them in the wild But at the same time it would be evident that one of these approaches would yield more valid results of normal than

the other.

My final example involves the study of individual differences of a person’s capacity to think purposely and act rationally, which is frequently achieved by some form of intelligence testing. Most intro psychology students would likely equate the question of how to measure intelligence as being one and the same as IQ testing whereas a more fundamental question from a research methodological perspective might be whether there is more to intelligence than IQ and expand the measurement of this aptitude accordingly.

The bottom line here is that research methodology serves as the framework within which any research undertaking is conceptualized. One then proceeds to provision of a rationale for the selection of specific ways and means of undertaking the collection of data related to that particular question based on some form of appeal to authority or precedent of what appears to be the best way of accomplishing that task. In the same way as there may be many ways to skin a cat, there are many different ways of accomplishing a research task with some invariably being deemed more legitimate or defensible than others.

The research methods are often confused with research methodology, which implies the scientific analysis of the research methods, so as to find a solution to the problem at hand. Hence, it seems apt to clarify the differences between research method and research methodology at this juncture, have a look.

Research Method implies the methods employed by the researcher to conduct research. Research methodology signifies way to efficiently solving research problems.

Key Differences Between Research Method and Research Methodology

The differences between research method and research methodology can be drawn clearly on the following grounds:

The research method is defined as the procedure or technique applied by the researcher to undertake research. On the other hand, research methodology is a system of methods, used scientifically for solving the research problem.

The research method is nothing but the behaviour or tool, employed in selecting and building research technique. Conversely, research methodology implies the science of analysing, the manner in which research is conducted appropriately.

The research method is concerned with carrying out experiment, test, surveys, interviews, etc. As against this, research methodology is concerned with learning various techniques which can be employed in the performance of experiment, test or survey.

Research method covers various investigation techniques. Unlike, research methodology, which consists of complete approach aligned towards the attainment of purpose.

Research method intends to discover the solution to the problem at hand. In contrast, research methodology aspires to apply appropriate procedures, with a view to ascertaining solutions.