Research Methodology

3 lessons · 70 min

What you will learn

• Choose between qualitative, quantitative and mixed designs
• Plan sampling and data collection
• Address validity, reliability and ethics

Lessons

• 1. Choosing a design
• 2. Rigour and ethics
• 3. Sampling

Choosing a design

Your question decides the design. “How many / how much / does X predict Y” points to quantitative methods. “How / why do people experience X” points to qualitative methods. Questions needing both breadth and depth suit mixed methods.

Justify the choice in your methodology chapter: why this design, rather than the obvious alternative?

Example

Question: Why do some first-generation students leave university in year one? → Semi-structured interviews with thematic analysis.

Exercise

Set your method in project settings and read the method guidance it unlocks.