CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY
 METHODOLOGY

What is research methodology?

A research methodology describes the techniques and procedures used to
identify and analyze information regarding a specific research topic. It is a process
by which researchers design their study so that they can achieve their objectives
using the selected research instruments. It includes all the important aspects of
research, including Research Design, Samples and Sampling Techniques, Research
Instruments, Validation of Instruments, Data Gathering Procedures, Statistical
Tools and Treatments, within which the research is conducted. While these points
can help you understand what is research methodology, you also need to know why
it is important to pick the right methodology.
CHAPTER 3 - METHODS/METHODOLOGY
Comprehensive Description:
✓ Research Design
✓ Samples and Sampling Techniques
✓ Research Instruments
✓ Validation of Instruments
✓ Data Gathering Procedures
✓ Statistical Tools and Treatments
Research design
Research is a strategy for answering your research
question using empirical data. Creating a research design
means making decisions about:

• Your overall research objectives and approach

• Whether you’ll rely on primary research or secondary
research
• Your sampling methods or criteria for selecting subjects
• Your data collection methods
• The procedures you’ll follow to collect data
• Your data analysis methods
What should be written in Research Design?

• The brief description and justification of the Research

Design used should be explained.
• Research Design in Research is categorized according to
the procedure the researcher collects and analyzes data
and his research purpose.

Two types of Research design:

QUALITATIVE and QUANTITAVE Research
Qualitative and Quantitative Research Similarities and Differences
Differences:
• Qualitative Research -Deals directly with historical problems of cause
and effect or interpretation of unique social phenomena.
• Quantitative Research - Represent the responses of large numbers
of individuals to different kinds of stimuli,
Similarities:
• Share concerns "in problem- finding, in explaining the relationships of
data to claim, in theory, building and in explaining particular cases
in the light of established knowledge and theory.

The two sets of methods allow researchers to deal with problems of

various dimensions in different context.
 Comparison of Quantitative and Qualitative

Quantitative Qualitative

Procedure Experiment Observation

Standardized instruments Open ended interview
Structured interview Review of documents
Structured Observation Participants of
observation

Data collection Statistical Descriptive

Operationalized Variables Field Notes
Documents
Interviews
Research Design
This study adopts a phenomenological research design to explore the
lived experiences of individuals who have [describe the phenomenon].
Phenomenology is appropriate because it seeks to understand participants'
subjective experiences and meanings (Creswell, 2018). A qualitative approach
is chosen as it allows for an in-depth exploration of participants' perspectives,
beliefs, and experiences in a naturalistic setting (Merriam & Tisdell, 2016).

Example of how to write this section:

This study employs a phenomenological design to explore the
experiences of first-generation college students in navigating academic
challenges. A phenomenological approach is suitable because it seeks to
understand how participants make sense of their lived experiences
(Moustakas, 1994).
Research Questions
The research is guided by the following questions:
1.What are the lived experiences of [participant group]
regarding [phenomenon]?
2.How do participants perceive and interpret their
experiences with [specific aspect of the
phenomenon]?
3.What challenges and coping mechanisms do
participants describe in relation to [phenomenon]?
Participants and Sampling
Population and Sample
The population for this study consists of [describe your target group]. The sample includes
[number] participants selected using purposive sampling, a method commonly used in
qualitative research to ensure that participants have direct experience with the phenomenon
under study (Patton, 2015).
Sampling Strategy
Purposive sampling is used to identify participants who meet the following criteria:
•Must have experienced [phenomenon].
•Must be at least [age] years old.
•Must be willing to participate in an in-depth interview.
Recruitment will occur through social media advertisements, professional networks, and
referrals.
Example:
Ten first-generation college students attending a public university in the United States
will be selected through purposive sampling. Participants must be enrolled full-time and
identify as first-generation students, meaning neither parent holds a four-year college degree.
Participants in the study
Participants in the study are individuals or entities involved in the
study, providing data or being subject to observation. They are selected
based on the research objectives and may include people, animals,
organizations, or specific groups relevant to the study's focus.

Research instruments
Research instruments are tools or techniques used to collect data
in a research study. These can include surveys, questionnaires,
interviews, observations, experiments, and other methods designed to
gather information for analysis and study purposes.
Data gathering procedure
Data gathering is the first and most important
step in the research process, regardless of the type of
research being conducted. It entails collecting,
measuring, and analyzing information about a specific
subject.

Instrument validation
Instrument validation in research refers to the process of
assessing the accuracy and effectiveness of the tools or instruments
used to collect data. It ensures that the instruments measure what
they are intended to measure and provide reliable and valid results.
Data Collection Methods
Interviews
Semi-structured interviews will serve as the primary data collection method.
Each interview will last approximately 45 to 60 minutes and will be
conducted via [Zoom/in person/phone] based on participant preference.
Interviews will follow an open-ended format to encourage participants to
share detailed experiences (Rubin & Rubin, 2012).
Example interview questions:
1.Can you describe your experience with [phenomenon]?
2.What challenges have you encountered while [specific aspect of
phenomenon]?
3.How do you perceive the impact of [phenomenon] on your daily life?
Observation (if applicable)
For additional context, non-participant observation will be conducted in
[setting] to capture behaviors and interactions related to [phenomenon].
Statistical description of data
Statistical description of data involves summarizing and
interpreting data using various statistical measures. This includes
measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode) to describe the
typical value, and measures of dispersion (range, variance, standard
deviation) to indicate the spread or variability of the data.
Additionally, frequency distributions, histograms, and other graphical
representations are employed to provide a visual overview of the
data distribution. These statistical tools help researchers analyze and
communicate key characteristics of their data sets.
Data Analysis
Data will be analyzed using thematic analysis, following Braun and Clarke's
(2006) six-step framework:
1.Familiarization with data – Transcribing and reviewing interviews.
2.Generating initial codes – Identifying key patterns.
3.Searching for themes – Grouping codes into overarching themes.
4.Reviewing themes – Refining and validating emerging themes.
5.Defining and naming themes – Assigning clear labels.
6.Producing the report – Integrating findings into the final analysis.
Example:
Interview transcripts will be coded using NVivo software, and themes will be
derived based on patterns emerging from participants’ narratives. To ensure
accuracy, a second researcher will independently review a subset of the data to
verify coding consistency.
Ethical Considerations
This study follows ethical guidelines set by the American
Psychological Association (APA, 2020) and has been approved by
the [Institutional Review Board (IRB)]. Participants will be provided
with informed consent forms explaining the study's purpose, risks,
and voluntary nature. Confidentiality will be maintained by
assigning pseudonyms and securely storing data.
Example:
Participants will be informed that they can withdraw at any time
without penalty. All audio recordings and transcripts will be stored
on a password-protected device and deleted after five years, per
APA guidelines.
Trustworthiness
Lincoln and Guba’s (1985) criteria for trustworthiness will be applied:

1.Credibility – Member checking and peer debriefing will ensure accurate interpretation of participant
responses.
2.Transferability – Thick descriptions will provide detailed context to enable applicability to similar
settings.
3.Dependability – An audit trail of coding decisions will be maintained.
4.Confirmability – Reflexivity journaling will minimize researcher bias.
Example:
"To enhance credibility, participants will have the opportunity to review interview summaries for
accuracy. Peer debriefing with colleagues will also help verify the consistency of emerging themes."
Limitations
This study has certain limitations, including:

•Small sample size, which may limit generalizability.

•Potential participant bias, as responses are based on self-reported experiences.
•Time constraints, which may affect data collection depth.

Conclusion
This chapter detailed the methodology used in the study, including research design, participant selection, data collection,
and analysis procedures. Ethical considerations and trustworthiness strategies were also discussed. The next chapter will
present the study's findings based on the thematic analysis of participant narratives.
 Research Design
Qualitative approach
 biography, phenomenological
approach, policy analysis,
ethnography
Choose the one that will achieve the
objectives of the study & answer the
statements of the problem
NOTE: NOT all research
problems can be answered by
qualitative designs
The Sample/Research Respondents

This describes the sample profile,

sample size and sampling procedure
In qualitative study, the sample & sampling
technique are determined by fitness of purpose
and not by the quantity of the respondents
Research Instruments
A description of the adoption, constructions, and
administration of instruments should be included.

Tests, questionnaires, interviews

guidelines and / schedules, focused
group discussions, participants/non-
participant observation technique
Research Instruments
Apparatuses, devices, and laboratory
equipment used should be described

In the case of complex or custom –

made equipment, a drawing or
photograph is recommended
Data Gathering Procedure
The procedure followed in conducting
the study should be explained in
complete detail
Techniques, devices, and procedures
followed should be described
Identify your sources of data.
If questionnaire will be used, explain
what kind and how it will be constructed
if it is original, how it is pre-tested,
distribution, retrieval, collation, etc.
Thus, your procedures may include:
Construction of the questionnaire,
validation, distribution, retrieval, collation,
presentation of data and interpretation
Data Gathering Procedure
Any errors or weaknesses in the
procedures that have been discovered
during the conduct of the research
should be pointed out, and any
consequent limitations upon the
research results should be fully noted.
 Please find time to read and study this lesson
Within your research group then you may
Start writing your Chapter 3
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