M ETHODS AND METHODOLOGY Elena Khon Eng 501 Dr. Barbara Toth 1

D EFINITION Methodology may be a description of process, or may be expanded to include a philosophically coherent collection of theories, concepts or ideas as they relate to a particular discipline or field of inquiry. Scientific method refers to a body of techniques for investigating phenomena, acquiring new knowledge, or correcting and integrating previous knowledge. 2

W HAT IS INSIDE ? Methodology may refer to nothing more than a simple set of methods or procedures, or it may refer to the rationale and the philosophical assumptions that underlie a particular study relative to the scientific method. A scientific method consists of the collection of data through observation and experimentation, and the formulation and testing of hypotheses. 3

H OW TO WRITE IT ? You need to determine the question(s) that you are attempting to answer and the problems that you might face in finding answers. You will need to provide a thorough description of how you will go about collecting the necessary data as well as the analytical procedure you will use to draw conclusions based on this information. It should demonstrate that you took various variables into account and that you can be reasonably assured that the results are accurate. You might also provide justification for selecting this method of research. 4

Regardless of the problems you are facing with your proposal methodology with this hints and believe in yourself-success is guaranteed. Good luck! 5

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