Brief Summary
This tutorial serves as an introduction to methodology, research approaches, research designs, and specific research methods. It emphasizes that the term "methodology" can be used in various ways in academic writing, sometimes interchangeably with "research methods." The video also highlights the importance of understanding the different meanings and applications of terms like "research approach" and "research design," and it briefly touches on specific research methods and their role in data collection.
- Methodology is the study of methods, the theory of methods, or the science of finding out.
- Research approach is the general methodological orientation (quantitative, qualitative, multi-method).
- Research design is the plan for implementing or executing the research.
- Research methods are the specific means of collecting data.
Introduction to Methodology
The tutorial introduces the concept of methodology, distinguishing it from research methods. Methodology is presented as the overarching framework for conducting research, encompassing the entire research journey. The video acknowledges that terms like "method," "methodology," and others are used differently across academic disciplines and by different scholars.
Research Approach
The video explains that a research approach is the general methodological orientation, such as quantitative, qualitative, or multi-method. It notes that this orientation is also referred to as a research paradigm, strategy, or design by some. The presenter defines "approach" as a way of dealing with things, applicable in various research contexts, including critical, decolonial, theoretical, and philosophical perspectives.
Research Design
Research design is defined as the plan for implementing or executing the research, guided by the chosen research approach. It involves planning the specifics of how the research will be conducted, including who, where, when, and what. Research designs can vary in complexity and flexibility, with some being rigid and pre-planned, while others are adaptable as the research progresses.
Specific Research Methods
Specific research methods are the means of collecting data. The tutorial mentions that upcoming videos will cover research methods commonly used in organizational communication research, detailing the types of data they generate, as well as population sampling, instrumentation, data collection, and analysis techniques.
