What Is a Research Methodology?

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Steps & Tips
Published on August 25, 2022 by Shona McCombes and Tegan George. Revised on January 30, 2023.

Your research methodology discusses and explains the data collection and analysis methods

you used in your research. A key part of your thesis, dissertation, or research paper, the
methodology chapter explains what you did and how you did it, allowing readers to evaluate
the reliability and validity of your research and your dissertation topic.

It should include:

 The type of research you conducted

 How you collected and analyzed your data
 Any tools or materials you used in the research
 How you mitigated or avoided research biases
 Why you chose these methods

Tips

 Your methodology section should generally be written in the past tense.

 Academic style guides in your field may provide detailed guidelines on what to include
for different types of studies.
 Your citation style might provide guidelines for your methodology section (e.g., an APA
Style methods section).

Table of contents

1. How to write a research methodology

2. Why is a methods section important?
3. Step 1: Explain your methodological approach
4. Step 2: Describe your data collection methods
5. Step 3: Describe your analysis method
6. Step 4: Evaluate and justify the methodological choices you made
7. Tips for writing a strong methodology chapter
8. Frequently asked questions about methodology

How to write a research methodology

Why is a methods section important?
Your methods section is your opportunity to share how you conducted your research and why
you chose the methods you chose. It’s also the place to show that your research was rigorously
conducted and can be replicated.
It gives your research legitimacy and situates it within your field, and also gives your readers a
place to refer to if they have any questions or critiques in other sections.