Methodology

Methodology in research serves as a structured approach to acquiring scientific knowledge, drawing upon reasoning, senses, and intuition as sources of knowledge (Paltridge & Starfield, 2007). During the production of knowledge, these three sources are used alone or sometimes together. However, for acquiring or creating scientific knowledge, it must have certain characteristics. Foremost among these is that scientific knowledge must proceed in accordance with a discipline at all stages and fully realize the application of certain procedures. In addition, in the study prepared for scientific information, the limitations, past experiences or prejudices of the researcher that may affect the result of the study should be explained in detail. Thus, methods in scientific studies can be called as procedural templates that contain all these contents together. Researchers choose one of these templates that is suitable for their purposes and the conditions of their studies and follow it from the beginning to the end of the research process. By this way, information emerges, each stage of which can be controlled by different researchers and can be repeated and confirmed when necessary. Since following the scientific process fit methodological requirements is the only way to achieve to create scientific knowledge for researchers, methodology knowledge becomes more important.  Figure 3 gives a brief overview of the sub-headings of methodology. However, all the elements in methodology are more detailed.  

Figure 3 is a visual map of the research methodology and shows typical components of the research methodology. This map guides researchers to understand the steps, methods, and strategies in the research process. For example, methodological elements such as data collection methods, analysis techniques, participant selection, sampling methods, and ethical guidelines are represented in this map. Researchers can use this map to create a conceptual framework when planning their own studies or when they want to understand existing methodological approaches.