Comprehensive
Guide to Research Methodologies Across Disciplines
Research methodology refers to the systematic approach and procedures used to collect, analyze, and interpret data. Each discipline has preferred methods based on its epistemological foundations. Below is a detailed guide organized by academic branches.
1. Humanities (e.g., Literature, Philosophy, History,
Languages)
|
Methodology Type |
Description |
Examples |
|
Textual
Analysis |
Analyzing
texts for meaning, structure, and context |
Literary criticism,
hermeneutics |
|
Historical
Method |
Study of
documents and archives to understand past events |
Primary/secondary
source interpretation |
|
Philosophical
Inquiry |
Logical
reasoning, conceptual analysis |
Epistemology,
metaphysics |
|
Critical
Theory |
Deconstruction
of societal structures, ideologies |
Marxist,
feminist, and postcolonial studies |
|
Discourse
Analysis |
Studying
language use in texts/speech to reveal social meaning |
Political
speeches, literature, and media |
2. Social Sciences (e.g., Sociology, Political Science,
Psychology, Anthropology)
|
Methodology Type |
Description |
Techniques |
|
Quantitative
Research |
Uses
statistical tools to analyze numerical data |
Surveys,
questionnaires, experiments |
|
Qualitative
Research |
Explores
meaning, experiences, and narratives |
Interviews,
focus groups, and ethnography |
|
Mixed Methods |
Combines
qualitative and quantitative approaches |
Surveys +
interviews |
|
Case Study |
In-depth
analysis of a single unit (person, group, institution) |
Historical or
contemporary studies |
|
Grounded
Theory |
Building
theories based on data collected |
Thematic
coding of interviews |
3. Natural Sciences (e.g., Physics, Chemistry, Biology,
Earth Science)
|
Methodology Type |
Description |
Methods |
|
Experimental
Research |
Controlled
testing to establish cause-effect |
Laboratory
experiments |
|
Observational
Research |
Observing
natural phenomena without interference |
Field
studies, ecological observations |
|
Modeling and
Simulation |
Using
mathematical/computer models to replicate systems |
Climate
models, protein folding |
|
Longitudinal
Studies |
Observations
over time |
Disease
tracking, evolution studies |
4. Formal Sciences (e.g., Mathematics, Computer Science,
Logic, Statistics)
|
Methodology Type |
Description |
Applications |
|
Theoretical
Modeling |
Creating
abstract models based on logic |
Game theory,
number theory |
|
Algorithmic Analysis |
Designing and
testing algorithms |
Machine
learning, cryptography |
|
Simulation
& Computational Methods |
Using
computers to simulate scenarios |
AI systems,
quantum computing models |
|
Statistical
Inference |
Deriving
conclusions from data |
Regression,
hypothesis testing |
5. Applied Sciences & Engineering
|
Methodology Type |
Description |
Fields |
|
Design-Based
Research |
Iterative
testing of prototypes |
Engineering,
product design |
|
Systems
Analysis |
Study of
system components and interactions |
Civil,
mechanical, IT systems |
|
Experimental
Design |
Testing
performance or durability |
Materials
testing, stress analysis |
|
Simulation
and Modelling |
Predicting
behavior under constraints |
Traffic,
mechanical systems |
6. Medical & Health Sciences
|
Methodology Type |
Description |
Methods |
|
Clinical
Trials |
Testing
treatments/drugs on human subjects |
Randomized
controlled trials |
|
Epidemiological
Studies |
Studying
disease patterns in populations |
Cohort,
case-control studies |
|
Meta-Analysis |
Combining
results from multiple studies |
Systematic
reviews |
|
Biostatistics |
Applying
statistics to biological fields |
Predictive
modeling |
7. Business, Management & Economics
|
Methodology Type |
Description |
Techniques |
|
Case Study
Analysis |
Detailed
examination of businesses |
SWOT, PESTLE
analysis |
|
Quantitative
Methods |
Use of
numerical data |
Econometrics,
surveys |
|
Qualitative
Methods |
Exploring
business behavior |
Interviews,
grounded theory |
|
Action
Research |
Solving
immediate problems collaboratively |
HR, marketing
experiments |
|
Financial
Modeling |
Predicting
financial outcomes |
Risk
analysis, scenario testing |
8. Education
|
Methodology Type |
Description |
Techniques |
|
Action
Research |
Research by
practitioners to improve practice |
Teacher-led
interventions |
|
Narrative
Inquiry |
Story-based
examination of experiences |
Life
histories |
|
Ethnography |
Immersive
observation in educational settings |
Classroom
studies |
|
Quasi-Experimental |
Experiments
without full randomization |
Curriculum
evaluations |
|
Mixed Methods |
Combining
qualitative and quantitative |
Surveys +
classroom observation |
Summary Chart: Methodologies by Key Traits
|
Discipline |
Qualitative |
Quantitative |
Theoretical |
Experimental |
|
Humanities |
✔️ |
Rare |
✔️ |
✖️ |
|
Social
Sciences |
✔️ |
✔️ |
Some |
✔️ (psych) |
|
Natural
Sciences |
Some |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
|
Formal
Sciences |
✖️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
Simulation-based |
|
Applied
Sciences |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
|
Medical
Sciences |
Rare |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
|
Business |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
|
Education |
✔️ |
✔️ |
Rare |
Some |
This guide gives a panoramic view of how research is conducted across disciplines.
