Comprehensive Guide to Research Methodologies Across Disciplines

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

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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.

English Language Teaching - Reflective Blog

Hello Readers!

"If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart."
- Nelson Mandela

(https://www.british-study.com/en/blog/inspirational-quotes-for-language-learners/)

Human beings are linguistically adaptive to receive and to convey the message, and the process of communication takes place; thanks to the system of language. Language doesn't only help in transmitting the information but also enables people to share their emotions. In the context of India, multiple languages are spoken. In such arena, teaching English language is also a challenging task. In this country, people know more than one languages. If an individual is from Kerala, it might be knowing a regional language of Kerala and English language also. If one is from Maharashtra, it might be knowing Marathi, Hindi and English also.

So, This above quote directly connects to the bilingualism and multilingualism. If you are visiting a place where your native language is not spoken and still you find a speaker who knows multiple languages, and talks in your language, how would you feel ? Of course it's a feeling of getting water in the desert.! (not oasis obviously !!!) It's a feeling of meeting someone of your homeland.

Ganesh N Devy, a renowned literary critic has studied languages and also talked about how languages generate, sustain, submerge into another language and die. It is necessary to know languages first, then we can come to a particular one. Here is the video, in which G N Devy explains the language as a system of communication. Watch time 19 minutes.

In this blog, some questions are answered as a part of a reflection of learning experience during the sessions of ELT lectures.

1. What is the role of English Language in India according to you with reference to any one essay discussed in the class?

* English language, in light of India, plays a very significant role. Because it doesn't only makes an individual globally connected but also enables it to elaborate and explore more in almost all the fields.

According to the essay by

2. What are the challenges you faced while learning English Language as?

* During the primary years of my schooling, I didn't face any challenges while learning English language. Though I have studied in a regional medium language school, but I got the hold on this language very early. Specifically in terms of grammar-composition and reading comprehension. I was also good at remembering spelling because I used to practice the vocabulary by speaking it aloud. I could relate my vocals directly to the spelling. Such mental exercises made me a good learner of English language. But, I started speaking English language naturally, much later, when I was in 12th standard. This much gap between learning the language and speaking, is only because of lack of environment. Being a multilingual individual, I lacked the oneness in the linguistic environment. But I would state that my LSRW skills are still developing.

3. Write your reflection regarding the classroom activities. What challenges you faced in doing the activities as teachers.

* As all the ELT sessions were conducted in an online mode due to the COVID19 pandemic, classroom activities were less interactive. But still there was a lot of learning while participating in the activities such as planning a lesson for learners, introducing them a new vocabulary etc. Here, a detailed blog post about these activities is mentioned. Have a quick view on it. Click the link below.

https://rohitvyas98.blogspot.com/2020/10/elt-activities-for-language-teachers.html

In order to study this ELT paper one has to think like a language teacher. So as a teacher, when I prepared any lesson plan, I was quite confused about the methods, that which methods would be better to introduce a topic to the learners? How can the age group of learners I had selected be well versed with the flow of teaching I have?

While doing the activity of selecting a profession and finding registers and sub-registers for that field, it was quite difficult to think outside the preset box of vocabulary. Because EST - English for Science and Technology is quite unexplored part for me in terms of terminology.

4. How do you see your future with the English Language?

* I see many opportunities and better prospects with the English language. It may help me understand any culture I am in. It will open many doors to some of the fields such as teaching and content creation, where language plays a very vital role. Nowadays, much emphasis is laid on the linguistic perfection, as it is the time of post-truth, misinformation and fake narratives. In such environment we require a dedicated, enthusiastic human resources which can curb any such linguistic plague in short period of time. Hermeneutically also, we require better interpretation of various things. Even in the 21st century many blurred pictures are yet to be cleared through firm and authentic arguments. All this can happen if the language is filtered from higher strata to lower strata of classes. In order to meet the demands of the upcoming time, one will have to work with English language. I also see better opportunities where the gaps of languages are yet to be filled. English language has the ability to carry almost every discourses and thoughts of other languages. I also see a beautiful blend of multilingualism in India. It would definitely lead me to the areas which I want to explore.

Thank You!

ELT Activities for Language Teachers

Hello Readers!

ELT, which stands for English Language Teaching, is a course, specially designed for teachers who are going to teach English Language in future. In this course, teachers are assigned some specific task and activities through which they can sharpen their teaching skills. These activities are a practical outcome of what they have learned in ELT being a teacher. It not only helps understand the essays accurately but also enhances teacher's confidence and make them future ready for teaching English language.

Bloom's Taxonomy Pyramid

English Language Teaching

Recently, while studying this course, following four activities were given

1. Translating the sentences [9th Sept 2020]

2. Choosing an occupation [10th Sept 2020]

3. Introducing vocabulary [16th Sept 2020]

4. Preparing a lesson plan [5th Oct 2020]

All the four activities were assigned with reference of the ELT essays discussed in the online classes.

Activity 1: Translating the sentences

* [Key Instructions: Translate the given sentences into English]

1. अहमद सुबह सुबह अख़बार पढता है।

2. આવ રે વરસાદ ઢેબરિયો પરસાદ, ઊની ઊની રોટલી ને કારેલાનું શાક.

3. માડી તારું કંકુ ખર્યું ને સૂરજ ઊગ્યો.

4. माथे पे कुमकुम और हाथ में चूड़ा, लगता है भारत से हैं वो।

Translation:

1. Ahmed reads newspaper in the morning.

2. Come, oh rain, millet bread offerings, warm warm chapati and vegetable of bitter melon.

3. Mother, your vermilion dropped and Sun rose.

4. Vermilion on forehead and bangles in hands, it seems like they are from India.

The key objective of this particular activity was to identify difficulties of literal translation of specific words from one language to another. The translated sentences may seem ridiculous at first place but it was a part of a trial based activity.

Activity 2: Choosing an occupation

* [Key Instructions: Choose your desired occupation and make a list of 10 things/items you need to be a part of that occupation]

Occupation: Hotel Owner

Things Required:

1. Dedicated staff who can take care of rooms.

2. A portable container office for remote management

3. An accountant who keeps record of transactions and bills

4. Computer with good internet bandwidth

5. Taxi vehicles for logistics and sight seeing

6. A contractor who repairs odds and errands of the hotel

7. A tie up with few restaurants for on-demand food services

8. A website for online marketing

9. Tourism certifications

10. License to run business

The objective for doing this activity was to be well versed with the registers and sub-registers of English language. Every discourse and field has it's own technical words and terms. They are called registers and sub-registers.

Activity 3: Introducing Vocabulary

* [Key Instructions: Select the desired word which you want to introduce to the learners. The word should be introduced in English. Discuss the method how you will introduce that word to the learners. A condition here is, learners are not well acquainted with English language, and they only know regional languages.]

I will introduce the word handkerchief. Their regional language is Gujarati and Hindi. I will use question method. I will ask them few question in order to get the exact word from them. It is રૂમાલ  in Gujarati.

First Question: What do you use to wipe your mouth and hands after washing your hands after eating?

Second Que: In case you are working in a dusty area or travelling on a rough, dusty road then what will you do to cover your face?

Third Que: What do you use to cover your nose when you sneeze ?

In either of the questions asked above I will get answer 'રૂમાલ'. Then I'll introduce handkerchief in English.

Activity 4: Preparing a lesson plan

* [Key Instructions: Select the desired age group of learners. Select any topic of your choice. Prepare a lesson plan for that topic and discuss how you will teach that topic to learners. Mention objectives/outcomes of the lesson plan.]

Plan: I'll introduce the topic "Communication through ICT tools" to the students from standard 10 to 12.

I will prepare a presentation in laptop and display it through the projector. I will include various images and GIFs (Graphical Interchange Formats, or moving pictures) of people talking and chatting. I will ask them a question that how they normally communicate in an informal environment. From their answers I will know their medium of language and areas where they can improve. I will introduce them a way to increase their vocabulary through some mobile applications and websites. I will also assign them a task to find out 10 new words which will be very unfamiliar to them and use all the 10 words to construct a paragraph. I will ask few of the students to interact with each other and use those words appropriately in the conversation. At the end I will share video resources and examples of group discussion and other conversations.

Objectives:

1. Enable learners to use meaningful words in given context.

2. Enhance their English language proficiency.

3. Engage them in formal and informal interactions such as group discussion.

4. Make them well versed with ICT and WEB 2.0 tools and use the same in effective language learning.

This was a glimpse of all four activities. This blog may also be useful in honing your language teaching skills.

Thank You!

English Language Teaching - Three Terms

Hola lectores...! Hola amigos...! Hola mi gente !

Language, a medium humans use to communicate, to share and to engage in social activities and individual development, in terms of academics and multifaceted learning. Specifically when an individual tries to learn language in a natural way, the process begins with listening and imitation of accents. English Language Teaching is one of the key topics in the arena of teaching and learning process. In the 21st century, language as well as communication skill is a must have to be globally active.

India contains diversity in terms of languages. There are 22 regional languages currently in active status. (Wikipedia link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_with_official_status_in_India)

In this blog, three interesting terms Bilingualism, Trilingualism and Multilingualism are given with examples...

* Bilingualism

Ability to communicate in two languages with fluency.

Nowadays many government exam authorities give options to go bilingual. Candidates can appear in the exam with their regional language or in English language. Moreover, we can find many bilingual examples from science, mathematics and geography text book, in which lot many words and terms are given in two languages.

સ્થિર વિદ્યુત બળ

Electrostatic force

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દોલન (હિંચકાની ગતિ, ઘડિયાળના લોલકની ગતિ)

Oscillation (velocity of swings and pendulums)

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ભારતીય ઉપખંડ

Indian subcontinent

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Bio Diversity

જૈવ વિવિધતા

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Tropical Rainforest

ઉષ્ણકટિબંધીય વરસાદી જંગલો

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Brain Drain

બુદ્ધિધનનું બહિર્ગમન

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Diameter

વ્યાસ

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Radius

ત્રિજ્યા

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Arithmetic Progression

સમાંતર શ્રેણી

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na dis jamais je t'aime (French)

never say i love you (Film Befikre)

------------------------------------------------

Silence! the Court is in Session

शांतता ! कोर्ट चालू आहे

(Play by Viajy Tendulkar)

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વિવેકબુદ્ધિથી ભ્રષ્ટ થયેલાઓનું સો પ્રકારે પતન થાય છે.

विवेकभ्रष्टानां भवति विनिपात शतमुखः। 

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* Trilingualism Ability to communicate with fluency in three languages.

Hindi news channels, Gujarati TV shows and English movies create perfect rendition in multilingual skill. For me, train journeys have been tremendously helpful in observing diversity of languages in various railway stations. In railway station, you may have listened to the announcement. The instructions and other information is conveyed in three languages. Many cautionary signboards and posters are also found in more than two languages. 

May I have your attention please !

कृपया ध्यान दीजिए

कृपया लक्ष ध्या !

-----------------------------

Only for handicapped

सिर्फ विकलांगों के लिए (Hindi)

केवळ अपंगांसाठी (Marathi)

---------------------------------

पिण्यांचा पाणी (Marathi)

Drinking Water

પીવાનું પાણી

-------------------

किराने का सामान यहां उपलब्ध होगा

किराणा येथे मिळतील (Marathi)

Groceries available here

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* Multilingualism - Ability to communicate in three or more languages.

Many conferences and seminars are conducted for larger and global audiences, such as UNESCO, WHO and various other summits and meets are organized in multilingual mode. Foreign officials wear headphones with facility of multilingual translation. In India, tourism authorities give the feature of audio tour. Traveler has to wear headphones and track selector and follow the numbers placed at various corners of the monument. Many historical monuments such as Red Fort, Taj Mahal, Ajanta Ellora Caves, Jantar Mantar of Rajasthan and Delhi, Salt Mount or Dandi Kutir, Gandhinagar have the facility of audio touring guidance. Here are some examples of birthday greetings in various languages.

Happy Birthday (English)

जन्मदिन मुबारक हो (Hindi)

Joyeux anniversaire (French)

जन्मदिनस्य शुभाषयाः (Sanskrit)

feliz cumpleaños (Spanish)

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These three terms contain lot many examples from various fields, and the list here may get longer, but in order to understand the concept clearly, these examples will be sufficient.

Thank You!

References

"Bilingualism and Multilingualism ." New Dictionary of the History of Ideas. . Encyclopedia.com. 11 Aug. 2020 <https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/dictionaries-thesauruses-pictures-and-press-releases/bilingualism-and-multilingualism>.

https://medium.com/linguistics-3c-winter-2018/languages-diversity-makes-our-world-better-364877c7e99