In terms of the structure of the thesis, methodology is often listed after introduction; however, from the perspective of writing order, it should be the first chapter.Methodology is quite difficult to write. It is easy to start from the nature of the content statement, with the possibility of clear elaboration, just like the daily running records. The difficulty, however, lies in the fact that there are significant differences in the content of various types of research. For example, a theoretical article needs to show the process of derivation, while an empirical article needs to describe in detail the method of investigation and the technical means of data processing.
Suggested writing steps:
Step1-Explore the purpose and background of methodology.
Step2-Clearly understand what the methodology covers, how the research is designed, and the strategy of data collection and analysis.
Step3-Detail the key points covered in step2, including a detailed description of the research design, introduction of others’ methodology and comparing its strengths with your own.
Data collection should identify why and how the data were collected, and elaborate on the appropriateness of the study.
Data analysis needs to clarify which analytical methods were chosen and their strengths.
The advantages and disadvantages should be compared and contrasted, but overly detailed discussion of other methods should be avoided and preferably placed in the context of a literature review.
Step4- Summarise the above in concise language, reviewing the topic and leading to the next section.
Methodology caveats include:
X Blindly following a particular methodology; each methodology has its own specific context and domain, and no one methodology is suitable for all situations.
X Neglecting the application of integrative methods; problems may require a combination of methods, and ignoring the importance of integrative methods may lead to inadequate problem solving.
X Over-reliance on technical tools. Methodology often involves the use of tools and techniques to support the analysis and decision-making process. However, over-reliance on technical tools may overlook the importance of human judgement and experience. Methodologies should be used as a supportive tool, not as a framework for thinking and problem solving. Flexibility, creativity, and an integrated approach are essential considerations!
Methodology writes high scoring sentences:
Previous studies have selected methods based on the following criteria:…
Recent advances in the X method have promoted the exploration of…
Recent advances in the X method have promoted the exploration of… More recently, simpler and faster X tests have been developed.
Explain the considerations for adopting a specific approach:…..
The semi-structured method was chosen because of its…..
The advantage of X is its ease of implementation.
The advantage of X is its ease of implementation.
List the reasons for refusing to use a particular method:.
The main problem with experimental methods is that…
The main problem with experimental methods is that….
However, there are also certain drawbacks to using…
The main problem with experimental methods is that… The main drawback of the experimental method is that…
Identify female subjects who meet the selection criteria by…
Participants were divided into two groups based on their performance on…
Two groups interviewed X and Y, the first group being…
Summarise the research results achieved in the subdivided research areas on this topic:.
Previous studies have mainly focused on…
