research methodology

methodology /meth·od·ol·o·gy/ (meth″id-ol´ah-je) the science of method; the science dealing with principles of procedure in research and study.

A methodology is usually a guideline system for solving a problem, with specific components such as phases, tasks, methods, techniques and tools.^[1] It can be defined also as follows:

1. "the analysis of the principles of methods, rules, and postulates employed by a discipline";^[2]
2. "the systematic study of methods that are, can be, or have been applied within a discipline";^[2]
3. "the study or description of methods".^[3]

A methodology can be considered to include multiple methods, each as applied to various facets of the whole scope of the methodology. The research can be divided between two parts, they are qualitative research and quantitative research.