Dissertation

[sophie_1003]

In simple terms, with examples if possible because I'm really confused; what is the difference between a methodology and a method? TIA

[Maydup]

Well in my very simple layman's terms I think of a methodology as a list or description of the methods.

Maybe like a recipe? The methodology is the recipe and the various methods that make up the methodology are described in it, like mixing, beating, marinating etc

[seadogg]

method is sraight forward. Its about how you go about a task in a logical manner. Someone could bake a loaf by the same method every week. If you didn't have a method it would end up as a mess.

Methodology is a bit trickier. It might compare the different proceedures used by bakers and the theories behind baking. There might be a methodology for writing dissertations. I chose a discursive approach to my M.A. but there are other ways of approaching it. Its like looking at different schools of thought in a subject.

[dr b]

One of my dissertation advisors was adamant about the fact that methodology was "the study of methods" and was not synonymous with "methods". The dictionary does not quite agree - the OED gives "Originally: the branch of knowledge that deals with method generally or with the methods of a particular discipline or field of study" followed by "Subsequently also: the study of the direction and implications of empirical research, or of the suitability of the techniques employed in it; (more generally) a method or body of methods used in a particular field of study or activity."

So the last def. says that methodology and methods can be synonymous. I would say that in a particular paper you might be writing you use a method or methods to reach a result, whereas the sum of the methods that your field might use could be called the field's methodology. To this day I am careful to call the section of papers that I write "Data and methods" rather than "methodology". Those dissertation advisors can scar you for life.

[DTCwordfan]

I agree with Dr B on this and I also had issue with Uni supervisors on these semantics

[sophie_1003]

Thanks for the answers, still don't think I know what to put though! We've been told they are different and that methods are things like questionnaires, interviews, observations; the actual ways you gather research. And I have the following options for methodology-
1. It's just the name given to the bit where we describe and justify our chosen methods (seems unlikely as on one of the presentations I have saved from a lecture it asks the question; 'How is a methodology different from a method?')
2. It's whether the research is quantitative/qualitative (not sure this would be correct as that would be a very short section to the dissertation!)
3. It's whether the research is primary/secondary (again very short section!)
May have to just email tutor but she's pretty useless and would probably give me the wrong answer!

[scotman]

This form Chambers on-line

method noun
1 a way of doing something, especially an ordered set of procedures or an orderly system.
2 good planning; efficient organization.
3 (often methods) a technique used in a particular activity • farming methods.
4 (Method or the method) see under method acting. methodical or (now rarely) methodic adj efficient and orderly; done in an orderly or systematic way. methodically adverb. methodicalness noun. method in one's madness reason or good sense underlying what seems an odd or chaotic situation or procedure.
ETYMOLOGY: 19c: referring to Shakespeare's Hamlet (II ii) 'Though this be madness, yet there is method in it'.
ETYMOLOGY: 16c: from French methode or Latin methodus, from Greek methodos.


methodology noun (methodologies)
1 the system of methods and principles used in a particular activity, science, etc.
2 the study of method and procedure. methodological adj. methodologically adverb.
ETYMOLOGY: 19c: from French methodologie; see method + -logy.

[woofgang]

IIRC from my student days.
Methodology (apart from being the study of methods) is the theory of how something should be done
So if you are e.g. whisking eggs, the methodology will say balloon whisk, copper bowl fresh eggs.
The method will be what you end up actually doing
so fork out of the cutlery drawer, grab egg from fridge, first clean bowl you can find.
hope this helps

[R1Geezer]

Methodology is the study of methods. It;s one of those regularly misused words. The word Methodology is hardly ever needed it should nearly always be method.

[sophie_1003]

So in terms of dissertation are questionnaires and interviews the methods I'm using?
And in my methodology should I talk about being valid, reliable and collecting qualitative data etc? (We definitely have a methodology section even if the word's being misused!)
All this cake and egg talk is just making me more confused!