Methodology and Method in Social Research: A Comprehensive Guide
Methodology and Method: Understanding the Fundamentals
What is Methodology?
Methodology (from Greek methodos meaning “path, way” and logos meaning “theory, reason, knowledge”) is the theory about the method or combination of methods used in research. It’s normative (value-driven) but can be descriptive (setting out methods) or comparative (analyzing different methods). Methodology also examines the conduct of research and the techniques employed.
In his book “Towards a Methodological Synthesis of Knowledge,” Grzegorczyk highlights the importance of methodology in understanding knowledge. He notes, “In some sciences, curiosity is most satisfied through observation and experimentation, while the desire for understanding finds satisfaction in theory” (Grzegorczyk, 1967, p. 5).
This emphasizes the need for consistency between the method (the “how”) and the theory (the “what”) that provides the framework for the research.
The Role of Ideology
Both theory and method often involve an ideological choice – a coherent system of ideas that inform the “why” of the investigation. This means research always has an implicit goal, sometimes made explicit by the researcher. Some investigations question the researcher’s role in society, their identification with a problem, and the “why” and “for whom” of their research.
Defining Method
Mendieta Alatorre (1973, p. 31) defines method as “the way or means to an end, the orderly way of doing something, how to act and proceed to achieve a specific objective.”
Madeleine Grawitz (1975, Volume 1, pp. 290-291) offers a more comprehensive definition, outlining four key aspects:
- Method in the philosophical sense: Encompasses all intellectual operations a discipline uses to attain and verify truths.
- Method as a concrete attitude towards the object: Dictates specific ways to focus and organize research.
- Method linked to an attempt to explain: Connected to a philosophical position and pursues an explanatory scheme.
- Method related to a particular domain: Applies to a specific area and has its own way of proceeding.
Grawitz further distinguishes between theory and method: theory defines the “what” (content), while methods address the “how.”
Method in Social Research
In a positivist sense, the method in social research involves strategies and procedures for:
- Defining concepts and conceptualization
- Verifying hypotheses
- Optimizing objectivity (validity and reliability)
- Selecting techniques and tools
The research method is influenced by the history of science, the researcher’s perspective, the theoretical framework, and the problem being investigated.
Distinguishing Between Method and Technique
Textbooks often confuse methods and techniques in social research. Techniques are specific procedures within a method, leading some authors (particularly those from positivist and structural-functionalist backgrounds) to focus heavily on quantitative data collection.
Grawitz (Volume 1, p. 291) defines techniques as “strict operating procedures, well-defined, which may be applied again under the same conditions and adapted to the kind of problem and the phenomenon in question… The choice of these depends on the objective pursued, which will be linked to the method of work.”
He further clarifies the distinction: “The technique is limited to operational stages, together with some practical elements, concrete, adapted to a definite end, while the method is an intellectual conception that coordinates a set of operations and, in general, different techniques.”
Conclusion
Effective research requires more than just precise techniques. It demands a clear theoretical framework, conceptualization of the problem, and a well-defined methodology to guide the investigation and ensure meaningful results.
Key Takeaway:
Understanding the nuances between methodology, method, and technique is crucial for conducting rigorous and impactful social research.