Dissertation and Applied Doctoral Project Components

Research methodology and research design are two related but distinct concepts in research. Methodology refers to the overall strategy of the research and involves paradigmatic considerations of what is real and how we can know it. Thus, methodology involves a set of principles, rules, and procedures that guide the research process from start to finish.

Research design, however, refers to the specific plan or blueprint that outlines how the research will be conducted. It includes the study type (e.g., experimental, correlational, observational), the sampling strategy, the data collection methods, and the statistical analyses used to analyze the data.

In other words, research design is a more specific and concrete aspect of the research process than methodology, which is more abstract and general. Research design is a practical application of methodology focused on how the research will be carried out.

Overall, research methodology provides the framework and principles that underpin the research, while research design is the practical implementation of those principles in a specific study. A well-designed study requires a sound methodology and a well-planned design to conduct the research systematically and rigorously.  

In this section, you will find a lot of resources on methodology and design. While these are excellent resources to familiarize yourself with these concepts, make sure you are citing seminal sources in your dissertation or applied doctoral project research regarding your research and design.