Distinction Between Technique, Method and Methodology | Anthropology Optional for UPSC PDF Download

 Research basically means a search for knowledge. It is a scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic. Research can be defined s "a careful investigation or inquiry especially through search for new facts in any branch of knowledge". It is an academic activity; comprises defining and redefining problems, formulating hypothesis or suggested solutions; collecting, organizing and evaluating data; making deductions and reaching conclusions; and at least carefully testing the conclusions to determine whether they fit the formulating hypothesis. It is thus an original contribution to the truth with the help of study, observation, comparison and experiment. In short, the search for knowledge through objective and systematic method of finding solution to a problem is research.
Research methods may be understood as all those methods/techniques that are used for conduct of research. “Research methods or techniques thus refer to the methods the researchers use in performing research operations. In other words, all those methods which are used by the researcher during the course of studying his research problem are termed as research methods. Since the object of research. particularly the applied research, is to arrive at a solution for a given problem, the available data and the unknown aspects of the problem have to be related to each other to make a solution possible. Keeping this in view, research methods can be put into the following three groups.
1. In the first group we include those methods which are concerned with the collection of data. These methods will be used where the data already available are not sufficient to arrive at the required solution
2. The second group consists of those statistical techniques which are used for establishing relationships between the data and the unknown.
3. The third group consists of those methods which are used to evaluate the accuracy of the results obtained.
The research methods falling in the above stated groups are generally taken as the analytical tools of research.
At times, a distinction is made between research techniques and research methods. Research techniques refer to the .behavior and instruments we use in performing research operations such as making* observations, recording data, techniques of processing data mid the like. research method refer to the behaviour and instruments used in selecting and constructing research technique. For example in the method of participant observations the technique that can be used are interactional recording possible use of tape recorders, photographic techniques etc. However in practice, the two terms are used interchangeably and when we talk of research method we also encompass research techniques Tn its meaning.
Research methodology is a way to systematical solve the research, problem. .It may be understood as a science of studying how research is done scientifically. In it we study the various steps that are generally adopted by a researcher in studying his research problem along with the logic behind them It is necessary for the researcher to know not only the research methods or research techniques, but also the methodology. Researchers not only need to know how to develop certain indices or tests, how to calculate the mean, the mode, the median or the standard deviation or the chi-square, how to apply particular research techniques, but they also need to know, which of these methods or techniques are relevant and which are not and what would they mean and indicate and why. Researchers also need to understand the assumptions underlying various techniques and they need to know the criteria by which they can decide that certain techniques and procedures will be applicable to certain problems and other will not. All this means that it is necessary for the researcher to design his methodology for his problem as the same may differ from problem to problem.
Thus, research methodology has many dimensions and research methods do constitute a part of the research methodology. The scope of research methodology is wider than that of research methods. Thus, when we talk of research methodoIogy we not only talk of research methods but also consider the logic behind the methods we use in the context of our research study and explain why we are using a particular method or technique and why we are not using others so that research results are capable of being evaluated either by the researcher himself or by others. Why the research study has been undertaken, how the research problem has been defined, in what way and why the hypothesis has been formulated, what data have been collected and what particular method has been adopted, why particular technique of analyzing data has been used and a host of similar other questions are usually answered when we talk of research methodology concerning a research problem or study.
While burning the midnight oil during literature review, most researchers do not realize that the methods and methodology section forms the spine of their research. Researchers use a systematic foundation to conduct research by implementing methods. Methods are strategies, tools, and techniques, which are often confused with methodology that consists of a systematic and theoretical analysis of the research methods. The difference between methods and methodology needs to be well understood while documenting your research.

What is Methods and Methodology
Researchers implement systematic methods to conduct a research. They define the research topic to establish a deeper and clearer understanding in the methods section. Furthermore, methods consist of all techniques, strategies, and tools employed by a researcher to complete the experiment and find solution to the research problem.
However, methodology is a systematic and theoretical approach to collect and evaluate data throughout the research process. It allows researchers to validate a study’s rigor to acquire new information. The purpose of research methodology is to prove the credibility, validity, and reliability of a chosen research method.

Objective of Methods and Methodology
While the methods section is just a research tool or a component of research, methodology is the justification for using a particular research method.
The objective of research methods is to provide thorough information of research design, participants, equipment, materials, variables, and procedures. It must allow other researchers to reproduce similar results based on the documented methods. Whereas, the objective of research methodology is to determine the accuracy and efficiency of the methods opted by the researchers for a particular experiment.

How to Write Methods and Methodology Section of a Research Paper
Most researchers are commonly asked to re-write the methods and methodology section as there exists an ambiguity in the understanding of these elements. One should understand that incorrectness in these sections may lead to repercussions which are uncalled for. A clear knowledge of methods and methodologies employed in research will also make your process of reviewing and understanding other literature easier. A robust method and methodology section is a point of validation for authentic research.
Methods
While writing the methods section you must remember the following:

• Authors must duly cite all sources that helped them in selecting the methods for the research study. Furthermore, it should also include parameters of past studies must to indicate relevance with the current study.
• It is mandatory to cite the sources of all participants of the study. The details of participants such as geographical location, age, sex, their initial conditions, etc. must be mentioned in the methods section.
• The methods section must also include the inclusion and exclusion criteria of subjects.
• Description of division of chosen group and their characteristics is also an element of the methods section.
• The methods section must also include the study design. Necessary preparations, software used, and instruments must be explained here.
• Finally, it must include statistical analyses. For example: type of data, their measurements, and statistical tests.

Methodology
A well-written methodology section must include the following:

• An introduction and explanation of reasons for the systematic methodological approach (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed method) used throughout the research process.
• The methodology section must indicate the applicability, validity, and credibility of all methods applied in the research.
• It must clearly describe specific data collation methods and provide detailed explanation of data analysis.
• Lastly, the methodology section must justify rationale for chosen research methods and procedures.

What are the Key Differences between Methods and Methodology
These key points clearly establishes the difference between often mistaken methods and methodology section

In Short
To summarize, we shall say that a technique is far more specific than a method and a method is far more specific than the methodology. It’s beyond listing steps of experiment or audit trails that you follow to find solution to your research problem. With one methodology, you can apply several methods to support or reject the research hypothesis. In conclusion, we can say that both methods and methodologies are an important part of research and are related to each other’s existence.
How to write the broader strategy for the approach to find solution to the problem? When did you realize the difference between methods and methodology of research? How do you structure your methods and methodology section of your research papers? Moreover, did you have to rewrite the methods and methodology section? Share your experience with us in the comments section below! You can also visit our Q&A forum for frequently asked questions related to different aspects of research writing and publishing answered by our team that comprises subject-matter experts, eminent researchers, and publication experts.