Clarification of research design, research methods, and research methodology

Abstract

Research design is a critical topic that is central to research studies in science, social science, and many other disciplines. After identifying the research topic and formulating questions, selecting the appropriate design is perhaps the most important decision a researcher makes. Currently, there is a plethora of literature presenting multiple approaches to the formulation of research design. Although the existence of multiple approaches is a powerful source in the development of a research design, new public administration (PA) researchers and students may see it as a source of confusion because there is a lack of clarity in the literature about the approaches to research design, research methods, and research methodology in the social sciences. The purpose of this research paper is to lessen the confusion over research design and offer a better understanding of these approaches. The comparison analysis obtained in this research can provide guidance for PA researchers, students and practitioners when considering the research design most appropriate for their study. To achieve the research purpose, a comparison analysis was conducted to study the differences in research design perspectives and approaches. Three dominant works related to research design, by Earl R. Babbie, Elizabethann O’Sullivan et al., and John W. Creswell, were selected as representative of the wide array of approaches in the PA literature. In identifying similarities and differences across the scholars’ approaches, the analysis includes: (a) definitions of and steps in research design, and (b) the perspectives on research methods and research methodology. The analysis showed that research design approaches are convergent and divergent and that it is necessary for PA researchers and students to be knowledgeable about the various research design approaches before selecting a specific design for their research. An example scenario was provided to show the impact of different perspectives on research design in the PA literature.