RESEARCH METHODOLOGY CONFUSION AMONG NOVICE SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES RESEARCHERS

Abstract

Research methodology in the social sciences and humanities entails a methodical approach to studying social phenomena, context, and human behaviour using qualitative, quantitative, or hybrid research techniques. However, the intricate nature of research methods in the social sciences and humanities often poses substantial difficulties for inexperienced researchers and may result in perplexity and mistakes. The objective of this study is to review the research methodology confusion among novice researchers in the social sciences and humanities. This study entails a content analysis approach to discovering pertinent material on the difficulties faced by inexperienced researchers in comprehending research methodology. This study has identified several points of research methodology confusion among novice researchers in the social sciences and humanities, namely: (a) normality tests and validity/reliability tests; (b) parametric and non-parametric tests; (c) sampling determination between experiments and social research; (d) literature review and manuscript analysis; (e) a review and an original qualitative paper; (f) specific terminology of research paper types; and (g) independent and dependent of sample and variable. In conclusion, this study reveals the widespread lack of clarity among inexperienced researchers in the social sciences and humanities when it comes to fundamental ideas, concepts, and research methods.