Methodology A quantitative study can be based on an experimental design, where treatment is administered to one group and then compared to a control group. A qualitative study can be based on particip
Handout EDDD 8004: The 5WH of Methodology
As educators, we employ the teaching strategies of scaffolding to assist our students in learning new information, but we sometimes forget to apply these same strategies in our own learning. When faced with new information or a new task to complete, we can create our own scaffolding to relate the new information/task to more familiar tasks.
Writing a research proposal is just such an unfamiliar task. Although this scaffolding strategy can be applied to most sections of the research proposal, creating the methodology is often the most perplexing aspect for students; therefore, methodology will be used as an example. We can relate this task to something we already know, the questions of the 5WH—Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How/How many—to help us address the details needed for the research methodology. By asking how each of the 5WH questions applies to the task, we can ensure that the needed information is included in the methodology. Here are some of the 5WH questions that apply to many methodologies:
Design and Approach
What are the research questions (and if appropriate, hypotheses and variables)? How will the variables be measured?
What research design is being used? What approach to data collection is being used? Why is this design/approach being used? How does this design/approach fit with the research question(s)?
Who are the participants? How will the participants be grouped?
When will the study occur? What are the inclusive dates for extracting archival data?
Setting and Sample
What is the nature of research site? Where is the research site located? Why was this research site selected?
Who are the gatekeepers authorized to permit access to the site and participants?
Who is eligible to be a participant? Who is not eligible? What are the demographic characteristics of the participants? How many participants will be included? How will the appropriate sample size be determined? How will the participants be identified, contacted, and informed consent obtained? What criteria will be used to form participant groups?
Data Collection Strategies
Who will collect the data? Where will data be collected? When and how will data be collected? How will data be organized and stored?
What instruments (tests, surveys, interview protocols, observation checklists) will be used to collect data? How has validity and reliability of the instruments been determined? How many times will these instruments be administered?
Data Analysis
What are the measurement scales for the variables? What is the purpose of the statistical test? What is the appropriate statistical test for this purpose with these types of variables? What assumptions must be met before conducting the statistical test?
How will data be prepared for analysis (cleaning, transcribing)? Who will transcribe the data?
How will interview or textual data be coded? How will themes be developed? What means of trustworthiness (credibility, dependability) will be employed?
What software will be used to assist in data analysis?
