The Methodological
Matrix
Constructing a Methods Chapter
Based on:
Planning Research, Chapter 2 & 4
And
Guide to Problem Formulation
The Epistemological Matrix
Based on: Planning Research Chapter 4
Phenomenology
Positivism
Constructionism
Triangulation
The Methodological Matrix
Planning Research Chap. 4 & 2 (p 26-27) and Guide to Problem Formulation
Phenomenology
Positivism
Research Design
Deductive
Surveys
Constructionism
Inductive
Research Strategy
Case Study
Observations
Research Methods
Quantitative
Qualitative
Triangulation
The Project in General
List of contents:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Introduction
Problem Area
Problem Formulation
Methods
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Introduction
Research Design
Research Strategy
Research Methods
Theoretical part
Empirical part
Analysis
Conclusion
This is our focus:
How to stadardize a
Methods Chapter
The Methods Chapter in a Project
Guide for ”constructing” a Methods Chapter:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Introduction
Research Design
Research Strategy
Research Methods
Gradually
more and
more detailed
The Methods Chapter
1. Introduction
Briefly describe the problem area
 Describe the methodological purpose of
the project.
 Describe your own methodological
objectives, which you hope to achieve
from working with the project


Approximately ½ page
The Methods Chapter
2. Research Design
State your overall research approach to the
Problem Area:
 A Finance Project will be more positivistic
than a Marketing Project.
 Remember that your project will often be
a triangulation of epistemology
 You need to state some good arguments
for your choices
 Approximately 1 page for this part of the
chapter
The Methods Chapter
3. Research Strategy
Here you need to tell about your strategy
for getting hold on the data you need for
your analysis:
 Will you make surveys? And why?
 Will you study other case-stories of the
same kind as your project? And why?
 Will you make your own observations,
interviews, workshops etc.? And why?
 Remember this could also be a
triangulation
 Approx. 1 page for this part
The Methods Chapter
4. Research Methods
Here you have to tell the details about the way you
have chosen to be either quantitave or qualitative
in your research:
 How and why have you chosen the questions you
have used in the research
 How and why tou have arranged the interviews or
obeservations in the way you have chosen to do
it
 Etc.
 This will normally be a triangulation of methods
 Meaning: Very detailed explanations
 Approx. 2 pages