Last updated: April 2026 · 8 min read · Audience: Authors, students, early-career researchers · Reading level: Introductory
Introduction
Methodology is the structured approach a study takes to its research question. It includes the broad approach (quantitative, qualitative, etc.) and the specific procedures (sampling, measurement, analysis). Both must be explicit in the manuscript; reviewers judge methodology rigour throughout the paper.
This page introduces the basics. Specific methods (regression, thematic analysis, structural equation modelling) are covered in field-specific sources; the focus here is on the cross-cutting principles.
Major methodological approaches
| Approach | What it does | When it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative | Measures, tests, generalises | Hypothesis-testing; numerical relationships |
| Qualitative | Describes, interprets, theorises | Meaning-making; complex social phenomena |
| Mixed methods | Combines both | Questions requiring breadth and depth |
| Theoretical / conceptual | Develops or critiques frameworks | Conceptual rather than empirical questions |
| Applied / case-based | Studies specific instances in detail | Practice-relevant questions |
Practical guidance
- State the methodological approach explicitly in the methodology section's first paragraph.
- Justify the approach: why this method, and not the alternative? Reviewers expect the choice to be defended.
- Report procedures with enough detail that a reader could replicate the work.
- Disclose limitations of the chosen approach; methodology that pretends to have no limitations is suspicious.
- Match analysis to data type. Quantitative analysis on inappropriate data is commonly flagged.
Common methodology mistakes
Other recurring issues: insufficient procedural detail, missing justification for choices, mismatch between data type and analysis, and absent discussion of limitations.
Decision guidance
If unsure about methodology choice, ask: what kind of question is this? Questions about how widespread or how strong are typically quantitative; questions about how or why are typically qualitative; questions about whether are typically experimental. Methodology should follow from the question.
Example scenarios
Scenario: a master's student selecting methodology for a first project
First-time researchers often default to the methodology used in their courses. The better starting point is the research question: read recent papers addressing similar questions and note which methodologies they use. Methodology selection should be a deliberate choice, not a default.
Scenario: a PhD researcher reporting mixed methods
Mixed-methods studies require justification for the combination. A common reviewer concern is that the methods are reported separately without integration. Strong mixed-methods papers explain how the qualitative and quantitative components inform each other; weak ones describe two unrelated studies in one paper.
Scenario: an applied researcher studying a single case
Single-case studies are valid when the case is theoretically significant or instrumental. The methodology section should explain why this case was selected, what makes it theoretically interesting, and what generalisations are (and are not) appropriate. Reviewers concerned about generalisability are addressing a real point; addressing it preemptively in the methodology strengthens the paper.
What to do next
If the methodology is selected and reported, the next step is verification: read the methodology asking whether a reader could replicate the work and whether limitations are honestly stated. Authors targeting EP Journals Group venues can use the central submission form.
Frequently asked questions
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Related reading and next steps
- Submission portal — Submit a manuscript through the central form
- Journals list — Six peer-reviewed journals across disciplines
- Writing a research paper step by step
- How to choose a research topic
- Structured vs unstructured
- Publishing in data science
Editorial enquiries
Questions about this guide or about preparing a manuscript for submission may be directed to the editorial office. Where a query relates to a specific journal in the portfolio, please indicate the journal abbreviation in your message.
Email: editor@ep-journals.org