Thread by @MethodologistID

Thread of Methodological Thinking:

"A Proposal for Mapping the Methodology and How to Think Methodologically"

This thread sequentially examines (1) the definition of methodology, (2) the classification of methodology, and (3) how to think methodologically.

1. Definition of Methodology

Methodology is an orderly sequential and systematical step by step process to reach out our purpose. Methodology is all about the process, it is all about the how to do.

In terms of research, research methodology means an orderly sequential and systematical step by step process to answer the research’s questions (research’s purposes), to sum up, it is all about how to do the research in order.

2. Classifications of Methodology

Methodology can be classified into 3 categories, they are (1) Conceptual Methodology, (2) Collectical Methodology, and (3) Statistical Methodology.

Here's the flowchart that shows the sequential step by step for the mapping of Methodology:

2.1. Conceptual Methodology

Conceptual Methodology is a methodology that focus on how to plan and organize the research step by step sequentially and systematically in order.

Conceptual Methodology consists of 4 elements, they are (1) the purposes of research, (2) the outputs of the research, (3) the methods to do the research, and (4) the inputs that are needed for the research.

Here's the visualization of Conceptual Methodology’s flow of thinking:

2.2. Collectical Methodology

Collectical Methodology is a methodology that focus on how to collect the data as inputs for the research.

Collectical Methodology can be classified into (1) how to collect the primary data and (2) how to collect the secondary data.

Firstly, regarding on how to collect the primary data, there are 5 methods, they are (1) interview, (2) questionnaire, (3) focus group discussion, (4) case-control, and (5) cohort.

Secondly, in order to collect the secondary data, there are 3 methods, they are (1) reviewing the related literatures, (2) reviewing the related documents, and (3) reviewing the related regulations.

Here's the visualization of Collectical Methodology’s flow of thinking:

2.3. Statistical Methodology

Statistical Methodology is a methodology that focus on how to analyze the empirical data and interpret the result of the analyzes to conclusion.

Statistical Methodology can be called as Statistics.

Statistics can be classified into 2 categories, they are (1) Descriptive Statistics and (2) Inferential Statistics.

The mapping of Statistical Methodology (Statistics) can be seen on this flowchart:

3. Definition of Thinking Methodologically

Thinking methodologically means disciplined thinking governed by sequential and systematical order.

There are 3 thinking abilities that are needed in order to be able to think methodologically, those abilities are (1) the ability to think analytically, (2) the ability to think synthetically, and (3) the ability to think systematically.

3.1. Thinking Analytically

Thinking analytically means thinking by breaking down the elements of thinking.

Instead of Thinking Analytically, we can use other nomenclatures such as (1) Thinking Deductively, (2) Thinking Divergently, (3) Thinking Sequentially, and (4) Thinking Chronologically. They are all the same because they have the same meaning.

Here's the visualization of how to think analytically:

Here's the visualization of the implementation of thinking analytically:

3.2. Thinking Synthetically

Thinking synthetically means thinking by combining the elements of thinking.

Instead of Thinking Sythetically, we can use other nomenclatures such as (1) Thinking Inductively and (2) Thinking Convergently.

Here's the visualization of how to think synthetically:

3.3. Thinking Systematically

Thinking systematically means thinking by breaking down the elements of thinking and recognise the cause and effect then draw its correlation and causation.

Instead of Thinking Systematically, we can use other nomenclatures such as (1) Thinking Holistically and (2) Thinking Comprehensively.

Here's the visualization of how to think systematically:

Here's the visualization of the implementation of thinking systematically (1):

Here's the visualization of the implementation of thinking systematically (2):

Here's the visualization of the implementation of thinking systematically (3):