Want to know more about research methods?
19/05/2025
Research methods are the strategies and tools used to gather, analyse and interpret data or evidence to uncover new information or create better understanding of a topic.
Research methodology is the theory, justification and assumptions behind the selection and use of research methods.
When we talk about research methods we mean:
- using techniques and procedures as part of a research process to study and solve a problem
- including the creation of a hypothesis or research question
- using qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods to gather data
- analysing the data we collect
- making conclusions based on collective facts
- communicating and disseminating our research to others.
We have many resources providing guidance and support for these processes and we have summarised some of them for you in this post.
1. Research ethics and integrity
Maintaining high quality and robust practice across the whole research process, including gaining ethical approval.
2. Planning and preparation
Defining a research question, critical review, planning and conducting your literature review, assessing the impact of your research, research design.
3. Data collection and management
Data collection methods, data visualisation, open research and reproducibility, data management and storage considerations and security.
4. Data analysis
Qualitative/quantitative methods, data analysing and presenting your data, data analysis tools, as well as survey design considerations.
5. Communicating and dissemination
Writing your thesis, structuring the argument, presenting your research, and general thesis guidance.
Want to know more? More details on research methods can be found in the Research methods section on our Study Skills Hub.
Categories & Tags:
Leave a comment on this post:
You might also like…
How do I write a secondary reference … in the NLM style?
Secondary referencing is used when you’re reading a work which includes a quotation from another author, and you – the researcher – can’t obtain the original source. We always advise, where possible, to try to ...
Reaching new heights: How a Global Excellence Scholarship fuelled my aerospace dreams
Leaving my home in India to pursue an MSc in Aerospace Dynamics at Cranfield University was a leap of faith. Hi, I’m Oliza Kachroo and as an international student, the transition ...
How do I reference…when delivering a presentation?
Just as you cite and reference sources in written work, you should also acknowledge the sources you use or quote in oral presentations. Citing your sources in presentations provides your audience with information about the ...
How do I reference a blog post… in the NLM style?
Whilst blog posts do not fall into the scholarly material category, they can be useful for providing personal insights into a particular area. For example, there may be a high-profile member of an industry who ...
From nature walks to neural networks: My journey in Applied AI at Cranfield
Hi, I’m Ebru K and choosing a postgraduate degree is about more than just picking a subject; it’s about choosing where your future begins. As an international student from Turkey, I ...
Leading With Heart: My Journey as Cranfield Student Association President by Summer Yan
When I first arrived at Cranfield, I had no idea that one year later I would be standing at the heart of our student community, serving as President of the Cranfield Student Association (CSA). ...