his week, we explored research methodology and the importance of choosing a method that fits the question being asked. I learned that methodology is not just about following a process, but about making a clear and reasoned decision about how to gather and interpret information. The main difference between quantitative and qualitative research is that quantitative research focuses on numbers, measurement, and patterns, while qualitative research focuses on meanings, experiences, and opinions.
What I found most useful was understanding that the method should always align with the research’s purpose. If the aim is to measure something or compare results, quantitative research is more suitable. If the goal is to understand people’s thoughts, behaviours, or experiences in more depth, qualitative research is the better choice. This made me think more critically about how different methods can shape the kind of knowledge we produce.
Overall, this topic helped me see that choosing a methodology is a creative and analytical decision, not just a technical one. In future tasks, I want to improve by being more precise about why a particular method is the most appropriate, rather than just describing what it is.