• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • QuestionPro

survey software icon

  • Solutions Industries Gaming Automotive Sports and events Education Government Travel & Hospitality Financial Services Healthcare Cannabis Technology Use Case NPS+ Communities Audience Contactless surveys Mobile LivePolls Member Experience GDPR Positive People Science 360 Feedback Surveys
  • Resources Blog eBooks Survey Templates Case Studies Training Help center

summary report in research methodology

Home Surveys Academic Research

Research Summary: What is it & how to write one

research summary

The Research Summary is used to report facts about a study clearly. You will almost certainly be required to prepare a research summary during your academic research or while on a research project for your organization.

If it is the first time you have to write one, the writing requirements may confuse you. The instructors generally assign someone to write a summary of the research work. Research summaries require the writer to have a thorough understanding of the issue.

This article will discuss the definition of a research summary and how to write one.

What is a research summary?

A research summary is a piece of writing that summarizes your research on a specific topic. Its primary goal is to offer the reader a detailed overview of the study with the key findings. A research summary generally contains the article’s structure in which it is written.

You must know the goal of your analysis before you launch a project. A research overview summarizes the detailed response and highlights particular issues raised in it. Writing it might be somewhat troublesome. To write a good overview, you want to start with a structure in mind. Read on for our guide.

Why is an analysis recap so important?

Your summary or analysis is going to tell readers everything about your research project. This is the critical piece that your stakeholders will read to identify your findings and valuable insights. Having a good and concise research summary that presents facts and comes with no research biases is the critical deliverable of any research project.

We’ve put together a cheat sheet to help you write a good research summary below.

Research Summary Guide

  • Why was this research done?  – You want to give a clear description of why this research study was done. What hypothesis was being tested?
  • Who was surveyed? – The what and why or your research decides who you’re going to interview/survey. Your research summary has a detailed note on who participated in the study and why they were selected. 
  • What was the methodology? – Talk about the methodology. Did you do face-to-face interviews? Was it a short or long survey or a focus group setting? Your research methodology is key to the results you’re going to get. 
  • What were the key findings? – This can be the most critical part of the process. What did we find out after testing the hypothesis? This section, like all others, should be just facts, facts facts. You’re not sharing how you feel about the findings. Keep it bias-free.
  • Conclusion – What are the conclusions that were drawn from the findings. A good example of a conclusion. Surprisingly, most people interviewed did not watch the lunar eclipse in 2022, which is unexpected given that 100% of those interviewed knew about it before it happened.
  • Takeaways and action points – This is where you bring in your suggestion. Given the data you now have from the research, what are the takeaways and action points? If you’re a researcher running this research project for your company, you’ll use this part to shed light on your recommended action plans for the business.

LEARN ABOUT:   Action Research

If you’re doing any research, you will write a summary, which will be the most viewed and more important part of the project. So keep a guideline in mind before you start. Focus on the content first and then worry about the length. Use the cheat sheet/checklist in this article to organize your summary, and that’s all you need to write a great research summary!

But once your summary is ready, where is it stored? Most teams have multiple documents in their google drives, and it’s a nightmare to find projects that were done in the past. Your research data should be democratized and easy to use.

We at QuestionPro launched a research repository for research teams, and our clients love it. All your data is in one place, and everything is searchable, including your research summaries! 

Authors: Prachi, Anas

MORE LIKE THIS

social listening tools

Top 10 Social Listening Tools for Brand Reputation

Mar 1, 2024

knowledge management software

16 Best Knowledge Management Software 2024

Feb 29, 2024

research management system

Research Management System: What it is & Why You Need It

Feb 28, 2024

Journey to Customer Happiness: Strategies for Better CX Programs

Journey to Customer Happiness: Proven Strategies for Building Exceptional CX Programs

Feb 27, 2024

Other categories

  • Academic Research
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Assessments
  • Brand Awareness
  • Case Studies
  • Communities
  • Consumer Insights
  • Customer effort score
  • Customer Engagement
  • Customer Experience
  • Customer Loyalty
  • Customer Research
  • Customer Satisfaction
  • Employee Benefits
  • Employee Engagement
  • Employee Retention
  • Friday Five
  • General Data Protection Regulation
  • Insights Hub
  • Life@QuestionPro
  • Market Research
  • Mobile diaries
  • Mobile Surveys
  • New Features
  • Online Communities
  • Question Types
  • Questionnaire
  • QuestionPro Products
  • Release Notes
  • Research Tools and Apps
  • Revenue at Risk
  • Survey Templates
  • Training Tips
  • Uncategorized
  • Video Learning Series
  • What’s Coming Up
  • Workforce Intelligence

Uncomplicated Reviews of Educational Research Methods

  • Writing a Research Report

.pdf version of this page

This review covers the basic elements of a research report. This is a general guide for what you will see in journal articles or dissertations. This format assumes a mixed methods study, but you can leave out either quantitative or qualitative sections if you only used a single methodology.

This review is divided into sections for easy reference. There are five MAJOR parts of a Research Report:

1.    Introduction 2.    Review of Literature 3.    Methods 4.    Results 5.    Discussion

As a general guide, the Introduction, Review of Literature, and Methods should be about 1/3 of your paper, Discussion 1/3, then Results 1/3.

Section 1 : Cover Sheet (APA format cover sheet) optional, if required.

Section 2: Abstract (a basic summary of the report, including sample, treatment, design, results, and implications) (≤ 150 words) optional, if required.

Section 3 : Introduction (1-3 paragraphs) •    Basic introduction •    Supportive statistics (can be from periodicals) •    Statement of Purpose •    Statement of Significance

Section 4 : Research question(s) or hypotheses •    An overall research question (optional) •    A quantitative-based (hypotheses) •    A qualitative-based (research questions) Note: You will generally have more than one, especially if using hypotheses.

Section 5: Review of Literature ▪    Should be organized by subheadings ▪    Should adequately support your study using supporting, related, and/or refuting evidence ▪    Is a synthesis, not a collection of individual summaries

Section 6: Methods ▪    Procedure: Describe data gathering or participant recruitment, including IRB approval ▪    Sample: Describe the sample or dataset, including basic demographics ▪    Setting: Describe the setting, if applicable (generally only in qualitative designs) ▪    Treatment: If applicable, describe, in detail, how you implemented the treatment ▪    Instrument: Describe, in detail, how you implemented the instrument; Describe the reliability and validity associated with the instrument ▪    Data Analysis: Describe type of procedure (t-test, interviews, etc.) and software (if used)

Section 7: Results ▪    Restate Research Question 1 (Quantitative) ▪    Describe results ▪    Restate Research Question 2 (Qualitative) ▪    Describe results

Section 8: Discussion ▪    Restate Overall Research Question ▪    Describe how the results, when taken together, answer the overall question ▪    ***Describe how the results confirm or contrast the literature you reviewed

Section 9: Recommendations (if applicable, generally related to practice)

Section 10: Limitations ▪    Discuss, in several sentences, the limitations of this study. ▪    Research Design (overall, then info about the limitations of each separately) ▪    Sample ▪    Instrument/s ▪    Other limitations

Section 11: Conclusion (A brief closing summary)

Section 12: References (APA format)

Share this:

About research rundowns.

Research Rundowns was made possible by support from the Dewar College of Education at Valdosta State University .

  • Experimental Design
  • What is Educational Research?
  • Writing Research Questions
  • Mixed Methods Research Designs
  • Qualitative Coding & Analysis
  • Qualitative Research Design
  • Correlation
  • Effect Size
  • Instrument, Validity, Reliability
  • Mean & Standard Deviation
  • Significance Testing (t-tests)
  • Steps 1-4: Finding Research
  • Steps 5-6: Analyzing & Organizing
  • Steps 7-9: Citing & Writing

Blog at WordPress.com.

' src=

  • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
  • Subscribe Subscribed
  • Copy shortlink
  • Report this content
  • View post in Reader
  • Manage subscriptions
  • Collapse this bar
  • Resources Home 🏠
  • Try SciSpace Copilot
  • Search research papers
  • Add Copilot Extension
  • Try AI Detector
  • Try Paraphraser
  • Try Citation Generator
  • April Papers
  • June Papers
  • July Papers

SciSpace Resources

Here's What You Need to Understand About Research Methodology

Deeptanshu D

Table of Contents

Research methodology involves a systematic and well-structured approach to conducting scholarly or scientific inquiries. Knowing the significance of research methodology and its different components is crucial as it serves as the basis for any study.

Typically, your research topic will start as a broad idea you want to investigate more thoroughly. Once you’ve identified a research problem and created research questions , you must choose the appropriate methodology and frameworks to address those questions effectively.

What is the definition of a research methodology?

Research methodology is the process or the way you intend to execute your study. The methodology section of a research paper outlines how you plan to conduct your study. It covers various steps such as collecting data, statistical analysis, observing participants, and other procedures involved in the research process

The methods section should give a description of the process that will convert your idea into a study. Additionally, the outcomes of your process must provide valid and reliable results resonant with the aims and objectives of your research. This thumb rule holds complete validity, no matter whether your paper has inclinations for qualitative or quantitative usage.

Studying research methods used in related studies can provide helpful insights and direction for your own research. Now easily discover papers related to your topic on SciSpace and utilize our AI research assistant, Copilot , to quickly review the methodologies applied in different papers.

Analyze and understand research methodologies faster with SciSpace Copilot

The need for a good research methodology

While deciding on your approach towards your research, the reason or factors you weighed in choosing a particular problem and formulating a research topic need to be validated and explained. A research methodology helps you do exactly that. Moreover, a good research methodology lets you build your argument to validate your research work performed through various data collection methods, analytical methods, and other essential points.

Just imagine it as a strategy documented to provide an overview of what you intend to do.

While undertaking any research writing or performing the research itself, you may get drifted in not something of much importance. In such a case, a research methodology helps you to get back to your outlined work methodology.

A research methodology helps in keeping you accountable for your work. Additionally, it can help you evaluate whether your work is in sync with your original aims and objectives or not. Besides, a good research methodology enables you to navigate your research process smoothly and swiftly while providing effective planning to achieve your desired results.

What is the basic structure of a research methodology?

Usually, you must ensure to include the following stated aspects while deciding over the basic structure of your research methodology:

1. Your research procedure

Explain what research methods you’re going to use. Whether you intend to proceed with quantitative or qualitative, or a composite of both approaches, you need to state that explicitly. The option among the three depends on your research’s aim, objectives, and scope.

2. Provide the rationality behind your chosen approach

Based on logic and reason, let your readers know why you have chosen said research methodologies. Additionally, you have to build strong arguments supporting why your chosen research method is the best way to achieve the desired outcome.

3. Explain your mechanism

The mechanism encompasses the research methods or instruments you will use to develop your research methodology. It usually refers to your data collection methods. You can use interviews, surveys, physical questionnaires, etc., of the many available mechanisms as research methodology instruments. The data collection method is determined by the type of research and whether the data is quantitative data(includes numerical data) or qualitative data (perception, morale, etc.) Moreover, you need to put logical reasoning behind choosing a particular instrument.

4. Significance of outcomes

The results will be available once you have finished experimenting. However, you should also explain how you plan to use the data to interpret the findings. This section also aids in understanding the problem from within, breaking it down into pieces, and viewing the research problem from various perspectives.

5. Reader’s advice

Anything that you feel must be explained to spread more awareness among readers and focus groups must be included and described in detail. You should not just specify your research methodology on the assumption that a reader is aware of the topic.  

All the relevant information that explains and simplifies your research paper must be included in the methodology section. If you are conducting your research in a non-traditional manner, give a logical justification and list its benefits.

6. Explain your sample space

Include information about the sample and sample space in the methodology section. The term "sample" refers to a smaller set of data that a researcher selects or chooses from a larger group of people or focus groups using a predetermined selection method. Let your readers know how you are going to distinguish between relevant and non-relevant samples. How you figured out those exact numbers to back your research methodology, i.e. the sample spacing of instruments, must be discussed thoroughly.

For example, if you are going to conduct a survey or interview, then by what procedure will you select the interviewees (or sample size in case of surveys), and how exactly will the interview or survey be conducted.

7. Challenges and limitations

This part, which is frequently assumed to be unnecessary, is actually very important. The challenges and limitations that your chosen strategy inherently possesses must be specified while you are conducting different types of research.

The importance of a good research methodology

You must have observed that all research papers, dissertations, or theses carry a chapter entirely dedicated to research methodology. This section helps maintain your credibility as a better interpreter of results rather than a manipulator.

A good research methodology always explains the procedure, data collection methods and techniques, aim, and scope of the research. In a research study, it leads to a well-organized, rationality-based approach, while the paper lacking it is often observed as messy or disorganized.

You should pay special attention to validating your chosen way towards the research methodology. This becomes extremely important in case you select an unconventional or a distinct method of execution.

Curating and developing a strong, effective research methodology can assist you in addressing a variety of situations, such as:

  • When someone tries to duplicate or expand upon your research after few years.
  • If a contradiction or conflict of facts occurs at a later time. This gives you the security you need to deal with these contradictions while still being able to defend your approach.
  • Gaining a tactical approach in getting your research completed in time. Just ensure you are using the right approach while drafting your research methodology, and it can help you achieve your desired outcomes. Additionally, it provides a better explanation and understanding of the research question itself.
  • Documenting the results so that the final outcome of the research stays as you intended it to be while starting.

Instruments you could use while writing a good research methodology

As a researcher, you must choose which tools or data collection methods that fit best in terms of the relevance of your research. This decision has to be wise.

There exists many research equipments or tools that you can use to carry out your research process. These are classified as:

a. Interviews (One-on-One or a Group)

An interview aimed to get your desired research outcomes can be undertaken in many different ways. For example, you can design your interview as structured, semi-structured, or unstructured. What sets them apart is the degree of formality in the questions. On the other hand, in a group interview, your aim should be to collect more opinions and group perceptions from the focus groups on a certain topic rather than looking out for some formal answers.

In surveys, you are in better control if you specifically draft the questions you seek the response for. For example, you may choose to include free-style questions that can be answered descriptively, or you may provide a multiple-choice type response for questions. Besides, you can also opt to choose both ways, deciding what suits your research process and purpose better.

c. Sample Groups

Similar to the group interviews, here, you can select a group of individuals and assign them a topic to discuss or freely express their opinions over that. You can simultaneously note down the answers and later draft them appropriately, deciding on the relevance of every response.

d. Observations

If your research domain is humanities or sociology, observations are the best-proven method to draw your research methodology. Of course, you can always include studying the spontaneous response of the participants towards a situation or conducting the same but in a more structured manner. A structured observation means putting the participants in a situation at a previously decided time and then studying their responses.

Of all the tools described above, it is you who should wisely choose the instruments and decide what’s the best fit for your research. You must not restrict yourself from multiple methods or a combination of a few instruments if appropriate in drafting a good research methodology.

Types of research methodology

A research methodology exists in various forms. Depending upon their approach, whether centered around words, numbers, or both, methodologies are distinguished as qualitative, quantitative, or an amalgamation of both.

1. Qualitative research methodology

When a research methodology primarily focuses on words and textual data, then it is generally referred to as qualitative research methodology. This type is usually preferred among researchers when the aim and scope of the research are mainly theoretical and explanatory.

The instruments used are observations, interviews, and sample groups. You can use this methodology if you are trying to study human behavior or response in some situations. Generally, qualitative research methodology is widely used in sociology, psychology, and other related domains.

2. Quantitative research methodology

If your research is majorly centered on data, figures, and stats, then analyzing these numerical data is often referred to as quantitative research methodology. You can use quantitative research methodology if your research requires you to validate or justify the obtained results.

In quantitative methods, surveys, tests, experiments, and evaluations of current databases can be advantageously used as instruments If your research involves testing some hypothesis, then use this methodology.

3. Amalgam methodology

As the name suggests, the amalgam methodology uses both quantitative and qualitative approaches. This methodology is used when a part of the research requires you to verify the facts and figures, whereas the other part demands you to discover the theoretical and explanatory nature of the research question.

The instruments for the amalgam methodology require you to conduct interviews and surveys, including tests and experiments. The outcome of this methodology can be insightful and valuable as it provides precise test results in line with theoretical explanations and reasoning.

The amalgam method, makes your work both factual and rational at the same time.

Final words: How to decide which is the best research methodology?

If you have kept your sincerity and awareness intact with the aims and scope of research well enough, you must have got an idea of which research methodology suits your work best.

Before deciding which research methodology answers your research question, you must invest significant time in reading and doing your homework for that. Taking references that yield relevant results should be your first approach to establishing a research methodology.

Moreover, you should never refrain from exploring other options. Before setting your work in stone, you must try all the available options as it explains why the choice of research methodology that you finally make is more appropriate than the other available options.

You should always go for a quantitative research methodology if your research requires gathering large amounts of data, figures, and statistics. This research methodology will provide you with results if your research paper involves the validation of some hypothesis.

Whereas, if  you are looking for more explanations, reasons, opinions, and public perceptions around a theory, you must use qualitative research methodology.The choice of an appropriate research methodology ultimately depends on what you want to achieve through your research.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Research Methodology

1. how to write a research methodology.

You can always provide a separate section for research methodology where you should specify details about the methods and instruments used during the research, discussions on result analysis, including insights into the background information, and conveying the research limitations.

2. What are the types of research methodology?

There generally exists four types of research methodology i.e.

  • Observation
  • Experimental
  • Derivational

3. What is the true meaning of research methodology?

The set of techniques or procedures followed to discover and analyze the information gathered to validate or justify a research outcome is generally called Research Methodology.

4. Where lies the importance of research methodology?

Your research methodology directly reflects the validity of your research outcomes and how well-informed your research work is. Moreover, it can help future researchers cite or refer to your research if they plan to use a similar research methodology.

summary report in research methodology

You might also like

Consensus GPT vs. SciSpace GPT: Choose the Best GPT for Research

Consensus GPT vs. SciSpace GPT: Choose the Best GPT for Research

Sumalatha G

Literature Review and Theoretical Framework: Understanding the Differences

Nikhil Seethi

Using AI for research: A beginner’s guide

Shubham Dogra

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to enjoy a better experience.

A Complete Guide to Writing a Research Summary

A summary is a key part of any research. So, how should you go about writing one?

You will find many guides on the Internet about writing research. But, any article seldom covers the prospect of writing a research summary. While many things are shortened versions of the original article, there’s much more to research summaries.

From descriptive statistics to writing scientific research, a summary plays a vital role in describing the key ideas within. So, it begs a few questions, such as:

  • What exactly is a research summary?
  • How do you write one?
  • What are some of the tips for writing a good research summary ?

In this guide, we’ll answer all of these questions and explore a few essential factors about research writing. So, let’s jump right into it.

What is a Research Summary?

A research summary is a short, concise summary of an academic research paper. It is often used to summarize the results of an experiment, summarize the major findings and conclusions, and provide a brief overview of the methods and procedures used in the study.

The purpose of a research summary is to provide readers with enough information about an article to decide whether they want to read it in its entirety. It should be no more than two paragraphs long and should include:

  • A brief introduction summarizing why the article was written
  • The main idea of the article
  • The major findings and conclusions
  • An overview of how the study was conducted

In order to write effective research summaries, it is important that you can capture the essential points of the research and provide a concise overview. The key step in writing a good summary is to read through the article and make notes of the key points.

This can be done by underlining or highlighting key phrases in the article. One essential thing is to organize these points into an outline format, which includes an introduction and conclusion paragraph.

Another best and quick way to generate a precise summary of your research paper is to take assistance from the online text summarizer, like Summarizer.org .

The online summarizing tool gets the research paper and creates a precise summary of it by taking the important points.

Finally, you must edit your work for grammar and spelling errors before submitting it for grading.

The purpose of the research summary is to provide a comprehensive sum of everything that’s in the research. This includes a summarization of scientific/literal research, as well as of the writer’s aim and personal thoughts.

As for the summary length, it shouldn’t be more than 10% of the entire content. So, if your research is around 1000-words or so, then your summary should be 100-words. But, considering how most research papers are around 3000-4000 words, it should be 300-400 words.

Key pillars of a Research Summary

The summary of any research doesn’t just include the summarized text of the entire research paper. It includes a few other key things, which we’ll explore later on in this article. But, the purpose of a summary is to give proper insights to the reader, such as:

  • The writer’s intention
  • sources and bases of research
  • the purpose & result.

That’s why it’s important to understand that the summary should tell your reader all these elements. So, the fundamentals of any summary include:

  • Write a section and state the importance of the research paper from your perspective. In this section, you will have to describe the techniques, tools, and sources you employed to get the conclusion.
  • Besides that, it’s also meant to provide a brief and descriptive explanation of the actionable aspect of your research. In other words, how it can be implemented in real life.
  • Treat your research summary like a smaller article or blog. So, each important section of your research should be written within a subheading. However, this is highly optional to keep things organized.
  • As mentioned before, the research summary shouldn’t exceed 300-400 words. But, some research summaries are known to surpass 10000-words. So, try to employ the 10% formula and write one-tenth of the entire length of your research paper.

These four main points allow you to understand how a research summary is different from the research itself. So, it’s like a documentary where research and other key factors are left to the science (research paper), while the narration explains the key points (research summary)

How do you write a Research Summary?

Writing a research summary is a straightforward affair. Yet, it requires some understanding, as it’s not a lengthy process but rather a tricky and technical one. In a research summary, a few boxes must be checked. To help you do just that, here are 6 things you should tend to separately:

A summary’s title can be the same as the title of your primary research. However, putting separate titles in both has a few benefits. Such as:

  • A separate title shifts attention towards the conclusion.
  • A different title can focus on the main point of your research.
  • Using two different titles can provide a better abstract.

Speaking of an abstract, a summary is the abstract of your research. Therefore, a title representing that very thought is going to do a lot of good too. That’s why it’s better if the title of your summary differs from the title of your research paper.

2. Abstract

The abstract is the summarization of scientific or research methods used in your primary paper. This allows the reader to understand the pillars of the study conducted. For instance, there has been an array of astrological research since James Webb Space Telescope started sending images and data.

So, many research papers explain this Telescope’s technological evolution in their abstracts. This allows the reader to differentiate from the astrological research made by previous space crafts, such as Hubble or Chandra .

The point of providing this abstract is to ensure that the reader grasps the standards or boundaries within which the research was held.

3. Introduction

This is the part where you introduce your topic. In your main research, you’d dive right into the technicalities in this part. However, you’ll try to keep things mild in a research summary. Simply because it needs to summarize the key points in your main introduction.

So, a lot of introductions you’ll find as an example will be extensive in length. But, a research summary needs to be as concise as possible. Usually, in this part, a writer includes the basics and standards of investigation.

For instance, if your research is about James Webb’s latest findings , then you’ll identify how the studies conducted by this Telescope’s infrared and other technology made this study possible. That’s when your introduction will hook the reader into the main premise of your research.

4. Methodology / Study

This section needs to describe the methodology used by you in your research. Or the methodology you relied on when conducting this particular research or study. This allows the reader to grasp the fundamentals of your research, and it’s extremely important.

Because if the reader doesn’t understand your methods, then they will have no response to your studies. How should you tend to this? Include things such as:

  • The surveys or reviews you used;
  • include the samplings and experiment types you researched;
  • provide a brief statistical analysis;
  • give a primary reason to pick these particular methods.

Once again, leave the scientific intricacies for your primary research. But, describe the key methods that you employed. So, when the reader is perusing your final research, they’ll have your methods and study techniques in mind.

5. Results / Discussion

This section of your research needs to describe the results that you’ve achieved. Granted, some researchers will rely on results achieved by others. So, this part needs to explain how that happened – but not in detail.

The other section in this part will be a discussion. This is your interpretation of the results you’ve found. Thus, in the context of the results’ application, this section needs to dive into the theoretical understanding of your research. What will this section entail exactly? Here’s what:

  • Things that you covered, including results;
  • inferences you provided, given the context of your research;
  • the theory archetype that you’ve tried to explain in the light of the methodology you employed;
  • essential points or any limitations of the research.

These factors will help the reader grasp the final idea of your research. But, it’s not full circle yet, as the pulp will still be left for the actual research.

6. Conclusion

The final section of your summary is the conclusion. The key thing about the conclusion in your research summary, compared to your actual research, is that they could be different. For instance, the actual conclusion in your research should bring around the study.

However, the research in this summary should bring your own ideas and affirmations to full circle. Thus, this conclusion could and should be different from the ending of your research.

5 Tips for writing a Research Summary

Writing a research summary is easy once you tend to the technicalities. But, there are some tips and tricks that could make it easier. Remember, a research summary is the sum of your entire research. So, it doesn’t need to be as technical or in-depth as your primary work.

Thus, to make it easier for you, here are four tips you can follow:

1. Read & read again

Reading your own work repeatedly has many benefits. First, it’ll help you understand any mistakes or problems your research might have. After that, you’ll find a few key points that stand out from the others – that’s what you need to use in your summary.

So, the best advice anyone can give you is to read your research again and again. This will etch the idea in your mind and allow you to summarize it better.

2. Focus on key essentials in each section

As we discussed earlier, each section of your research has a key part. To write a thoroughly encapsulating summary, you need to focus on and find each such element in your research.

Doing so will give you enough leverage to write a summary that thoroughly condenses your research idea and gives you enough to write a summary out of it.

3. Write the research using a summarizing tool

The best advice you can get is to write a summary using a tool. Condensing each section might be a troublesome experience for some – as it can be time-consuming.

To avoid all that, you can simply take help from an online summarizer. It gets the lengthy content and creates a precise summary of it by using advanced AI technology.

As you can see, the tool condenses this particular section perfectly while the details are light.

Bringing that down to 10% or 20% will help you write each section accordingly. Thus, saving precious time and effort.

4. Word count limit

As mentioned earlier, word count is something you need to follow thoroughly. So, if your section is around 200-word, then read it again. And describe it to yourself in 20-words or so. Doing this to every section will help you write exactly a 10% summary of your research.

5. Get a second opinion

If you’re unsure about quality or quantity, get a second opinion. At times, ideas are in our minds, but we cannot find words to explain them. In research or any sort of creative process, getting a second opinion can save a lot of trouble.

There’s your guide to writing a research summary, folks. While it’s not different from condensing the entire premise of your research, writing it in simpler words will do wonders. So, try to follow the tips, tools, and ideas provided in this article, and write outstanding summaries for your research.

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, automatically generate references for free.

  • Knowledge Base
  • Dissertation
  • What Is a Research Methodology? | Steps & Tips

What Is a Research Methodology? | Steps & Tips

Published on 25 February 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on 10 October 2022.

Your research methodology discusses and explains the data collection and analysis methods you used in your research. A key part of your thesis, dissertation, or research paper, the methodology chapter explains what you did and how you did it, allowing readers to evaluate the reliability and validity of your research.

It should include:

  • The type of research you conducted
  • How you collected and analysed your data
  • Any tools or materials you used in the research
  • Why you chose these methods
  • Your methodology section should generally be written in the past tense .
  • Academic style guides in your field may provide detailed guidelines on what to include for different types of studies.
  • Your citation style might provide guidelines for your methodology section (e.g., an APA Style methods section ).

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Be assured that you'll submit flawless writing. Upload your document to correct all your mistakes.

upload-your-document-ai-proofreader

Table of contents

How to write a research methodology, why is a methods section important, step 1: explain your methodological approach, step 2: describe your data collection methods, step 3: describe your analysis method, step 4: evaluate and justify the methodological choices you made, tips for writing a strong methodology chapter, frequently asked questions about methodology.

The only proofreading tool specialized in correcting academic writing

The academic proofreading tool has been trained on 1000s of academic texts and by native English editors. Making it the most accurate and reliable proofreading tool for students.

summary report in research methodology

Correct my document today

Your methods section is your opportunity to share how you conducted your research and why you chose the methods you chose. It’s also the place to show that your research was rigorously conducted and can be replicated .

It gives your research legitimacy and situates it within your field, and also gives your readers a place to refer to if they have any questions or critiques in other sections.

You can start by introducing your overall approach to your research. You have two options here.

Option 1: Start with your “what”

What research problem or question did you investigate?

  • Aim to describe the characteristics of something?
  • Explore an under-researched topic?
  • Establish a causal relationship?

And what type of data did you need to achieve this aim?

  • Quantitative data , qualitative data , or a mix of both?
  • Primary data collected yourself, or secondary data collected by someone else?
  • Experimental data gathered by controlling and manipulating variables, or descriptive data gathered via observations?

Option 2: Start with your “why”

Depending on your discipline, you can also start with a discussion of the rationale and assumptions underpinning your methodology. In other words, why did you choose these methods for your study?

  • Why is this the best way to answer your research question?
  • Is this a standard methodology in your field, or does it require justification?
  • Were there any ethical considerations involved in your choices?
  • What are the criteria for validity and reliability in this type of research ?

Once you have introduced your reader to your methodological approach, you should share full details about your data collection methods .

Quantitative methods

In order to be considered generalisable, you should describe quantitative research methods in enough detail for another researcher to replicate your study.

Here, explain how you operationalised your concepts and measured your variables. Discuss your sampling method or inclusion/exclusion criteria, as well as any tools, procedures, and materials you used to gather your data.

Surveys Describe where, when, and how the survey was conducted.

  • How did you design the questionnaire?
  • What form did your questions take (e.g., multiple choice, Likert scale )?
  • Were your surveys conducted in-person or virtually?
  • What sampling method did you use to select participants?
  • What was your sample size and response rate?

Experiments Share full details of the tools, techniques, and procedures you used to conduct your experiment.

  • How did you design the experiment ?
  • How did you recruit participants?
  • How did you manipulate and measure the variables ?
  • What tools did you use?

Existing data Explain how you gathered and selected the material (such as datasets or archival data) that you used in your analysis.

  • Where did you source the material?
  • How was the data originally produced?
  • What criteria did you use to select material (e.g., date range)?

The survey consisted of 5 multiple-choice questions and 10 questions measured on a 7-point Likert scale.

The goal was to collect survey responses from 350 customers visiting the fitness apparel company’s brick-and-mortar location in Boston on 4–8 July 2022, between 11:00 and 15:00.

Here, a customer was defined as a person who had purchased a product from the company on the day they took the survey. Participants were given 5 minutes to fill in the survey anonymously. In total, 408 customers responded, but not all surveys were fully completed. Due to this, 371 survey results were included in the analysis.

Qualitative methods

In qualitative research , methods are often more flexible and subjective. For this reason, it’s crucial to robustly explain the methodology choices you made.

Be sure to discuss the criteria you used to select your data, the context in which your research was conducted, and the role you played in collecting your data (e.g., were you an active participant, or a passive observer?)

Interviews or focus groups Describe where, when, and how the interviews were conducted.

  • How did you find and select participants?
  • How many participants took part?
  • What form did the interviews take ( structured , semi-structured , or unstructured )?
  • How long were the interviews?
  • How were they recorded?

Participant observation Describe where, when, and how you conducted the observation or ethnography .

  • What group or community did you observe? How long did you spend there?
  • How did you gain access to this group? What role did you play in the community?
  • How long did you spend conducting the research? Where was it located?
  • How did you record your data (e.g., audiovisual recordings, note-taking)?

Existing data Explain how you selected case study materials for your analysis.

  • What type of materials did you analyse?
  • How did you select them?

In order to gain better insight into possibilities for future improvement of the fitness shop’s product range, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 8 returning customers.

Here, a returning customer was defined as someone who usually bought products at least twice a week from the store.

Surveys were used to select participants. Interviews were conducted in a small office next to the cash register and lasted approximately 20 minutes each. Answers were recorded by note-taking, and seven interviews were also filmed with consent. One interviewee preferred not to be filmed.

Mixed methods

Mixed methods research combines quantitative and qualitative approaches. If a standalone quantitative or qualitative study is insufficient to answer your research question, mixed methods may be a good fit for you.

Mixed methods are less common than standalone analyses, largely because they require a great deal of effort to pull off successfully. If you choose to pursue mixed methods, it’s especially important to robustly justify your methods here.

Next, you should indicate how you processed and analysed your data. Avoid going into too much detail: you should not start introducing or discussing any of your results at this stage.

In quantitative research , your analysis will be based on numbers. In your methods section, you can include:

  • How you prepared the data before analysing it (e.g., checking for missing data , removing outliers , transforming variables)
  • Which software you used (e.g., SPSS, Stata or R)
  • Which statistical tests you used (e.g., two-tailed t test , simple linear regression )

In qualitative research, your analysis will be based on language, images, and observations (often involving some form of textual analysis ).

Specific methods might include:

  • Content analysis : Categorising and discussing the meaning of words, phrases and sentences
  • Thematic analysis : Coding and closely examining the data to identify broad themes and patterns
  • Discourse analysis : Studying communication and meaning in relation to their social context

Mixed methods combine the above two research methods, integrating both qualitative and quantitative approaches into one coherent analytical process.

Above all, your methodology section should clearly make the case for why you chose the methods you did. This is especially true if you did not take the most standard approach to your topic. In this case, discuss why other methods were not suitable for your objectives, and show how this approach contributes new knowledge or understanding.

In any case, it should be overwhelmingly clear to your reader that you set yourself up for success in terms of your methodology’s design. Show how your methods should lead to results that are valid and reliable, while leaving the analysis of the meaning, importance, and relevance of your results for your discussion section .

  • Quantitative: Lab-based experiments cannot always accurately simulate real-life situations and behaviours, but they are effective for testing causal relationships between variables .
  • Qualitative: Unstructured interviews usually produce results that cannot be generalised beyond the sample group , but they provide a more in-depth understanding of participants’ perceptions, motivations, and emotions.
  • Mixed methods: Despite issues systematically comparing differing types of data, a solely quantitative study would not sufficiently incorporate the lived experience of each participant, while a solely qualitative study would be insufficiently generalisable.

Remember that your aim is not just to describe your methods, but to show how and why you applied them. Again, it’s critical to demonstrate that your research was rigorously conducted and can be replicated.

1. Focus on your objectives and research questions

The methodology section should clearly show why your methods suit your objectives  and convince the reader that you chose the best possible approach to answering your problem statement and research questions .

2. Cite relevant sources

Your methodology can be strengthened by referencing existing research in your field. This can help you to:

  • Show that you followed established practice for your type of research
  • Discuss how you decided on your approach by evaluating existing research
  • Present a novel methodological approach to address a gap in the literature

3. Write for your audience

Consider how much information you need to give, and avoid getting too lengthy. If you are using methods that are standard for your discipline, you probably don’t need to give a lot of background or justification.

Regardless, your methodology should be a clear, well-structured text that makes an argument for your approach, not just a list of technical details and procedures.

Methodology refers to the overarching strategy and rationale of your research. Developing your methodology involves studying the research methods used in your field and the theories or principles that underpin them, in order to choose the approach that best matches your objectives.

Methods are the specific tools and procedures you use to collect and analyse data (e.g. interviews, experiments , surveys , statistical tests ).

In a dissertation or scientific paper, the methodology chapter or methods section comes after the introduction and before the results , discussion and conclusion .

Depending on the length and type of document, you might also include a literature review or theoretical framework before the methodology.

Quantitative research deals with numbers and statistics, while qualitative research deals with words and meanings.

Quantitative methods allow you to test a hypothesis by systematically collecting and analysing data, while qualitative methods allow you to explore ideas and experiences in depth.

A sample is a subset of individuals from a larger population. Sampling means selecting the group that you will actually collect data from in your research.

For example, if you are researching the opinions of students in your university, you could survey a sample of 100 students.

Statistical sampling allows you to test a hypothesis about the characteristics of a population. There are various sampling methods you can use to ensure that your sample is representative of the population as a whole.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the ‘Cite this Scribbr article’ button to automatically add the citation to our free Reference Generator.

McCombes, S. (2022, October 10). What Is a Research Methodology? | Steps & Tips. Scribbr. Retrieved 26 February 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/thesis-dissertation/methodology/

Is this article helpful?

Shona McCombes

Shona McCombes

Other students also liked, how to write a dissertation proposal | a step-by-step guide, what is a literature review | guide, template, & examples, what is a theoretical framework | a step-by-step guide.

  • USC Libraries
  • Research Guides

Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper

  • 6. The Methodology
  • Purpose of Guide
  • Design Flaws to Avoid
  • Independent and Dependent Variables
  • Glossary of Research Terms
  • Reading Research Effectively
  • Narrowing a Topic Idea
  • Broadening a Topic Idea
  • Extending the Timeliness of a Topic Idea
  • Academic Writing Style
  • Choosing a Title
  • Making an Outline
  • Paragraph Development
  • Research Process Video Series
  • Executive Summary
  • The C.A.R.S. Model
  • Background Information
  • The Research Problem/Question
  • Theoretical Framework
  • Citation Tracking
  • Content Alert Services
  • Evaluating Sources
  • Primary Sources
  • Secondary Sources
  • Tiertiary Sources
  • Scholarly vs. Popular Publications
  • Qualitative Methods
  • Quantitative Methods
  • Insiderness
  • Using Non-Textual Elements
  • Limitations of the Study
  • Common Grammar Mistakes
  • Writing Concisely
  • Avoiding Plagiarism
  • Footnotes or Endnotes?
  • Further Readings
  • Generative AI and Writing
  • USC Libraries Tutorials and Other Guides
  • Bibliography

The methods section describes actions taken to investigate a research problem and the rationale for the application of specific procedures or techniques used to identify, select, process, and analyze information applied to understanding the problem, thereby, allowing the reader to critically evaluate a study’s overall validity and reliability. The methodology section of a research paper answers two main questions: How was the data collected or generated? And, how was it analyzed? The writing should be direct and precise and always written in the past tense.

Kallet, Richard H. "How to Write the Methods Section of a Research Paper." Respiratory Care 49 (October 2004): 1229-1232.

Importance of a Good Methodology Section

You must explain how you obtained and analyzed your results for the following reasons:

  • Readers need to know how the data was obtained because the method you chose affects the results and, by extension, how you interpreted their significance in the discussion section of your paper.
  • Methodology is crucial for any branch of scholarship because an unreliable method produces unreliable results and, as a consequence, undermines the value of your analysis of the findings.
  • In most cases, there are a variety of different methods you can choose to investigate a research problem. The methodology section of your paper should clearly articulate the reasons why you have chosen a particular procedure or technique.
  • The reader wants to know that the data was collected or generated in a way that is consistent with accepted practice in the field of study. For example, if you are using a multiple choice questionnaire, readers need to know that it offered your respondents a reasonable range of answers to choose from.
  • The method must be appropriate to fulfilling the overall aims of the study. For example, you need to ensure that you have a large enough sample size to be able to generalize and make recommendations based upon the findings.
  • The methodology should discuss the problems that were anticipated and the steps you took to prevent them from occurring. For any problems that do arise, you must describe the ways in which they were minimized or why these problems do not impact in any meaningful way your interpretation of the findings.
  • In the social and behavioral sciences, it is important to always provide sufficient information to allow other researchers to adopt or replicate your methodology. This information is particularly important when a new method has been developed or an innovative use of an existing method is utilized.

Bem, Daryl J. Writing the Empirical Journal Article. Psychology Writing Center. University of Washington; Denscombe, Martyn. The Good Research Guide: For Small-Scale Social Research Projects . 5th edition. Buckingham, UK: Open University Press, 2014; Lunenburg, Frederick C. Writing a Successful Thesis or Dissertation: Tips and Strategies for Students in the Social and Behavioral Sciences . Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press, 2008.

Structure and Writing Style

I.  Groups of Research Methods

There are two main groups of research methods in the social sciences:

  • The e mpirical-analytical group approaches the study of social sciences in a similar manner that researchers study the natural sciences . This type of research focuses on objective knowledge, research questions that can be answered yes or no, and operational definitions of variables to be measured. The empirical-analytical group employs deductive reasoning that uses existing theory as a foundation for formulating hypotheses that need to be tested. This approach is focused on explanation.
  • The i nterpretative group of methods is focused on understanding phenomenon in a comprehensive, holistic way . Interpretive methods focus on analytically disclosing the meaning-making practices of human subjects [the why, how, or by what means people do what they do], while showing how those practices arrange so that it can be used to generate observable outcomes. Interpretive methods allow you to recognize your connection to the phenomena under investigation. However, the interpretative group requires careful examination of variables because it focuses more on subjective knowledge.

II.  Content

The introduction to your methodology section should begin by restating the research problem and underlying assumptions underpinning your study. This is followed by situating the methods you used to gather, analyze, and process information within the overall “tradition” of your field of study and within the particular research design you have chosen to study the problem. If the method you choose lies outside of the tradition of your field [i.e., your review of the literature demonstrates that the method is not commonly used], provide a justification for how your choice of methods specifically addresses the research problem in ways that have not been utilized in prior studies.

The remainder of your methodology section should describe the following:

  • Decisions made in selecting the data you have analyzed or, in the case of qualitative research, the subjects and research setting you have examined,
  • Tools and methods used to identify and collect information, and how you identified relevant variables,
  • The ways in which you processed the data and the procedures you used to analyze that data, and
  • The specific research tools or strategies that you utilized to study the underlying hypothesis and research questions.

In addition, an effectively written methodology section should:

  • Introduce the overall methodological approach for investigating your research problem . Is your study qualitative or quantitative or a combination of both (mixed method)? Are you going to take a special approach, such as action research, or a more neutral stance?
  • Indicate how the approach fits the overall research design . Your methods for gathering data should have a clear connection to your research problem. In other words, make sure that your methods will actually address the problem. One of the most common deficiencies found in research papers is that the proposed methodology is not suitable to achieving the stated objective of your paper.
  • Describe the specific methods of data collection you are going to use , such as, surveys, interviews, questionnaires, observation, archival research. If you are analyzing existing data, such as a data set or archival documents, describe how it was originally created or gathered and by whom. Also be sure to explain how older data is still relevant to investigating the current research problem.
  • Explain how you intend to analyze your results . Will you use statistical analysis? Will you use specific theoretical perspectives to help you analyze a text or explain observed behaviors? Describe how you plan to obtain an accurate assessment of relationships, patterns, trends, distributions, and possible contradictions found in the data.
  • Provide background and a rationale for methodologies that are unfamiliar for your readers . Very often in the social sciences, research problems and the methods for investigating them require more explanation/rationale than widely accepted rules governing the natural and physical sciences. Be clear and concise in your explanation.
  • Provide a justification for subject selection and sampling procedure . For instance, if you propose to conduct interviews, how do you intend to select the sample population? If you are analyzing texts, which texts have you chosen, and why? If you are using statistics, why is this set of data being used? If other data sources exist, explain why the data you chose is most appropriate to addressing the research problem.
  • Provide a justification for case study selection . A common method of analyzing research problems in the social sciences is to analyze specific cases. These can be a person, place, event, phenomenon, or other type of subject of analysis that are either examined as a singular topic of in-depth investigation or multiple topics of investigation studied for the purpose of comparing or contrasting findings. In either method, you should explain why a case or cases were chosen and how they specifically relate to the research problem.
  • Describe potential limitations . Are there any practical limitations that could affect your data collection? How will you attempt to control for potential confounding variables and errors? If your methodology may lead to problems you can anticipate, state this openly and show why pursuing this methodology outweighs the risk of these problems cropping up.

NOTE :   Once you have written all of the elements of the methods section, subsequent revisions should focus on how to present those elements as clearly and as logically as possibly. The description of how you prepared to study the research problem, how you gathered the data, and the protocol for analyzing the data should be organized chronologically. For clarity, when a large amount of detail must be presented, information should be presented in sub-sections according to topic. If necessary, consider using appendices for raw data.

ANOTHER NOTE : If you are conducting a qualitative analysis of a research problem , the methodology section generally requires a more elaborate description of the methods used as well as an explanation of the processes applied to gathering and analyzing of data than is generally required for studies using quantitative methods. Because you are the primary instrument for generating the data [e.g., through interviews or observations], the process for collecting that data has a significantly greater impact on producing the findings. Therefore, qualitative research requires a more detailed description of the methods used.

YET ANOTHER NOTE :   If your study involves interviews, observations, or other qualitative techniques involving human subjects , you may be required to obtain approval from the university's Office for the Protection of Research Subjects before beginning your research. This is not a common procedure for most undergraduate level student research assignments. However, i f your professor states you need approval, you must include a statement in your methods section that you received official endorsement and adequate informed consent from the office and that there was a clear assessment and minimization of risks to participants and to the university. This statement informs the reader that your study was conducted in an ethical and responsible manner. In some cases, the approval notice is included as an appendix to your paper.

III.  Problems to Avoid

Irrelevant Detail The methodology section of your paper should be thorough but concise. Do not provide any background information that does not directly help the reader understand why a particular method was chosen, how the data was gathered or obtained, and how the data was analyzed in relation to the research problem [note: analyzed, not interpreted! Save how you interpreted the findings for the discussion section]. With this in mind, the page length of your methods section will generally be less than any other section of your paper except the conclusion.

Unnecessary Explanation of Basic Procedures Remember that you are not writing a how-to guide about a particular method. You should make the assumption that readers possess a basic understanding of how to investigate the research problem on their own and, therefore, you do not have to go into great detail about specific methodological procedures. The focus should be on how you applied a method , not on the mechanics of doing a method. An exception to this rule is if you select an unconventional methodological approach; if this is the case, be sure to explain why this approach was chosen and how it enhances the overall process of discovery.

Problem Blindness It is almost a given that you will encounter problems when collecting or generating your data, or, gaps will exist in existing data or archival materials. Do not ignore these problems or pretend they did not occur. Often, documenting how you overcame obstacles can form an interesting part of the methodology. It demonstrates to the reader that you can provide a cogent rationale for the decisions you made to minimize the impact of any problems that arose.

Literature Review Just as the literature review section of your paper provides an overview of sources you have examined while researching a particular topic, the methodology section should cite any sources that informed your choice and application of a particular method [i.e., the choice of a survey should include any citations to the works you used to help construct the survey].

It’s More than Sources of Information! A description of a research study's method should not be confused with a description of the sources of information. Such a list of sources is useful in and of itself, especially if it is accompanied by an explanation about the selection and use of the sources. The description of the project's methodology complements a list of sources in that it sets forth the organization and interpretation of information emanating from those sources.

Azevedo, L.F. et al. "How to Write a Scientific Paper: Writing the Methods Section." Revista Portuguesa de Pneumologia 17 (2011): 232-238; Blair Lorrie. “Choosing a Methodology.” In Writing a Graduate Thesis or Dissertation , Teaching Writing Series. (Rotterdam: Sense Publishers 2016), pp. 49-72; Butin, Dan W. The Education Dissertation A Guide for Practitioner Scholars . Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin, 2010; Carter, Susan. Structuring Your Research Thesis . New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2012; Kallet, Richard H. “How to Write the Methods Section of a Research Paper.” Respiratory Care 49 (October 2004):1229-1232; Lunenburg, Frederick C. Writing a Successful Thesis or Dissertation: Tips and Strategies for Students in the Social and Behavioral Sciences . Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press, 2008. Methods Section. The Writer’s Handbook. Writing Center. University of Wisconsin, Madison; Rudestam, Kjell Erik and Rae R. Newton. “The Method Chapter: Describing Your Research Plan.” In Surviving Your Dissertation: A Comprehensive Guide to Content and Process . (Thousand Oaks, Sage Publications, 2015), pp. 87-115; What is Interpretive Research. Institute of Public and International Affairs, University of Utah; Writing the Experimental Report: Methods, Results, and Discussion. The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University; Methods and Materials. The Structure, Format, Content, and Style of a Journal-Style Scientific Paper. Department of Biology. Bates College.

Writing Tip

Statistical Designs and Tests? Do Not Fear Them!

Don't avoid using a quantitative approach to analyzing your research problem just because you fear the idea of applying statistical designs and tests. A qualitative approach, such as conducting interviews or content analysis of archival texts, can yield exciting new insights about a research problem, but it should not be undertaken simply because you have a disdain for running a simple regression. A well designed quantitative research study can often be accomplished in very clear and direct ways, whereas, a similar study of a qualitative nature usually requires considerable time to analyze large volumes of data and a tremendous burden to create new paths for analysis where previously no path associated with your research problem had existed.

To locate data and statistics, GO HERE .

Another Writing Tip

Knowing the Relationship Between Theories and Methods

There can be multiple meaning associated with the term "theories" and the term "methods" in social sciences research. A helpful way to delineate between them is to understand "theories" as representing different ways of characterizing the social world when you research it and "methods" as representing different ways of generating and analyzing data about that social world. Framed in this way, all empirical social sciences research involves theories and methods, whether they are stated explicitly or not. However, while theories and methods are often related, it is important that, as a researcher, you deliberately separate them in order to avoid your theories playing a disproportionate role in shaping what outcomes your chosen methods produce.

Introspectively engage in an ongoing dialectic between the application of theories and methods to help enable you to use the outcomes from your methods to interrogate and develop new theories, or ways of framing conceptually the research problem. This is how scholarship grows and branches out into new intellectual territory.

Reynolds, R. Larry. Ways of Knowing. Alternative Microeconomics . Part 1, Chapter 3. Boise State University; The Theory-Method Relationship. S-Cool Revision. United Kingdom.

Yet Another Writing Tip

Methods and the Methodology

Do not confuse the terms "methods" and "methodology." As Schneider notes, a method refers to the technical steps taken to do research . Descriptions of methods usually include defining and stating why you have chosen specific techniques to investigate a research problem, followed by an outline of the procedures you used to systematically select, gather, and process the data [remember to always save the interpretation of data for the discussion section of your paper].

The methodology refers to a discussion of the underlying reasoning why particular methods were used . This discussion includes describing the theoretical concepts that inform the choice of methods to be applied, placing the choice of methods within the more general nature of academic work, and reviewing its relevance to examining the research problem. The methodology section also includes a thorough review of the methods other scholars have used to study the topic.

Bryman, Alan. "Of Methods and Methodology." Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management: An International Journal 3 (2008): 159-168; Schneider, Florian. “What's in a Methodology: The Difference between Method, Methodology, and Theory…and How to Get the Balance Right?” PoliticsEastAsia.com. Chinese Department, University of Leiden, Netherlands.

  • << Previous: Scholarly vs. Popular Publications
  • Next: Qualitative Methods >>
  • Last Updated: Feb 29, 2024 9:59 AM
  • URL: https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide
  • PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
  • EDIT Edit this Article
  • EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
  • Browse Articles
  • Learn Something New
  • Quizzes Hot
  • This Or That Game New
  • Train Your Brain
  • Explore More
  • Support wikiHow
  • About wikiHow
  • Log in / Sign up
  • Education and Communications
  • College University and Postgraduate
  • Academic Writing

How to Write Research Methodology

Last Updated: May 21, 2023 Approved

This article was co-authored by Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed. and by wikiHow staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD . Alexander Ruiz is an Educational Consultant and the Educational Director of Link Educational Institute, a tutoring business based in Claremont, California that provides customizable educational plans, subject and test prep tutoring, and college application consulting. With over a decade and a half of experience in the education industry, Alexander coaches students to increase their self-awareness and emotional intelligence while achieving skills and the goal of achieving skills and higher education. He holds a BA in Psychology from Florida International University and an MA in Education from Georgia Southern University. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, several readers have written to tell us that this article was helpful to them, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 511,594 times.

The research methodology section of any academic research paper gives you the opportunity to convince your readers that your research is useful and will contribute to your field of study. An effective research methodology is grounded in your overall approach – whether qualitative or quantitative – and adequately describes the methods you used. Justify why you chose those methods over others, then explain how those methods will provide answers to your research questions. [1] X Research source

Describing Your Methods

Step 1 Restate your research problem.

  • In your restatement, include any underlying assumptions that you're making or conditions that you're taking for granted. These assumptions will also inform the research methods you've chosen.
  • Generally, state the variables you'll test and the other conditions you're controlling or assuming are equal.

Step 2 Establish your overall methodological approach.

  • If you want to research and document measurable social trends, or evaluate the impact of a particular policy on various variables, use a quantitative approach focused on data collection and statistical analysis.
  • If you want to evaluate people's views or understanding of a particular issue, choose a more qualitative approach.
  • You can also combine the two. For example, you might look primarily at a measurable social trend, but also interview people and get their opinions on how that trend is affecting their lives.

Step 3 Define how you collected or generated data.

  • For example, if you conducted a survey, you would describe the questions included in the survey, where and how the survey was conducted (such as in person, online, over the phone), how many surveys were distributed, and how long your respondents had to complete the survey.
  • Include enough detail that your study can be replicated by others in your field, even if they may not get the same results you did. [4] X Research source

Step 4 Provide background for uncommon methods.

  • Qualitative research methods typically require more detailed explanation than quantitative methods.
  • Basic investigative procedures don't need to be explained in detail. Generally, you can assume that your readers have a general understanding of common research methods that social scientists use, such as surveys or focus groups.

Step 5 Cite any sources that contributed to your choice of methodology.

  • For example, suppose you conducted a survey and used a couple of other research papers to help construct the questions on your survey. You would mention those as contributing sources.

Justifying Your Choice of Methods

Step 1 Explain your selection criteria for data collection.

  • Describe study participants specifically, and list any inclusion or exclusion criteria you used when forming your group of participants.
  • Justify the size of your sample, if applicable, and describe how this affects whether your study can be generalized to larger populations. For example, if you conducted a survey of 30 percent of the student population of a university, you could potentially apply those results to the student body as a whole, but maybe not to students at other universities.

Step 2 Distinguish your research from any weaknesses in your methods.

  • Reading other research papers is a good way to identify potential problems that commonly arise with various methods. State whether you actually encountered any of these common problems during your research.

Step 3 Describe how you overcame obstacles.

  • If you encountered any problems as you collected data, explain clearly the steps you took to minimize the effect that problem would have on your results.

Step 4 Evaluate other methods you could have used.

  • In some cases, this may be as simple as stating that while there were numerous studies using one method, there weren't any using your method, which caused a gap in understanding of the issue.
  • For example, there may be multiple papers providing quantitative analysis of a particular social trend. However, none of these papers looked closely at how this trend was affecting the lives of people.

Connecting Your Methods to Your Research Goals

Step 1 Describe how you analyzed your results.

  • Depending on your research questions, you may be mixing quantitative and qualitative analysis – just as you could potentially use both approaches. For example, you might do a statistical analysis, and then interpret those statistics through a particular theoretical lens.

Step 2 Explain how your analysis suits your research goals.

  • For example, suppose you're researching the effect of college education on family farms in rural America. While you could do interviews of college-educated people who grew up on a family farm, that would not give you a picture of the overall effect. A quantitative approach and statistical analysis would give you a bigger picture.

Step 3 Identify how your analysis answers your research questions.

  • If in answering your research questions, your findings have raised other questions that may require further research, state these briefly.
  • You can also include here any limitations to your methods, or questions that weren't answered through your research.

Step 4 Assess whether your findings can be transferred or generalized.

  • Generalization is more typically used in quantitative research. If you have a well-designed sample, you can statistically apply your results to the larger population your sample belongs to.

Template to Write Research Methodology

summary report in research methodology

  • Organize your methodology section chronologically, starting with how you prepared to conduct your research methods, how you gathered data, and how you analyzed that data. [13] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • Write your research methodology section in past tense, unless you're submitting the methodology section before the research described has been carried out. [14] X Research source Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
  • Discuss your plans in detail with your advisor or supervisor before committing to a particular methodology. They can help identify possible flaws in your study. [15] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

summary report in research methodology

You Might Also Like

Write

Community Q&A

AneHane

  • ↑ http://expertjournals.com/how-to-write-a-research-methodology-for-your-academic-article/
  • ↑ http://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/methodology
  • ↑ https://www.skillsyouneed.com/learn/dissertation-methodology.html
  • ↑ https://uir.unisa.ac.za/bitstream/handle/10500/4245/05Chap%204_Research%20methodology%20and%20design.pdf
  • ↑ https://elc.polyu.edu.hk/FYP/html/method.htm

About This Article

Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed.

To write a research methodology, start with a section that outlines the problems or questions you'll be studying, including your hypotheses or whatever it is you're setting out to prove. Then, briefly explain why you chose to use either a qualitative or quantitative approach for your study. Next, go over when and where you conducted your research and what parameters you used to ensure you were objective. Finally, cite any sources you used to decide on the methodology for your research. To learn how to justify your choice of methods in your research methodology, scroll down! Did this summary help you? Yes No

  • Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

Prof. Dr. Ahmed Askar

Prof. Dr. Ahmed Askar

Apr 18, 2020

Did this article help you?

summary report in research methodology

M. Mahmood Shah Khan

Mar 17, 2020

Shimola Makondo

Shimola Makondo

Jul 20, 2019

Zain Sharif Mohammed Alnadhery

Zain Sharif Mohammed Alnadhery

Jan 7, 2019

Lundi Dukashe

Lundi Dukashe

Feb 17, 2020

Am I a Narcissist or an Empath Quiz

Featured Articles

Make Your School More Period Friendly

Trending Articles

What is Golden Child Syndrome? 7 Signs You Were the Golden Child

Watch Articles

Wrap a Round Gift

  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Info
  • Not Selling Info

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Develop the tech skills you need for work and life

Grad Coach

What Is Research Methodology? A Plain-Language Explanation & Definition (With Examples)

By Derek Jansen (MBA)  and Kerryn Warren (PhD) | June 2020 (Last updated April 2023)

If you’re new to formal academic research, it’s quite likely that you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by all the technical lingo that gets thrown around. And who could blame you – “research methodology”, “research methods”, “sampling strategies”… it all seems never-ending!

In this post, we’ll demystify the landscape with plain-language explanations and loads of examples (including easy-to-follow videos), so that you can approach your dissertation, thesis or research project with confidence. Let’s get started.

Research Methodology 101

  • What exactly research methodology means
  • What qualitative , quantitative and mixed methods are
  • What sampling strategy is
  • What data collection methods are
  • What data analysis methods are
  • How to choose your research methodology
  • Example of a research methodology

Free Webinar: Research Methodology 101

What is research methodology?

Research methodology simply refers to the practical “how” of a research study. More specifically, it’s about how  a researcher  systematically designs a study  to ensure valid and reliable results that address the research aims, objectives and research questions . Specifically, how the researcher went about deciding:

  • What type of data to collect (e.g., qualitative or quantitative data )
  • Who  to collect it from (i.e., the sampling strategy )
  • How to  collect  it (i.e., the data collection method )
  • How to  analyse  it (i.e., the data analysis methods )

Within any formal piece of academic research (be it a dissertation, thesis or journal article), you’ll find a research methodology chapter or section which covers the aspects mentioned above. Importantly, a good methodology chapter explains not just   what methodological choices were made, but also explains  why they were made. In other words, the methodology chapter should justify  the design choices, by showing that the chosen methods and techniques are the best fit for the research aims, objectives and research questions. 

So, it’s the same as research design?

Not quite. As we mentioned, research methodology refers to the collection of practical decisions regarding what data you’ll collect, from who, how you’ll collect it and how you’ll analyse it. Research design, on the other hand, is more about the overall strategy you’ll adopt in your study. For example, whether you’ll use an experimental design in which you manipulate one variable while controlling others. You can learn more about research design and the various design types here .

Need a helping hand?

summary report in research methodology

What are qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods?

Qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods are different types of methodological approaches, distinguished by their focus on words , numbers or both . This is a bit of an oversimplification, but its a good starting point for understanding.

Let’s take a closer look.

Qualitative research refers to research which focuses on collecting and analysing words (written or spoken) and textual or visual data, whereas quantitative research focuses on measurement and testing using numerical data . Qualitative analysis can also focus on other “softer” data points, such as body language or visual elements.

It’s quite common for a qualitative methodology to be used when the research aims and research questions are exploratory  in nature. For example, a qualitative methodology might be used to understand peoples’ perceptions about an event that took place, or a political candidate running for president. 

Contrasted to this, a quantitative methodology is typically used when the research aims and research questions are confirmatory  in nature. For example, a quantitative methodology might be used to measure the relationship between two variables (e.g. personality type and likelihood to commit a crime) or to test a set of hypotheses .

As you’ve probably guessed, the mixed-method methodology attempts to combine the best of both qualitative and quantitative methodologies to integrate perspectives and create a rich picture. If you’d like to learn more about these three methodological approaches, be sure to watch our explainer video below.

What is sampling strategy?

Simply put, sampling is about deciding who (or where) you’re going to collect your data from . Why does this matter? Well, generally it’s not possible to collect data from every single person in your group of interest (this is called the “population”), so you’ll need to engage a smaller portion of that group that’s accessible and manageable (this is called the “sample”).

How you go about selecting the sample (i.e., your sampling strategy) will have a major impact on your study.  There are many different sampling methods  you can choose from, but the two overarching categories are probability   sampling and  non-probability   sampling .

Probability sampling  involves using a completely random sample from the group of people you’re interested in. This is comparable to throwing the names all potential participants into a hat, shaking it up, and picking out the “winners”. By using a completely random sample, you’ll minimise the risk of selection bias and the results of your study will be more generalisable  to the entire population. 

Non-probability sampling , on the other hand,  doesn’t use a random sample . For example, it might involve using a convenience sample, which means you’d only interview or survey people that you have access to (perhaps your friends, family or work colleagues), rather than a truly random sample. With non-probability sampling, the results are typically not generalisable .

To learn more about sampling methods, be sure to check out the video below.

What are data collection methods?

As the name suggests, data collection methods simply refers to the way in which you go about collecting the data for your study. Some of the most common data collection methods include:

  • Interviews (which can be unstructured, semi-structured or structured)
  • Focus groups and group interviews
  • Surveys (online or physical surveys)
  • Observations (watching and recording activities)
  • Biophysical measurements (e.g., blood pressure, heart rate, etc.)
  • Documents and records (e.g., financial reports, court records, etc.)

The choice of which data collection method to use depends on your overall research aims and research questions , as well as practicalities and resource constraints. For example, if your research is exploratory in nature, qualitative methods such as interviews and focus groups would likely be a good fit. Conversely, if your research aims to measure specific variables or test hypotheses, large-scale surveys that produce large volumes of numerical data would likely be a better fit.

What are data analysis methods?

Data analysis methods refer to the methods and techniques that you’ll use to make sense of your data. These can be grouped according to whether the research is qualitative  (words-based) or quantitative (numbers-based).

Popular data analysis methods in qualitative research include:

  • Qualitative content analysis
  • Thematic analysis
  • Discourse analysis
  • Narrative analysis
  • Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA)
  • Visual analysis (of photographs, videos, art, etc.)

Qualitative data analysis all begins with data coding , after which an analysis method is applied. In some cases, more than one analysis method is used, depending on the research aims and research questions . In the video below, we explore some  common qualitative analysis methods, along with practical examples.  

Moving on to the quantitative side of things, popular data analysis methods in this type of research include:

  • Descriptive statistics (e.g. means, medians, modes )
  • Inferential statistics (e.g. correlation, regression, structural equation modelling)

Again, the choice of which data collection method to use depends on your overall research aims and objectives , as well as practicalities and resource constraints. In the video below, we explain some core concepts central to quantitative analysis.

How do I choose a research methodology?

As you’ve probably picked up by now, your research aims and objectives have a major influence on the research methodology . So, the starting point for developing your research methodology is to take a step back and look at the big picture of your research, before you make methodology decisions. The first question you need to ask yourself is whether your research is exploratory or confirmatory in nature.

If your research aims and objectives are primarily exploratory in nature, your research will likely be qualitative and therefore you might consider qualitative data collection methods (e.g. interviews) and analysis methods (e.g. qualitative content analysis). 

Conversely, if your research aims and objective are looking to measure or test something (i.e. they’re confirmatory), then your research will quite likely be quantitative in nature, and you might consider quantitative data collection methods (e.g. surveys) and analyses (e.g. statistical analysis).

Designing your research and working out your methodology is a large topic, which we cover extensively on the blog . For now, however, the key takeaway is that you should always start with your research aims, objectives and research questions (the golden thread). Every methodological choice you make needs align with those three components. 

Example of a research methodology chapter

In the video below, we provide a detailed walkthrough of a research methodology from an actual dissertation, as well as an overview of our free methodology template .

summary report in research methodology

Psst… there’s more (for free)

This post is part of our dissertation mini-course, which covers everything you need to get started with your dissertation, thesis or research project. 

You Might Also Like:

What is descriptive statistics?

198 Comments

Leo Balanlay

Thank you for this simple yet comprehensive and easy to digest presentation. God Bless!

Derek Jansen

You’re most welcome, Leo. Best of luck with your research!

Asaf

I found it very useful. many thanks

Solomon F. Joel

This is really directional. A make-easy research knowledge.

Upendo Mmbaga

Thank you for this, I think will help my research proposal

vicky

Thanks for good interpretation,well understood.

Alhaji Alie Kanu

Good morning sorry I want to the search topic

Baraka Gombela

Thank u more

Boyd

Thank you, your explanation is simple and very helpful.

Suleiman Abubakar

Very educative a.nd exciting platform. A bigger thank you and I’ll like to always be with you

Daniel Mondela

That’s the best analysis

Okwuchukwu

So simple yet so insightful. Thank you.

Wendy Lushaba

This really easy to read as it is self-explanatory. Very much appreciated…

Lilian

Thanks for this. It’s so helpful and explicit. For those elements highlighted in orange, they were good sources of referrals for concepts I didn’t understand. A million thanks for this.

Tabe Solomon Matebesi

Good morning, I have been reading your research lessons through out a period of times. They are important, impressive and clear. Want to subscribe and be and be active with you.

Hafiz Tahir

Thankyou So much Sir Derek…

Good morning thanks so much for the on line lectures am a student of university of Makeni.select a research topic and deliberate on it so that we’ll continue to understand more.sorry that’s a suggestion.

James Olukoya

Beautiful presentation. I love it.

ATUL KUMAR

please provide a research mehodology example for zoology

Ogar , Praise

It’s very educative and well explained

Joseph Chan

Thanks for the concise and informative data.

Goja Terhemba John

This is really good for students to be safe and well understand that research is all about

Prakash thapa

Thank you so much Derek sir🖤🙏🤗

Abraham

Very simple and reliable

Chizor Adisa

This is really helpful. Thanks alot. God bless you.

Danushika

very useful, Thank you very much..

nakato justine

thanks a lot its really useful

karolina

in a nutshell..thank you!

Bitrus

Thanks for updating my understanding on this aspect of my Thesis writing.

VEDASTO DATIVA MATUNDA

thank you so much my through this video am competently going to do a good job my thesis

Mfumukazi

Very simple but yet insightful Thank you

Adegboyega ADaeBAYO

This has been an eye opening experience. Thank you grad coach team.

SHANTHi

Very useful message for research scholars

Teijili

Really very helpful thank you

sandokhan

yes you are right and i’m left

MAHAMUDUL HASSAN

Research methodology with a simplest way i have never seen before this article.

wogayehu tuji

wow thank u so much

Good morning thanks so much for the on line lectures am a student of university of Makeni.select a research topic and deliberate on is so that we will continue to understand more.sorry that’s a suggestion.

Gebregergish

Very precise and informative.

Javangwe Nyeketa

Thanks for simplifying these terms for us, really appreciate it.

Mary Benard Mwanganya

Thanks this has really helped me. It is very easy to understand.

mandla

I found the notes and the presentation assisting and opening my understanding on research methodology

Godfrey Martin Assenga

Good presentation

Nhubu Tawanda

Im so glad you clarified my misconceptions. Im now ready to fry my onions. Thank you so much. God bless

Odirile

Thank you a lot.

prathap

thanks for the easy way of learning and desirable presentation.

Ajala Tajudeen

Thanks a lot. I am inspired

Visor Likali

Well written

Pondris Patrick

I am writing a APA Format paper . I using questionnaire with 120 STDs teacher for my participant. Can you write me mthology for this research. Send it through email sent. Just need a sample as an example please. My topic is ” impacts of overcrowding on students learning

Thanks for your comment.

We can’t write your methodology for you. If you’re looking for samples, you should be able to find some sample methodologies on Google. Alternatively, you can download some previous dissertations from a dissertation directory and have a look at the methodology chapters therein.

All the best with your research.

Anon

Thank you so much for this!! God Bless

Keke

Thank you. Explicit explanation

Sophy

Thank you, Derek and Kerryn, for making this simple to understand. I’m currently at the inception stage of my research.

Luyanda

Thnks a lot , this was very usefull on my assignment

Beulah Emmanuel

excellent explanation

Gino Raz

I’m currently working on my master’s thesis, thanks for this! I’m certain that I will use Qualitative methodology.

Abigail

Thanks a lot for this concise piece, it was quite relieving and helpful. God bless you BIG…

Yonas Tesheme

I am currently doing my dissertation proposal and I am sure that I will do quantitative research. Thank you very much it was extremely helpful.

zahid t ahmad

Very interesting and informative yet I would like to know about examples of Research Questions as well, if possible.

Maisnam loyalakla

I’m about to submit a research presentation, I have come to understand from your simplification on understanding research methodology. My research will be mixed methodology, qualitative as well as quantitative. So aim and objective of mixed method would be both exploratory and confirmatory. Thanks you very much for your guidance.

Mila Milano

OMG thanks for that, you’re a life saver. You covered all the points I needed. Thank you so much ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

Christabel

Thank you immensely for this simple, easy to comprehend explanation of data collection methods. I have been stuck here for months 😩. Glad I found your piece. Super insightful.

Lika

I’m going to write synopsis which will be quantitative research method and I don’t know how to frame my topic, can I kindly get some ideas..

Arlene

Thanks for this, I was really struggling.

This was really informative I was struggling but this helped me.

Modie Maria Neswiswi

Thanks a lot for this information, simple and straightforward. I’m a last year student from the University of South Africa UNISA South Africa.

Mursel Amin

its very much informative and understandable. I have enlightened.

Mustapha Abubakar

An interesting nice exploration of a topic.

Sarah

Thank you. Accurate and simple🥰

Sikandar Ali Shah

This article was really helpful, it helped me understanding the basic concepts of the topic Research Methodology. The examples were very clear, and easy to understand. I would like to visit this website again. Thank you so much for such a great explanation of the subject.

Debbie

Thanks dude

Deborah

Thank you Doctor Derek for this wonderful piece, please help to provide your details for reference purpose. God bless.

Michael

Many compliments to you

Dana

Great work , thank you very much for the simple explanation

Aryan

Thank you. I had to give a presentation on this topic. I have looked everywhere on the internet but this is the best and simple explanation.

omodara beatrice

thank you, its very informative.

WALLACE

Well explained. Now I know my research methodology will be qualitative and exploratory. Thank you so much, keep up the good work

GEORGE REUBEN MSHEGAME

Well explained, thank you very much.

Ainembabazi Rose

This is good explanation, I have understood the different methods of research. Thanks a lot.

Kamran Saeed

Great work…very well explanation

Hyacinth Chebe Ukwuani

Thanks Derek. Kerryn was just fantastic!

Great to hear that, Hyacinth. Best of luck with your research!

Matobela Joel Marabi

Its a good templates very attractive and important to PhD students and lectuter

Thanks for the feedback, Matobela. Good luck with your research methodology.

Elie

Thank you. This is really helpful.

You’re very welcome, Elie. Good luck with your research methodology.

Sakina Dalal

Well explained thanks

Edward

This is a very helpful site especially for young researchers at college. It provides sufficient information to guide students and equip them with the necessary foundation to ask any other questions aimed at deepening their understanding.

Thanks for the kind words, Edward. Good luck with your research!

Ngwisa Marie-claire NJOTU

Thank you. I have learned a lot.

Great to hear that, Ngwisa. Good luck with your research methodology!

Claudine

Thank you for keeping your presentation simples and short and covering key information for research methodology. My key takeaway: Start with defining your research objective the other will depend on the aims of your research question.

Zanele

My name is Zanele I would like to be assisted with my research , and the topic is shortage of nursing staff globally want are the causes , effects on health, patients and community and also globally

Oluwafemi Taiwo

Thanks for making it simple and clear. It greatly helped in understanding research methodology. Regards.

Francis

This is well simplified and straight to the point

Gabriel mugangavari

Thank you Dr

Dina Haj Ibrahim

I was given an assignment to research 2 publications and describe their research methodology? I don’t know how to start this task can someone help me?

Sure. You’re welcome to book an initial consultation with one of our Research Coaches to discuss how we can assist – https://gradcoach.com/book/new/ .

BENSON ROSEMARY

Thanks a lot I am relieved of a heavy burden.keep up with the good work

Ngaka Mokoena

I’m very much grateful Dr Derek. I’m planning to pursue one of the careers that really needs one to be very much eager to know. There’s a lot of research to do and everything, but since I’ve gotten this information I will use it to the best of my potential.

Pritam Pal

Thank you so much, words are not enough to explain how helpful this session has been for me!

faith

Thanks this has thought me alot.

kenechukwu ambrose

Very concise and helpful. Thanks a lot

Eunice Shatila Sinyemu 32070

Thank Derek. This is very helpful. Your step by step explanation has made it easier for me to understand different concepts. Now i can get on with my research.

Michelle

I wish i had come across this sooner. So simple but yet insightful

yugine the

really nice explanation thank you so much

Goodness

I’m so grateful finding this site, it’s really helpful…….every term well explained and provide accurate understanding especially to student going into an in-depth research for the very first time, even though my lecturer already explained this topic to the class, I think I got the clear and efficient explanation here, much thanks to the author.

lavenda

It is very helpful material

Lubabalo Ntshebe

I would like to be assisted with my research topic : Literature Review and research methodologies. My topic is : what is the relationship between unemployment and economic growth?

Buddhi

Its really nice and good for us.

Ekokobe Aloysius

THANKS SO MUCH FOR EXPLANATION, ITS VERY CLEAR TO ME WHAT I WILL BE DOING FROM NOW .GREAT READS.

Asanka

Short but sweet.Thank you

Shishir Pokharel

Informative article. Thanks for your detailed information.

Badr Alharbi

I’m currently working on my Ph.D. thesis. Thanks a lot, Derek and Kerryn, Well-organized sequences, facilitate the readers’ following.

Tejal

great article for someone who does not have any background can even understand

Hasan Chowdhury

I am a bit confused about research design and methodology. Are they the same? If not, what are the differences and how are they related?

Thanks in advance.

Ndileka Myoli

concise and informative.

Sureka Batagoda

Thank you very much

More Smith

How can we site this article is Harvard style?

Anne

Very well written piece that afforded better understanding of the concept. Thank you!

Denis Eken Lomoro

Am a new researcher trying to learn how best to write a research proposal. I find your article spot on and want to download the free template but finding difficulties. Can u kindly send it to my email, the free download entitled, “Free Download: Research Proposal Template (with Examples)”.

fatima sani

Thank too much

Khamis

Thank you very much for your comprehensive explanation about research methodology so I like to thank you again for giving us such great things.

Aqsa Iftijhar

Good very well explained.Thanks for sharing it.

Krishna Dhakal

Thank u sir, it is really a good guideline.

Vimbainashe

so helpful thank you very much.

Joelma M Monteiro

Thanks for the video it was very explanatory and detailed, easy to comprehend and follow up. please, keep it up the good work

AVINASH KUMAR NIRALA

It was very helpful, a well-written document with precise information.

orebotswe morokane

how do i reference this?

Roy

MLA Jansen, Derek, and Kerryn Warren. “What (Exactly) Is Research Methodology?” Grad Coach, June 2021, gradcoach.com/what-is-research-methodology/.

APA Jansen, D., & Warren, K. (2021, June). What (Exactly) Is Research Methodology? Grad Coach. https://gradcoach.com/what-is-research-methodology/

sheryl

Your explanation is easily understood. Thank you

Dr Christie

Very help article. Now I can go my methodology chapter in my thesis with ease

Alice W. Mbuthia

I feel guided ,Thank you

Joseph B. Smith

This simplification is very helpful. It is simple but very educative, thanks ever so much

Dr. Ukpai Ukpai Eni

The write up is informative and educative. It is an academic intellectual representation that every good researcher can find useful. Thanks

chimbini Joseph

Wow, this is wonderful long live.

Tahir

Nice initiative

Thembsie

thank you the video was helpful to me.

JesusMalick

Thank you very much for your simple and clear explanations I’m really satisfied by the way you did it By now, I think I can realize a very good article by following your fastidious indications May God bless you

G.Horizon

Thanks very much, it was very concise and informational for a beginner like me to gain an insight into what i am about to undertake. I really appreciate.

Adv Asad Ali

very informative sir, it is amazing to understand the meaning of question hidden behind that, and simple language is used other than legislature to understand easily. stay happy.

Jonas Tan

This one is really amazing. All content in your youtube channel is a very helpful guide for doing research. Thanks, GradCoach.

mahmoud ali

research methodologies

Lucas Sinyangwe

Please send me more information concerning dissertation research.

Amamten Jr.

Nice piece of knowledge shared….. #Thump_UP

Hajara Salihu

This is amazing, it has said it all. Thanks to Gradcoach

Gerald Andrew Babu

This is wonderful,very elaborate and clear.I hope to reach out for your assistance in my research very soon.

Safaa

This is the answer I am searching about…

realy thanks a lot

Ahmed Saeed

Thank you very much for this awesome, to the point and inclusive article.

Soraya Kolli

Thank you very much I need validity and reliability explanation I have exams

KuzivaKwenda

Thank you for a well explained piece. This will help me going forward.

Emmanuel Chukwuma

Very simple and well detailed Many thanks

Zeeshan Ali Khan

This is so very simple yet so very effective and comprehensive. An Excellent piece of work.

Molly Wasonga

I wish I saw this earlier on! Great insights for a beginner(researcher) like me. Thanks a mil!

Blessings Chigodo

Thank you very much, for such a simplified, clear and practical step by step both for academic students and general research work. Holistic, effective to use and easy to read step by step. One can easily apply the steps in practical terms and produce a quality document/up-to standard

Thanks for simplifying these terms for us, really appreciated.

Joseph Kyereme

Thanks for a great work. well understood .

Julien

This was very helpful. It was simple but profound and very easy to understand. Thank you so much!

Kishimbo

Great and amazing research guidelines. Best site for learning research

ankita bhatt

hello sir/ma’am, i didn’t find yet that what type of research methodology i am using. because i am writing my report on CSR and collect all my data from websites and articles so which type of methodology i should write in dissertation report. please help me. i am from India.

memory

how does this really work?

princelow presley

perfect content, thanks a lot

George Nangpaak Duut

As a researcher, I commend you for the detailed and simplified information on the topic in question. I would like to remain in touch for the sharing of research ideas on other topics. Thank you

EPHRAIM MWANSA MULENGA

Impressive. Thank you, Grad Coach 😍

Thank you Grad Coach for this piece of information. I have at least learned about the different types of research methodologies.

Varinder singh Rana

Very useful content with easy way

Mbangu Jones Kashweeka

Thank you very much for the presentation. I am an MPH student with the Adventist University of Africa. I have successfully completed my theory and starting on my research this July. My topic is “Factors associated with Dental Caries in (one District) in Botswana. I need help on how to go about this quantitative research

Carolyn Russell

I am so grateful to run across something that was sooo helpful. I have been on my doctorate journey for quite some time. Your breakdown on methodology helped me to refresh my intent. Thank you.

Indabawa Musbahu

thanks so much for this good lecture. student from university of science and technology, Wudil. Kano Nigeria.

Limpho Mphutlane

It’s profound easy to understand I appreciate

Mustafa Salimi

Thanks a lot for sharing superb information in a detailed but concise manner. It was really helpful and helped a lot in getting into my own research methodology.

Rabilu yau

Comment * thanks very much

Ari M. Hussein

This was sooo helpful for me thank you so much i didn’t even know what i had to write thank you!

You’re most welcome 🙂

Varsha Patnaik

Simple and good. Very much helpful. Thank you so much.

STARNISLUS HAAMBOKOMA

This is very good work. I have benefited.

Dr Md Asraul Hoque

Thank you so much for sharing

Nkasa lizwi

This is powerful thank you so much guys

I am nkasa lizwi doing my research proposal on honors with the university of Walter Sisulu Komani I m on part 3 now can you assist me.my topic is: transitional challenges faced by educators in intermediate phase in the Alfred Nzo District.

Atonisah Jonathan

Appreciate the presentation. Very useful step-by-step guidelines to follow.

Bello Suleiman

I appreciate sir

Titilayo

wow! This is super insightful for me. Thank you!

Emerita Guzman

Indeed this material is very helpful! Kudos writers/authors.

TSEDEKE JOHN

I want to say thank you very much, I got a lot of info and knowledge. Be blessed.

Akanji wasiu

I want present a seminar paper on Optimisation of Deep learning-based models on vulnerability detection in digital transactions.

Need assistance

Clement Lokwar

Dear Sir, I want to be assisted on my research on Sanitation and Water management in emergencies areas.

Peter Sone Kome

I am deeply grateful for the knowledge gained. I will be getting in touch shortly as I want to be assisted in my ongoing research.

Nirmala

The information shared is informative, crisp and clear. Kudos Team! And thanks a lot!

Bipin pokhrel

hello i want to study

Kassahun

Hello!! Grad coach teams. I am extremely happy in your tutorial or consultation. i am really benefited all material and briefing. Thank you very much for your generous helps. Please keep it up. If you add in your briefing, references for further reading, it will be very nice.

Ezra

All I have to say is, thank u gyz.

Work

Good, l thanks

Artak Ghonyan

thank you, it is very useful

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  • What Is A Literature Review (In A Dissertation Or Thesis) - Grad Coach - […] the literature review is to inform the choice of methodology for your own research. As we’ve discussed on the Grad Coach blog,…
  • Free Download: Research Proposal Template (With Examples) - Grad Coach - […] Research design (methodology) […]
  • Dissertation vs Thesis: What's the difference? - Grad Coach - […] and thesis writing on a daily basis – everything from how to find a good research topic to which…

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

  • Print Friendly
  • Privacy Policy

Buy Me a Coffee

Research Method

Home » Chapter Summary & Overview – Writing Guide and Examples

Chapter Summary & Overview – Writing Guide and Examples

Table of Contents

Chapter Summary

Chapter Summary

Chapter summary is a brief overview of the key points or events covered in a specific chapter of a book, academic paper, or other written work. It typically includes a concise description of the main ideas, arguments, or themes explored in the chapter, as well as any important supporting details or evidence .

Chapter summaries are often used as study aids, providing readers with a quick way to review and understand the content of a particular section of a longer work. They may also be included as part of a book’s table of contents or used as a promotional tool to entice potential readers.

How to Write Chapter Summary

Writing a chapter summary involves condensing the content of a chapter into a shorter, more concise form while still retaining its essential meaning. Here are some steps to help you write a chapter summary:

  • Read the chapter carefully: Before summarizing a chapter, it is important to read it thoroughly to ensure that you understand the main ideas and points being made.
  • Identify the main ideas: Identify the main ideas and arguments that the chapter is presenting. These may be explicit, or they may be implicit and require some interpretation on your part.
  • Make notes: Take notes while reading to help you keep track of the main ideas and arguments. Write down key phrases, important quotes, and any examples or evidence that support the main points.
  • Create an outline : Once you have identified the main ideas and arguments, create an outline for your summary. This will help you organize your thoughts and ensure that you include all the important points.
  • Write the summary : Using your notes and outline, write a summary of the chapter. Start with a brief introduction that provides context for the chapter, then summarize the main ideas and arguments, and end with a conclusion that ties everything together.
  • Edit and revise: After you have written the summary, review it carefully to ensure that it is accurate and concise. Make any necessary edits or revisions to improve the clarity and readability of the summary.
  • Check for plagiarism : Finally, check your summary for plagiarism. Make sure that you have not copied any content directly from the chapter without proper citation.

Chapter Summary in Research Paper

In a Research Paper , a Chapter Summary is a brief description of the main points or findings covered in a particular chapter. The summary is typically included at the beginning or end of each chapter and serves as a guide for the reader to quickly understand the content of that chapter.

Here is an example of a chapter summary from a research paper on climate change:

Chapter 2: The Science of Climate Change

In this chapter, we provide an overview of the scientific consensus on climate change. We begin by discussing the greenhouse effect and the role of greenhouse gases in trapping heat in the atmosphere. We then review the evidence for climate change, including temperature records, sea level rise, and changes in the behavior of plants and animals. Finally, we examine the potential impacts of climate change on human society and the natural world. Overall, this chapter provides a foundation for understanding the scientific basis for climate change and the urgency of taking action to address this global challenge.

Chapter Summary in Thesis

In a Thesis , the Chapter Summary is a section that provides a brief overview of the main points covered in each chapter of the thesis. It is usually included at the beginning or end of each chapter and is intended to help the reader understand the key concepts and ideas presented in the chapter.

For example, in a thesis on computer science field, a chapter summary for a chapter on “Machine Learning Algorithms” might include:

Chapter 3: Machine Learning Algorithms

This chapter explores the use of machine learning algorithms in solving complex problems in computer science. We begin by discussing the basics of machine learning, including supervised and unsupervised learning, as well as different types of algorithms such as decision trees, neural networks, and support vector machines. We then present a case study on the application of machine learning algorithms in image recognition, demonstrating how these algorithms can improve accuracy and reduce error rates. Finally, we discuss the limitations and challenges of using machine learning algorithms, including issues of bias and overfitting. Overall, this chapter highlights the potential of machine learning algorithms to revolutionize the field of computer science and drive innovation in a wide range of industries.

Examples of Chapter Summary

Some Examples of Chapter Summary are as follows:

Research Title: “The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health: A Review of the Literature”

Chapter Summary:

Chapter 1: Introduction

This chapter provides an overview of the research problem, which is the impact of social media on mental health. It presents the purpose of the study, the research questions, and the methodology used to conduct the research.

Research Title : “The Effects of Exercise on Cognitive Functioning in Older Adults: A Meta-Analysis”

Chapter 2: Literature Review

This chapter reviews the existing literature on the effects of exercise on cognitive functioning in older adults. It provides an overview of the theoretical framework and previous research findings related to the topic. The chapter concludes with a summary of the research gaps and limitations.

Research Title: “The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership Effectiveness: A Case Study of Successful Business Leaders”

Chapter 3: Methodology

This chapter presents the research methodology used in the study, which is a case study approach. It describes the selection criteria for the participants and the data collection methods used. The chapter also provides a detailed explanation of the data analysis techniques used in the study.

Research Title: “Factors Influencing Employee Engagement in the Workplace: A Systematic Review”

Chapter 4: Results and Discussion

This chapter presents the findings of the systematic review on the factors influencing employee engagement in the workplace. It provides a detailed analysis of the results, including the strengths and limitations of the studies reviewed. The chapter also discusses the implications of the findings for practice and future research.

Purpose of Chapter Summary

Some Purposes of the Chapter Summary are as follows:

  • Comprehension : A chapter summary can help readers understand the main points of a chapter or book. It can help readers remember important details, keep track of the plot or argument, and connect the key ideas.
  • Review : A chapter summary can be a useful tool for reviewing the material covered in a chapter. It can help readers review the content quickly and efficiently, and it can also serve as a reference for future study.
  • Study aid: A chapter summary can be used as a study aid, especially for students who are preparing for exams or writing papers. It can help students organize their thoughts and focus on the most important information.
  • Teaching tool: A chapter summary can be a useful teaching tool for educators. It can help teachers introduce key concepts and ideas, facilitate class discussion, and assess student understanding.
  • Communication : A chapter summary can be used as a way to communicate the main ideas of a chapter or book to others. It can be used in presentations, reports, and other forms of communication to convey important information quickly and concisely.
  • Time-saving : A chapter summary can save time for busy readers who may not have the time to read an entire book or chapter in detail. By providing a brief overview of the main points, a chapter summary can help readers determine whether a book or chapter is worth further reading.
  • Accessibility : A chapter summary can make complex or technical information more accessible to a wider audience. It can help break down complex ideas into simpler terms and provide a clear and concise explanation of key concepts.
  • Analysis : A chapter summary can be used as a starting point for analysis and discussion. It can help readers identify themes, motifs, and other literary devices used in the chapter or book, and it can serve as a jumping-off point for further analysis.
  • Personal growth : A chapter summary can be used for personal growth and development. It can help readers gain new insights, learn new skills, and develop a deeper understanding of the world around them.

When to Write Chapter Summary

Chapter summaries are usually written after you have finished reading a chapter or a book. Writing a chapter summary can be useful for several reasons, including:

  • Retention : Summarizing a chapter helps you to better retain the information you have read.
  • Studying : Chapter summaries can be a useful study tool when preparing for exams or writing papers.
  • Review : When you need to review a book or chapter quickly, a summary can help you to refresh your memory.
  • Analysis : Summarizing a chapter can help you to identify the main themes and ideas of a book, which can be useful when analyzing it.

Advantages of Chapter Summary

Chapter summaries have several advantages:

  • Helps with retention : Summarizing the key points of a chapter can help you remember important information better. By condensing the information, you can identify the main ideas and focus on the most relevant points.
  • Saves time : Instead of re-reading the entire chapter when you need to review information, a summary can help you quickly refresh your memory. It can also save time during note-taking and studying.
  • Provides an overview : A summary can give you a quick overview of the chapter’s content and help you identify the main themes and ideas. This can help you understand the broader context of the material.
  • Helps with comprehension : Summarizing the content of a chapter can help you better understand the material. It can also help you identify any areas where you might need more clarification or further study.
  • Useful for review: Chapter summaries can be a useful review tool before exams or when writing papers. They can help you organize your thoughts and review key concepts and ideas.
  • Facilitates discussion: When working in a group, chapter summaries can help facilitate discussion and ensure that everyone is on the same page. It can also help to identify areas of confusion or disagreement.
  • Supports active reading : Creating a summary requires active reading, which means that you are engaging with the material and thinking critically about it. This can help you develop stronger reading and critical thinking skills.
  • Enables comparison : When reading multiple sources on a topic, creating summaries of each chapter can help you compare and contrast the information presented. This can help you identify differences and similarities in the arguments and ideas presented.
  • Helpful for long texts: In longer books or texts, chapter summaries can be especially helpful. They can help you break down the material into manageable chunks and make it easier to digest.

About the author

' src=

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

You may also like

Thesis Outline

Thesis Outline – Example, Template and Writing...

Research Paper Conclusion

Research Paper Conclusion – Writing Guide and...

Appendices

Appendices – Writing Guide, Types and Examples

Research Paper Citation

How to Cite Research Paper – All Formats and...

Research Report

Research Report – Example, Writing Guide and...

Delimitations

Delimitations in Research – Types, Examples and...

Interim Estimates of 2023–24 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness — United States

Weekly / February 29, 2024 / 73(8);168–174

Aaron M. Frutos, PhD 1 ,2 ; Ashley M. Price, MPH 1 ; Elizabeth Harker, MPH 1 ; Emily L. Reeves, MPH 1 ; Haris M. Ahmad, MPH 1 ; Vel Murugan, PhD 3 ; Emily T. Martin, PhD 4 ; Stacey House, MD, PhD 5 ; Elie A. Saade, MD 6 ; Richard K. Zimmerman, MD 7 ; Manjusha Gaglani, MBBS 8 ,9 ,10 ; Karen J. Wernli, PhD 11 ,12 ; Emmanuel B. Walter, MD 13 ; Marian G. Michaels, MD 7 ,14 ; Mary A. Staat, MD 15 ,16 ; Geoffrey A. Weinberg, MD 17 ; Rangaraj Selvarangan, PhD 18 ,19 ; Julie A. Boom, MD 20 ,21 ; Eileen J. Klein, MD 22 ; Natasha B. Halasa, MD 23 ; Adit A. Ginde, MD 24 ; Kevin W. Gibbs, MD 25 ; Yuwei Zhu, MD 23 ; Wesley H. Self, MD 23 ; Sara Y. Tartof, PhD 12 ,26 ; Nicola P. Klein, MD, PhD 27 ; Kristin Dascomb, MD, PhD 28 ; Malini B. DeSilva, MD 29 ; Zachary A. Weber, PhD 30 ; Duck-Hye Yang, PhD 30 ; Sarah W. Ball, ScD 30 ; Diya Surie, MD 31 ; Jennifer DeCuir, MD, PhD 31 ; Fatimah S. Dawood, MD 31 ; Heidi L. Moline, MD 31 ; Ariana P. Toepfer, MPH 31 ; Benjamin R. Clopper, MPH 31 ; Ruth Link-Gelles, PhD 31 ; Amanda B. Payne, PhD 31 ; Jessie R. Chung, MPH 1 ; Brendan Flannery, PhD 1 ; Nathaniel M. Lewis, PhD 1 ; Samantha M. Olson, MPH 1 ; Katherine Adams, MPH 1 ; Mark W. Tenforde, MD, PhD 1 ; Shikha Garg, MD 1 ; Lisa A. Grohskopf, MD 1 ; Carrie Reed, DSc 1 ; Sascha Ellington, PhD 1 ; CDC Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Collaborators ( View author affiliations )

What is already known about this topic?

Influenza vaccines are reviewed biannually and updated as needed. In the United States, annual influenza vaccination is currently recommended for all persons aged ≥6 months.

What is added by this report?

Analysis of data from four vaccine effectiveness (VE) networks estimated interim pediatric influenza VE was 59%–67% in outpatient settings and 52%–61% against influenza-associated hospitalization. Interim adult influenza VE was 33%–49% in outpatient settings and 41%–44% against influenza-associated hospitalization.

What are the implications for public health practice?

These findings indicate that the 2023–24 seasonal influenza vaccine is effective at reducing the risk of influenza-associated outpatient visits and hospitalization. All eligible persons aged ≥6 months should receive annual influenza vaccination.

  • Article PDF
  • Full Issue PDF

In the United States, annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged ≥6 months. Using data from four vaccine effectiveness (VE) networks during the 2023-24 influenza season, interim influenza VE was estimated among patients aged ≥6 months with acute respiratory illness-associated medical encounters using a test-negative case-control study design. Among children and adolescents aged 6 months–17 years, VE against influenza-associated outpatient visits ranged from 59% to 67% and against influenza-associated hospitalization ranged from 52% to 61%. Among adults aged ≥18 years, VE against influenza-associated outpatient visits ranged from 33% to 49% and against hospitalization from 41% to 44%. VE against influenza A ranged from 46% to 59% for children and adolescents and from 27% to 46% for adults across settings. VE against influenza B ranged from 64% to 89% for pediatric patients in outpatient settings and from 60% to 78% for all adults across settings. These findings demonstrate that the 2023–24 seasonal influenza vaccine is effective at reducing the risk for medically attended influenza virus infection. CDC recommends that all persons aged ≥6 months who have not yet been vaccinated this season get vaccinated while influenza circulates locally.

Introduction

CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends annual influenza vaccination for all persons aged ≥6 months ( 1 ). During previous influenza seasons, influenza vaccination prevented hundreds of thousands of outpatient medical visits, tens of thousands of hospitalizations, and thousands of deaths from influenza.* During the current influenza season, most influenza viruses detected were influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses with cocirculation of influenza B/Victoria and influenza A(H3N2). † Because circulating seasonal influenza viruses change continuously, influenza vaccines are reviewed biannually and updated as needed. CDC has monitored the effectiveness of annual influenza vaccines against circulating influenza strains since 2004. § This report provides interim estimates of 2023–24 seasonal influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) against laboratory-confirmed influenza for children, adolescents, and adults in the outpatient and inpatient settings from active and passive surveillance systems in 22 U.S. states.

Data Collection

Four analyses including patients who received medical care (outpatient or hospitalization) for acute respiratory illness (ARI) during the 2023–24 ¶ season were conducted using data from four CDC-affiliated VE networks: 1) Investigating Respiratory Viruses in the Acutely Ill (IVY), 2) New Vaccine Surveillance Network (NVSN), 3) U.S. Flu Vaccine Effectiveness (US Flu VE), and 4) Virtual SARS-CoV-2, Influenza, and Other respiratory viruses Network (VISION). These networks have been previously described ( 2 – 5 ).

IVY enrolled adult patients admitted to the hospital ( Box ). NVSN enrolled pediatric patients who received outpatient care** (outpatient clinics, urgent care, and emergency departments), and those admitted to the hospital. US Flu VE enrolled pediatric and adult patients who received outpatient care (outpatient clinics, urgent care, and emergency departments). VISION included pediatric and adult patients who received outpatient care (urgent care and emergency departments), and those admitted to the hospital.

Data Analysis

Influenza VE was estimated based on a test-negative case-control design using multivariable logistic regression as (1 – adjusted odds ratio) × 100%. Case-patients were those with ARI who received a positive †† influenza molecular assay test result. Control patients were those with ARI who received a negative influenza molecular assay test result. Patients were considered vaccinated §§ if they had received ≥1 dose of 2023–24 influenza vaccine ≥14 days before an index date. ¶¶ Patients were excluded*** if they were vaccinated within 13 days of the index date or received a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result ( 6 ). VE estimates were calculated for influenza A subtypes A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) when possible. If more than one network had a VE estimate for the same age group, influenza type, and setting, VE was reported in the text as a range, from lowest VE point estimate to highest, without CIs.

Logistic regression models were adjusted for geographic region, age, calendar time of illness, ††† and other prespecified confounders. §§§ SAS software (version 9.4; SAS Institute) and R (version 4.3; R Foundation) were used to conduct the analyses. IVY, NVSN, and US Flu VE activities were reviewed by CDC, deemed not research, and were conducted consistent with applicable federal law and CDC policy. ¶¶¶ VISION activities were reviewed and approved by the Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, and Westat institutional review boards.****

Vaccination Status Among Control Patients

During the 2023–24 influenza season, the proportion of patients with medically attended ARI who had received influenza vaccine varied by VE network, patient age, and setting. Among pediatric patients, the proportion of vaccinated control patients within the VE networks ranged from 25% to 31% in outpatient settings and from 32% to 41% in the inpatient setting. Among adult control patients aged 18–64 years, 28% to 37% in outpatient and 30% to 34% in inpatient settings were vaccinated; among control patients aged ≥65 years, 62%–68% in outpatient and 48%–60% in inpatient settings were vaccinated.

Pediatric VE

VE against any influenza-associated ARI for children and adolescents aged 6 months–17 years ranged from 59% to 67% in outpatient settings and from 52% to 61% against any influenza-associated hospitalization ( Table 1 ). VE against influenza A ranged from 46% to 59% in outpatient settings and from 46% to 56% against influenza-associated hospitalization. VE against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 ranged from 54% to 61% in outpatient settings and against influenza-associated hospitalization was 60%. VE against A(H3N2) was 55% in outpatient settings. VE against influenza B ranged from 64% to 89% in outpatient settings.

VE against any influenza-associated ARI for all adults aged ≥18 years ranged from 33% to 49% in outpatient settings and from 41% to 44% against any influenza–associated hospitalization ( Table 2 ). VE against influenza A ranged from 27% to 46% in outpatient settings and from 40% to 42% against influenza-associated hospitalization. VE against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 was 25% in outpatient settings and 50% against influenza-associated hospitalization. VE against influenza A(H3N2) was 54% in outpatient settings. VE against influenza B was 78% in two networks in outpatient settings and was 60% against influenza-associated hospitalization.

VE against any influenza-associated ARI for adults aged 18–64 years ranged from 25% to 52% in outpatient settings and from 40% to 49% against any influenza-associated hospitalization. VE against any influenza A ranged from 13% to 49% in outpatient settings and from 38% to 42% against influenza-associated hospitalization. VE against influenza B ranged from 75% to 79% in outpatient settings and was 50% against influenza-associated hospitalization.

VE against any influenza-associated ARI for adults aged ≥65 years ranged from 41% to 51% in outpatient settings and in two networks was 42% against any influenza-associated hospitalization. VE against influenza A ranged from 40% to 52% in outpatient settings and from 42% to 47% against influenza-associated hospitalization. VE against influenza B was 69% in outpatient settings.

These interim estimates indicate that receipt of 2023–24 influenza vaccination reduced the risk for medically attended influenza-associated outpatient visits and hospitalization among children and adolescents and among adults, including those aged ≥65 years, consistent with results from previous years. †††† Influenza vaccination was effective against both influenza A (mostly subtype A(H1N1)pdm09) and B (lineage Victoria) viruses that have circulated so far this season, consistent with recent findings from Canada and Europe ( 7 , 8 ). VE estimates among adults ≥65 years, a group at increased risk for severe illness ( 1 ), were similar to those among adults aged 18–64 years. These findings support continuing efforts to increase influenza vaccination coverage to prevent influenza illness and associated hospitalization. Vaccination of persons aged ≥6 months who have not yet been vaccinated this season should continue while influenza viruses are circulating locally.

Influenza vaccination coverage in the United States has been lower this season than in the previous season and also lower than coverage before the COVID-19 pandemic. §§§§ In the current analyses, fewer than one half of test-negative control patients had received influenza vaccine in all VE networks and among enrollees of most age groups. The public health benefit of annual influenza vaccination depends on both vaccine effectiveness and vaccination coverage. Increased vaccination coverage will maximize prevention of influenza-associated illness, reducing both outpatient visits and hospitalization ( 9 , 10 ).

This is the first time interim pediatric and adult influenza VE estimates from four major networks have been presented together. Whereas previous interim VE estimates were for outpatient settings only, these analyses include estimates of VE among children and adolescents and among adults across a spectrum of illness severity. These findings are further strengthened by the geographic diversity of the networks, representing patients in 22 U.S. states.

Limitations

The findings in this report are subject to at least four limitations. First, small sample sizes prevented estimation of VE for some age groups and settings. For example, an estimate of VE against influenza A(H3N2) was only possible in outpatient settings. Second, although models were adjusted for potential confounders, the potential for unmeasured confounding remained, such as underlying medical conditions or prior vaccination status. Third, there might be misclassification of vaccination status for networks that used self-reported vaccination data or if vaccine was administered outside of the medical system. Finally, in these analyses, patients who received ≥1 dose of 2023–24 influenza vaccine were considered vaccinated. However, to be considered fully vaccinated for the season, children aged 6 months–8 years are recommended to receive 2 influenza vaccine doses if they have not been previously vaccinated ( 1 ). Thus, some children classified as vaccinated might have only been partially vaccinated.

Implications for Public Health Practice

Influenza vaccination remains the best way to prevent influenza. These findings provide further evidence of the importance of influenza vaccination in reducing medically attended influenza illness in outpatient and inpatient settings among all age groups. Last year alone, CDC estimates that influenza vaccination prevented about 6 million illnesses, 65,000 hospitalizations, and 3,700 deaths. ¶¶¶¶ These findings support the recommendation for all persons aged ≥6 months to be vaccinated against influenza ( 1 ).

CDC Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Collaborators

Adam S. Lauring; Julie Arndorfer; Daniel Bride; Ithan D. Peltan; Nicholas M. Mohr; David N. Hager; Matthew Prekker; Amira Mohamed; Nicholas Johnson; Jay Steingrub; Akram Khan; Laurence W. Busse; Abhijit Duggal; Jennifer G. Wilson; Nida Qadir; Christopher Mallow; Jennie H. Kwon; Matthew C. Exline; Nathan I. Shapiro; Cristie Columbus; Ivana A. Vaughan; Jarrod M. Mosier; Basmah Safdar; Estelle S. Harris; James D. Chappell; Laura S. Stewart; Sydney A. Swan; Pedro A. Piedra; Leila C. Sahni; Janet A. Englund; Danielle M. Zerr; Robert W. Hickey; John V. Williams; Chelsea Rohlfs; Elizabeth P. Schlaudecker; Dinah Dosdos; Mary E. Moffatt; Jennifer E. Schuster; Kirsten Weltmer; Peter G. Szilagyi; Tara Curley; Jamie Mills; Kiran Faryar; Robert A. Salata; Krissy Moehling Geffel; Mary Patricia Nowalk; Kempapura Murthy; Spencer Rose; Michael E. Smith; Brianna Wickersham; Brian D. Williamson; Natalie A.B. Bontrager; Olivia L. Williams; Joanna L. Kramer; Lora Nordstrom; Arnold S. Monto; Ivana A. Vaughn; Monica Dickerson; Callie McLean; Emma K. Noble; Caitlin Ray; Kelsey Sumner; Inih Essien; Linda Fletcher; Phillip Heaton; Sheryl Kane; Charlene McEvoy; Sunita Thapa; Gabriela Vazquez-Benitez; Cassandra Bezi; Richard Contreras; Gregg S. Davis; Bruno J. Lewin; Parag Mahale; Rudy Patrick; Lei Qian; Emily Rayens; Iris Anne C. Reyes; Denison S. Ryan; S. Bianca Salas; Lina S. Sy; Meiyu Yeh; Xi Zeng; Bruce Fireman; Kristin Goddard; John Hansen; Karen B. Jacobson; Julius Timbol; Ousseny Zerbo; Margaret Dunne; Yan Zhuang

Corresponding author: Aaron M. Frutos, [email protected] .

1 Influenza Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC; 2 Epidemic Intelligence Service, CDC; 3 Biodesign Center for Personalized Diagnostics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona; 4 University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan; 5 Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri; 6 University Hospitals of Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio; 7 University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; 8 Baylor Scott & White Health, Temple, Texas; 9 Baylor College of Medicine, Temple, Texas; 10 Texas A&M University College of Medicine, Temple, Texas; 11 Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Seattle, Washington; 12 Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, Pasadena, California; 13 Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina; 14 UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; 15 University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio; 16 Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; 17 University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York; 18 University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri; 19 Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri; 20 Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; 21 Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas; 22 Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington; 23 Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee; 24 University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado; 25 Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina; 26 Kaiser Permanente Department of Research & Evaluation, Pasadena, California; 27 Kaiser Permanente Vaccine Study Center, Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research, Oakland, California; 28 Division of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Epidemiology, Intermountain Health, Salt Lake City, Utah; 29 HealthPartners Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota; 30 Westat, Rockville, Maryland; 31 Coronavirus and Other Respiratory Viruses Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC.

All authors have completed and submitted the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors form for disclosure of potential conflicts of interest. Emmanuel B. Walter reports institutional support from Pfizer, Moderna, Seqiris, Clinetic, and Najit Technologies Inc., consulting fees from ILiAD Biotechnologies, payment from the College of Diplomates of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, travel support from the American Academy of Pediatrics, and paid compensation for participation on the Vaxcyte Scientific Advisory Board. Yuwei Zhu reports participation on a Vanderbilt University Medical Center Data Safety Monitoring Board. Sara Y. Tartof reports institutional support from Pfizer and Genentech. Samantha M. Olson reports travel support from the Gates Foundation. Nicola P. Klein reports institutional support from Sanofi Pasteur, Merck, Pfizer, Seqirus, and GlaxoSmithKline; membership on an expert panel for a planned hepatitis E Phase II vaccine clinical trial among pregnant women in Pakistan; membership in Western States COVID-19 Scientific Safety Review Workgroup, Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice, National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine, and National Vaccine Advisory Committee Safety Subcommittee. Manjusha Gaglani reports receipt of honorarium for educational webinar presentation on respiratory viruses from the Texas Pediatric Society, Texas Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and serving as co-chair of the Infectious Diseases and Immunization Committee and Chair of the Texas Respiratory Syncytial Virus Taskforce, Texas Pediatric Society. Kevin W. Gibbs reports grants or contracts from the Department of Defense and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and service as chair of the Vanderbilt University Medical Center Data Safety Monitoring Board. Adit A. Ginde reports institutional support from the NIH, the Department of Defense, AbbVie, and Faron Pharmaceuticals, consulting fees (paid to institution) from Biomeme and Seastar, and participation on data safety monitoring boards for the NIH and Emory University. Richard K. Zimmerman reports institutional support from the NIH and Sanofi Pasteur, and honorarium from Clinical Educational Alliance. Mary A. Staat reports institutional support from NIH, Pfizer, and Merck and royalties for Up-to-Date chapter on International Adoption. Stacey House reports institutional support from Seegene, Inc., Abbot, Healgen, Roche, CorDx, Hologic, Cepheid, Janssen, and Wondfo Biotech. Geoffrey A. Weinberg reports institutional support from the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute, consulting fees from Inhalon Biopharma for participation on a Scientific Advisory Board, and honoraria from Merck & Company for textbook chapters. Marian G. Michaels reports institutional support from the National Institute on Allergy and Infectious Diseases and complimentary meeting attendance for presentation at the American Transplant Congress on respiratory viruses. Emily T. Martin reports receipt of grants or contracts from Merck. Natasha B. Halasa reports receipt of grants from Sanofi, Quidell, and Merck. Elie A. Saade reports institutional support from Protein Sciences Corporation, consulting fees, honoraria, and travel support from Johnson & Johnson and participation on a Johnson & Johnson Data Safety Monitoring Board. No other potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.

* https://www.cdc.gov/flu/vaccines-work/past-burden-prevented-est.html

† https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/

§ https://www.cdc.gov/flu/vaccines-work/past-seasons-estimates.html

¶ Inclusion dates by network: IVY: September 1, 2023–January 31, 2024; NVSN: October 1, 2023–February 2, 2024; US Flu VE: October 10, 2023–January 24, 2024; VISION: October 15, 2023–January 15, 2024.

** Patients enrolled as outpatients in NVSN might have progressed to a more acute level of care, and those data might not be reflected in this analysis.

†† All influenza case-patients received a positive reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction test result from a clinical or surveillance respiratory laboratory specimen for IVY, NVSN, and US Flu VE. For VISION, influenza case-patients received a positive molecular assay result from a clinical respiratory laboratory specimen.

§§ Vaccination status was self- or parent- or guardian-reported or abstracted from medical records, immunization information systems, or claims data.

¶¶ Index date for IVY, NVSN, and US Flu VE was date of ARI onset. Index date for VISION was the earlier of outpatient visit, hospital admission date, or influenza clinical testing date.

*** Patients with a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result were excluded in all networks because of the potential for bias from correlated vaccination probabilities. VISION participants with an influenza International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) code but without a confirmatory laboratory test result or with COVID-19-related ICD-10 code even in the absence of a positive SARS-CoV-2 test were also excluded.

††† IVY used biweekly period of hospital admission. NVSN used month of patient enrollment in the hospital or outpatient setting. US Flu VE used month of illness onset. VISION used calendar date as a natural cubic spline.

§§§ IVY, US Flu VE, and VISION also adjusted for sex and race and ethnicity. US Flu VE also adjusted for days between illness onset and enrollment and self-reported general health status.

¶¶¶ 45 C.F.R. part 46.102(l)(2), 21 C.F.R. part 56; 42 U.S.C. Sect. 241(d); 5 U.S.C. Sect. 552a; 44 U.S.C. Sect. 3501 et seq.

**** 45 C.F.R. part 46.101(c); 21 C.F.R. part 56.

†††† https://www.cdc.gov/flu/vaccines-work/effectiveness-studies.htm

§§§§ https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2023/han00503.asp

¶¶¶¶ https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden-prevented/2022-2023.htm

  • Grohskopf LA, Blanton LH, Ferdinands JM, Chung JR, Broder KR, Talbot HK. Prevention and control of seasonal influenza with vaccines: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices—United States, 2023–24 influenza season. MMWR Recomm Rep 2023;72:1–25. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.rr7202a1
  • Chung JR, Kim SS, Kondor RJ, et al. Interim estimates of 2021–22 seasonal influenza vaccine effectiveness—United States, February 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:365–70. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7110a1 PMID:35271561
  • Campbell AP, Ogokeh C, Weinberg GA, et al.; New Vaccine Surveillance Network (NVSN). Effect of vaccination on preventing influenza-associated hospitalizations among children during a severe season associated with B/Victoria viruses, 2019–2020. Clin Infect Dis 2021;73:e947–54. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciab060 PMID:33502489
  • Lewis NM, Zhu Y, Peltan ID, et al.; Investigating Respiratory Viruses in the Acutely Ill (IVY) Network. Vaccine effectiveness against influenza A–associated hospitalization, organ failure, and death: United States, 2022–2023. Clin Infect Dis 2023; https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciad677 PMID:38051664
  • Tenforde MW, Weber ZA, DeSilva MB, et al. Vaccine effectiveness against influenza-associated urgent care, emergency department, and hospital encounters during the 2021–2022 season, VISION Network. J Infect Dis 2023;228:185–95. https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiad015 PMID:36683410
  • Doll MK, Pettigrew SM, Ma J, Verma A. Effects of confounding bias in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and influenza vaccine effectiveness test-negative designs due to correlated influenza and COVID-19 vaccination behaviors. Clin Infect Dis 2022;75:e564–71. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciac234 PMID:35325923
  • Smolarchuk C, Ickert C, Zelyas N, Kwong JC, Buchan SA. Early influenza vaccine effectiveness estimates using routinely collected data, Alberta, Canada, 2023/24 season. Euro Surveill 2024;29:2300709. https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2024.29.2.2300709   PMID:38214082
  • Maurel M, Howard J, Kissling E, et al. Interim 2023/24 influenza A vaccine effectiveness: VEBIS European primary care and hospital multicentre studies, September 2023 to January 2024. Euro Surveill 2024;29: 2400089. https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.es.2024.29.8.2400089   PMID: 38390651
  • Hughes MM, Reed C, Flannery B, et al. Projected population benefit of increased effectiveness and coverage of influenza vaccination on influenza burden in the United States. Clin Infect Dis 2020;70:2496–502. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciz676 PMID:31344229
  • Chung JR, Rolfes MA, Flannery B, et al.; US Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Network, the Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network, and the Assessment Branch, Immunization Services Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Effects of influenza vaccination in the United States during the 2018–2019 influenza season. Clin Infect Dis 2020;71:e368–76. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciz1244 PMID:31905401

BOX. Influenza vaccine effectiveness network characteristics — United States, 2023–2024 influenza season

Ivy network.

  • Population: Adults aged ≥18 years
  • Settings : No outpatient, inpatient only
  • Type of surveillance : Active
  • Medical centers included (state) : Baylor Scott & White Med. Ctr. – Temple (Texas), Baylor Scott & White Health, Baylor Univ. Med. Ctr. (Texas), Baystate Med. Ctr. (Massachusetts), Beth Israel Deaconess Med. Ctr. (Massachusetts), Cleveland Clinic (Ohio), Emory Univ. Med. Ctr. (Georgia), Hennepin County Med. Ctr. (Minnesota), Henry Ford Health (Michigan), Intermountain Med. Ctr. (Utah), Johns Hopkins Hospital (Maryland), Montefiore Med. Ctr. (New York), The Ohio State Univ. Wexner Med. Ctr. (Ohio), Oregon Health & Science Univ. Hospital (Oregon), Stanford Univ. Med. Ctr. (California), Ronald Regan UCLA Med. Ctr. (California), Univ. of Colorado Hospital (Colorado), Univ. of Iowa Hospitals (Iowa), Univ. of Miami Med. Ctr. (Florida), Univ. of Michigan Hospital (Michigan), Univ. of Washington (Washington), Vanderbilt Univ. Med. Ctr. (Tennessee), Wake Forest Univ. Baptist Med. Ctr. (North Carolina), Barnes-Jewish Hospital (Missouri), Univ. of Arizona Med. Ctr. (Arizona), and Yale Univ. (Connecticut)
  • Determination of vaccination status : According primarily to vaccination registries or medical records (i.e., source documentation) and secondarily by self-report (if no source documentation available [<10% of cases])
  • ARI definition : One or more of the following signs or symptoms: fever, cough, shortness of breath, new hypoxemia, or new pulmonary findings on chest imaging consistent with pneumonia
  • Population: Children and adolescents (aged 6 months–17 years)
  • Settings : Inpatient and outpatient clinics, urgent care clinics, and EDs
  • Type of surveillance : Active and passive
  • Medical centers included (state) : Vanderbilt Univ. Med. Ctr. (Tennessee), Univ. of Rochester Med. Ctr. (New York), Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Med. Ctr. (Ohio), Texas Children’s Hospital (Texas), Seattle Children’s Hospital (Washington), Children’s Mercy Hospital (Missouri), and Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania)
  • Determination of vaccination status : State immunization registries, medical records or self-report.
  • ARI definition : Signs and symptoms of acute respiratory illness (including cough, fever, or other symptoms) within 14 days of illness onset
  • Population: Children and adolescents aged 6 months–17 years; adults aged ≥18 years
  • Settings : Outpatient clinics, urgent care clinics, and EDs; no inpatient
  • Medical centers included (state) : Arizona State Univ. Tempe, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Valleywise Health Med. Ctr. (Arizona), Univ. of Michigan and Henry Ford Health (Michigan), Washington Univ. in St. Louis (Missouri), Univ. Hospitals of Cleveland and Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Med. Ctr. (Ohio), Univ. of Pittsburgh, Univ. of Pittsburgh Med. Ctr. (Pennsylvania), Baylor Scott & White Health – Temple (Texas), and Kaiser Permanente Washington (Washington)
  • Determination of vaccination status : Medical records or state immunization registries and self-report (Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington sites); self-report only (Arizona site)
  • ARI definition : Illness ≤7 days duration with new or worsening cough
  • Inpatient versus outpatient settings : Inpatient, urgent care clinics, and EDs
  • Type of surveillance : Passive
  • Medical centers included (state) : HealthPartners (Minnesota; and Wisconsin), Intermountain Health (Utah), Kaiser Permanente Northern California (California), Kaiser Permanente Southern California (California)
  • Determination of vaccination status : Immunization information systems, electronic health records, claims data
  • ARI definition : Acute respiratory clinical diagnoses or respiratory signs or symptoms based on ICD-10 codes

Abbreviations: ARI = acute respiratory illness; Ctr. = Center; ED = emergency department; ICD-10 =  International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision ; IVY = Investigating Respiratory Viruses in the Acutely Ill Network; Med. = Medical; NVSN = New Vaccine Surveillance Network; Univ. = University; US Flu VE = United States Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Network; VISION = Virtual SARS-CoV-2, Influenza, and Other respiratory viruses Network.

Abbreviations: NVSN = New Vaccine Surveillance Network; OR = odds ratio; US Flu VE = U.S. Flu Vaccine Effectiveness Network; VE = vaccine effectiveness; VISION = Virtual SARS-CoV-2, Influenza, and Other respiratory viruses Network. * VE was estimated using the test-negative case-control design comparing vaccination odds among persons who had positive test results for influenza with vaccination odds among persons who had negative test results for any influenza and SARS-CoV-2. Calculated as (1 − adjusted OR) × 100%; ORs were estimated using logistic regression. Firth logistic regression was used for NVSN’s inpatient estimates. † Influenza A and B coinfections were included in both influenza A and influenza B VE estimates. § Influenza A subtype estimates were not calculated for VISION because of limited subtype data. ¶ All networks adjusted for geographic region, age, and calendar time. US Flu VE and VISION adjusted for sex and race and ethnicity. US Flu VE also adjusted for time since illness onset and self-reported health status. VE estimates with fewer than 50 cases or from models that did not converge are not presented and are indicated with a dash. ** Patients enrolled as outpatients in NVSN might have progressed to a more acute level of care, and those data might not be reflected in this analysis. †† For NVSN and US Flu VE, outpatient setting is defined as outpatient clinics, urgent care, and emergency departments; for VISION, an outpatient setting is defined as urgent care and emergency departments.

Abbreviations: IVY = Investigating Respiratory Viruses in the Acutely Ill network; OR = odds ratio; US Flu VE = U.S. Flu Vaccine Effectiveness network; VE = vaccine effectiveness; VISION = VIrtual SARS-CoV-2, Influenza, and Other respiratory viruses Network. * VE was estimated using the test-negative case-control design comparing vaccination odds among persons who had positive test results for influenza with vaccination odds among persons who had negative test results for any influenza and SARS-CoV-2. Calculated as (1 − adjusted OR) × 100%; ORs were estimated using logistic regression. † Influenza A and B coinfections were included in both influenza A and influenza B VE estimates. § Influenza A subtype estimates were not calculated for VISION because of limited subtype data. ¶ All networks adjusted for geographic region, age, and calendar time. IVY, US Flu VE, and VISION, adjusted for sex and race and ethnicity. US Flu VE also adjusted for time since illness onset and self-reported health status. VE estimates with fewer than 50 cases or from models that did not converge are not presented and are indicated with a dash. ** For US Flu VE, outpatient setting is defined as outpatient clinics, urgent care, and emergency departments; for VISION, an outpatient setting is defined as urgent care and emergency departments.

Suggested citation for this article: Frutos AM, Price AM, Harker E, et al. Interim Estimates of 2023–24 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness — United States. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2024;73:168–174. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7308a3 .

MMWR and Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report are service marks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Use of trade names and commercial sources is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. References to non-CDC sites on the Internet are provided as a service to MMWR readers and do not constitute or imply endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. CDC is not responsible for the content of pages found at these sites. URL addresses listed in MMWR were current as of the date of publication.

All HTML versions of MMWR articles are generated from final proofs through an automated process. This conversion might result in character translation or format errors in the HTML version. Users are referred to the electronic PDF version ( https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr ) and/or the original MMWR paper copy for printable versions of official text, figures, and tables.

Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy

  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
  • Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
  • You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
  • CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website.

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

  • Knowledge Base

Methodology

Research Methods | Definitions, Types, Examples

Research methods are specific procedures for collecting and analyzing data. Developing your research methods is an integral part of your research design . When planning your methods, there are two key decisions you will make.

First, decide how you will collect data . Your methods depend on what type of data you need to answer your research question :

  • Qualitative vs. quantitative : Will your data take the form of words or numbers?
  • Primary vs. secondary : Will you collect original data yourself, or will you use data that has already been collected by someone else?
  • Descriptive vs. experimental : Will you take measurements of something as it is, or will you perform an experiment?

Second, decide how you will analyze the data .

  • For quantitative data, you can use statistical analysis methods to test relationships between variables.
  • For qualitative data, you can use methods such as thematic analysis to interpret patterns and meanings in the data.

Table of contents

Methods for collecting data, examples of data collection methods, methods for analyzing data, examples of data analysis methods, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about research methods.

Data is the information that you collect for the purposes of answering your research question . The type of data you need depends on the aims of your research.

Qualitative vs. quantitative data

Your choice of qualitative or quantitative data collection depends on the type of knowledge you want to develop.

For questions about ideas, experiences and meanings, or to study something that can’t be described numerically, collect qualitative data .

If you want to develop a more mechanistic understanding of a topic, or your research involves hypothesis testing , collect quantitative data .

You can also take a mixed methods approach , where you use both qualitative and quantitative research methods.

Primary vs. secondary research

Primary research is any original data that you collect yourself for the purposes of answering your research question (e.g. through surveys , observations and experiments ). Secondary research is data that has already been collected by other researchers (e.g. in a government census or previous scientific studies).

If you are exploring a novel research question, you’ll probably need to collect primary data . But if you want to synthesize existing knowledge, analyze historical trends, or identify patterns on a large scale, secondary data might be a better choice.

Descriptive vs. experimental data

In descriptive research , you collect data about your study subject without intervening. The validity of your research will depend on your sampling method .

In experimental research , you systematically intervene in a process and measure the outcome. The validity of your research will depend on your experimental design .

To conduct an experiment, you need to be able to vary your independent variable , precisely measure your dependent variable, and control for confounding variables . If it’s practically and ethically possible, this method is the best choice for answering questions about cause and effect.

Here's why students love Scribbr's proofreading services

Discover proofreading & editing

Your data analysis methods will depend on the type of data you collect and how you prepare it for analysis.

Data can often be analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively. For example, survey responses could be analyzed qualitatively by studying the meanings of responses or quantitatively by studying the frequencies of responses.

Qualitative analysis methods

Qualitative analysis is used to understand words, ideas, and experiences. You can use it to interpret data that was collected:

  • From open-ended surveys and interviews , literature reviews , case studies , ethnographies , and other sources that use text rather than numbers.
  • Using non-probability sampling methods .

Qualitative analysis tends to be quite flexible and relies on the researcher’s judgement, so you have to reflect carefully on your choices and assumptions and be careful to avoid research bias .

Quantitative analysis methods

Quantitative analysis uses numbers and statistics to understand frequencies, averages and correlations (in descriptive studies) or cause-and-effect relationships (in experiments).

You can use quantitative analysis to interpret data that was collected either:

  • During an experiment .
  • Using probability sampling methods .

Because the data is collected and analyzed in a statistically valid way, the results of quantitative analysis can be easily standardized and shared among researchers.

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

If you want to know more about statistics , methodology , or research bias , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

  • Chi square test of independence
  • Statistical power
  • Descriptive statistics
  • Degrees of freedom
  • Pearson correlation
  • Null hypothesis
  • Double-blind study
  • Case-control study
  • Research ethics
  • Data collection
  • Hypothesis testing
  • Structured interviews

Research bias

  • Hawthorne effect
  • Unconscious bias
  • Recall bias
  • Halo effect
  • Self-serving bias
  • Information bias

Quantitative research deals with numbers and statistics, while qualitative research deals with words and meanings.

Quantitative methods allow you to systematically measure variables and test hypotheses . Qualitative methods allow you to explore concepts and experiences in more detail.

In mixed methods research , you use both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods to answer your research question .

A sample is a subset of individuals from a larger population . Sampling means selecting the group that you will actually collect data from in your research. For example, if you are researching the opinions of students in your university, you could survey a sample of 100 students.

In statistics, sampling allows you to test a hypothesis about the characteristics of a population.

The research methods you use depend on the type of data you need to answer your research question .

  • If you want to measure something or test a hypothesis , use quantitative methods . If you want to explore ideas, thoughts and meanings, use qualitative methods .
  • If you want to analyze a large amount of readily-available data, use secondary data. If you want data specific to your purposes with control over how it is generated, collect primary data.
  • If you want to establish cause-and-effect relationships between variables , use experimental methods. If you want to understand the characteristics of a research subject, use descriptive methods.

Methodology refers to the overarching strategy and rationale of your research project . It involves studying the methods used in your field and the theories or principles behind them, in order to develop an approach that matches your objectives.

Methods are the specific tools and procedures you use to collect and analyze data (for example, experiments, surveys , and statistical tests ).

In shorter scientific papers, where the aim is to report the findings of a specific study, you might simply describe what you did in a methods section .

In a longer or more complex research project, such as a thesis or dissertation , you will probably include a methodology section , where you explain your approach to answering the research questions and cite relevant sources to support your choice of methods.

Is this article helpful?

Other students also liked, writing strong research questions | criteria & examples.

  • What Is a Research Design | Types, Guide & Examples
  • Data Collection | Definition, Methods & Examples

More interesting articles

  • Between-Subjects Design | Examples, Pros, & Cons
  • Cluster Sampling | A Simple Step-by-Step Guide with Examples
  • Confounding Variables | Definition, Examples & Controls
  • Construct Validity | Definition, Types, & Examples
  • Content Analysis | Guide, Methods & Examples
  • Control Groups and Treatment Groups | Uses & Examples
  • Control Variables | What Are They & Why Do They Matter?
  • Correlation vs. Causation | Difference, Designs & Examples
  • Correlational Research | When & How to Use
  • Critical Discourse Analysis | Definition, Guide & Examples
  • Cross-Sectional Study | Definition, Uses & Examples
  • Descriptive Research | Definition, Types, Methods & Examples
  • Ethical Considerations in Research | Types & Examples
  • Explanatory and Response Variables | Definitions & Examples
  • Explanatory Research | Definition, Guide, & Examples
  • Exploratory Research | Definition, Guide, & Examples
  • External Validity | Definition, Types, Threats & Examples
  • Extraneous Variables | Examples, Types & Controls
  • Guide to Experimental Design | Overview, Steps, & Examples
  • How Do You Incorporate an Interview into a Dissertation? | Tips
  • How to Do Thematic Analysis | Step-by-Step Guide & Examples
  • How to Write a Literature Review | Guide, Examples, & Templates
  • How to Write a Strong Hypothesis | Steps & Examples
  • Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria | Examples & Definition
  • Independent vs. Dependent Variables | Definition & Examples
  • Inductive Reasoning | Types, Examples, Explanation
  • Inductive vs. Deductive Research Approach | Steps & Examples
  • Internal Validity in Research | Definition, Threats, & Examples
  • Internal vs. External Validity | Understanding Differences & Threats
  • Longitudinal Study | Definition, Approaches & Examples
  • Mediator vs. Moderator Variables | Differences & Examples
  • Mixed Methods Research | Definition, Guide & Examples
  • Multistage Sampling | Introductory Guide & Examples
  • Naturalistic Observation | Definition, Guide & Examples
  • Operationalization | A Guide with Examples, Pros & Cons
  • Population vs. Sample | Definitions, Differences & Examples
  • Primary Research | Definition, Types, & Examples
  • Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research | Differences, Examples & Methods
  • Quasi-Experimental Design | Definition, Types & Examples
  • Questionnaire Design | Methods, Question Types & Examples
  • Random Assignment in Experiments | Introduction & Examples
  • Random vs. Systematic Error | Definition & Examples
  • Reliability vs. Validity in Research | Difference, Types and Examples
  • Reproducibility vs Replicability | Difference & Examples
  • Reproducibility vs. Replicability | Difference & Examples
  • Sampling Methods | Types, Techniques & Examples
  • Semi-Structured Interview | Definition, Guide & Examples
  • Simple Random Sampling | Definition, Steps & Examples
  • Single, Double, & Triple Blind Study | Definition & Examples
  • Stratified Sampling | Definition, Guide & Examples
  • Structured Interview | Definition, Guide & Examples
  • Survey Research | Definition, Examples & Methods
  • Systematic Review | Definition, Example, & Guide
  • Systematic Sampling | A Step-by-Step Guide with Examples
  • Textual Analysis | Guide, 3 Approaches & Examples
  • The 4 Types of Reliability in Research | Definitions & Examples
  • The 4 Types of Validity in Research | Definitions & Examples
  • Transcribing an Interview | 5 Steps & Transcription Software
  • Triangulation in Research | Guide, Types, Examples
  • Types of Interviews in Research | Guide & Examples
  • Types of Research Designs Compared | Guide & Examples
  • Types of Variables in Research & Statistics | Examples
  • Unstructured Interview | Definition, Guide & Examples
  • What Is a Case Study? | Definition, Examples & Methods
  • What Is a Case-Control Study? | Definition & Examples
  • What Is a Cohort Study? | Definition & Examples
  • What Is a Conceptual Framework? | Tips & Examples
  • What Is a Controlled Experiment? | Definitions & Examples
  • What Is a Double-Barreled Question?
  • What Is a Focus Group? | Step-by-Step Guide & Examples
  • What Is a Likert Scale? | Guide & Examples
  • What Is a Prospective Cohort Study? | Definition & Examples
  • What Is a Retrospective Cohort Study? | Definition & Examples
  • What Is Action Research? | Definition & Examples
  • What Is an Observational Study? | Guide & Examples
  • What Is Concurrent Validity? | Definition & Examples
  • What Is Content Validity? | Definition & Examples
  • What Is Convenience Sampling? | Definition & Examples
  • What Is Convergent Validity? | Definition & Examples
  • What Is Criterion Validity? | Definition & Examples
  • What Is Data Cleansing? | Definition, Guide & Examples
  • What Is Deductive Reasoning? | Explanation & Examples
  • What Is Discriminant Validity? | Definition & Example
  • What Is Ecological Validity? | Definition & Examples
  • What Is Ethnography? | Definition, Guide & Examples
  • What Is Face Validity? | Guide, Definition & Examples
  • What Is Non-Probability Sampling? | Types & Examples
  • What Is Participant Observation? | Definition & Examples
  • What Is Peer Review? | Types & Examples
  • What Is Predictive Validity? | Examples & Definition
  • What Is Probability Sampling? | Types & Examples
  • What Is Purposive Sampling? | Definition & Examples
  • What Is Qualitative Observation? | Definition & Examples
  • What Is Qualitative Research? | Methods & Examples
  • What Is Quantitative Observation? | Definition & Examples
  • What Is Quantitative Research? | Definition, Uses & Methods

What is your plagiarism score?

Read our research on: Immigration & Migration | Podcasts | Election 2024

Regions & Countries

Appendix a: political leaders and parties by country.

All ratings for political leaders and parties were collected between Feb. 20 and May 22, 2023. Refer to our international methodology website for specific fieldwork dates for each country. We worked with local research partners in each country to identify the most relevant politicians and parties as of fall 2022, when the questionnaire was finalized. 

National leaders included in the survey were the head of state or head of government in office at the time of fielding. Since fieldwork ended, Indonesia held a general election in which the then-incumbent president, Joko Widodo, was not eligible to run due to term limits. Argentina elected a new president, Javier Milei, who took office in December 2023. In Nigeria, fieldwork took place immediately following the election on Feb. 25, 2023. Bola Tinubu won the election but did not officially take office until May, after fieldwork was complete. Therefore, we classify former president Muhammadu Buhari as the leader of Nigeria at the time of the survey.

Politicians included as opposition leaders in the survey are generally the leader of the main opposition party. In some instances where an election occurred around the time of the survey, we measured attitudes toward the leading candidate(s). And in some countries, if there was no clear single opposition leader, we asked for ratings of multiple politicians.

In some countries, the opposition leader when the survey was fielded is now part of a governing coalition. In Poland, for example, Donald Tusk became prime minister after his party, Civic Platform, and other opposition parties won enough seats in the October 2023 elections to form a majority coalition. For our analysis, President Andrzej Duda is considered the leader of the country since the president has the power to appoint the prime minister and, in specific situations, dissolve parliament.

In the Netherlands, then-opposition leader Geert Wilders’ Party for Freedom won the most seats in the November 2023 elections, though this far he has struggled to form a coalition . Until a coalition government is set, Mark Rutte remains the leader of a caretaker government and the next leader is unknown.

We also asked about between two and six political parties in each country depending on the number of major parties, as well as input from our local research partners. These generally include the main party in power or the largest party or parties in a coalition government, and at least one major opposition party. In Europe, we have historically asked for ratings of major populist parties, even if they often do not receive large shares of the votes in national elections.

A table showing Ratings of national leaders, as of spring 2023

Facts are more important than ever

In times of uncertainty, good decisions demand good data. Please support our research with a financial contribution.

Report Materials

Table of contents, freedom, elections, voice: how people in australia and the uk define democracy, global public opinion in an era of democratic anxiety, most people in advanced economies think their own government respects personal freedoms, more people globally see racial, ethnic discrimination as a serious problem in the u.s. than in their own society, citizens in advanced economies want significant changes to their political systems, most popular.

About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts .

International Injury Research Unit

  • Get Involved
  • Media Coverage

JH-IIRU Launches Status Summary Reports in Two African Cities

With the support of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS), the Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit (JH-IIRU) launched the 2023 Status Summary Reports for Kampala, Uganda, and Mombasa, Kenya. 

Both reports were developed in collaboration with BIGRS partners and JH-IIRU local collaborators from each city. These reports provide government authorities and key stakeholders with data on the status of road safety risk factors and  trends within their cities. They also offer targeted, evidence-based, and contextually relevant recommendations that aim to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries. 

The Status Summary Report 2023 for Kampala was launched on January 16, 2024, in partnership with the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), the Makerere University School of Public Health, and Vital Strategies and it presented key information regarding speed and helmet use in Kampala. 

Based on data collected between February 2021 and October 2023, speeding vehicles were traveling at an average of 57 km/h, with speeding being highest (10%) among sport utility vehicles (SUVs). The report also highlights significant concerns with respect to helmet use in Kampala - correct helmet use among all motorcyclists was only 19%.  

Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Rebecca Bavinger attended the launch and shared valuable insights on the organization’s road safety work in the city. This facilitated fruitful conversations among colleagues, stakeholders, and partners. 

“Let us use this research to make a difference in our communities,” stated the Mayor of the Nakawa Municipality, Paul Mugambe, during the launch. 

Following the event, Dr. James Kumwenda, Global Program Manager of the BIGRS for JH-IIRU, was part of the Bloomberg Philanthropies-led delegation that met with the Lord Mayor of Kampala City, His Worship Erias Lukwago, and other city government officials, where the crucial importance of prioritizing vulnerable road users as a key strategy was discussed. 

Watch NTV Uganda's news feature on the launch in Kampala.  

Bloomberg Philanthropies’ reel displaying the launch.

On January 18, 2024, JH-IIRU launched the Status Summary Report 2023 for Mombasa in collaboration with the Mombasa County Government, Innologic Solutions, and Vital Strategies. This report focused on speed, helmet use, and seat-belt and child restraint use data. 

Within several key findings highlighted in the document, was the fact that speeding remains an issue of concern in Mombasa County. Speeding was high among all observed vehicles (26%) . Motorcyclists also remain at risk, with helmet use among motorcyclists at 19%. Moreover, child restraint use among children under 12 years old was nearly non-existent and the use of seat-belts was 30% lower on weekends. 

The speed-related observations took place in December 2022, April 2023, and October 2023; while the helmet, and seat-belt and child restraint use observations were conducted in December 2022 and April 2023. 

“It’s important to understand that all of us use roads and until and unless we design roads for all of us to be safe, for all of us to be able to use roads effectively and efficiently, we won’t be able to address the road safety problem. We really need to focus on the Safe System approach,” expressed Dr. Abdulgafoor Bachani, Director of JH-IIRU, in remarks at the launch event. 

Watch K24 TV’s segment on the launch in Mombasa.  

JH-IIRU has produced the BIGRS-supported Status Summary Reports for several cities across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, all of which aim to inform and empower stakeholders within the road safety arena to trigger positive change. To read the reports for Kampala and Mombasa, click here . 

IMAGES

  1. FREE 10+ Research Analysis Report Templates in PDF

    summary report in research methodology

  2. Layout of the Research Report

    summary report in research methodology

  3. highest and best use analysis example

    summary report in research methodology

  4. Research Report Sample Template

    summary report in research methodology

  5. Summary

    summary report in research methodology

  6. Sample Research Paper Outline In One Page Summary Presentation Report

    summary report in research methodology

VIDEO

  1. Methodology

  2. Research Methods

  3. Preparation for the research report /Research methodology /malayalam

  4. Research and Writing in Research Methodology Summary in Tamil

  5. المحاضرة الأخيرة cs698

  6. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

COMMENTS

  1. How To Write A Research Summary

    So, follow the steps below to write a research summary that sticks. 1. Read the parent paper thoroughly. You should go through the research paper thoroughly multiple times to ensure that you have a complete understanding of its contents. A 3-stage reading process helps.

  2. Research Summary

    The Structure of a Research Summary typically include: Introduction: This section provides a brief background of the research problem or question, explains the purpose of the study, and outlines the research objectives. Methodology: This section explains the research design, methods, and procedures used to conduct the study.

  3. How to Write a Summary

    When to write a summary. Step 1: Read the text. Step 2: Break the text down into sections. Step 3: Identify the key points in each section. Step 4: Write the summary. Step 5: Check the summary against the article. Other interesting articles. Frequently asked questions about summarizing.

  4. What Is a Research Methodology?

    Step 1: Explain your methodological approach. Step 2: Describe your data collection methods. Step 3: Describe your analysis method. Step 4: Evaluate and justify the methodological choices you made. Tips for writing a strong methodology chapter. Other interesting articles.

  5. PDF How to Summarize a Research Article

    A research article usually has seven major sections: Title, Abstract, Introduction, Method, Results, Discussion, and References. The first thing you should do is to decide why you need to summarize the article. If the purpose of the summary is to take notes to later remind yourself about the article you may want to write a longer summary ...

  6. Executive Summary

    It is a separate, stand-alone document of sufficient detail and clarity to ensure that the reader can completely understand the contents of the main research study. An executive summary can be anywhere from 1-10 pages long depending on the length of the report, or it can be the summary of more than one document [e.g., papers submitted for a ...

  7. Research Summary: What is it & how to write one

    A research summary is a piece of writing that summarizes your research on a specific topic. Its primary goal is to offer the reader a detailed overview of the study with the key findings. A research summary generally contains the article's structure in which it is written. You must know the goal of your analysis before you launch a project.

  8. PDF A quick guide to report writing

    There are three main forms of reports: factual, instructional and persuasive; each has a different purpose and will require different arguments and evidence to achieve that purpose. It will help you write good reports if you know what you are trying to achieve before you start your report. Factual. Instructional. Persuasive.

  9. Writing a Research Report

    This review is divided into sections for easy reference. There are five MAJOR parts of a Research Report: 1. Introduction 2. Review of Literature 3. Methods 4. Results 5. Discussion. As a general guide, the Introduction, Review of Literature, and Methods should be about 1/3 of your paper, Discussion 1/3, then Results 1/3.

  10. Your Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Good Research Methodology

    Provide the rationality behind your chosen approach. Based on logic and reason, let your readers know why you have chosen said research methodologies. Additionally, you have to build strong arguments supporting why your chosen research method is the best way to achieve the desired outcome. 3. Explain your mechanism.

  11. Research Summary- Structure, Examples, and Writing tips

    A research summary is a type of paper designed to provide a brief overview of a given study - typically, an article from a peer-reviewed academic journal. ... Methodology - regardless of its location, this section details experimental methods or data analysis methods used (e.g. types of experiments, surveys, sampling, or statistical analysis ...

  12. Research Report

    Thesis. Thesis is a type of research report. A thesis is a long-form research document that presents the findings and conclusions of an original research study conducted by a student as part of a graduate or postgraduate program. It is typically written by a student pursuing a higher degree, such as a Master's or Doctoral degree, although it ...

  13. Research Methodology

    Qualitative Research Methodology. This is a research methodology that involves the collection and analysis of non-numerical data such as words, images, and observations. This type of research is often used to explore complex phenomena, to gain an in-depth understanding of a particular topic, and to generate hypotheses.

  14. A Complete Guide to Writing a Research Summary

    A research summary is a short, concise summary of an academic research paper. It is often used to summarize the results of an experiment, summarize the major findings and conclusions, and provide a brief overview of the methods and procedures used in the study. ... This section needs to describe the methodology used by you in your research. Or ...

  15. What Is a Research Methodology?

    Revised on 10 October 2022. Your research methodology discusses and explains the data collection and analysis methods you used in your research. A key part of your thesis, dissertation, or research paper, the methodology chapter explains what you did and how you did it, allowing readers to evaluate the reliability and validity of your research.

  16. How to Write a Results Section

    Reporting quantitative research results. If you conducted quantitative research, you'll likely be working with the results of some sort of statistical analysis.. Your results section should report the results of any statistical tests you used to compare groups or assess relationships between variables.It should also state whether or not each hypothesis was supported.

  17. 6. The Methodology

    Bem, Daryl J. Writing the Empirical Journal Article. Psychology Writing Center. University of Washington; Denscombe, Martyn. The Good Research Guide: For Small-Scale Social Research Projects. 5th edition.Buckingham, UK: Open University Press, 2014; Lunenburg, Frederick C. Writing a Successful Thesis or Dissertation: Tips and Strategies for Students in the Social and Behavioral Sciences.

  18. How to Write Research Methodology: 13 Steps (with Pictures)

    A quantitative approach and statistical analysis would give you a bigger picture. 3. Identify how your analysis answers your research questions. Relate your methodology back to your original research questions and present a proposed outcome based on your analysis.

  19. How to Write Research Methodology in 2024: Overview, Tips, and

    Methodology in research is defined as the systematic method to resolve a research problem through data gathering using various techniques, providing an interpretation of data gathered and drawing conclusions about the research data. Essentially, a research methodology is the blueprint of a research or study (Murthy & Bhojanna, 2009, p. 32).

  20. What Is Research Methodology? Definition + Examples

    As we mentioned, research methodology refers to the collection of practical decisions regarding what data you'll collect, from who, how you'll collect it and how you'll analyse it. Research design, on the other hand, is more about the overall strategy you'll adopt in your study. For example, whether you'll use an experimental design ...

  21. ٌResearch Methodology "Summary"

    Research methodology serves as the backbone of any scientific investigation, providing researchers with a systematic approach to collecting, analyzing, and interpreting the data. It encompasses a ...

  22. Chapter Summary & Overview

    Chapter summary is a brief overview of the key points or events covered in a specific chapter of a book, academic paper, or other written work. It typically includes a concise description of the main ideas, arguments, or themes explored in the chapter, as well as any important supporting details or evidence. Chapter summaries are often used as ...

  23. Interim Estimates of 2023-24 Seasonal Influenza

    Abstract. In the United States, annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged ≥6 months. Using data from four vaccine effectiveness (VE) networks during the 2023-24 influenza season, interim influenza VE was estimated among patients aged ≥6 months with acute respiratory illness-associated medical encounters using a test-negative case-control study design.

  24. Research Methods

    Research methods are specific procedures for collecting and analyzing data. Developing your research methods is an integral part of your research design. When planning your methods, there are two key decisions you will make. First, decide how you will collect data. Your methods depend on what type of data you need to answer your research question:

  25. Appendix A: Political leaders and parties by country

    All ratings for political leaders and parties were collected between Feb. 20 and May 22, 2023. Refer to our international methodology website for specific fieldwork dates for each country. We worked with local research partners in each country to identify the most relevant politicians and parties as of fall 2022, when the questionnaire was finalized.

  26. JH-IIRU Launches Status Summary Reports in Two African Cities

    With the support of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS), the Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit (JH-IIRU) launched the 2023 Status Summary Reports for Kampala, Uganda, and Mombasa, Kenya. Both reports were developed in collaboration with BIGRS partners and JH-IIRU local collaborators from each city.