Since you usually cannot study an entire population, you must select a sample:

New data collected specifically for the study (Surveys, Interviews, Experiments, Observations).

Selection based on convenience or specific criteria (Purposive, Snowball). This is common in qualitative studies. 6. Data Analysis Once data is collected, how is it processed?

A strong research methodology section does not just list methods; it justifies them. It explains why a specific path was chosen and how it minimizes bias, ensuring that the final conclusions of the essay or study are intellectually sound.

Deals with numbers and statistics. It aims to test hypotheses, identify patterns, and generalize results.

Does the study actually measure what it claims to measure?