Methodology, Selection of

Selecting a methodology is a critical step in the communication research process, as the type of [Page 1020]method selected influences the conclusions that can be drawn. The choice of method should be based, in large part, on the questions that the researcher wants to address, such that the chosen method is well suited to address the central questions motivating a project. Communication scholars are interested in a wide variety of research questions, and hence use a wide variety of methods. Aside from research questions, factors such as opportunities and access, resource constraints, disciplinary traditions, and ethics also may influence the choice of methods. After clarifying the term methodology, this entry examines factors that guide the selection of research methodology. The decision about whether to employ ...