Research Methodology Constraints

What impact does time limitation have on the choice of research methodology?

Which of the following costs is NOT typically associated with research methodology?

Why might researchers need to consider budget constraints when planning their methodology?

How does a strict timeline of six months influence research methodology?

Which aspect should researchers particularly consider regarding their budget?

Which factor is NOT considered when evaluating research methodologies?

What aspect should you consider regarding your skillset before selecting a research methodology?

Why is it necessary to assess the type of data being collected in research methodology?

When considering the costs of research, which element is crucial to evaluate?

Which question is relevant for evaluating your methodological approach?

Research Methodology Constraints

The next constraint is time. If you're undertaking research as part of a PhD, you may have a fairly opened time limit, but this is unlikely to be the case for undergrad and Masters-level projects. So, pay attention to your timeline, as data collection and analysis components of different methodologies have a longer time impact than originally anticipated.
Another practical implication of time limits is that it will directly impact which time horizon you can use. For example, if you've got a 6-month limit for your entire research project, it's quite unlikely that you'll be able to adopt a longitudinal cross-sectional approach.
As with so many things, money is another important constraint you'll need to consider when deciding on your research methodology. While some research designs will cost near zero to execute, others may require a substantial budget.
Some of the costs that may arise include:
- Software costs - e.g., survey hosting services, analysis software
- Promotion costs - e.g., advertising a survey to attract respondents
- Incentive costs - e.g., providing a prize or cash payment incentive to attract respondents
- Equipment rental costs - e.g., recording equipment, lab equipment, etc.
- Travel costs
- Food & beverages
These are just a handful of costs that can creep into your research budget. Like most projects, the actual costs tend to be higher than the estimates, so be sure to err on the high side.

This quiz explores the constraints of research methodology, focusing on time and budget limitations. It highlights how these factors influence your choice of methodology in academic projects, particularly for undergraduate and Master's studies. Take this quiz to test your understanding of the practical implications of these constraints.