PhD Success: Mastering Research Methodology
Gain a well-rounded understanding of research methods and confidently write your first methodology chapter
PhD Success: Mastering Research Methodology free download
Gain a well-rounded understanding of research methods and confidently write your first methodology chapter
Anyone starting their research journey, whether on a Master's or PhD level, surely knows the feeling of uncertainty when it comes to choosing appropriate research methods and structuring their methodological decisions.
At The PhD Club we know this all too well from our decade-long experience supporting hundreds of PhD students in our doctoral program.
This is why we decided to create this course for anyone who is taking their first steps in writing their thesis or dissertation to give you a clear, confident path forward in writing your methodology chapter.
Master the Principles of Research Methodology and Write Your Methodology Chapter with Confidence
Learn how to choose and justify the right research methodology for your thesis or dissertation.
Understand how to align your research design with your research questions and aims.
Grasp the differences between qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research.
Build your methodology chapter step by step using real-life use cases, templates, and expert guidance.
Gain confidence in presenting your methodology and empirical results with clear academic structure and language
From Research Questions to Research Methodology
Research methodology is the backbone of any academic project — but it is sometimes narrowed down only to what type of data will be collected. Instead, we believe that it should emerge naturally from what it is that you are trying to solve. By focusing first on your research questions and aims, the course helps you build a methodology that flows logically from your goals.
The real added value you'll get lies in the lively course format and our proven expertise. Led by experienced PhD mentors who’ve supported hundreds of students, each lesson unfolds as an engaging dialogue. Real-life examples from students using qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods approaches bring abstract ideas down to earth. And throughout, we encourage you to think holistically about methodology—not just as a set of tools, but as a clear, aligned strategy for answering your research questions.
Contents and Overview
This course is structured into seven clear modules that guide you through the process of building and presenting your research methodology. You’ll start with the basics—what methodology is and why it matters—before exploring it through the lens of Saunders’ Research Onion for a holistic understanding.
We then walk you through the main approaches: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods. You’ll learn the key differences, when to use each, and how to align them with your research questions and goals. You'll find additionally three real-life student use cases that aim to justify why each student has decided to use one of the three main approaches.
Later modules focus on writing your methodology chapter and presenting your results clearly and effectively.
All videos are supplemented by downloadable PDFs that summarize the key takeaways and provide additional insights. You’ll also complete an assignment to apply Saunders’ framework to your own topic and receive a ready-to-use methodology chapter template.
By the end, you’ll know how to choose and justify your methodology, structure your chapter, and move forward with clarity and confidence in your research.
