METHODOLOGY OF SCIENTIFIC WORK: RESEARCH METHODS AND TECHNIQUES

Abstract

Research methods and techniques are fundamental elements for the production of scientific knowledge, as they guide the organization, collection, and analysis of data in a study. The method refers to the systematic path used by the researcher to achieve the objectives of the investigation, while techniques correspond to the practical instruments employed to obtain information (Gil, 2019). In this context, scientific methods can assume different approaches, such as the deductive, inductive, hypothetical-deductive, and dialectical methods, each with its own characteristics and suitable for different types of investigation (Lakatos; Marconi, 2017). Research techniques, in turn, include procedures such as questionnaires, interviews, observation, document analysis, and case studies, which enable the systematic collection of empirical data. The choice of techniques must be aligned with the objectives of the study and the nature of the problem investigated, ensuring methodological rigor and reliability of the results (Vergara, 2016). Thus, the proper articulation between research methods and techniques allows the researcher to develop consistent investigations, contributing to scientific advancement and a critical understanding of the reality being studied.