methodology_skill

Overview

This skill provides PhD-level guidance to select, design, and validate research methodologies across disciplines. It helps translate research questions and goals into concrete study plans, weighing trade-offs and feasibility. Use it to get robust, defensible methodological choices and clear next steps for execution.

How this skill works

Tell me your research question, target population or field, and the goals (e.g., causal inference, depth, generalization). I classify the question, recommend 2–3 candidate methodology families, and specify a detailed design for your chosen approach. I also assess validity threats, propose mitigation strategies, and outline realistic timelines and resource needs.

When to use it

• You need to choose between qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods for a new study.
• You want a concrete study protocol (sampling, data collection, analysis) for a proposal or ethics application.
• You need to evaluate and strengthen internal, external, construct, or statistical conclusion validity.
• You want discipline-specific standards applied (e.g., psychology, medicine, education).
• You are assessing feasibility and resource estimates before grant submission.

Best practices

• Start with a sharply framed research question and explicit goals (causal vs exploratory).
• Match sampling and measurement strategies to the claims you intend to make.
• Pre-specify analysis plans and sensitivity checks to reduce bias and p-hacking risks.
• Use mixed methods when complementary depth and generalizability are required.
• Document validity threats and practical mitigations for reviewers and ethics boards.

Example use cases

• Designing an RCT vs quasi-experimental alternative to test an educational intervention.
• Choosing between thematic analysis and grounded theory for a study of lived experience.
• Creating a convergent mixed-methods plan to combine survey prevalence and interview depth.
• Assessing sample size, power, and measurement strategy for a clinical observational study.
• Refining a PhD dissertation methodology chapter with discipline-specific rigor criteria.