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Research Methods in Academic Papers

Faculties: AC, AMP, AR, BI, BW, D, EFI, IN, MB/VS, SOH, SW, VT, WT

The manner in which something is studied is referred to as the research method. Research methods can vary greatly between disciplines.

Contents

Areas of application

In the natural and engineering sciences, one distinguishes between:

  • more theoretical theses (simulation, calculation)
  • practical theses (experiment, field trial, experimental setup; see Hirsch-Weber et al. 2016, p. 81)

In the social and economic sciences, theses are often empirical, i.e., data are collected, e.g., through a questionnaire or interviews.

Literature: Hirsch-Weber, Andreas et al. (2016): Wissenschaftliches Schreiben und Abschlussarbeit in Natur- und Ingenieurwissenschaften Stuttgart: Verlag Eugen Ulmer. Full text via VPN.

Across disciplinary boundaries, the research method should be comprehensible for the target group and justified in a plausible way. Usually, the method is explained and justified briefly in the introduction or in detail in a separate chapter.

Material list for empirical work

Burzan, Nicole (2015):Quantitative Methoden kompakt. 1st ed. Stuttgart, Konstanz: UTB GmbH; UVK (utb-studi-e-book, 3765).
Endruweit, Günter (2015):Empirische Sozialforschung. Wissenschaftstheoretische Grundlagen. 1st edition. Konstanz: UVK (utb-studi-e-book, 4460).
Goldenstein, Jan et al. (2018):Wissenschaftliche(s) Arbeiten in den Wirtschaftswissenschaften. Wiesbaden: Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden.
Hug, Theo; Poscheschnik, Gerald (2020):Empirisch forschen. Die Planung und Umsetzung von Projekten im Studium. With contributions by Bernd Lederer and Anton Perzy. 3rd, revised and expanded edition. Munich, Stuttgart: UVK Verlag; UTB (Studieren, aber richtig, 3357).
Kaiser, Robert (2021):Qualitative Experteninterviews. Konzeptionelle Grundlagen und praktische Durchführung. 2nd ed. 2021. Wiesbaden: Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden; Imprint Springer VS (Springer eBook Collection).
Quasus: Plattform zur qualitativen Forschung der PH Freiburg  
 

Frequently asked questions

What is meant by a research method?

A research method refers to the approach of how something is investigated. Concrete examples are: experiments, field trials, questionnaires, and interviews.

Which method should I choose for my thesis?

Choose a research method that is common in your field. Clarify this if necessary with your supervisors.

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Setting SMART Goals

Every person has goals. Often we set something for ourselves but then do not manage to follow through with the goal until the end. This is not because the goal is unattainable, but because of the way we formulate it. The criteria of the SMART method help to define goals clearly. What is the SMART …

Faculties: AC, AMP, AR, BI, BW, D, EFI, IN, MB/VS, SOH, SW, VT, WT

Contributors: Marcus Fiebig, Maria Noll, Schreibzentrum, Dzifa Vode

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Citing Figures

Citation suggestions for figures Examples: Fig. 1: Inclusion model according to Müller; taken from: Müller, 2020, p. 5. Fig. 2: Overview of constructivist learning theories; following: Johnson, 1999, p. 20. Fig. 3: Coding of the interviews by frequency; own illustration. For each variant, it is important that you cite the image source consistently, transparently and …

Faculties: AC, AMP, AR, BI, BW, D, EFI, IN, MB/VS, SOH, SW, VT, WT

Contributors: Maria Noll, Schreibzentrum, Dzifa Vode

This article was published in September 2025 and last updated in November 2024.

Faculties: AC, AMP, AR, BI, BW, D, EFI, IN, MB/VS, SOH, SW, VT, WT

Contributors: Maria Noll, Schreibzentrum, Dzifa Vode

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