How to select appropriate research methods through literature review?

Selecting appropriate research methods through literature review is both feasible and essential for rigorous study design. This process involves systematically analyzing existing scholarly works to identify methodologies proven effective for similar research questions. The literature review must critically evaluate previous studies' methodological choices, strengths, and limitations. Key considerations include alignment between research questions and methods, contextual applicability, methodological gaps in current literature, and resource constraints. Validity, reliability, and replicability of past methods should also be assessed. Furthermore, the review must account for the researcher’s expertise and pragmatic constraints like data accessibility or ethical requirements. To implement this, first synthesize methodological approaches from seminal studies in the field. Compare their efficacy and limitations for addressing research problems akin to yours. Identify recurring successful methods and emerging innovative techniques. Then, evaluate these against your specific research objectives, theoretical framework, and practical circumstances. This comparative analysis allows for evidence-based justification of method selection, ensuring methodological coherence and enhancing study validity.