This lesson introduces students to research methodologies, the strategies and frameworks researchers use to gather and analyze data. Methodologies are essential because they shape how a research question is approached and answered. The lesson highlights the distinction between qualitative methods, which explore meanings and experiences, and quantitative methods, which rely on numerical data and patterns. In the humanities, qualitative approaches are most common, though the choice always depends on the research question. Several methods are explored in detail: close reading, which focuses on the careful analysis of literary texts; textual analysis, which examines language and structure in a wide range of documents; and historical approaches, which situate texts within their social and political context. Additional methodologies include ethnography, discourse analysis, and comparative studies, each offering unique insights into human culture and society. By the end, students will understand how to select and apply appropriate methodologies in humanities research.
