In simplest terms, research methodology is the process used to collect information and data for the purpose of making decisions. A research method is a systematic plan for conducting research. Social Scientists draw on a variety of both qualitative and quantitative research methods, including experiments, survey research, participant observation, and secondary data. Quantitative methods aim to classify features, count them, and create statistical models to test hypotheses and explain observations. Qualitative methods aim for a complete, detailed description of observations, including the context of events and circumstances. The methodology may also include publication research, interviews, surveys and other research techniques, and could include both present and historical information. Sources of information may be classified as primary source, secondary source or tertiary source.If you are going to understand an area of study, you have to become familiar with the research methods it uses. This is especially important for the study of human growth and development because many different research designs can be used.Different research methods have different purposes and different levels of validity. This is one measure that helps determine how accurate the results of a research method are. Validity is a term that refers to whether or not a study measures what it’s supposed to measure. The results of a study provide stronger evidence if the research has a higher measure of validity.If you have already formed an opinion about the relationship of carrots and eyesight, let’s see if this opinion remains the same after we look at two different research methods used in human growth and development research, and understand what the results mean. Becoming familiar with the research methods used by an area of study allows you to understand it more effectively.