[header] How to select a research methodology [title] Define the goals, objectives, and research question. [step] It is essential to understand and have clarity about what you want to research before deciding upon how to research. To use an analogy, if research is a journey goal is the destination and methodology is the route. 
Determine the variables that need to be studied in order to get an answer to the research question. If the goals serve as the destination of the journey then the variables are the milestones.