title: Difference Between $.getJSON() and $.ajax() in jQuery
body: <p>I am calling an ASP.NET MVC action</p>
  
  <pre><code>public JsonResult GetPatient(string patientID)
  {
  ...
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>from JavaScript using jQuery. The following call works</p>
  
  <pre><code>$.getJSON(
  '/Services/GetPatient',
  { patientID: "1" },
  function(jsonData) {
    alert(jsonData);
  });
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>whereas this one does not.</p>
  
  <pre><code>$.ajax({
    type: 'POST',
    url: '/Services/GetPatient',
    data: { patientID: "1" },
    contentType: 'application/json; charset=utf-8',
    dataType: 'json',
    success: function(jsonData) {
      alert(jsonData);
    },
    error: function() {
      alert('Error loading PatientID=' + id);
    }
  });
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Both reach the action method, but the patientID value is null w/ the $.ajax call. I'd like to use the $.ajax call for some of the advanced callbacks.</p>
  
  <p>Any thoughts appreciated.</p>