Research methodological alignment scheme: a proposal to strengthen the design of projects on social media and professional development

Abstract

In university education, especially in the social sciences and related disciplines, research projects often present fragmented methodologies that lead to incoherent designs. The article proposes the Research Methodological Alignment Scheme as a tabular tool that integrates the research problem, questions, theoretical framework, objectives, hypotheses, variables, indicators, data collection techniques and analysis strategies. It is illustrated through a study on the use of social media and the professional development of university students, applicable to quantitative, qualitative and mixed approaches. Two versions are presented: a basic one for undergraduate proposals and an extended one for postgraduate projects, which includes paradigm, sampling and rigour criteria. Its advantages, interdisciplinary potential and the challenges of its teaching implementation are discussed.