How should these sociological research concepts be ordered from specific to general?

Question

Order the concepts from specific to general. Assign each a number from 1 to 5:

• methodics (a set of practical research techniques);
• procedure;
• methodology;
• method;
• technique.

Explanation

In the educational hierarchy used in this exercise, a technique is a particular practical operation. Methodics combines techniques and tools for implementing a method. A method specifies the main approach to collecting or analysing data.

A procedure covers the sequence of research operations, while methodology is the most general system of principles for organising research. Definitions vary between academic traditions; this answer follows the hierarchy used in this exercise.