Before embarking on the interpretation of the three major methodological approaches, the clarification of the basic terms like methodology, methods, correlation and causality is necessary. Research is a careful study that is done to find and report new knowledge about something,1 to put it more academically, it is an organised, systematic, and ethical process to solve practical problems and expand knowledge within a given field. Scientific research is essential for promoting sustainable human development in various fields, such as medicine, technology, and social sciences, and for improving the quality of life worldwide. Research goals include reviewing existing knowledge, investigating current issues, solving problems, exploring broader issues, developing new systems or procedures, explaining new phenomena, and gaining new knowledge. One of the most important characteristics of scientific knowledge is its verifiability, which is ensured by methodological rigor – this includes precise design, data collection, analysis, and reporting. This is essential for the credibility and reproducibility of research results, which makes them reliable and applicable in practical scenarios such as therapeutic interventions, public policy, or technological innovations.

 

 

Both method and methodology are essential to research. Before starting research, we select a methodology that defines strategy and the research methods.

 

 

For data analysis and the study of science, these distinctions between correlation and causation are meaningful within the scope of pollution, sustainability, law and environmental protection.3 A correlation is defined as a relationship or association between two variables. A correlation shows that the value of one variable tends to change when the value of another variable changes, hopefully in a rational or understandable way. For example, if research indicates a positive correlation between levels of air pollution and occurrences of respiratory disease, it means that as levels of air pollution rise, occurrences of respiratory disease will also increase. However, just because air pollution is correlated with respiratory disease occurrences does not mean that air pollution caused the respiratory disease, only that it should become an important variable in the multidimensional nature of these associations. Further important variables, such as smoking or other standards of medical care also need to be addressed to adequately identify these associations or correlations. Correlation therefore illustrates that two (or more) variables move together but do not indicate anything about whether one causes the other. In contrast, causality means that one variable causes a change in another. For example, if research shows that stricter environmental regulations reduce water pollution, then there is a causal relationship because the effect of the regulations directly leads to a reduction in water pollution.4 To establish a causal relationship, researchers typically utilise more rigorous and detailed methodologies, including experimental and longitudinal studies. This ensures that randomness and other confounding variables are ruled out as causes or mediators.