The theme of the 2016 Physics Education Research (PER) Conference was "A Methodological Approach to PER."

Research methodology is often incorrectly used as a synonym for research method. Research methodology is about method in relation to the theoretical and epistemological aspects that underpin that method, which in turn guide the research. Thus the chosen research methodology essentially is the research framework within which, and by which, a researcher will work. In PER contexts a researcher's choice to employ a particular methodology is guided by the research question, and as such the chosen methodology represents the concepts, assumptions, expectations, beliefs, and theory that will direct the data collection, analysis, conclusion, and implication that gets drawn. In other words, giving due consideration to the appropriate choice of a research methodology is about paying attention to what kind of framework is needed to appropriately carry out all aspects of the research. The chosen methodology also underpins any theory that gets developed as a consequence of the study, and as such it provides a significant indication of its contextual credence.

PERC 2016 invited the community to engage in debate and discussion about research methodology and its role in how we approach research studies. Developing a more insightful methodological awareness of research methodology can strengthen your research and ability to answer the research questions you seek to answer. Speakers both internal and external to the community were welcomed to share their perspective on research methodology with the hope that diverse contexts and examples would spark attendees to adopt or innovate research methodology for their future studies. Special focus was given to innovative methodologies for, 1) informing research practice, 2) generating new understandings of learning and teaching experiences, 3) predicting and generalizing learning outcomes, and 4) investigating related areas of PER.