Every research method has its own advantages as well as disadvantages. So is the selection of methods science or art? Are there any solid rules on choosing the most appropriate method for certain circumstances? Probably not. Sometimes, such selections rely a lot on experience and inspirations and cannot be taught or learned. Similarly, in physical or natural sciences, there are also problems about which laws to use when explaining certain phenomenon or proving theorems.

The paper illustrated eight major methods and compared their advantages and disadvantages based on three dimensions (generality, precision and realism). Some of them are not really common to find, maybe because some overlap with others a lot and are hardly treated as an independent method.

Randomization and sampling are also discussed. Similarly, (Clark, 1973) emphasized on the importance of treating the sample of population as random effects in research of linguistics and psychology. The introductions to internal and external validity are also interesting, although both are difficult to achieve.

Generally, I think it is helpful to read about those methods so that we are better equipped to accept and respect various research approaches at IST. 

Reference:

Clark, H. H. (1973). The Language-as-Fixed-Effect Fallacy: A Critique of Language Statistics in Psychological Research. Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, 12(4), 335-359. clark73.pdf