Which factor is NOT considered when determining the decision factors for a research method?

When determining the decision factors for a research method, researchers typically consider various elements that directly impact the design and execution of the study. Among these elements, the type of research question is fundamental, as it helps dictate the methodological approach to be employed. The practical constraints and barriers also play a significant role since they encompass factors such as time, resources, and access to data, which can affect how research is conducted. Additionally, the epistemological stance pertains to the underlying assumptions about knowledge and its creation, influencing the choice of methods to align with the researcher's philosophical perspective.

In contrast, the type of funding available, while it can influence the scope and scale of research projects, is considered more of an external factor rather than a decision factor intrinsic to the research methodology itself. Funding may dictate what is feasible pragmatically but does not inherently affect how a study is designed or the research methods chosen based on the nature of the inquiry. Hence, this is why the type of funding available is not considered a primary factor in determining research methods.