This paper identifies trends in research methodology due to globalization. Context in both research and in practice and forms the key perspective for modern methodology and theory. Ecological perspectives are a necessary condition for quality global research. Human ecology researchers must advance the role of interdisciplinary and inter-functional perspectives and be open to collaborative relationships. These researchers must work in teams across disciplinary and functional boundaries. The paper discusses directions for research within the context of trends at U.S. federal agencies with applications to globalization and family life. Trends include： (a) use of diverse but rigorous methodologies； (b) recognition of the research-practice-research feedback loop；(c) primacy of context and diverse sampling; and (d) connections of research to problem solving. The terms promoted recently such as ″relationships″, ″diversity″ or ″problem-based″ are ingrained in human ecology. Key aspects for research in the next decade will be： (a) seeking diversity in sampling； (b) seeking colleagues with different perspectives； (c) incorporating meta-analysis into our work； (d) seeking meaningful results； (e) utilizing varieties of research methodologies to address our problems； and (0 understanding that practice must continually change as a function of research.