methodology

noun

meth·​od·​ol·​o·​gy ˌme-thə-ˈdä-lə-jē 

plural methodologies

1

: a body of methods, rules, and postulates employed by a discipline : a particular procedure or set of procedures

demonstrating library research methodology

the issue is massive revision of teaching methodology

—Bob Samples

2

: the analysis of the principles or procedures of inquiry in a particular field

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Methodology and Science

The methodology employed in an experiment is essential to its success, and bad methodology has spoiled thousands of research projects. So whenever a piece of research is published in a scientific or medical journal, the researchers always carefully describe their methodology; otherwise, other scientists couldn't possibly judge the quality of what they've done.

Synonyms

• course
• line
• policy
• procedure
• program

Examples of methodology in a Sentence

He blamed the failure of their research on poor methodology.

for solving crossword puzzles my usual methodology is to begin by filling in all of the answers I'm reasonably sure of

Recent Examples on the Web

Refuting Trump’s claim, Selzer told CNN her polling methodology has not changed one bit since the time her surveys in 2016 and 2020 pointed to Trump leading in the state. —Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024

These companies are already experiencing the benefits, including 2% lower operating costs and 3% lower inventory The critical ‘human’ component of the RISE methodology is the RISE Enterprise Architect (EA). —Thomas Saueressig, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

FiveThirtyEight ranks the firm 12th on its list 282 pollsters for its track record and methodology. —David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024

The committee recommended the UW Board of Regents publish the formula or methodology behind the allocations. —Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin methodologia, from Latin methodus + -logia -logy

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1