methodology

From French méthodologie. By surface analysis, method +‎ -ology.

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˌmɛθ.əˈdɒl.ə.d͡ʒi/

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• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˌmɛθ.əˈdɑ.lə.d͡ʒi/, /ˌmɛθ.ɪˈdɑ.lɪ.d͡ʒi/

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methodology (countable and uncountable, plural methodologies)

1. (originally sciences) The study of methods used in a field.

   Coordinate term: epistemology

   research methodology

   • 1988, Donald T. Campbell, Methodology and Epistemology for Social Sciences: Selected Papers, University of Chicago Press, →ISBN:

     In doing so it will describe two metatheories of scientific thought regarding the nature of methodology and epistemology in social science.

   • 1998, Abbas Tashakkori, Charles Teddlie, Mixed Methodology: Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches, SAGE, →ISBN:

     This volume is an addition to the rapidly growing area of interest in research methodology: the study of mixed method and mixed model studies.

2. (loosely) A collection of methods, practices, procedures and rules used by those who work in some field.

   Synonyms: technique, means, procedure

   agile methodology

   • 2006, John Hunt, Agile Software Construction, Springer Science & Business Media, →ISBN, page 12:

     For example, an agile methodology should promote the frequent delivery of working systems rather than a single big bang delivery.

   • 2011, Herbert Birkhofer, The Future of Design Methodology, Springer Science & Business Media, →ISBN, page 2:

     Design Methodology is understood as a concrete course of action for the design of technical systems that derives its knowledge from design science and cognitive psychology, and from practical experience in different domains.

3. The implementation of such methods etc.

Etymologically, methodology refers to the study of methods. Thus the use of methodology as a synonym for methods (or other simple terms such as means, technique, or procedure) is proscribed as both inaccurate and pretentious.

• metamethod (sometimes synonymous)

• methodology on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• “methodology”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.