methodology

[ meth-uh-dol-uh-jee ]

noun

, plural meth·od·ol·o·gies.

1. a set or system of methods, principles, and rules for regulating a given discipline, as in the arts or sciences.
2. Philosophy.
   1. the underlying principles and rules of organization of a philosophical system or inquiry procedure.
   2. the study of the principles underlying the organization of the various sciences and the conduct of scientific inquiry.
3. Education. a branch of pedagogics dealing with analysis and evaluation of subjects to be taught and of the methods of teaching them.

methodology

/ ˌmɛθəˈdɒlədʒɪ; ˌmɛθədəˈlɒdʒɪkəl /

noun

1. the system of methods and principles used in a particular discipline
2. the branch of philosophy concerned with the science of method and procedure

Derived Forms

• ˌmethodoˈlogically, adverb
• ˌmethodˈologist, noun
• methodological, adjective

Other Words From

• meth·od·o·log·i·cal [meth-, uh, -dl-, oj, -i-k, uh, l], adjective
• meth·od·ol·o·gist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of methodology¹

From the New Latin word methodologia, dating back to 1790–1800. See method, -o-, -logy

Example Sentences

“A lot of our clients are afraid of walking down the street and breaking a hip. The methodology of what we do, we keep bone loss at bay. We give them the strength to be more active and independent.”

From Los Angeles Times

The Library of Congress, which added “You’ll Sing a Song” to the National Registry in 2007, said the work is important “both for its enduring popularity and as an expression of Jenkins’s hallmark methodology of nurturing children’s musicality through ‘call-and-response rhythmic group singing.’

From Los Angeles Times

It’s impossible for anyone to tell which surveys of public opinion are governed by rigorous methodology and which are conjured up by some hyper-partisan mini-Oz, tweeting from the proverbial basement.

From Salon

Selzer is highly respected nationally, and responded to Trump’s remarks by saying that the latest poll was conducted using the same methodology as was used in the last two presidential races, which both showed Trump winning the state, as he went on to do.

From Los Angeles Times

“The nature of the arguments that we used — the lack of proportionality relative to the alleged military use of the hospital. It all added up to an operation methodology that was common to them all and therefore can’t be considered to be coincidental.”

From Salon

Related Words

• mode
• procedure
• technique