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

Did you know?

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

For several years now, the RIAA has used a methodology that combines both pure purchases and streaming activity to show overall consumption, though the organization used to only count actual sales for a long time. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

To learn more information on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page. —Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 1 Nov. 2024

If Nielsen’s new methodology is widely accepted, Madison Avenue could be come even more dependent on its measurement services in era in which the best way to gauge audiences is still very much up for debate. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 1 Nov. 2024

Pure album sales were the sole measurement utilized by the Billboard 200 albums chart through the list dated Dec. 6, 2014, after which that chart switched to a methodology that blends album sales with track equivalent album units and streaming equivalent album units. —Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1