methodology

noun

meth·​od·​ol·​o·​gy ˌme-thə-ˈdä-lə-jē How to pronounce methodology (audio)
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 methodologyBob 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.

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Yet no methodology or category of evidence was as compelling to nineteenth-century Americans than the human body itself. Literary Hub, 9 June 2025 For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page. Michelle Rostamian, Allure, 6 June 2025 In that ruling, the Supreme Court said lower courts were misunderstanding their methodology. Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 3 June 2025 Livability, an online living resource that collects data from cities and towns around the country, ranked the top 100 places to live in the U.S. based on a combination of affordability, opportunity and quality of life factors, according to the website’s methodology. Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for methodology

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of methodology was in 1800

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Cite this Entry

“Methodology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/methodology. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.

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