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

• procedure
• policy
• method
• strategy

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

Sean Westwood, a government professor at Dartmouth College and director of the Polarization Research Lab, raised doubts about the study’s methodology. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025

Everyone’s methodology is different. —Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025

More importantly, larger studies with more rigorous methodology have found no link between prenatal acetaminophen use and autism. —Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 25 Sep. 2025

Iñaki Gaztelumendi, the screen tourism expert leading the initiative, presented the new methodology during the event. —Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for methodology

• aetiology
• anthropology
• archaeology
• archeology
• audiology
• cardiology
• climatology
• cohomology
• cosmetology
• criminology
• demonology
• dermatology