methodology

noun

meth·​od·​ol·​o·​gy ˌme-thə-ˈdä-lə-jē 

plural methodologies

1

: a body of methods, rules, and ideas that are important in a science, art, or discipline : a particular procedure or set of procedures

demonstrating library research methodology

the issue is massive revision of teaching methodology

—Bob Samples

There have been dozens of studies, using very different methodologies.

—Daniel Geschwind, quoted at CNN

2

: a science or the study of method

Our … graduate schools of education … are wholeheartedly devoted to methodology.

—Mortimer Smith, quoted in American Educator

specifically : 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 of methodology

• 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

Many returning Chinese scholars brought their Western training and methodologies back to the Chinese academy, prompting university officials to find ways to categorize—and make use of—their skills. —Chang Che, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026

National sports media, including CBS Sports and a Los Angeles Times columnist, cast doubt on the study’s methodologies and findings almost immediately. —Michael McGough, Sacbee.com, 8 Mar. 2026

Using the same methodology to test battery life across all phones (streaming a 1080p video over Wi-Fi with the screen at full brightness), the iPhone 17, iPhone 16, and iPhone 16e lasted 24 hours and 31 minutes, 17 hours and 47 minutes, and 21 hours and 39 minutes, respectively. —Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 6 Mar. 2026

Read more about our methodology. —Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 6 Mar. 2026

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