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

Episode 2 continues that methodology, pairing globally influential artists with scientific inquiry, while expanding the scope of both the artistry and the research. —Jem Aswad, Variety, 18 June 2026

The methodology’s true value lies in the behaviors, routines and problem-solving capabilities employees master over months and years. —David Caines, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026

The clinic primarily uses FUE and is known for technical methodology around graft extraction angles and density planning. —Ascend Agency, Daily News, 17 June 2026

This has triggered criticism, an apparent training-ground row and, remarkably, an Mbappe Fuera (Mbappe Out) petition which claims to have collected 96 million signatures — even if the capturing and methodology on that one is hazy, to put it mildly. —Adam Crafton, New York Times, 16 June 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