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

• 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

But the study's methodology, statistical rigor, risk of bias, and lack of data transparency continue to draw criticism. —John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 2 May 2025

This methodology could significantly lower computing costs further during pre-training and facilitate enhanced inference performance. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025

For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page. —Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 30 Apr. 2025

This article presents a new methodology for relative valuation that incorporates artificial intelligence. —Paul Geertsema, Harvard Business Review, 29 Apr. 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