methodology

American  

[meth-uh-dol-uh-jee] / ˌmɛθ əˈdɒl ə dʒi /

noun

methodologies plural

1. a set or system of methods, principles, and rules for regulating a given discipline, as in the arts or sciences.

2. Philosophy.

   1. the underlying principles and rules of organization of a philosophical system or inquiry procedure.

   2. the study of the principles underlying the organization of the various sciences and the conduct of scientific inquiry.

3. Education. a branch of pedagogics dealing with analysis and evaluation of subjects to be taught and of the methods of teaching them.

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methodology British  

/ ˌmɛθəˈdɒlədʒɪ, ˌmɛθədəˈlɒdʒɪkəl /

noun

1. the system of methods and principles used in a particular discipline

2. the branch of philosophy concerned with the science of method and procedure

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• methodological
  adjective
• methodologist
  noun
• methodologically
  adverb

Inflected Forms

noun

• methodologies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of methodology

From the New Latin word methodologia, dating back to 1790–1800. See method, -o-, -logy

Explanation

A methodology is a plan-of-attack, especially when that plan-of-attack is used repeatedly. This might be obvious, but the word methodology is related to the word method. In fact, a methodology is a system of methods followed consistently. Scientists, for example, use various methodologies as they perform experiments. It might seem like the world is nothing but chaos and disorder. But actually, sometimes there is a method to this madness. And sometimes there’s a methodology.

Example Sentences

Labor Department methodology, Canada’s unemployment rate was 0.3 percentage point lower at 5.4%.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

Late Thursday, however, S&P Dow Jones Indices announced “there will be no changes to existing methodology for this index family.”

From MarketWatch • Jun. 5, 2026

The survey methodology comes from professionals at the University of Southern California, a private institution, and the count requires approval from the U.S.

From Slate • Jun. 3, 2026

Abramson, who besides his work at Rand is board chair of SELAH, a Hollywood and Northeast L.A. homeless coalition, is using Rand’s methodology to produce estimates from the raw tallies.

From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026

I would single out four: methodology, causation, prediction, and complexity.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

Related Words

• mode
• procedure
• technique