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 /

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

• methodologist
  noun
• methodological
  adjective
• methodologically
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• 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

See Examples For:

methodology methodologies

Tom Siegel, the executive director of the Youth AI Safety Institute, said the group stands by its methodology and results.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026

“Our review of Common Sense Media’s methodology shows that the bulk of their testing may have begun and concluded before activation of parental controls was complete, making their findings inaccurate.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026

"For the state to attempt to execute her again using the same methodology, they would have severe legal hurdles," Tennessee-based defence attorney Stephen Ross Johnson said.

From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026

"The availability of data and footage has prompted a change in methodology," says Turner.

From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2026

Chapters 2, 15, 16 and 17 deal with historiography, methodology and philosophy.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Polls asking voters about priorities use different methodologies, but they broadly agree on the dominance of pocketbook concerns.

From Barron's ● Oct. 5, 2026

An EPA spokesman said the agency supported third-party data reviews but was confident in its methodologies.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026

They are constructed products governed by rules, committees, methodologies, assumptions and increasingly competitive business pressures.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 2, 2026

Without speaking to any specific studies, Levine said that different methodologies could yield contradictory results.

From Salon ● May 15, 2026

Most historians do not think of themselves as scientists and receive little training in acknowledged sciences and their methodologies.

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

Related Words

• mode
• procedure
• technique