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

• 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

The organisation says this is because it has a different methodology and asks more direct questions than most other polls, which it says are more conceptual in nature.

From BBC • Jul. 2, 2026

Determining the future of the supply gap is tricky when there’s no agreed-upon methodology for measuring it.

From Barron's • Jun. 28, 2026

When discussing QVMS’s methodology, Kalivas said the fund was designed to achieve better returns than the S&P Small Cap 600 Index, “with slightly less risk.”

From MarketWatch • Jun. 16, 2026

Both ride-hail companies strongly disputed the report’s key findings and its methodology.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 16, 2026

Mason, along with Thomas Hastings, went on to establish the first public school music program in Boston, beginning with the Boston Singing School, which taught children singing under his methodology.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

Related Words

• mode
• procedure
• technique