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
Bob Samples2
: 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.
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
Canva Sans Variable Canva Sans Variable By this methodology, Florida stood out as the state best prepared for a recession in the near future.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
The chart, which Billboard introduced in 2020, ranks the most popular individual tracks around the world, using a methodology that combines sales and streaming activity.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
In 2019, Del Mar council in place at the time supported that methodology and accepted the city’s 175-unit assignment.
—Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2025
Under the methodology for CNBC’s annual business competitiveness study, America’s Top States for Business, that makes Economy the heaviest weighted category in 2025.
—Scott Cohn, CNBC, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for methodology
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Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
The chart, which Billboard introduced in 2020, ranks the most popular individual tracks around the world, using a methodology that combines sales and streaming activity.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
In 2019, Del Mar council in place at the time supported that methodology and accepted the city’s 175-unit assignment.
—Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2025
Under the methodology for CNBC’s annual business competitiveness study, America’s Top States for Business, that makes Economy the heaviest weighted category in 2025.
—Scott Cohn, CNBC, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for methodology
Cite this Entry
“Methodology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/methodology. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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