methodology
n. C / Un. the system of methods and rules used to do a specific job or piece of research. You use this when explaining exactly how you got your results.
n. a system of methods, principles, and rules used in a particular area of study or activity. Often refers to the theoretical analysis of the methods applied to a field.
The researchers explained their methodology in the first chapter.
We need to change our data collection methodology to ensure the results are more accurate.
The primary criticism of the study focused on its flawed methodology, specifically the biased selection of participants which undermined the validity of the final conclusions.
From French méthodologie. By surface analysis, method + -ology.
Often used in the singular to describe a specific system; can be pluralized when comparing different systems of methods.
the methodology of the experiment was fastthe procedure of the experiment was fastLearners often use 'methodology' as a fancy word for 'method' or 'procedure'; it refers to the system or theory of methods, not a single action.