Academic / C1

meth-uh-DOL-uh-jee/ˌmeθəˈdɒlədʒi/

Methodology is the system of methods and the reasoning behind them — why you chose interviews, a corpus, or an experiment. Native markers penalise using methodology as a fancy word for method (a single procedure). Methods (plural) lists what you did; methodology discusses the approach. Methodological is the adjective.

Meaning

A system of methods used in study or work.

Examples

• “The paper explains its methodology clearly.”
• “Their methodology combines diary studies with interviews.”
• “A weak methodology can sink an otherwise interesting question.”

Good to know

methodology = the approach and its justification. method(s) = the procedures used.

Topics

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