methodology

Etymology

From French méthodologie. Surface etymology is method + -ology.

noun

1. (originally sciences) The study of methods used in a field.
   Coordinate term: epistemology
   research methodology
   In doing so it will describe two metatheories of scientific thought regarding the nature of methodology and epistemology in social science. 1988, Donald T. Campbell, Methodology and Epistemology for Social Sciences: Selected Papers, University of Chicago Press
   This volume is an addition to the rapidly growing area of interest in research methodology: the study of mixed method and mixed model studies. 1998, Abbas Tashakkori, Charles Teddlie, Mixed Methodology: Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches, SAGE
2. (loosely) A collection of methods, practices, procedures and rules used by those who work in some field.
   agile methodology
   For example, an agile methodology should promote the frequent delivery of working systems rather than a single big bang delivery. 2006, John Hunt, Agile Software Construction, Springer Science & Business Media, page 12
   Design Methodology is understood as a concrete course of action for the design of technical systems that derives its knowledge from design science and cognitive psychology, and from practical experience in different domains. 2011, Herbert Birkhofer, The Future of Design Methodology, Springer Science & Business Media, page 2
3. The implementation of such methods etc.