Methodemethod

Methodemethod is a term used in methodological theory to describe a meta-approach that studies and guides the selection and combination of research methods. It treats methods not merely as tools but as subject matter to be evaluated for assumptions, limits, and fit to research questions.

Origin and usage: The term emerged in debates about research transparency and replication, especially in interdisciplinary work, to articulate how method choices influence conclusions as much as data do. Proponents describe Methodemethod as a framework for evaluating method quality across contexts, including whether methods yield coherent, convergent evidence.

Core concepts: Methodemethod emphasizes concepts such as method inventories, bias mapping, triangulation, preregistration of method choices, and sensitivity analysis across methods. It also highlights thorough documentation of decision procedures and the criteria used to select among competing approaches.

Process: In practice, researchers define a set of candidate methods, assess their underlying assumptions and potential biases, test them against the data, and synthesize results using explicit criteria. The approach often requires reporting the rationale for method selection and publishing negative results to mitigate publication bias.

Applications: It is used in social sciences, education research, and data-intensive disciplines to improve the reliability and generalizability of findings. Some implementations rely on software tools that facilitate method comparison and result aggregation across studies.

Reception and challenges: Methodemethod is relatively new and contested, with critiques noting potential over-engineering, increased resource demands, and the risk of rigid standardization. Advocates stress transparency and methodological reflexivity rather than prescriptive rules.

See also: methodology, meta-analysis, triangulation, preregistration.