Metoden

Metoden is a definite form of the noun metoder/metod in Scandinavian languages, meaning the method or a particular procedure used to achieve a result. Etymologically, it shares roots with the word method in other languages, derived from Greek methodos via Latin, and it is used across science, scholarship, and everyday discourse to describe a systematic way of proceeding.

In scientific and research contexts, metoden denotes the overall approach used to collect and analyze information. This can include experimental methods, observational methods, qualitative methods, quantitative methods, or a combination known as mixed methods. The term emphasizes procedure and sequence—how a study is conducted and how data are obtained and interpreted. It is distinct from methodology, which refers to the theoretical rationale, principles, and assumptions underlying the choice and arrangement of methods.

Practically, researchers select methods based on the research question, discipline, and available resources. Methods can be empirical (experiments and measurements), analytical (theoretical modeling and deduction), or computational (simulations, data processing). In the humanities, metoden may involve textual analysis, comparative studies, or historiography. Critical considerations include clarity, reliability, validity, and transparency to support reproducibility and assess bias.

In ordinary language, metoden may also describe a habitual or practical approach to problem-solving, teaching, or clinical work. See also scientific method, research design, and methodology.