Metodologin

Metodologin is a theoretical framework and field of study focused on the analysis, development, and evaluation of research methods across disciplines. The name is used in several Scandinavian academic contexts to denote a systematic examination of how methods are chosen, justified, and applied within specific domains.

Origin and scope: Metodologin is not tied to a single school or doctrine. It emerged from debates about methodological pluralism and the need for reflective practice in research design. It is characterized by its attention to metatheoretical questions, such as what counts as evidence, how methods shape knowledge, and how researchers’ assumptions influence inquiry.

Principles: The approach emphasizes transparency of method, reflexivity, contextual sensitivity, and interoperability between disciplines. It often promotes meta-methods such as method comparison, methodological auditing, and the documentation of decision trails in research design to support reproducibility and critical scrutiny.

Applications: In academia, Metodologin informs course design, peer review, and research governance. In science and social science, it guides the selection of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods approaches and supports the development of robust evaluation criteria. It also appears in education, where it helps students understand research reliability, validity, and the limits of inference.

Impact and criticism: Proponents argue that Metodologin provides common standards and enhances cross-disciplinary communication. Critics contend that the framework can be vague or prescriptive and may overemphasize procedural correctness at the expense of substantive theoretical considerations.

See also: methodology, research methods, philosophy of science, meta-research.