Metodologio

Metodologio is the systematic study of the methods used to investigate questions within a discipline. It examines how knowledge is produced, including the justification for choosing particular methods, the coherence among questions, data, and interpretation, and the norms governing evaluation and reporting. In practice, metodologio encompasses both the design of research and the analysis of the assumptions underlying it.

It differs from methods themselves; methods are the concrete techniques for collecting and analyzing data, while metodologio asks why those techniques are suitable, what assumptions they embed, and how they shape conclusions.

The scope is broad, spanning the natural sciences, social sciences, engineering, and humanities. It covers research design (experimental, observational, qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods), epistemology and ontology, ethics, validity and reliability, and issues of transparency and reproducibility.

Key components include the formulation of research questions, the chosen design, sampling strategy, data collection procedures, analysis plans, criteria for interpretation, and the reporting and appraisal framework used to evaluate outcomes.

Common types are qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods approaches; many fields also develop theoretical or normative methodological frameworks that guide assessment and interpretation.

Critics note that metodologio is not a universal recipe; it must be suited to context and aims, and it may reflect subjective assumptions. Nonetheless, it supports rigor, coherence, and comparability across studies, and it informs education, policy, and scholarly communication by clarifying the rationale behind research choices.