Metodval

Metodval is a term used in some Nordic-language contexts to denote the process of choosing a methodological approach for a project or study. It covers identifying aims, evaluating candidate methods, and selecting the approach that best fits the constraints and objectives. The concept also includes documenting the rationale behind the choice to enable transparency and replication.

A typical metodval process includes framing objectives, listing possible methods, and defining evaluation criteria such as validity, reliability, feasibility, cost, time, ethics, scalability, and stakeholder impact. Methods are then scored or weighed against these criteria, a selection is made, and the rationale is recorded. The process is often iterative and may be revisited as conditions change or new information becomes available.

Applications of metodval range across research design, data collection, software development, risk assessment, education, and policy analysis. In research, for example, it might involve choosing between qualitative interviews and surveys; in software development, selecting between Agile and a plan-driven approach; in evaluation, deciding among different assessment frameworks.

Benefits of a formal metodval include greater alignment between methods and goals, improved transparency and reproducibility, and clearer communication among stakeholders. Limitations include potential subjectivity in weighting criteria, risk of bias in the decision process, and the resource demands of conducting a thorough evaluation.

See also: methodology, research design, decision analysis, multi-criteria decision analysis.