Metóda

Metóda is a systematic way of achieving a goal or solving a problem, typically consisting of a sequence of steps, rules, or procedures designed to guide inquiry or action. The term is widely used across science, philosophy, education, and everyday practice. It originates from the Greek word methodos, meaning a way to pursue something, and entered languages such as Slovak through Latin.

Metóda differs from technique in that a technique is the skilled manner of performing a specific task, whereas a method is a broader plan or approach. It also contrasts with methodology, the study or justification of the methods used within a field.

Common types include empirical methods (observation, experiment, measurement), theoretical methods (modeling, deduction), qualitative methods (case studies, interviews, ethnography), quantitative methods (statistical analysis, surveys), and mixed-methods that combine approaches.

In science the scientific method is a prototypical method: formulate a question, propose a hypothesis, collect and analyze data, and draw conclusions, with replication and peer review to verify results. In education, teaching methods refer to approaches such as lectures, demonstrations, discussion, and problem-based learning. In programming, a method is a function associated with an object or class, performing an operation on data.

Because metóda covers many kinds of procedures, its precise meaning is shaped by disciplinary context and purpose. Its central idea remains the use of deliberate, orderly steps to obtain reliable results.