sistemàtic

Sistemàtic is an adjective used in several Romance languages to describe something that is organized according to a system, with a methodical structure, clear steps, and defined criteria. It characterizes approaches, analyses, or processes that aim for consistency, completeness, and reproducibility. The term is closely related to the English “systematic” and often applies to methods, investigations, or planning that follow an explicit, repeatable framework.

Etymology and cognates: Sistemàtic derives from the Latin systema and the Greek concept of an organized whole, traveling through Romance languages with forms such as sistemàtic (Catalan), sistemático (Spanish and Portuguese), sistematico (Italian), and systématique in French. Accent placement and orthography vary by language, with the accent on the syllable reflecting stress patterns in each language.

Usage and contexts: In science, scholarship, education, and administration, sistemàtic describes a deliberate, comprehensive approach. Common contexts include systematic reviews, systematic sampling, systematic methodologies, and systemic planning. The term emphasizes order, criteria, and replicability, as opposed to informal, ad hoc, or unsystematic methods.

Distinctions: In some languages, related terms exist to denote systemic or pertaining to a system as a whole (for example, sistémico in Spanish or sistêmico in Portuguese). These terms describe effects or relations that involve the entire system, rather than the methodical, stepwise character implied by sistemàtic.

See also: systematic review, methodology, research design, methodical.