Methodolgy
Methodolgy
(OP)
Does it irk anyone else that this word is so many time used in place of method?
It has been overused so much that I suppose it will become ok like so many other words we have discussed.
Too many times when I hear someone use the word metodology, I think, "why didn't he/she just say method?"
Method :
1. A means or manner of procedure, especially a regular and systematic way of accomplishing something: a simple method for making a pie crust; mediation as a method of solving disputes. See Usage Note at methodology.
2. Orderly arrangement of parts or steps to accomplish an end: random efforts that lack method.
3. The procedures and techniques characteristic of a particular discipline or field of knowledge: This field course gives an overview of archaeological method
Methodolgy :
1. A means or manner of procedure, especially a regular and systematic way of accomplishing something: a simple method for making a pie crust; mediation as a method of solving disputes. See Usage Note at methodology.
2. Orderly arrangement of parts or steps to accomplish an end: random efforts that lack method.
3. The procedures and techniques characteristic of a particular discipline or field of knowledge: This field course gives an overview of archaeological method.
Usage Note : Methodology can properly refer to the theoretical analysis of the methods appropriate to a field of study or to the body of methods and principles particular to a branch of knowledge. In this sense, one may speak of objections to the methodology of a geographic survey (that is, objections dealing with the appropriateness of the methods used) or of the methodology of modern cognitive psychology (that is, the principles and practices that underlie research in the field). In recent years, however, methodology has been increasingly used as a pretentious substitute for method in scientific and technical contexts, as in The oil company has not yet decided on a methodology for restoring the beaches. People may have taken to this practice by influence of the adjective methodological to mean “pertaining to methods.” Methodological may have acquired this meaning because people had already been using the more ordinary adjective methodical to mean “orderly, systematic.” But the misuse of methodology obscures an important conceptual distinction between the tools of scientific investigation (properly methods) and the principles that determine how such tools are deployed and interpreted.
It has been overused so much that I suppose it will become ok like so many other words we have discussed.
Too many times when I hear someone use the word metodology, I think, "why didn't he/she just say method?"
Method :
1. A means or manner of procedure, especially a regular and systematic way of accomplishing something: a simple method for making a pie crust; mediation as a method of solving disputes. See Usage Note at methodology.
2. Orderly arrangement of parts or steps to accomplish an end: random efforts that lack method.
3. The procedures and techniques characteristic of a particular discipline or field of knowledge: This field course gives an overview of archaeological method
Methodolgy :
1. A means or manner of procedure, especially a regular and systematic way of accomplishing something: a simple method for making a pie crust; mediation as a method of solving disputes. See Usage Note at methodology.
2. Orderly arrangement of parts or steps to accomplish an end: random efforts that lack method.
3. The procedures and techniques characteristic of a particular discipline or field of knowledge: This field course gives an overview of archaeological method.
Usage Note : Methodology can properly refer to the theoretical analysis of the methods appropriate to a field of study or to the body of methods and principles particular to a branch of knowledge. In this sense, one may speak of objections to the methodology of a geographic survey (that is, objections dealing with the appropriateness of the methods used) or of the methodology of modern cognitive psychology (that is, the principles and practices that underlie research in the field). In recent years, however, methodology has been increasingly used as a pretentious substitute for method in scientific and technical contexts, as in The oil company has not yet decided on a methodology for restoring the beaches. People may have taken to this practice by influence of the adjective methodological to mean “pertaining to methods.” Methodological may have acquired this meaning because people had already been using the more ordinary adjective methodical to mean “orderly, systematic.” But the misuse of methodology obscures an important conceptual distinction between the tools of scientific investigation (properly methods) and the principles that determine how such tools are deployed and interpreted.
Jesus is THE life,
Leonard





RE: Methodolgy
Interesting point. I'll admit that I tend to use "methodology" far more than I use "method".
Is this all your own work, or is some of it attributable to other sources?
Best regards,
Matthew Ian Loew
"I don't grow up. In me is the small child of my early days" -- M.C. Escher
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.
RE: Methodolgy
Google/dictionary was my source which I often use as a resource while on this forum.
Actually irk is a wee bit strong. It is more like puzzling to me as in, "did she/he really need to use a word with three additional syllables." So that I find my thinking going off on a tangent trying to rationalize whether or not it made better sense to use the longer word.
Jesus is THE life,
Leonard
RE: Methodolgy
And I'm just as guilty as everybody else. In fact, I sometimes do it deliberately when I want to leave the interpretation of my message open to the prejudices of my audience!
But like the whole spelling / grammar debate, clarity of communication depends on adherence to rules. The trick is to allow the rules to be flouted in a controlled and consistent fashion, but not to allow individuals to be inconsistent about how they flout a rule. The key, I believe, is the consistency of the flouting of the rule, which then becomes the new rule.
Bung
Life is non-linear...
RE: Methodolgy
There are hundreds of these extra syllable words - no, thousands. And if there isn't a suitable one - why, just invent it, like GWB does.
We use them - and I'm guilty myself - because we want to sound smart (create a fallacious self-reflective erudition environment).
As Bung says, it does sound as though your opinion is more valuable than it really is.
Long words impress people - or do they?
RE: Methodolgy
Some might be impressed, others simply lable you.
Jesus is THE life,
Leonard
RE: Methodolgy
The principle that Lynne Truss espouses in 'Eats shoots and leaves' is that one can either:
decide to go with the flow, and adopt lazy and incorrect grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc., or
become something of a pedant, and gain a reputation as a nerdish stickler who insists on getting everything right.
I subscribe to the latter view more than the former,and I guess most of us do in this forum. But I believe it pays dividends when a client reads a technical report or proposal, and comments on the correctness and elegance of the language in it. This doesn't happen often, but when it does you can be sure that another stickler has read it, and you've gained an advantage over your less literate competitors.
Well, that's my justification for being a nerd, anyway.
RE: Methodolgy
I am happier if they comment on my engineering ability rather than my formal langauge skills.
If some one were to comment that a report or explanation is clear, lucid, understandable or easy to follow, this is a refection not just of my communication skills but of my engineering.
If someone comments on how well punctuated and gramatically correct my reports are, something is very wrong, with them or with my reports. Not because there is anything wrong with correct spelling and grammar, but it is not something that should require comment and it should not be the focus of the readers attention. A comment on how poorly written, punctuated or organised is, of course, something else.
Consider, language is a tool with different users and different objectives. As a medium for communicating ideas exactitude is an ideal but not an essential. Mathematical formulae are soemthing else again. At least, for engineers.
If we communicate by telephone, the telephone is an ideal medium for speech. But to relay classical music?
I am more concerned that language seems to be less important to those for whom it should be the most important tool. Journalists and writers. Engineers must be far more capable in other skills areas.
So, in general, I agree with you, Harrisj, especially as you say "I subscribe to the latter view more than the former..." i.e. a balanced view rather than a perfectionists position.
JMW
www.viscoanalyser.com
Eng-Tips: Pro bono publico, by engineers, for engineers.
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RE: Methodolgy
I don't suggest for a moment that language skills are more important than technical in a report. I take it as read that the engineering content is flawless. But good grammar etc. is the icing on the cake which may differentiate between two technically excellent proposals.
I also regard it as a courtesy to the reader to write good English; certainly I have observed readers distracted by poor language skills so that they miss some crucial technical issue. And, no, I don't achieve perfection; lucid, concise expression of technical and commercial concepts in good English is all I aspire to, but I consider good spelling, punctuation, grammar, etc. to be necessary to do this.
My department has been commended on the quality of its reports and I know this includes presentation and use of language as well as technical content. I have heard comments from senior government officials such as "I'm fed up with scientists who can't spell". They should disregard the mistakes and concentrate on the technical matters, but I'm sure some don't!
In summary, we are all professionals and should strive for grammatical excellence as well as technical perfection. I would be the first to agree with you that the engineering issues are more important.
Regards - John
RE: Methodolgy
"In summary, we are all professionals and should strive for grammatical excellence as well as technical perfection. I would be the first to agree with you that the engineering issues are more important. "
That was worth repeating. I especially like your use of the word excellence and all that it brings to mind. Such an unlofty ideal.
Jesus is THE life,
Leonard
RE: Methodolgy
I read through this forum and I shudder. Seems to me that the point that should be taken is that regardless of your engineering prowess, if you can't write about it clearly and succinctly, you'll fail when it comes time to tell others about your accomplishments. I commiserate with the government officials harrisj mentions, how can you have faith in a scientist who does not check his spelling? I know this is not that difficult, especially on a word processor. But, of all fields of intellectual endeavor, scientists and engineers MUST be clear about what they say in order to avoid all the inherent ramifications of a failure in communication. Our history is already replete with enough examples of such failures.
I wholeheartedly concur with those who lament that our language is not the easiest, is filled with ambiguities, etc. (ever tried Greek?). But, that is only sour grapes when one gets right down to it. It's our mother language, our teachers tried and if we didn't get it, then we're the ones who failed. So, if one must do something extra to fortify one's ability to communicate, do it! Buy the dictionary, reread the school books, whatever it takes, because if we can't clearly convey our ideas, then we are a failure! The idea that we can somehow evolve the language in our daily workings is simply an attempt to escape responsibility as engineers and scientists to communicate clearly.
Ok, from that diatribe, one can easily see that I fall into the category of "punctillious prick" when it comes to grammar usage and spelling. Sorry to get on my horse, but this is one of the most common failings I have noticed among my fellow engineers and scientists and I find it amazing that this defect is so often accepted! From my perspective, the issue is clear. If you can't say it or write it in such a matter that I have only to struggle with the technical issues presented, then you aren't up to the job. What a shame, all that knowledge locked up inside your head and you can't get it out to the world!
RE: Methodolgy
I tried a search using your spelling of punctilious with no results. Let's hope I did not misspell that word in the previous sentence.
I believe the point being taken is that exactitude is not nearly as important as getting the idea communicated correctly.
Jesus is THE life,
Leonard
RE: Methodolgy
My response might have been spellographically and grammatically correct but in my hurry to get back to work, I did not convey the thought intended. What I meant to convey is; ...exactitude is not nearly as important as conveying the idea understandibly.(or is that understandably-don't have time to quibble right now).
Jesus is THE life,
Leonard
RE: Methodolgy
You certainly made it clear where we stand in your priority list.
When anyone doesn't take the time, for whatever reason, to pay attention to the details, including spelling and grammar, you are sending, albeit subtly, the message that the listener isn't worth that much effort on your part.
RE: Methodolgy
Jesus is THE life,
Leonard
RE: Methodolgy
You are correct, exactitude is not the first prerequisite! Guess in my race to use impressive words, I overstepped the bounds of my abilities. What I intended to convey was the fact that I know I am one of those people others find exasperating from time to time as I press for clarity in writing. In my company, I have taught technical writing classes to my fellow engineers and the single most important point I try to make is that what you write has to be understandable in order to be worth the paper it's written on. Hmmmmm.......maybe next time I should include an emphasis on the utilization of words you can neither spell nor apply correctly??? Nope, I don't think so. The application was correct, I know others think of me as a "punctilious prick" on this question. I just need to heed my own words on spelling.
My how he did fall!
He but put himself on a pedestal, narrow and tall!
RE: Methodolgy
I just know you did that on purpose .......
'Utilization' instaed of 'use'
A 5-syllable word is sooooo much better than a 1-syllable word!
Only kidding - John
RE: Methodolgy
So is it being a pr**k about being punctilious? Or is it being punctilious about being a pr**k?
TTFN
RE: Methodolgy
and http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?key=methodology*1+0&dict=A
TTFN
RE: Methodolgy
Best regards,
Matthew Ian Loew
"I don't grow up. In me is the small child of my early days" -- M.C. Escher
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.