Methodology

Abstract

Methodology is the normative branch of epistemology or theory of knowledge. It does not study how animals and people actually go about solving problems; this is a concern of cognitive psychology. Instead, methodology studies the best research strategies and tactics, that is, those more likely to attain truth and depth. For example, methodology studies, among other things, the scientific method, whereas descriptive epistemology and cognitive psychology study the trial-and-error procedure. But of course methodology is not restricted to examining the scientific method as it is used in all the sciences: It also studies the specific methodics of each research field—scientific, technological, or humanistic. In short, methodology studies all the regular or standardized procedures for gaining genuine knowledge.