Dear Terry,
Thanks for your post. I want to offer a brief note on the importance
of distinguishing among method, methodology, and methodics.
One of the great difficulties in methods study is the difference in
usage of the term methodology. I know that methodology is sometimes
used to mean "a collection of related methods." It does, indeed, give
rise to confusion.
Bunge uses the term "methodics" to mean "a collection of related methods."
He defines the term methodics as "The collection of methods employed
in a research field. Not to be confused with methodology" (Bunge
1999: 179).
Mautner (1996: 267) defines methodology as "1. The discipline which
investigates and evaluates methods of inquiry, of validation, of
teaching, etc. 2. a theory within that discipline. Note that
methodology is about method and not the same as method."
Bunge (1999: 178) distinguishes between method, as "a regular and
well-specified procedure for doing something: an ordered sequence of
goal-directed operations" and methodology as "the study of methods.
The normative branch of epistemology; a knowledge technology. Often
confused with method, as in "the methodology used in the present
research."
Design research involves people from many different backgrounds. We
live in many nations on six continents. Using a common vocabulary
will permit us to speak clearly with one another. We have enough
different ideas, concepts, and issues to keep up occupied
understanding the genuine differences and distinctions with which we
work. It will help us to discuss them in clear and understandable
terms.
Best regards,
Ken
--
Ken Friedman, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Leadership and Strategic Design
Department of Leadership and Organization
Norwegian School of Management
Visiting Professor
Advanced Research Institute
School of Art and Design
Staffordshire University
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