atw: Re: nit-picking and steering back on track (a bit)

I have the same problem with "usage". It's a bit like not getting a piece of
music out of your head. Once you notice it, it's everywhere.
It's written by people who want to use long words to sound important. 
 
I'm writing to you directly because this adds nothing to the discussion.
 
Bye...

-----Original Message-----
From: Rod Stuart [mailto:rod.stuart@xxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Thursday, 21 February 2008 3:07 PM
To: austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: atw: nit-picking and steering back on track (a bit)


I'm often at a loss as to the correct usage of "methodology".
It seems to me that any sort of "ology" implies the STUDY of some set of
ideas, principles or science.
i.e. Theology, geology, etc.
Yet I often see this word used where in fact it should be simply "method"
IMHO. i.e in a report the heading might be "METHODOLOGY" preceding a
description of the methods the author employed. 
 
meth·od·ol·o·gy    <http://cache.lexico.com/g/d/premium.gif>
<http://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/luna/thinsp.png>
<https://secure.reference.com/premium/login.html?rd=2&u=http%3A%2F%2Fdiction
ary.reference.com%2Fbrowse%2Fmethodology>   /ˌmɛθ
<http://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/luna/thinsp.png> əˈdɒl
<http://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/luna/thinsp.png> ə
<http://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/luna/thinsp.png> dʒi/
Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[meth-uh-dol-uh-jee]
Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation 
–noun, plural -gies. 
1.       a set or system of methods, principles, and rules for regulating a
given discipline, as in the arts or sciences.   
2.       Philosophy. 

a.       the underlying principles and rules of organization of a
philosophical system or inquiry procedure.      
b.       the study of the principles underlying the organization of the
various sciences and the conduct of scientific inquiry.         
3.       Education. a branch of pedagogics dealing with analysis and
evaluation of subjects to be taught and of the methods of teaching them.


Any thoughts on this? 
-- 
Rod Stuart
1/19 Thrall Street
Innaloo, WA 6018, Australia
(08) 9204 2957
< rod.stuart@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:rod.stuart@xxxxxxxxx> >
(042) 813 5605

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