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*
<https://secure.reference.com/premium/login.html?rd=2&u=http%3A%2F%2Fdictionary.reference.com%2Fbrowse%2Fmethodology>
  /ˌmɛθəˈdɒlədʒi/ *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>
(042) 813 5605

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