`methodology` or `method`

[l-emele]

Description of the issue

We currently have the class methodology: A methodology is a plan specification that describes processes that are part of a study. Discussion in #1757 has shown that the label method would be more appropriate.

Looking at different resources ^1^3^5 the main difference seems to be:

• a method is a specific way to do something
• a methodology is a study, collection or description of methods

Additionally, also almost all subclasses contain the word method and not methodology in their labels.

Ideas of solution

• Relabel methodology to method and maybe use methodology as alternative label.
• Import methods section (IAO_0000317): A part of a publication about an investigation that is about the study design of the investigation Alternative labels: methodology, experimental, methods, experimental procedures, experimental methods, experimental section method

Workflow checklist

• [ ] I discussed the issue with someone else than me before working on a solution
• [ ] I already read the latest version of the workflow for this repository
• [ ] The goal of this ontology is clear to me

I am aware that

• [ ] every entry in the ontology should have a definition
• [ ] classes should arise from concepts rather than from words

[han-f]

I agree with your suggestion an my renaming methodology to method in #1757 came exactly from remembering that methodology may be different to method and then finding the definitions you show above.

[l-emele]

@stap-m : Do you have any thoughts here?

[stap-m]

• a method is a specific way to do something
• a methodology is a study, collection or description of methods

I find it hard to clearly distinct between both based on thede definitions. A method could be interpreted as part of methodology. Or the methodology as a description of a specific method, which is interpreted as process as in our current definition. I could go with either renaming and adding "methodology" as alternative label. Or with having both method and methodology as subclasses of plan specification.

The import of method section can be done, but I have the impression, that the actual method/methodology of a study is usually more detailed than published in the method section. Therefore, one could argue that this is not the same thing...