Method

A Method is an approach that provides a systematic procedure for accomplishing specific tasks or achieving defined outcomes.

• AKA: Approach, Procedure, Technique, System, Protocol.
• Context:
  • It can typically organize Action Sequences into coherent steps.
  • It can typically define Procedural Flow for accomplishing specific tasks.
  • It can typically provide Consistent Way for achieving repeatable results.
  • It can typically standardize Process Implementation for uniform execution.
  • ...
  • It can often adapt to Different Circumstances through procedural variations.
  • It can often incorporate Feedback Mechanisms for continuous improvement.
  • It can often combine Different Techniques for comprehensive solutions.
  • It can often evolve through Iterative Refinement and practical application.
  • ...
  • It can range from being a Simple Method to being a Complex Method, depending on its step count and implementation complexity.
  • It can range from being a Formal Method to being an Informal Method, depending on its degree of standardization.
  • It can range from being a Prescriptive Method to being an Adaptive Method, depending on its flexibility in application.
  • ...
  • It can enable Knowledge Transfer through documented procedures.
  • It can facilitate Skill Development through structured practice.
  • It can support Quality Assurance through consistent application.
  • ...
• Examples:
  • Method Categories, such as:
    • Scientific Methods, such as:
      • Experimental Method for testing hypothesis through controlled experiments.
      • Observational Method for gathering data through systematic observation.
    • Engineering Methods, such as:
      • Design Method for creating solutions through structured processes.
      • Analysis Method for evaluating system through methodical examination.
  • Domain-Specific Methods, such as:
    • Research Methods, such as:
      • Qualitative Method for investigating phenomenon through interpretive approaches.
      • Quantitative Method for analyzing relationships through statistical techniques.
    • Educational Methods, such as:
      • Teaching Method for facilitating learning through instructional techniques.
      • Assessment Method for evaluating knowledge through measurement techniques.
  • Implementation-Based Methods, such as:
    • Computational Methods, such as:
      • Algorithm for solving problems through precise instructions.
      • Program Object Method for performing operations on data objects.
    • Process Methods, such as:
      • Process Pattern for implementing workflows through reusable structures.
      • Methodology for managing complex projects through integrated method sets.
  • ...
• Counter-Examples:
  • Random Actions, which lack systematic organization and repeatable structure.
  • Principles, which provide guiding concepts but not specific procedures.
  • Goals, which define desired outcomes but not processes to achieve them.
• See: Algorithm, Process Pattern, Methodology, Program Object Method, Approach, Technique, Procedure.

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References

2006

• (Brohée & van Helden, 2006) ⇒ Sylvain Brohée and Jacques van Helden. (2006). “Evaluation of clustering algorithms for protein-protein interaction networks.” In: BMC bioinformatics.
  • In this paper we present a systematic quantitative evaluation of the capability of four clustering methods for inferring protein complexes from a network of pairwise protein interactions.

1996

• (Wall et al., 1996) ⇒ Larry Wall, Tom Christiansen, and Randal L. Schwartz. (1996). “Programming Perl, 2nd edition." O'Reilly. ISBN:1565921496
  • method: A kind of action that an object can take if you direct it to.

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