Methodology

Methodologies guide scientists through the scientific process by providing a step-by-step framework for:

• what to answer – describing the precise nature of the scientific question and what is outside of scope. Scientists often refer to this as the “ problem formulation The process of defining the specific problem being addressed in, for example, an environmental risk assessment. It involves articulating a question and defining how it may be answered (e.g. by identifying the endpoints to be measured)”.
• which evidence to collect and use
  • identifying the scientific evidence relevant for an assessment
  • if needed, complementing evidence from observations (e.g. studies on animals or cells) with other sources or methods (e.g. expert knowledge)
  • evaluating quality of scientific evidence and analysing it in a structured, consistent and traceable way
  • document the process for dealing with evidence transparently.
• how to make decisions – providing a transparent, rational and accountable process for scientific decisions so that the process can be repeated by other scientists.