What is meant by “method” in the sciences? The English word derives from the ancient Greek methodos, which has its roots in the idea of being crafty or cunning. Later for the Greeks it came to mean “the pursuit of knowledge” or “a way of enquiry” (literally “way of pursuit”). For us moderns it has a wider usage. The Oxford English Dictionary tells us that a method is a way of doing something in accordance with a plan, or a special procedure; or it is a regular systematic way of either treating a person or attaining a goal. It is also a systematic or orderly arrangement of topics, discourses or ideas. In general one can speak of a method for gutting and filleting fish, baking a cake, wiring a fuse box, surveying a given piece of landscape, conducting a funeral or cracking a safe. Not following the prescribed method usually leads to a botched, or socially unacceptable, outcome. There are also methods for teaching languages, for example, the immersion method; there are methods for teaching the violin to the very young, for example, the Suzuki method; there are methods for learning and playing curling, or a nose flute; and so on. In general there are methods whereby one can not only best teach or learn a given subject, but also present an effective case in a law court, write up a report, conduct an orchestra or a meeting, and so on.