metamethod

From meta- +‎ method.

metamethod (countable and uncountable, plural metamethods)

2. (programming, Lua) A method belonging to a metatable.
4. (sciences, countable) A theme or principle of methodology.
   • 2013, Willis F. Overton, Ulrich Müller, “2: Metatheories, Theories, and Concepts in the Study of Development”, in Irving B. Weiner, Richard M. Lerner, M. Ann Easterbrooks, Jayanthi Mistry, editors, Handbook of Psychology‎^[1], volume 6: Developmental Psychology, Wiley, →ISBN, page 19:

     For convenience, when specifically discussing background ideas that ground methods, we will use the term metamethods. […] Theories are about the empirical phenomena in a specific subject area, and methods are the procedures used to generate or capture these phenomena; by contrast, metatheories and metamethods are about the theories and methods themselves.

5. (sciences, uncountable) Methodology itself.
   • 2013, Willis F. Overton, Ulrich Müller, “2: Metatheories, Theories, and Concepts in the Study of Development”, in Irving B. Weiner, Richard M. Lerner, M. Ann Easterbrooks, Jayanthi Mistry, editors, Handbook of Psychology‎^[2], volume 6: Developmental Psychology, Wiley, →ISBN, page 19:

     The primary function of metatheory—including metamethod—is to provide a rich source of concepts out of which theories and methods emerge.