Talk:Ologies

Brief Introduction

It will be helpful to add a brief introductory paragraph stating what "Ologies" are and defining criteria for entry or exclusion to this list. It will also be helpful to position this learning resource for use by students. How can this resource best be used by students? Thanks!--Lbeaumont (discuss • contribs) 12:00, 2 December 2017 (UTC)

Agreed! It's just an historical accident that the "-ology" suffix became the default choice in the English language for naming a new field of [specialist] study thought to be governed by laws or principles. It's not the only choice, nor does it exhaust the fields of study. For example, whilst we may have "musicology", we don't have "physics-ology"; and whilst we do have "geology" and "biology", we also have "geometry" and "biometrics". So perhaps the list would be better named "fields of study"? That would reflect the only useful purpose of having such a list on Wikiversity, namely:

to provide a directory of (actual and potential) focus areas for learners.

--Yahya Abdal-Aziz (discuss • contribs) 00:22, 2 April 2021 (UTC)

Edit request from MasterLuk, 16 March 2020

The 'C' category has 'Cytology' written twice - one near the beginning of that category and one near the end. MasterLuk (discuss • contribs) 19:54, 16 March 2020 (UTC)

Extended content

List of -ologies A Acarology, the study of ticks and mites Actinobiology, the study of the effects of radiation upon living organisms Actinology, the study of the effect of light on chemicals Aerobiology, a branch of biology that studies organic particles, such as bacteria, fungal spores, very small insects and pollen, which are passively transported by the air. Aerology, the study of the atmosphere Aetiology, the medical study of the causation of disease Agnoiology, the study of things of which we are by nature ignorant, or of things which cannot be known Agrobiology, the study of plant nutrition and growth in relation to soil conditions Agrology Canada: the art and science of agriculture Non-Canada: the study of soils Agrostology, the study of grasses Algology, the study of algae Allergology, the study of the causes and treatment of allergies; a branch of medicine Andrology, the study of male health and disease Anesthesiology, the study of anesthesia and anesthetics; a branch of medicine Angelology, the study of angels Angiology, the study of the anatomy of blood and lymph vascular systems Anthropology, the study of humans Apiology, the study of bees (apiaries) Arachnology, the study of spiders and their kind Archaeology, the study of past cultures through the analysis of material remains Archaeozoology, the study of relationships between humans and animals over time through examination of animal remains at archaeological sites (also see Zooarchaeology) Areology, the study of Mars Assyriology, the study of the Assyrians Astacology, the study of crayfish Asteroseismology, the study of the internal structures of stars as revealed by their oscillations (see also Helioseismology). Astrobiology, the study of origin of life Astrogeology, the study of geology of celestial bodies (e.g., planets, asteroids, comets) Astrology, the study of the purported influence(s) of celestial bodies on earthly affairs Astrometeorology: using astrology to forecast the weather Atmology, the study of the laws and phenomena of aqueous vapors Audiology, the study of hearing; a branch of medicine Autecology, the study of the ecology of any individual species Autology, the attribute (of a word) of being self descriptive. The word "polysyllabic" is autological because it is polysyllabic. (compare heterology) Auxology, the study of human growth. Axiology, the study of the nature of values and value judgements B Bacteriology, the study of bacteria Balneology, the scientific study of baths, bathing and of their application to disease Batology, the study of blackberries Beierlology, the study of stalkers Bibliology, the study of books, printing, and publishing; also called Bibliography Bioclimatology, the study of the effects of climate on living organisms Biogeomorphology, or ecogeomorphology, the study of interactions between organisms and geomorphological processes Bioecology, the study of the relationship of organisms to each other and to their environment Biology, the study of life Biometeorology, the study of the effects of atmospheric conditions on living organisms Biotechnology industrial use of living organisms or their components to improve human health and food reduction Boxology is the study of schematic layouts, for example of corporate org charts. Bryology, the study of bryophytes Bryozoology, the study of the phylum Bryozoa Buddhology, the study of the nature of Buddha C Campanology, the study and the art of bell ringing Cardiology, the study of the heart Cereology, the study of crop circles Cetology, the study of cetaceans - whales, dolphins, and porpoise Characterology, the study of character Chavezology, study of devil worshipers Christology, the theological study of redemption (christos > christein: to sacrament), not only speaking of Christianity but also extended to religion in general Chorology, the study of the relationship of biological or other phenomena to their locations Chronology the study of things in order of time or the study of time Climatology, the study of the climate Codicology, the study of the preparation of books and manuscripts (ink, paper, vellum etc) Coleopterology, the study of beetles Coniology, the study of dust in the atmosphere and its effects on plants and animals, also spelled "koniology" Conchology, the study of shells and of molluscs Contrology, a neologism for the Pilates method, a system of physical exercise Cosmology, the study of the cosmos or our place in it Cosmetology, the study of cosmetics and their use Craniology, the study of the characteristics of the skull Criminology, the scientific study of crime Cryology, the study of very low temperatures and related phenomena. Cryptology, the study of how to encrypt and decrypt secret messages Cryptozoology, the study of animals that may or may not be mythical Cynology, the study of dogs Cytomorphology, the study of the structure of cells Cytology, the study of cells D Deltiology, the study of, but more often the collecting of picture postcards Demography, the study of statistics such as births, deaths, income, or the incidence of disease, which illustrate the changing structure of human populations Demonology, the study of demons Dendrochronology, the study of the age of trees and the records in their rings Dendrology, the study of trees Deontology, in ethics, the study of duty. Dermatology, the field of medicine that deals with the skin Dermatopathology, the field of dermatological anatomical pathology Desmology, the study of ligaments Dialectology, the study of dialects Dipterology, the study of flies Dudology, the study of men E Ecclesiology, the study of Church architecture and decoration, or separately the study of the Christian Church Ecogeomorphology, or biogeomorphology, the study of interactions between organisms and geomorphological processes Ecohydrology, the study of interactions among organisms and the water cycle. Ecology, the study of the interrelationships between living organisms and their environment. Sometimes spelled "œcology". Economic geology is concerned with earth materials that can be utilized for economic and/or industrial purposes. Ecophysiology, the study of the interrelationship between an organism's physical functioning and its environment Edaphology, a branch of soil science that studies the influence of soil on life. Egyptology, the study of the ancient Egyptians Electrophysiology, the study of the relationship between electric phenomena and bodily processes Embryology, the study of embryos Emetology, the study or knowledge of emetics Endocrinology, the study of internal secretory glands Enigmatology, the study of puzzles Enology (or Oenology), the study of wine and winemaking Entomology, the study of insects Enzymology, the study of enzymes Epidemiology, the study of the origin and spread of diseases Epistemology, the study of the nature and origins of knowledge Escapology, the practice of escaping from restraints or other traps. Eschatology, a branch of theology concerned with the final events in the history of the world or of mankind Ethnology, the study of race Ethnomusicology, the study of music in society, usually non-western music Ethology, the study of animal behaviour Etiology, same as Aetiology Etymology, the study of word origins Eulogy, the speech of praise Evolutionary biology, the study of the process of biological evolution Evolutionary psychology, the study of the process of (usually) human psychological evolution. Exobiology, the study of life in outer space F Felinology, the study of cats Fetology, the study of the fetus, especially when within the uterus. Sometimes spelled foetology. Formicology, the study of ants Fungology, fungus + -ology, see mycology. Fulminology the study of lightning Futurology, the study of the future G Garbology - study of refuse and trash Gastrology or Gastroenterology - diseases of stomach and intestines Gemmology or Gemology, the study of gemstones and ornamental materials Genealogy (commonly misspelled and mispronounced as "geneology"), the study of relationships within families particularly with a view to constructing family trees Genecology, the study of genetic differences in relation to the environment Geobiology, the study of the biosphere and its relations to the lithosphere and atmosphere. Geochronology, the study of the age of the Earth Geology, the study of the Earth Geomorphology, the study of present-day landforms, traditionally on Earth but with increasing frequency on nearby planetary objects Gerontology, the study of old age Glaciology, the study of glaciers Grammatology, the study of writing systems. Also the study of deconstructive literary criticism, popularized in the 1960s by Jacques Derrida Graphology, the study of handwriting for the purpose of analysing the character of the writer Grossology, the study of gross and disgusting things. Fictional; book title Gynaecology or Gynecology, the study of medicine relating to women, or of women in general H Hematology/Haematology, the study of blood Heliology, the study of the Sun Helioseismology, the study of vibrations and oscillations in the Sun Helminthology, the study of parasitic worms. See Vermeology. Hepatology, the study of the liver; a branch of medicine Herbology, the study of the therapeutic use of plants Herpetology, the study of reptiles and amphibians Heterology, the attribute (of a word) of not being self descriptive. The word "monosyllabic" is heterological because it is not monosyllabic. (compare autology) Heteroptology, the study of true bugs Hieroglyphology, Egyptian hieroglyphics, an ancient writing system Hierographology, the study of sacred texts Hierology, a more inclusive term for theology Hippology, study of horses Histology, the study of living tissues Histopathology, the study of the (microscopic) structure of diseased tissues Historiology, the study of the writings and practices of historians Homology, concept in anthropology, biology, algebraic topology, and sociology, meaning "likeness in structure" Horology, the study of making timepieces, measuring time and timekeeping (also the study of time) Hydrogeology, the study of underground water Hydrology, the study of water Hypnology, the study of sleep (also: somnology) I Ichnology, the study of fossil footprints, tracks and burrows Ichthyology, the study of fish Ideology, the study of ideas throughout society both socially,politically,historically and literary Immunology, the study of the immune system Indology, the study of the history, languages, and cultures of the Indian subcontinent Iranology, the study of history, literature, art and culture of Iran (Persia) Islamology, the study of the Islam J Japanology, the study of Japanese people K Karyology, the study of karyotypes (a branch of cytology) Killology, the study of human beings killing other human beings (Grossman's theory) Kinesiology, the study of movement in relation to human anatomy; a branch of medicine Kremlinology, the study of the Soviet Union Kymatology, the study of waves or wave motions L Laryngology, the study of the larynx, or voice box; a branch of medicine Lepidopterology, the study of butterflies and moths Lexicology, the study of the signification and application of words Limnology, the study of fresh water environments, particularly lakes Lithology, the study of rocks Ludology, the study of games and play Lymphology, the study of the lymph system and glands M Malacology, the study of mollusks Mammalogy, the study of mammals Mereology, a branch of logic focusing on the study of part-whole relationships Meteorology, the study of weather Methodology, (properly) the study of methods Metrology, the study of measurement Microbiology, the study of microorganisms. Micrology, the science of preparing and handling microscopic objects for study. Mineralogy, the study of minerals Mixology, the study or skill of preparing mixed drinks. Molinology, the study of windmills, watermills and animal engines. Monadology, a book by Leibniz on the study of his theory of monads. Morphology, the study of forms that is used in several other fields (biology, linguistics, astronomy, etc.) Museology, the study of museum management. Musicology, the study of music Mycology, the study of fungi Myology the scientific study of muscles Myrmecology, the study of ants Mythology, the study of myths memeology the study of memes N Nanotechnology, the study and design of machines at the molecular level Nanotribology, the study of friction at very small (atomic) scale Nematology, the study of nematodes Neonatology, the study of diseases and the care of newborn infants; a branch of pediatrics/paediatrics Nephology, the study of clouds Nephrology, the study of the kidneys and their diseases, a branch of medicine Neurology, the study of nerves Neuropathology, the study of neural diseases Neurophysiology, the study of the functions of the nervous system Nosology, the study of disease classification Numerology, the study of numbers (often in a non-mathematical sense) Nutriology, the study of nutrition O Oceanology, the study of oceans Odonatology, the study of dragonflies and damselflies Odontology, the study of the structure, development, and abnormalities of the teeth Oenology, the study of wine Omnology, the study of everything Oncology, the study of cancer Oneirology, the study of dreams Onomatology, the study of proper names Ontology, the study of existence Oology, the study of eggs Ophthalmology, the study of the eyes Organology, the study of musical instruments (not just organs); alternatively, the study of anatomical organs Ornithology, the study of birds Orology, the study of mountains and their mapping Orthopterology, the study of grasshoppers and crickets Osteology, the study of bones Otolaryngology, the study of the ear and throat; a branch of medicine Otology, the study of the structure, function, and pathology of the ear Otorhinolaryngology, the same as otolaryngology P Paleoanthropology, the study of prehistoric people and human origins Paleobiology, the study of prehistoric life Paleobotany, the study of prehistoric metaphytes (i.e., multicellular plants) Paleoclimatology, the study of prehistoric climates Paleoecology, the study of prehistoric environments by analyzing fossils and rock strata Paleontology, the study of fossils of ancient life Paleophytology (see "paleobotany"), the study of ancient multicelled plants Paleozoology, the study of prehistoric metazoans (i.e., multicellular animals) Palynology, the study of pollen Parapsychology, the study of paranormal or psychic phenomenon that defy conventional scientific explanations Parasitology, the study of parasites Pathology, the study of illness Pedology, one of two main branches of soil science w:Pedology (paidology, paedology), the study of children's behavior and development Penology, the study of prison management and criminal rehabilitation. Personology, a variant of physiognomy Petrology, the study of rocks and the conditions by which they form Pharmacology, the study of drugs Phenology, the study of periodic biological phenomena such as flowering, migration, breeding, etc. Phenomenology, the study and science of phenomena as distinct from the science of actual existence or being; also a movement founded by Husserl which studies conscious experience without its metaphysical concerns Philology, the study of a language together with its literature Phlebology, a branch of medicine that deals with the venous system Phonology, the study of vocal sounds Phrenology, the derivation of a persons character traits, by studying the shape of their skull Phycology, the study of algae Physiology, the study of mechanical, physical, and biochemical functions of living organisms Phytology, the study of plants; botany Phytopathology ("Plant pathology"), the study of plant diseases Phytosociology, the study of the ecology of plant communities Piphilology, the mnemonic practice of writing sentences such that the numbers of letters in the words correspond to the consecutive digits of pi Planetology, the study of planets and solar systems; more commonly called Planetary science Planktology, the study of plankton Pneumology, a synonym of Pulmonology Polemology, the study of war in an interdisciplinary context. Pomology, the scientific study and cultivation of fruits Posology, the study of drug dosage Primatology, the study of primates Proctology, the study of the hind regions (rectum, anus, colon and pelvic floor) of the body Psephology, the study, especially statistical, of elections. Psychobiology, the study and psychology of organisms with regard to their functions and structures Psychology, the study of mental processes in living creatures Psychopathology, the study of the mental processes within mental illness or disorders Psychopharmacology, the study of psychotropic or psychiatric drugs Psychophysiology, the study of the physiological bases of psychological processes Pulmonology, the specialty in medicine that deals with diseases of the lungs and the respiratory tract R Radiology, the study of rays, usually ionising radiation Redology, the study of the classical Chinese literary masterpiece Dream of the Red Chamber Reflexology, originally the study of reflexes or of reflex responses; but see also non-study list Rheology, the study of flow Rheumatology, the study of rheumatic diseases, a branch of medicine Rhinology, the study of the nose and its diseases Ripperology, the study of Jack the Ripper and the crimes associated with him S Sarcology, a subsection of anatomy that studies the soft parts. It includes myology, angiology, neurology, and splanchnology Scatology, the study of feces Scientology, the applied religious philosophy created by American writer L. Ron Hubbard Sedimentology, a branch of geology that studies sediments. Seismology, the study of earthquakes Selenology, the study of the moon Semiology, the study of signs Semitology, the study of Semitic cultures Serology, the study of blood serum Serpentology, the study of snakes Sexology, the study of sex Sindonology, the study of the Shroud of Turin Sinology, the study of China Sitiology, dietetics, the study of diet. Also, a treatise on diet. Also spelled "sitology" Sociology, the study of society Sociobiology, the study of the effect of evolution on ethology Somnology, the study of sleep, also: hypnology Somatology, study of human characteristics Soteriology the study of the doctrine of salvation, especially as related to Christianity Sovietology, the study of communist Soviet Union Speleology, the study or exploration of caves Sporalogy, a parody of astrology Stemmatology, a discipline that attempts to reconstruct the transmission of a text (especially a text in manuscript form) on the basis of relations between the various surviving manuscripts Stomatology, study of the mouth and its diseases. Sumerology, the study of the Sumerians. Symbology, the study and interpretation of symbols, or a set of symbols. Also used for types of barcodes Symptomatology, the study of symptoms Synecology, the study of the ecological interrelationships among communities of organisms Syphilology, the study of syphilis T Taxology, a synonym for taxonomy Technology, the study of the practical arts (but see above) Teleology, the study of ends or final causes Teratology, the study of wonders, or monsters Terminology, the usage and study of terms. Thanatology, the study of physical, psychological and social problems associated with dying. Thermology, the study of heat. Theology, the study of religion Tibetology, the study of Tibet Tocology, the study of childbirth, sometimes spelled "tokology". Tonology, the study of intonation in speech Topology, the mathematical study of closeness and connectedness Toxicology, the study of poisons Traumatology, the study of wounds and injuries caused by accidents or assaults and their surgical treatment and repair; a branch of medicine Tribology, the study of friction and lubrication Trichology, the study of hair and scalp Typology, the study of classification U Urology, the study and treatment of diseases of the urogenital tract, a branch of medicine. Sometimes spelled "ourology". Ufology, the study of Unidentified flying object (UFO) phenomena. V Vaccinology, the study of vaccines Venereology, the study of venereal diseases Vexillology, the study of flags Victimology, the study of victims of crime, often applied to characterizing the criminal Virology, the study of viruses Volcanology (also spelled vulcanology), the study of volcanoes and related phenomena (traps) X Xenobiology, the study of non-terrestrial life Xylology, the study of wood Z Zooarchaeology, the study and analysis of animal remains at archaeological sites to reconstruct relationships between people, animals, and their environment (also see Archaeozoology) Zoology, the study of animals Zoopathology ("Animal pathology"), the study of animal diseases Zymology, the study of fermentation Ologies that are not fields of study Words ending in -ology that are not fields of study, and thus not "ologies" in the sense of this article, are: Anthology, a collection of literary pieces (such as poems). Apology a statement of regret. an explanation for or justification of beliefs. Arcology - enormous habitat (hyperstructure) of extremely high human population density. Chronology is the arrangement or setting out of past events in order of occurrence; the recording of historical events in date sequence. Cosmetology, the art and career of using cosmetics to improve beauty. Dilogy is ambiguous or equivocal speech, or a work composed in two parts (see trilogy) Docimology, a treatise on the art of testing, e.g. in assaying metals. Doxology, a spoken or sung end of a prayer. Eulogy, though not an -ology, is a commemoration of a person's life at his/her funeral. Hagiology is literature dealing with the life of a saints|saint or, indeed, any revered person, a biography of an individual, rather than a study of saints, sainthood or saintliness in general. Heterology, a dissimilarity of parts often attributable to a difference in origin. Homology (biology)|Homology, a similarity often atributable to common origin Ideology, sometimes spelled idealogy, is a system of ideas about politics, human life or culture. Kibology, joke religion worshiping Kibo. Menology, a register of months, or a calendar of the lives of the saints for each day of the year. Necrology, a list of people who have died, especially in the recent past or during a specific period. Philology, the historical study of languages. This is not a ology in the strict sense, because it is not the study (-ologia) of love (philo-), but the love (philo-) of literature (logia). Phraseology is the way words are put together, therefore the style guide|style being used in a Sentence (linguistics)|sentence, or the set of phrases or the choice of words used by any particular group of people, or a type of register (linguistics)|register that reflects the form of language used in a certain social situation in which particular subjects are being discussed. Piphilology seems to be a borderline case with some aspects of a field of study, but not a scientific discipline. Reflexology, alternative method of massage, manipulative therapy|therapy or pressure on certain points of the sole of the feet as a means of relieving nervous tension. Scientology, the belief system/cult religion founded by L. Ron Hubbard, self-described as a study of knowledge. Tautology (logic)|Tautology, a self-affirming truth. Terminology, a set of words and/or phrases, usually in relation to some particular canon or field of study e.g. 'mathematical terminology'. Tetralogy of Fallot, an abnormality of the heart consisting of four deformities that often occur together. Trilogy (although not strictly an -ology) is a body of writing in three parts, as tetralogy is that in four parts. Other words such as pentalogy, hexalogy, and heptalogy or septology cover larger series. Tropology, the use of tropes in speech or writing. A Zumology is a treatise on the fermentation of liquors. [[Category:Greek suffixes|ology]] [[Category:Lists]] [[Category:Glossaries]]

Done. —Hasley 20:04, 16 March 2020 (UTC)

Edit request from Friendliest Post-it

consider adding Anthrozoology, as it is a field of study as well. FriendliestPost-it (discuss • contribs) 21:04, 10 January 2024 (UTC)