"Indirect methods" refers to approaches or techniques that are not direct or straightforward. It means finding alternative ways or taking a roundabout approach to solve a problem or achieve a goal. Full definition
Moving on to the second requirement which was a customer thinking of the brand in a time of a new need, there are direct and indirect methods of supporting this. (blog.kissmetrics.com)
The «pursuit of happiness» would thus seem best accomplished by indirect methods. (scientificamerican.com)
Additional methods calculate insulin sensitivity, generally from glucose and insulin response data, and are considered indirect methods. (resistantstarchresearch.com)