The methods section of a research paper provides the information by which a study’s validity is judged. Therefore, it requires a clear and precise description of how an experiment was done, and the rationale for why specific experimental procedures were chosen The methods section is the most important aspect of a research experimental procedures chosen. It must be written paper because it provides the information by which enough information so that: (1) the experiment could Richard H Kallet MSc RRT FAARC is affiliated with the Cardiovascular Examples of method sections. Growth rates were determined by estimating the number of bacteria in a culture at zero time and after 1 hour of growth at 37°C. In order to make this estimation, a dilution series was performed by diluting aliquots of the bacterial culture, at each incubation time, by a factor of 10, , and 10 with nutrient broth
What is the Methods section of a research paper? - Time to write
Go to Kolabtree How It Works Find an Expert. In this article freelance medical writer for Kolabtree Laura Moro-MartinMSc, PhD, provides tips to write the methods section of a research paper, along with common errors methods section of research paper example avoid.
The Methods section of a research article reports what you did and what you used to perform your research. It describes the tools and processes that enabled you to meet the objectives stated in the Introduction. The Methods section, depending on the field and the journal, can also be called Materials and MethodsProceduresMethodologyExperimentsor other similar terms.
It is better to write the Methods section—at least a first version of it—while performing or immediately upon completion of the experiment. But do not get the wrong idea!
Although the Methods could be one of the easiest sections to write, it often happens that some details are missed or that experimental procedures that seem very clear for you are not that obvious for the reader.
Therefore, the main goals of the Methods section are to present the experimental design, to allow the reader to interpret your results, and to give enough detail to replicate your work. Regarding the structure, this section starts with general information applying to the entire manuscript for example, study population, sample collection, sample site, animal models, etc.
and then goes on to specific experimental details. The Methods section should include:. Writing the Methods section may seem a tedious task. However, a well-written methodology section enhances your chances of publication and strengthens the conclusions of your work, so it is worth investing time in meticulous writing. Take into account that this section is closely scrutinized by the journal editors and peer reviewers.
The key for a great Methods section is to include all the relevant information without providing excessive or unnecessary detail. Be detailed but concise. Here you have a few more tips:, methods section of research paper example.
For example, in the case of a randomized clinical trial, you will need to follow methods section of research paper example CONSORT Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials guideline or, when writing a systematic review, the PRISMA Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guideline. The Methods methods section of research paper example should follow the order of the results generated through those experimental procedures.
You need to explain the methodology that you applied to obtain all the experimental observations. Creating a flowchart figure describing the different steps, in particular in the case of complex study designs or experimental procedures, can be of help for the reader. This is probably one of the parts of the Methods section creating more problems among researchers in the life and medical sciences.
The statistical analysis should be thoroughly described at the end of the Methods section, without the need to reiterate them in the Results section. Since the statistical analysis crucially determines the study findings, you will need to explain their rationale in detail. You need to specify the variables, not only the control, independent, and dependent variables, but also potential extraneous variables that might influence the results of your study.
In particular, you need to include the specific tests used for the different types of data, the prerequisites e. The specific software used for statistical analyses should be always mentioned, methods section of research paper example. If in doubt, you can consult the biostatistician of your team to receive help to write this subsection. The Methods section requires a specific type of discourse that is not found in other parts of the article, and it should read as if you were verbally describing the conduct of the experiment.
Think that readers will be learning from you, so they should be able not only to understand and accept your procedure but also to repeat it and obtain similar results. Take into account the specific readership of the journal to adapt the technical jargon you may need to provide explanations for some technicisms.
The Methods section usually requires the use of third person and passive constructions. This section is always written in the past tense since the work that you are reporting has been already done.
Selecting a few good articles from your field as models is always a good idea to improve your scientific writing.
In particular, you may want to choose a few articles published in your target journal covering topics similar to yours, and that you think are particularly well written.
Read them carefully and observe how the Methods section is structured, and the type and amount of information provided. Reading and learning from others is always a good starting point to write your paper. Before submitting your manuscript, you need to ask yourself a few questions to be sure that your Methods section is complete and understandable.
Is there enough information to allow the reproduction of the experiments? Is there unnecessary information that can be eliminated without affecting the interpretation? Have we mentioned all the necessary references, all the controls, and the source of the reagents?
Reflect on the answers and decide whether your Methods still need further improvement. There are several mistakes that frequently occur when drafting the Methods section of a paper. Here we have collected a few examples:.
In summary, writing a good Methods section will help you to establish the robustness of your study by making the reader able to understand, interpret, and replicate your experiments. Do not underestimate it… and of course, good writing! Need help to write the methods section of your research paper? Consult freelance scientific editors on Kolabtree or access statistical review services from experts.
Kolabtree helps businesses worldwide hire experts on demand. Our freelancers have helped companies publish research papers, develop products, analyze data, and more. It only takes a minute to tell us what you need done and get quotes from experts for free. Laura Moro-Martin is an experienced science writer and scientific consultant with a solid background in health and biomedical research. She methods section of research paper example more than 10 years of experience in biotechnology and biomedical research, mainly in infectious diseases and cancer.
She has a PhD in Medicine and a Master in Science Communication and Journalism. She was awarded a Marie Curie postdoctoral researcher in She has been a freelance scientific-medical writer or advisor and can consult on projects involving grant writing and project proposals H and SBIRdigital news, monographic articles, scientific editing, systematic reviews, educational materials online Master'sand others.
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Writing the 'Research Methods' Section of Your Paper
, time: 10:10How to Write a Method Section of an APA Paper
The methods section of a research paper provides the information by which a study’s validity is judged. Therefore, it requires a clear and precise description of how an experiment was done, and the rationale for why specific experimental procedures were chosen The methods section is the most important aspect of a research experimental procedures chosen. It must be written paper because it provides the information by which enough information so that: (1) the experiment could Richard H Kallet MSc RRT FAARC is affiliated with the Cardiovascular Examples of method sections. Growth rates were determined by estimating the number of bacteria in a culture at zero time and after 1 hour of growth at 37°C. In order to make this estimation, a dilution series was performed by diluting aliquots of the bacterial culture, at each incubation time, by a factor of 10, , and 10 with nutrient broth
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