Day 10: Materials and Methods

Materials and Methods: This combined title indicates that researchers generally describe these two aspects together when they write up their research. That is, you may want to simultaneously describe any equipment or other materials you used within each step of the procedure. This section may include the following information elements:
  • overview of the experiment
  • population/sample
  • location
  • restrictions/limiting conditions
  • sampling technique
  • **procedures
  • **materials
  • variables
  • statistical treatment
Ordering your information: If the materials are well known in your field, just identify them. However, if you specially designed or used unconventional materials, it is common to write a detailed description.
A. Overview: write one or two sentences that give a general idea of the material and purpose
B. Description of principal parts: describe each major part or characteristic
  • Spatial arrangement: Describe the features from top to bottom, front to back, left to right, center to outside...spatially (especially for equipment with various connected parts).
  • Functional arrangement: Describe the principal features in the order in which they function, from beginning to end (for parts in a fixed sequence).
C. Functional Description: show how the parts described in B function together.

Tense and voice: Verb tenses are determined by the kinds of materials being used. Verb voice depends on the specific verbs you use and whether or not you are referring to a human agent. (Tense and voice handout)

Analyze Methods:
  1. How would you describe the "pace" of the section? (slow, like Swales, or quick like Knorr-Cetina? Is it appropriate for the type of research being reported?
  2. What tense is used predominately? Mark the exceptions and explain why they vary.
  3. Describe the use of voice (active or passive verbs). Does it vary? Is there a pattern?
  4. Label the elements of your methods section like the example. How many of the same elements are present? How are they ordered?

Homework: Contract 3 discussion, final reflection (about one page)


Parts of this lesson adapted from Writing up Research, Weissberg and Bukek 1990.