The Methods part of a research article serves as a road map to the research’s core, guiding readers through the authors’ actual trip to their destination. The descriptive quality of this section may make it appear to be one of the simplest sections to write in a manuscript. However, due to its highly technical character, this is also the portion where details are frequently overlooked while writing and reading.
The Essential parts of the Materials and Method Section
The goal of the Method Section is to answer the following:
- What kind of research did you conduct?
- How did you gather your data?
- How to analyze your data?
- What are the Research tools or materials you used?
- What is your justification for using these techniques?
How to structure the Method Section?
All experiments should be given logically, allowing the reader to follow the study’s progression. The following list shows how researchers performed in clinical trials:
- The study’s setting and duration (the start and end dates)
- Details of patient recruitment (number of patients)
- Study design (prospective, retrospective)
- Randomization (if any)
- Grouping, Intervention
- The techniques used to collect, measure and analyze data.
Tips to Write the Method Section
Concentrate on your goals and research queries.
The methodology portion of your paper should explain why your methods are appropriate for your objectives and persuade the reader that you chose the best strategy to solve your problem and answer your research questions. Relate your choices to the core aim of your dissertation throughout the section.
Cite any relevant sources.
Reference to previous research on the topic can help you strengthen the technical nature of the research paper, such as
- Verify that you followed standard procedures for doing this type of study.
- Discuss in detail the various techniques before deciding on your strategy.
- Demonstrate that you used an innovative methodology to fill a gap in the literature.
Write for your intended audience.
Think about how much information you need to provide, and don’t go into too much detail. You probably don’t need to give a lot of background or rationale if you’re employing industry-standard practices. However, if you use a method that isn’t widely used in your profession, you may have to explain and justify your methodological choices. In either instance, your methodology should be a well-structured, detailed document that argues for your approach rather than a collection of technical information and procedures.
Discuss the difficulties.
Explain how to solve any problems you encountered when collecting or analyzing data. Demonstrate how you handled any unexpected difficulties. Prevent major criticisms of your method by demonstrating that you conducted the research as thoroughly as possible.
Conclusion
The Methods section of an ideal paper attempts to transparently convey scientific knowledge while also establishing the study’s robustness. The reader will understand, interpret, and repeat your studies by writing a strong Methods section. The most influential area of the paper is the Methods section. Authors should constantly remember to prepare a draught that lists all elements, have others examine it, and update it to remove unnecessary material.