3. This section should clearly document
how the research was carried out and
the materials that were used.
Materials and Methods
4. The purpose of this section is to present
in a simple and direct manner what has
been done, how, and when, and how
the data were analyzed and presented.
Materials and Methods
5. This section should provide all the
information needed to allow another
researcher to judge the study or
actually repeat the experiment.
Materials and Methods
6. The simplest way to organize this
section is chronologically; include all
necessary information, but avoid
unnecessary details that the readers are
supposed (ought) to know.
Materials and Methods
7. It include the following:
Materials and
Methods
• Description of the study location
• Design of the experiment with number of
replications and sampling procedures
used
8. It include the following:
Materials and
Methods
• Plants or animals involved, with exact descriptions
(genus, species, strain, cultivar, line, etc.); include
Latin names in italics, even for common plants,
upon first mention in text (e.g., maize or corn, Zea
mays L.)
9. It include the following:
Materials and
Methods
• Materials used, with exact technical specifications and
quantities and their source or method of preparation. Generic
or chemical names are better than trade names, which may not
be universally recognized. Some journals as well as companies
require that the company’s name is included in parentheses
after the material is mentioned
10. It include the following:
Materials and
Methods
• Statistical and mathematical procedures used
to analyze and summarize the data.
11. Pay special attention to ensure:
Materials and
Methods
• Ambiguities in abbreviations or names are
avoided
• All quantities are in standard units
12. Pay special attention to ensure:
Materials and
Methods
• All chemicals are specifically identified so that
another scientist can match them exactly in
repeating the work
• Every step is explained, including the number
of replications
13. Pay special attention to ensure:
Materials and
Methods
• All techniques are described, at least by name
if they are standard, or in as much detail as
needed if you have modified a standard
technique or devised a new one
14. Pay special attention to ensure:
Materials and
Methods
• Irrelevant and unnecessary information that
does not relate to the results or confuses the
reader is avoided.
20. Materials and
Methods
• How did you collect, measure, and analyze the
data?
• Use subheading to enable skimming
• Skimming is reading rapidly in order to get a
general overview of the material read.
21. Common subheadings include:
Materials and
Methods
• Participants – number, criteria for selecting,
relevant demographic information
• Research Sample – what you collected and
criteria
23. Common subheadings include:
Materials and
Methods
• Procedures
Observations – How did you go about observing?
How did you keep records? Under what circumstances
did you do your observations?
24. Common subheadings include:
Materials and
Methods
• Procedures
Interviews – How did you record the interviews? How
did you develop your interview questions?
26. Common subheadings include:
Materials and
Methods
• Analysis – how was the data analyzed?
Include formulas, statistical procedures, and
equations, etc.
