Download Guide to Writing a Methods Section for Scientific Research and more Study notes Marine Science and Biology in PDF only on Docsity! Materials & Methods A. Style: The Methods section is not a step-by-step (“cookbook”) protocol as you might see in a lab manual. Rather, this section should read more like you are verbally describing the conduct of the experiment. Materials and Methods should ALWAYS be in paragraph form – no lists! You may use the active voice to a certain extent, although this section requires more use of passive constructions than others. Although you may choose to use the first person in this section, be VERY careful not to over-do it! Remember to use the past tense throughout the Methods section. B. Purpose: In this section you explain exactly how you carried out your study: (1) the subjects used (plants, animals, humans, etc.) and when and where the study was carried out, (2) the experimental design (how many samples were collected, replications, etc.), (3) how the experimental procedures were carried out, and (4) which statistical procedures were used to analyze your results. In general, provide enough detail (how many samples, how long did you sample) about your experimental protocol such that other scientists could reproduce your experiments. Organize your presentation so the reader will understand the flow of the experiment(s). Each experiment or procedure should be presented as a unit, even if the procedures were broken up over time. You should also indicate the statistical procedures used to analyze your results, including the probability level at which you determined significance (the α or critical value, usually at p = 0.05). C. Describe the organism(s) studied. - This might include giving the source (supplier or where collected) of your organisms - if you did an experiment, the size of your organisms, how they were handled before the experiment, what they were fed, where they were kept, etc. - In the case of a field study, include a brief description of your study organism, the date(s) of the study, and the exact location of the study area. Any other information that will pinpoint the study in time and space should also be entered, such as the time of day if it is pertinent. - Location data must be exact: “Bowdoin College Coastal Studies Center, on Orr’s Island, Harpswell, Maine”. Also include a general description of the field site(s). Someone else should be able to go to the exact spot, if they want to repeat or check your work, or just to visit your study area. D. When using standard methods, instrumentation, and statistical calculations and tests, it is not always necessary to explain the procedures (e.g., serial dilution) or equipment used (e.g., autopipetter) since other scientists will likely be familiar with these already. - You may want to identify certain types of equipment by brand or category (e.g., ultracentrifuge vs. prep centrifuge). - When using a method described in another published source, you can save time and words by referring to it and providing a citation. Be sure to describe any modification of a standard method.
