Methods section

How it is used

It typically describes the design, participants, materials or instruments, procedure and data analysis. The heading varies: APA uses Method, the life sciences use Materials and Methods, and a thesis usually has a Methodology chapter. It is mostly written in the past tense.

Example sentences

1. The methods section should give enough detail for another team to replicate the study.

2. Reviewer 2 asked us to move the ethics statement to the methods section.

Common collocations

• in the methods section
• describe in the methods section
• detailed methods section
• materials and methods

Related terms

• methodologyThe overall approach and reasoning behind how a study is done, including the choice of design, methods, data and analysis, and the reasons for those choices.
• IMRaDIntroduction, Methods, Results and Discussion: the standard four-part structure of empirical research articles, especially in the sciences.
• data collectionThe process of gathering information for a study, for example through questionnaires, interviews, observations, tests or existing records.
• participantA person who takes part in a study, for example by answering a questionnaire, being interviewed or completing an experiment.

More terms: Thesis and Article Structure

• abstract
• thesis
• dissertation
• paper
• conclusion
• discussion
• draft
• limitation
• proofread
• introduction
• keyword
• appendix