Materials and Methods (or just Methods): Describing How We Did What We Did

1. Materials and Methods (or just Methods): Describing How We Did What We Did Today’s agenda: Discuss the purpose and structure of the Materials and Methods section. Examine the Materials and Methods sections of the papers that students chose. How are they similar and different? What works and what does not? In-class exercise: Take “mock methods” and improve them.

2. Materials and Methods • Need to provide sufficient detail to allow a reader to envision what was done and to repeat the procedures if needed. • The difference between trivial and critical details may depend on the goals of the study. • Sub-sections (indicated by subtitles) may be useful for organization (e.g., field sampling and lab procedures, etc.).

3. Materials and Methods Some rules: Always use the past tense.

4. Materials and Methods Some rules: Always use the past tense. Be organized: subheadings can help the reader, especially if the paper has discrete parts such as lab and field work, data and models, etc.

5. Materials and Methods Some rules: Always use the past tense. Be organized: subheadings can help the reader, especially if the paper has discrete parts such as lab and field work, data and models, etc. Subheadings should differ in font and position from major headings.

6. Materials and Methods Some rules: Always use the past tense. Be organized: subheadings can help the reader, especially if the paper has discrete parts such as lab and field work, data and models, etc. Subheadings should differ in font and position from major headings. The reader should be able to see, in his or her mind’s eye, the activity, and should be able to recreate what was done. This allows readers to decide whether or not what we did was legitimate, and allows them to replicate the study or experiment as much as possible. If a reader could not understand what you did and could not replicate it, there is insufficient detail.

7. Materials and Methods Some rules: Always use the past tense. Be organized: subheadings can help the reader, especially if the paper has discrete parts such as lab and field work, data and models, etc. Subheadings should differ in font and position from major headings. The reader should be able to see, in his or her mind’s eye, the activity, and should be able to recreate what was done. This allows readers to decide whether or not what we did was legitimate, and allows them to replicate the study or experiment as much as possible. If a reader could not understand what you did and could not replicate it, there is insufficient detail. How much detail is too much? It depends on the nature of the study. What is trivial for one study may be essential for another. Date and time, place, type of net, boat, etc., can all be important or not.

8. Maps, diagrams (e.g., of a net or other piece of gear), and other figures can help describe the methods. A map or chart might show not only the location of the lake, for example, but also the sampling sites. Often maps need multiple panels to show the location at different spatial scales. A diagram of an apparatus such as a Y-maze for evaluating behavioral choices can be very informative and save space compared to text. A diagram can often be improved by the addition of a line drawing, e.g., of the organism or something similar.

9. In-class activity: Now let’s examine the Materials and Methods sections of the published papers that you chose. How are they similar and different? What works and what does not?

10. In-class activity: We will examine several Methods sections from “mock papers” and edit them as a class. Try to participate fully—we are all trying to improve the papers and in doing so learn things that will help us in our own writing.

11. In-class activity: We will now each examine the Methods section of a “mock paper” and edit it individually. Try to be objective and constructive. Make changes that you think are needed, and pose questions or make comments on things that are not clear. Remember, the goal is clear, concise, fluid writing.

12. Assignment: Draft the Methods section of your paper, using your published paper to guide you. Read pages 71–76 in the book.