How to Write a Methods Section
Write a methods section that's clear, complete, and reproducible. Examples for different research fields.
The Reproducibility Test
Ask yourself: Could another researcher replicate my study exactly from this description? If not, add more detail. The methods section is the recipe—every ingredient and step matters.
Standard Structure
Most methods sections include these components, though the order may vary by field:
Key questions to answer:
- What type of study is this? (experimental, observational, computational, etc.)
- Why did you choose this approach?
- What are the key variables?
Key questions to answer:
- How many participants/samples/data points?
- What were the inclusion/exclusion criteria?
- How were they recruited/collected/sourced?
- What are the relevant characteristics?
Key questions to answer:
- What was the sequence of events?
- What instruments or tools did you use?
- What were the specific conditions?
- Could someone replicate this exactly?
Key questions to answer:
- What were your dependent and independent variables?
- How were they measured?
- What instruments/scales did you use?
- What is the reliability/validity of these measures?
Key questions to answer:
- What statistical tests did you use?
- What software did you use?
- How did you handle missing data?
- What was your significance threshold?
Field-Specific Tips
- List all equipment with model numbers and manufacturers
- Include exact concentrations, temperatures, and durations
- Describe controls and how you ensured validity
- Report any deviations from standard protocols
- Describe your sampling strategy and justification
- Report reliability statistics for scales
- Explain how you addressed potential confounds
- Include IRB/ethics approval information
- Specify hardware and software versions
- Include hyperparameters and training details
- Describe your datasets with statistics
- Link to code repositories when possible
- Describe your theoretical framework
- Explain your coding process and categories
- Address researcher positionality
- Describe saturation and sample size rationale
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Including results in methods
Methods should only describe what you did, not what you found. Save findings for the results section.
Being too vague
Include enough detail for replication. 'Cells were incubated' → 'Cells were incubated at 37°C for 24 hours in 5% CO₂'
Justifying every choice
Only explain non-standard or controversial methodological choices. Standard methods don't need justification.
Forgetting ethical considerations
Include IRB approval, informed consent procedures, and data protection measures where relevant.
Using first person inconsistently
Pick a voice (active 'we conducted' or passive 'was conducted') and use it consistently.
Omitting analysis details
Specify software, versions, statistical tests, and how you handled missing data or outliers.
Verb Tense Guide
Use Past Tense
For describing what you did: "Participants completed a survey..." "Data were analyzed using..."
Use Present Tense
For general truths or methods that still work: "This method allows for..." "The scale measures..."
Pre-Submission Checklist
- Is the study design clearly stated?
- Are participants/samples fully described?
- Are all procedures detailed enough for replication?
- Are all measures defined with reliability data?
- Are statistical methods and software specified?
- Is ethical approval mentioned (if applicable)?
- Are controls and validity measures described?
- Is the verb tense consistent throughout?
- Does it follow your target journal's format?
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