Writing The Methodology Section Of A Research Paper
The time has arrived for you to write your dissertation, whether you are a graduate, or an undergraduate student, the question remains the same. How do I articulate what I am going to write about, and ensure that it falls in line with academic standards? This is referred to as the methodology.
The methodology is the most important part of your paper; it is here where you will expound upon the expansive philosophical foundation to your preferred research methods. You will also discuss whether you are using quantitative, or qualitative methods, a combination of both, and why you have chosen to do so. The methodology will focus on two main points:
- The way in which your data was analyzed
- The way in which your data was generated
Providing basic answers for your reasoning will not suffice, you will need to provide a comprehensive overview concerning the academic basis for your choices.
WHAT TO INCLUDE
Include enough information that someone else could repeat the experiment and reproduce the same result. It is imperative that you thoroughly explain how and why you collected and analysed your data. The readers need to know why you chose a particular research method over the others. They also need to know that the way in which the data was collected or generated is valid in that field of study.
You are always going to experience complications during the process of data collection. Detail the problems that you faced, and how you were able to overcome them.
Include your overall demographic profile of the specimen population; such as gender, age, and racial profile. When animals are used in the study; include the species, sex, strain, and age.
Explain the collection process of the samples by answering the following questions:
- How were the samples prepared?
- Did you use randomised techniques?
Explain how measurements were made by discussing your calculation methods.
Describe any equipment and materials that were used in the research process.
CONCLUSION
Your methodology and the particular methods you chose to use in your research are imperative to its success. Maximise your time on this section to ensure that you perfect it.
A thesis counts for a large percentage of your overall grade; therefore do not attempt to get it done at the last minute. Spend time with your supervisor so that they can assist you in making the required adjustments to get you the best results.