Reporting Methods
In a methods (or methodology) section, writers give an account of how they carried out their research, what was done to answer the research question (if they included one), and how the results were analysed. From a language perspective, it is important that the methodology section is both concise and clear.
A methods section, or chapter, is most common to empirical studies (in the social or natural sciences) and often includes the following components:
- Describing methods used
- e.g., reviewing the way semi-structured interviews are generally used
- e.g. reviewing the benefits and drawback of SEM microscopy
- Criticising older methods
- e.g., pointing out the limitations of structured interviews
- e.g. noting the limitations of CT microscopy which have previously been used for this type of study
- Justifying methods used
- e.g., explaining why a semi-structured interview is appropriate in this study
- e.g. explaining why SEM microscopy will provide a number of benefits over CT mircoscopy
- Describing data collection
- e.g., explaining how many semi-structured interviews were conducted and with whom
- e.g. detail the scan parameters for this study
Scholars from diverse disciplines may order the four functions above in different ways, and may also refer to them in different ways. The following suggests some ways in which a writer might structure a methods section: Structuring Methodology Sections or Chapters
[IT Note: Should we amend 'this page' for accessibility reasons, and what is recommended.]
Please also refer to our general information on organisation patterns ,for more information on how you might integrate a methodology section or chapter into your dissertation or thesis.
Oxford Methods Examples
Please follow the links below to disciplinary examples of how the above model is applied in texts written by Oxford students:
Postgraduate
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