How to Write the Methods Section of your Research Paper? The “Methods” section of a research paper contains the essential details for other scientists to replicate the study and helps the common readers understand the study better.
1
EXPLAIN EARLY Each paragraph or subsection of the “Methods” section talks about a specific experiment. So, begin your paragraph by explaining the rationale behind your choices for a particular experiment.
2
USE VISUAL ELEMENTS Visual elements like schematic diagrams, flowcharts, and tables help the readers follow and understand your study design better. They also break the monotony in the medical paper writing.
3
ADHERE TO THE GUIDELINES OF YOUR JOURNAL Read the guidelines of your target journal carefully and follow the specific instructions.
4
TELL THE STORY OF YOUR RESEARCH Narrate each experiment of your study in a chronological order to help readers retrace the gradual development of your research and its results.
5
USE SUBHEADINGS Divide the “Methods” section in terms of the experiments to help the readers follow the section better. You may write the name of the experiment or its specific objective as a subheading.
6
PROVIDE ALL THE DETAILS Provide all the details of your study including the description of the materials, equipment or stimuli used in the experiment and the variables used (dependent, independent, and extraneous).
7
MENTION THE ETHICAL APPROVAL If your study involves approval by the ethics committee or institutional review board, or an informed consent from the patients or the guardians, mention it in the “Methods” section.
8
WRITE THE STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Describe all the statistical tests, levels of significance, and software packages used to conduct the statistical analysis.
Source - https://www.cognibrain.com/how-to-write-the-methods-section-ofyour-medical-research-paper/