Writing and Publishing Scientific Articles
4-2
You should also explain why each experiment, intervention, or analysis was performed. One easy way to do this is to begin each section that describes a type of experiment with a “to” phrase stating the rationale. For example, “To investigate wh ether the cells had acquired features of anchorage-independent growth, we assessed the ability of the cells to grow in soft agar.” In reports of basic science studies, Methods sections often begin with a description of the materials used and how they were obtained. After this preliminary information, the individual experiments are described. Sometimes, though, the information about materials is presented in the sections about each experiment rather than in a separate section at the beginning of the Methods section. Either structure can work well. In reports of retrospective clinical studies, Methods sections usually begin with a description of the source of the patient records reviewed for the study (for example, an institutional database); the criteria used to determine which patients were included and excluded; and the total number of patients ultimately included in the study. In reports of prospective clinical studies, Methods sections usually begin with a detailed description of the inclusion and exclusion criteria used to determine eligibility for the trial. The actual numbers of patients included in each of the study subgroups, however, are not reported until the beginning of the Results section.
Subheadings are a useful way to organize material in the Methods section.
On the following pages are suggested outlines for Methods sections of basic science and clinical articles. These outlines are meant to serve as useful references during the writing process.
How to Write the Methods Section: Reports of Basic Science Studies
One way to write the Methods section of a basic science study is to create paragraphs for each main topic below that applies to your study. The following order works well in many articles.
Made with FlippingBook Digital Publishing Software