Writing the Methods

Research Methods
This section of the paper is important in evaluating the research proposal. Materials and

procedure should be valid and reliable. The primary consideration taken when evaluating

research methods is its capability of being replicated or reproduced. Meaning it will easily guide

other researchers and can replicate the methods that you did.

Contents of the Methodology

This section will include the following:
1. All processes done during actual experimentation
2. All materials and amount used in the study
3. Description of experimental and control set ups
4. Kind of data gathered
5. Number of trials and replicates done
6. Description of the sample and reference population
7. Management of sample plants and or animals
8. Sampling technique
9. Identification and classification of variables
10. Chemical, physical and microbial analysis of samples
11. Manner of data collection, organization and processing
12. Statistical analysis (test of significance)
13. Limitation in the methods that have been discovered during the study
Consideration in terms of format:

• The methodology is written in paragraph form

• There is no list of materials that will be written but the materials are also

embodied in the body of the research procedure.

• The amounts of the materials are indicated as the procedure is discussed. Amount

come with units or dimensions.

• The heading and subheading of the research methods are written such that it can

easily be referred to with the statement of the problem and the results of the

experiment.

• Phases and subphases in the experimentation may be written to guide readers of

the flow of the research.

• The procedure should be written in the proper order it was conducted.

• Standard procedures are not discussed in detail anymore.

• Photographs may be included, and flowchart are used to illustrate the procedure.

Not only that the procedure must be written in detail but the researcher must also

consider the potentially hazardous agents as well as materials and substances. The detailed

characteristics of substances can be found on the Material Safety Data Sheet of the given

substance. Make sure that hazardous substance will be handled appropriately.

Written Work 1: Writing the Methods

Activity 1.1: Writing the Procedure

You are given a set of material and procedure written in a recipe type form. Translate or

transform this set of materials and procedure into a PARAGRAPH form observing the proper

format in writing the methods using passive voice. Write you answer on the space provided. If

the space provided is not enough, use a separate sheet of A4 size bond paper and attach it.

PAPER CHROMATOGRAPHY

Materials:
• Chromatography paper (stationary phase). We Use the FILTER PAPER.
• Chromatography chamber. One (1) liter glass jar will do. BEAKER.
• Paper clip.
• Skewer (or pencil) or bamboo stick
• Water soluble black marker(s).
• Scissors and ruler
• Solvents (mobile phase). There are many different solvents and their
combinations you'll need to try. We used: water, vinegar, acetone and rubbing
alcohol (70% isopropyl).
Procedure:
• Cut the chromatography strip out of the coffee filter (or other paper, see above).
• The length of the strip depends on the height of the chamber the width does not matter but
it should be able freely get in the chromatography chamber.
• Draw a pencil line one inch from the bottom of the strip. It will be you start line. For our
black marker experiment draw short line along the start line. If you're trying to separate
something else put your sample(s) on the start line with small capillary or toothpick.
• Pour solvent into the chromatography chamber (beaker) just to cover the bottom.
• Put the strip of the chromatography paper with sample(s) in the chromatography chamber,
so that bottom of the strip touches the solvent. Important! Start line should stay above the
solvent!
• You'll see how solvent "climbs" up the strip dragging the sample with it. Watch color spot
going up the strip and possibly separating on individual components.
• Remove paper from the chamber when solvent front are inch or two away from the top or
if it doesn't move up any more.
• Mark where the solvent front is and where are the middle of the color spots (if you lucky to
get any).
• Measure the distant of the solvent front from the origin.
• Take a photo of the results. Record.

Write your methods here:

Write your methods here:
Activity 1.2 Flowchart

Write the FLOWCHART and the METHODOLOGY for the given problem below. You can refer to the
other lessons in this module when answering this section Write you answer on the space provided. If the
space provided is not enough, use a separate sheet of A4 size bond paper and attach it.

Suppose you will conduct a study to determine the effectiveness of different colors of light
in length of time to hatch chicken eggs.

FLOWCHART METHODOLOGY

Category 10 7 4 1
Identifies an Methods for collecting Methods for Methods for collecting Methods for
appropriate and analyzing data are collecting and and analyzing data are collecting and
research design thoroughly discussed analyzing data are minimally discussed analyzing data to
to carry out relative to the research generally discussed relative to the research support research
research project objectives. relative to the objectives. objectives are
Key variables and/or research objectives Variables and/or not discussed.
unit(s) of analysis Variables and/or unit(s) of analysis are Variables and/or
relevant to the research unit(s) of analysis somewhat unit(s) of
problem and objectives are incorporated into incorporated into the analysis are not
are succinctly research design research design relevant to the
incorporated into the Sampling method, Sampling method, research problem
research design instrumentation and instrumentation and or objectives
Sampling method, time frame of the time frame of the Sampling
instrumentation, and research project are research project are method,
time frame of the identified instrumentation
research. and time frame
projects are well defined of the research
project are
poorly
Writing Exemplary Is well written and Adequate writing Writing is
writing quality coherently organized quality confusing
Components are Few grammatical, Organized but tends to Structure is
connected in a seamless punctuation, and/or discuss papers in disorganized
way spelling errors succession. Many
No grammatical, Several grammatical, grammatical,
punctuation, punctuation, and/or punctuation,
and/or errors spelling errors and/or spelling
errors