Chapter 3: Methodology

The Methodology (aka Materials and Methods) describes in detail how you conducted your research. Meticulous attention must be given to the level of detail in this section for two reasons: there must be sufficient detail to allow for other researchers to duplicate your work, and, given that you are not yet an established researcher, you must prove your research capabilities.

• The methods are written in the past tense, as a thesis is a report on what was done.
• Use precise words and sentences.
• The Methodology is not a step-by-step laboratory manual, and so the pronoun "you" is not to be used.
• Identify and define the materials used such that the reader could obtain the same materials.
• Use a logical order when describing the methods, such as chronological. Related methods can be described together.
• Common statistical and laboratory methods need not be described but should be identified with a reference to a standard book or research paper where the method is described.