Method

Method Section

IMRAD Outline

  • Introduction

    1. Provide research question

    2. Explain significance

    3. Review background or known information on topic

  • Methods

    1. Describe methods for gathering information

    2. Explain sources of information (primary and secondary)

  • Results

    1. Describe findings from research

    2. Develop each point thoroughly (main section of paper)

  • Discussion

    1. Explain significance of findings

    2. Describe how findings support thesis

    3. Discuss limitations of research

Research Design

  • Sample and Setting

  • Instrument

  • Data Collection

  • Data Analysis

  • Ethical Consideration

Methodology Section

  • Method-Quantitative

  • Research Design

    • Experimental or Non-Experimental (types of experiments: between-subjects or Solomon 4-group)

Sample and Setting

  • Details about participants (age, gender, etc.) and selection process

  • Report major demographic characteristics (age, sex, ethnicity, socioeconomic status)

  • Important topic-specific characteristics (e.g., educational achievement levels)

  • Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria

    • Any restrictions based on demographic characteristics

  • Sampling Design

  • Sample Size

  • Randomization example

  • Setting: Location of the study (e.g., lab, school)

Research Design/Method

  • Minimum sample size suggestions based on design:

    • Correlational: 64 participants (one-tailed), 82 participants (two-tailed)

    • Causal-comparative: 51 participants per group (one-tailed), 64 participants (two-tailed)

    • Experimental: 21 participants per group (one-tailed)

    • Case Study: 3-5 participants

    • Phenomenological: 10 interviews; 6 interviews

    • Grounded Theory: 15-20 to 20-30

    • Ethnography: 1 cultural group; 30-50 interviews

    • Ethological: 100-200 units of observation

Apparatus

  • Materials used in the experiment (e.g., timer, bell)

  • Instrument: Tools for data collection and their reliability/validity

  • Author details (standardized or self-made)

  • Tool type (unidimensional, bi-factor, higher-order factor)

Questionnaire Types

  1. Statement

  2. List

  3. Yes/No answer

  4. Agree/Disagree with a statement

  5. Choose from list options

  6. Rank order

  7. Likert scale for degree of agreement/disagreement

  8. Rate items (significant to very significant)

  9. Feelings about a topic (boring – interesting)

Procedure

  • Data Collection: Methods for gathering data, testing times, pilot testing info

    • Seek permission, data cleaning, and tabulation

  • Data Analysis: Methods of analysis, statistical methods used (e.g., t-tests), software, and assumptions applied (descriptive, inferential)

Checklist for Basic Statistics

  1. Clarity on type of data (nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio)

  2. Appropriateness of statistical procedure for collected data

  3. Met conditions/assumptions for selected statistical analysis

  4. Size of data sufficient for analysis

Ethical Considerations

  • How study adhered to ethical guidelines (informed consent, confidentiality, debriefing, protection from harm)

Ethical Considerations Details

  • Consent form elements (identity of researcher, research overview, investigation details, expected tasks, participant contribution, time commitment, rewards/incentives, withdrawal rights, data confidentiality)

  • Signature and date for participants and counter signature with date.