WEEK 9 : WORKSHOP ON METHODOLOGY (CHAPTER 3), PLIMENTARY RESULT (CHAPTER 4) & ABSTRACT WRITING

In this week we learn about creating Methodology and Abstract

METHODOLOGY

The methods section describes the rationale for the application of specific procedures or techniques used to identify, select, and analyze information applied to understand the research problem, thereby, allowing the reader to critically evaluate a study’s overall validity and reliability. The methodology section of a research paper answers two main questions: How was the data collected or generated? And, how was it analyzed? The writing should be direct and precise and always written in the past tense.

•       Readers need to know how the data/result was obtained because the method you chose affects the findings and, by extension, how you likely interpreted them.

•       There are a variety of different methods you can choose to investigate a research problem. The methodology section of your paper should clearly explain the reasons why you chose a particular procedure or technique.

•       The methodology should discuss the problems that were anticipated and the steps you took to prevent them from occurring. 

•       It is important to always provide sufficient information to allow the reader to adopt or replicate your methodology. 

ABSTRACT

What is an abstract?

•       An Abstract is a summary of the whole technical report.

•       It’s sometimes called the ‘Summary’ or the ‘Executive Summary’.

•       It comes right at the beginning of a report, on its own page, and usually after the Title page.

•       Because of the Abstract is a summary of the whole report, it’s also the last thing you will write.

What should i include?

1. Background of your project (why you did it / why the project was necessary)
2. Aim(s) of your experiment/research/project (what you were specifically trying to do)
3. What you actually did (your procedure or experimental method)
4. What you found (your results)
5. What your results mean (your conclusion)
6. Any recommendations and/or special considerations for the future (implications)
7. Any limits to how far your conclusions can be applied (limitations)