The Method Section
Assignment/Instructions
The Method section provides all the details for your proposed study. The Method section is
specific and detailed. A reader should be able to replicate your study using only the information
provided in this section. Remember you are proposing the study, it has not been conducted yet,
thus, write in future tense,
Review the PowerPoint for more detailed information about what a Method section consists of
and what should be included under each subheading
Instructions: You are to write a complete Method section in enough detail so that someone else
could replicate your study knowing only what is in your Method section.
The length of your method section will vary depending on how complex your proposed study
design is, but you should have a minimum of 3 pages, double -spaced. Ultimately, you want
your Method section to include everything you need to answer your research question.
Your Method section is to be typed in 12-point, Times New Roman font, Double-spaced, and
formatted according to APA style guidelines:
Method should be in bold and centered on the page
Each subsection should be headed. The subheadings should be bolded and flush left to
the page.
The following subheadings should be included in your Method section (see rubric for specifics
for each section)
Participants – provides information about the participants involved in the study
Design – describes the overall design of the study
Procedure – details how the study will be carried out in chronological order
Measures – describes the measures and items used in the study and properly cites them
Note: Towards the end of the participant subsection, include the following statement:
“All participants involved in the study will provide informed consent and all procedures
are approved by the University of Houston Institutional Review Board”
Towards the end of the procedure subsection, provide a statement on how participants
will be debriefed at the conclusion of the study.
Rubric
Grading Criteria
Participants Subsection
- How many participants in the study? How many in each group or
condition? *You should have a minimum of 30 participants*
- How were participants recruited? From what populations?
- What are the participants demographics (i.e. age, sex, ethnicity,
education level, etc.)
- Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria?
- Will participants be compensated?
- Statement of Informed Consent?
Possible Points
20 Points
Design Subsection
- What are the variables? Clearly state them and how they are
operationally defined
- What type of design will be used?
- Explain how the data will be analyzed. What scale was used? How are
the responses measured? What do the scores indicate?
20 Points
Procedure Subsection
- State what will happen in your study and to your participants in
chronological order
- How will the participants be selected and assigned to groups?
- What will the typical time participants were in the study? ( how long
will each step of the study take and how long will it be in total?)
- Statement on how participants will be debriefed after the experiment
Measures Subsection
- What measures/tests/instruments will you use? Describe them along
with their appropriate citation
o name of measure, its abbreviation, citation, description of what it
assesses, number of items (questions), subscales, what type of
responses are possible, what do high or low scores indicate
- If information is available, mention their reliability and validity
- if possible, include sample items
Provided enough details, enough so that the study could be replicated
Correct APA formatting
- Method is centered and in bold
- subsections are headed in bold and flush left to the page
- 12-point, Times New Roman font, double-spaced
- Written in future tense
Total
20 Points
20 Points
10 Points
10 Points
100 Points