BIOL4905
Molecular Parasitology (Ulrich)
Spring 2015
Final Report: Methods and Discussion, First Draft
Below we give guidance specific to writing the methods and discussion sections. In addition
to developing these new sections, the draft of the full final paper should also reflect
improvements to the introduction and results.
--------------------What is the goal of the methods section? To describe, with a sufficient amount of detail, the
experiments conducted in the research project. This includes all bioinformatics analysis and
molecular techniques. This section should be organized in a logical order with each experiment
flowing into the next.
How should I write the methods section? Write this section clearly and concisely and in a
manner that allows the reader to reproduce the experiments that you conducted. Before writing
this section refer to the peer-reviewed articles to determine the level of detail that is required.
Guidelines and questions to ask yourself as you write the methods section:
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Required—this section must be written in past tense
Have I cited my bioinformatics tools (including excel)? Are all citations correct format?
Are PCR cycling parameter (including primer sequences) written out in a logical manner?
Is the pJET cloning kit properly cited?
Have I included analysis parameters for each bioinformatics tool used?
Does this section have subsections with descriptive titles?
Does the method section follow the same layout, topical arrangement, and general "flow"
of the results section?
Does all material in a paragraph relate to the thesis statement? If not, you need to rewrite
your thesis statement or create an additional paragraph for the disconnected topics.
Are the techniques or tools described within each paragraph cohesive? Do they “fit”
together topically?
Have I edited and re-edited/proofread and re-edited/proofread the section?
--------------------What is the goal of the discussion? This section should give context to your results in terms of
the literature discussed in your introduction. This is where it all is tied together.
How should I write the discussion section? The discussion section is not just a summary of
results. Rather, scientific writers use the discussion section to explain why your data is valuable
to the scientific community by putting your work within the context of what is already known.
This section is where relevance is assigned to your results. Your discussion section should rely
heavily on references to research literature to support your arguments.
Guidelines and questions to ask yourself as you write the discussion section:
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Be intentional in structuring the discussion. Take 10 minutes to write out a list of several
points that you want to make to your reader. What would I like my readers to know after
reading this discussion? For each of these target topics, make a list of the facts and
concepts a reader should be familiar with in order to understand this topic. Find
supportive research literature that you could cite or use to illustrate these. How do my
data and findings fit within this framework?
Did I give enough background in my intro to develop a solid argument in my discussion?
What topics and literature should be added to the introduction to serve as a backdrop for
the discussion section that I am writing?
Does my first paragraph give the reader a very brief introduction to the entire section?
Does the final paragraph end with a sentence that summarizes my entire paper?
Are assertions I make in the discussion supported by research? Do I guide the reader
through my argument using citations when needed?
Are my references properly cited?
Are my results compelling? Have I addressed how my results aid in understanding the
‘problem’ discussed in the introduction?
Do I begin each paragraph with a strong thesis statement?
Does all material in a paragraph relate to the thesis statement? If not, you need to rewrite
your thesis statement or create an additional paragraph for the disconnected topics.
Are topics within a paragraph cohesive? Do they “fit” together topically?
Does my writing convey a sense of connectedness among topics within in a paragraph?
Is the topic of every paragraph clearly related to the material I have presented in the
previous and next paragraphs? If not, write or improve your transitions.
Have I edited and re-edited/proofread and re-edited/proofread the section