Methodology

Many supervisors think that the Methods is the most important chapter in a confirmation report. This is because in the initial stages of the research study, the assessment of the feasibility and expected results and significance of the study focusses on the research design. The Methods explicates the research design which involves experiments and/or algorithms in an organised and logical manner. Procedural choices and considerations are spelt out with justifications.

For confirmation reports without preliminary results, the Methods provides the examiners with necessary information to assess the feasibility, the expected validity, and the generalisability of the study. The Methods therefore needs to be organised carefully and written clearly, reflecting the nature and logic of the research design. Any imprecise description or omission of a step could be detrimental to the examiner’s assessment of the confirmation report.

In summary, the main purposes of the Methods in a confirmation report include the following:

• enabling examiners to assess the feasibility and the generalisability of the research design by describing the materials involved in the experiments, experimental and calculation steps, and data analysis procedures sequentially and logically
• establishing the validity for the preliminary results by justifying the choices of materials used and procedural choices made in the experiments or the algorithm calculation; and,
• allowing the replication of the preliminary experiment(s) or the re-verification of the algorithm(s) by providing sufficient details of the experimental setup as well as the experimental and calculation steps

Requirements for different universities and different disciplines may vary. Please refer to the university guide or consult with the supervisor for clarification about the requirements.

The Methods is an indispensable section in a confirmation report. It is often preceded by Introduction and Literature Review and followed by Preliminary Findings or Expected Results and Significance.

The structure of the Methods varies because different types of scientific studies follow different research design structures. The number and contents of the sub-sections depend on the scale and nature of the scientific quest. For instance, the Methods for examining a substance used in construction work probably involves descriptions of chemicals and physical experimental procedures whilst that for putting forward an algorithm tested with computers does not. In general, the structure of the Methods depends on the nature of the study, i.e. whether it is experimental-based or algorithm-based.

In experimental studies involving materials, the Methods usually contains three moves, which are, in their typical order:

• Materials Source and Collection;
• Experimental Procedures; and,
• Data Analysis Procedures.

In algorithm-based studies, the Methods mainly consists of

• Preliminaries; and,
• Algorithm.

The above moves in both structures may appear in the same study. The moves should be presented according to the actual or the proposed sequence of the experimental procedure, exhibiting a logical flow in the section. The length of a move may vary from a few sentences to even several few paragraphs. A set of moves (e.g. Preliminaries and Algorithm) may be repeated in a cyclical manner to reflect the experimental design.

To improve the logical flow of the text, introductory and transitional paragraphs may be inserted to connect the major moves and/or different sub-sections. These paragraphs usually provide background information and outline the main procedures, helping readers form expectations of the contents and increasing the readability.

To better understand the writing requirements of confirmation reports, the guidelines from the university should be consulted and advice from the supervisor(s) should also be sought. Confirmation reports for studies of the same nature from the same discipline can serve as references.

Moves for Experimental Studies Involving Materials
The description of an experimental study involving materials usually needs the details of materials needed in the experiment, experimental setup and steps, and the methods for analysing data obtained from the experiment. Possible moves in this type of studies are shown in their typical order as follows.

MOVE 1            Materials Source and Collection
The move contains precise descriptions of properties of materials used or examined in the experiment and methods of collecting or obtaining them.

MOVE 2            Experimental Procedures
The move details the conditions for experiments and configurations for the experimental apparatus. Experimental procedures and steps are spelt out in sequential order with justifications. Each experimental step is elaborated to an extent that convinces the readers of its feasibility and expected validity.

MOVE 3            Data Analysis Procedures
This move describes the procedures of data analysis. It may involve physical examination, observation or statistical analyses, are explained in detail in this move. This is to form expectations of the types of results and findings.

An Example of Experimental Studies Involving Materials
The following is the Methods from a confirmation report in the field of Civil and Environmental Engineering broken down into sections by moves. Read the extracts and click on the icons NOTE to see the explanatory notes.

Moves for Algorithm-based Studies
Algorithm-based studies usually involve modelling and simulation with a computer instead of experimenting with physical substance. The description of an algorithm-based study contains detailed calculation steps of an algorithm, which includes all essential calculation that provides the foundation upon which the algorithm is built.  Possible moves in this type of studies are shown as follows:

MOVE 1            Preliminaries
This move provides the mathematical and other essential information needed for developing the algorithm. It may contain calculation steps for proving theorems mathematically. The mathematical data is a prerequisite for developing the desired algorithm.

MOVE 2            Algorithm
The move describes the details of the proposed algorithm. It helps readers understand the scope of the mathematical problem and possible ways to resolve the problem.

An Example of Algorithm-based Studies
The following is the Methods from a confirmation report in the field of Computing broken down into sections by moves. Read the extracts and click on the icons NOTE to see the explanatory notes.

Understanding Language Features with Examples – Verb Tenses

Below are extracts from confirmation reports in the fields of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Systems Engineering and Engineering Management.

The purposes of different verb tenses are explained and the main verbs in the extracts are highlighted.

Click on NOTE to see the explanatory notes about word choice and grammar. 

Understanding Language Features with Examples – Active/Passive Voice
Below are extracts from confirmation reports in the fields of Electrical Engineering and Computing.

The purposes of different verb tenses are explained and the main verbs in the extracts are highlighted. Click on NOTE to see the explanatory notes.

Understanding Language Features with Examples – Words and Phrases for Linking Ideas
Below are extracts from confirmation reports in the fields of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronic and Information Engineering, and Systems Engineering and Engineering Management.

When writing the methods in a confirmation report, different constructs (e.g. facts, ideas, and opinions) need to be linked according to their relationships so as to justify a procedural choice, present experimental setups in sequence, and explain the methods in collecting and interpreting data and results.

Using a range of useful words and phrases, messages can be conveyed clearly, constituting a logical flow of ideas and achieving coherence and cohesiveness in writing.

Click on NOTE A to see explanatory notes about the highlighted words and phrases for linking ideas.

Click on NOTE B to see explanatory notes about word choice and grammar.

Understanding Language Features with Examples – Clausal and Phrasal Structures for Linking Ideas

Below are extracts from confirmation reports in the fields of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Systems Engineering and Engineering Management.

Clausal and phrasal structures for indicating purposes, means, and supplementary information are highlighted. These structures are useful for linking ideas of different relationships when describing and explaining the methods in a confirmation report.

Click on NOTE to see explanatory notes about word choice and grammar.