Methodology

The Methods in a thesis details the experiment(s) or algorithm(s) in an organised manner with justifications for procedural choices. The feasibility and the basis of the steps and procedures are assessed so as to determine the credibility of the results. Expectations of the results and findings are also formed through the reading of the Methods.

The experiment(s) or algorithm(s) should be described with all necessary details that allow the experiment(s) to be replicated or the algorithm(s) to be verified mathematically with the same steps. The Methods therefore needs to be organised carefully and written unambiguously. Any vague description or omission of a step may affect the assessment of the Methods, to the detriment of the credibility of the work. Clarity and comprehensiveness in the writing of the Methods are therefore crucial.

In summary, the main purposes of the Methods in a thesis include

• demonstrating the feasibility of the research design by describing the materials involved in the experiments, experimental and calculation steps, and data analysis procedures sequentially and logically;
• establishing credibility for the results by justifying the choices of materials used and procedural choices made in the experiments or the algorithm calculation;
• allowing the replication of the experiment(s) or the re-verification of the algorithm(s) by detailing the experimental or calculation steps and data analysis procedures with adequate information.

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 in a thesis is usually preceded by Introduction and Literature Review and followed by Results and Discussion. The chapter heading of the Methods varies and two types of headings are usually used. The Methods may have a generic name (e.g. Materials and Methodology / System Model and Problem Formulation) or a specific name in the form of a noun phrase that describes the experiment or the algorithm.

The structure of the Methods can vary markedly with the kind of research undertaken. For example, the Methods concerning a substance for construction work probably involves chemicals and physical experimental procedure whereas one concerning an algorithm tested with computers does not. In the light of the notable variations, structures for both experimental studies involving materials and algorithm-based studies will be explained.

Regarding experimental studies involving materials, the Methods consists of three moves, which are, in their typical order,

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

• Preliminaries; and,
• Algorithm.

The above structures may be altered depending on the discipline and the kind of research. Some studies may have a mixed structure which contains moves from both experimental studies and algorithm-based studies. Each move may be identified from a few sentences or even a few paragraphs, varying in its length in the Methods. For clarification, the guidelines from the university should be consulted and advice from the supervisor(s) should also be sought.

MOVES for an EXPERIMENTAL STUDY INVOLVING MATERIALS
The possible set of moves in the Methods in experimental studies involving materials and specific questions for moves are shown in their typical order as follows.

MOVE 1    Materials Source and Collection
Question: What is the data and how was it collected?
The Materials Source and Collection 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
Question: How was the experiment performed?
The Experimental Procedures move contains descriptions of conditions for experiments and configurations for the experimental apparatus. Experimental procedures and steps are detailed in sequential order with justifications. Each experimental step is elaborated to an extent that allows other researchers to replicate it. 

MOVE 3    Data Analysis Procedures
Question: How was the experimental data analysed?
Data analysis procedure, which may involve physical examination, observation or statistical analyses, are explained in detail in this move, forming expectations of the types of results and findings.

EXAMPLE of an EXPERIMENTAL STUDY INVOLVING MATERIALS
The following is the Methods from a thesis in the field of Civil and Architectural Engineering broken down into sections by moves. Ellipses “[…]” and “[….]” in the extracts indicate that some words or paragraphs are left out of the original text due to space constraints. Explanatory notes with information about the removed words are provided to facilitate understanding. Click on the coloured words and the icons NOTE to see the corresponding moves and the explanatory notes respectively.

MOVES for an ALGORITHM-BASED STUDY
The possible set of moves in the Methods in algorithm-based studies and specific questions for moves are shown in their typical order as follows.

MOVE 1    Preliminaries
Question: What is the mathematical data and any other essential information that needs to be presented before developing the algorithm?
The Preliminaries move lays the foundation for the algorithm to be established. The move may contain calculation steps for proving theorems mathematically. The mathematical data is a prerequisite for developing the desired algorithm.

MOVE 2    Algorithm
Question: What is the proposed algorithm?
The Algorithm move describes the proposed algorithm in full with the aid of different types of illustrations and with calculation steps. Readers form expectations of the scope of the mathematical problem and the possibility of resolving the problem in this move of the Methods.

EXAMPLE of an ALGORITHM-BASED STUDY
The following is the Methods from a thesis in the field of Computer Science broken down into sections by moves. Ellipses “[…]” and “[….]” in the extracts indicate that some words or paragraphs are left out of the original text due to space constraints. Explanatory notes with information about the removed words are provided to facilitate understanding. Click on the coloured words and the icons NOTE to see the corresponding moves and the explanatory notes respectively.

Understanding Language Features with an Example

Extract A and Extract B are from the Methods in theses in the field of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering and Electronic Engineering respectively. A variety of language features including

• complex phrasal and sentence structures;
• linking devices;
• useful expressions and word choice; and
• verb tenses

are highlighted in corresponding colours with explanatory notes. Click on the numbers (e.g. [1]) in the extract to see the explanatory notes. An ellipse […] in the extract indicates that some words are left out of the original text.

Summary Table of Language Features