Method

As an Editor or Reviewer, I first read the Method section. If the methods are flawed, I don’t waste my time reading the rest of the manuscript.

The Method section should tell the reader what you did and how you did it.

It should include enough detail to allow readers to replicate the study.

Method

Readers should have a feel for what it was like to be a participant in the study.

A good design should rule out alternative explanations for findings.

Like a good map, the Method section should show a clear connection between theory and findings.

Use plain English, not technical jargon.

Reis (2000)

Subsections of Method Section

ParticipantsDesign (optional)Apparatus / Materials (optional)Procedure

Participants

In cover letter must say that they were treated in accordance with APA ethical principles

Use the term “participants” rather than “subjects”

Report the number of participants Report if any participants were

discarded, and why.Bem (2003)

Group Stayed in Dropped out

1 60 4

2 62 2

3 61 3

4 64 0

Can do a Fisher’s exact test to see if the drop out rate differed across groups.

Participants

Demographics Sex Age Ethnicity Sexual orientation

Children Must have parental consent Report % of parents consenting

Bem (2003)

Participants

Motivation Course requirement? Extra credit? Pay? No pay - just volunteered?

Subsections of Method Section

Design (optional)

Participants

Design (optional)

Often useful for a factorial design Use standard notation:

A (a1, a2) X B (b1, b2) X C (c1, c2) Specify between- and within-

subjects factorsUse “between-subjects” rather than “between-participants”

Bem (2003)

Subsections of Method Section

ParticipantsDesign (optional)Apparatus / Materials (optional)

Apparatus / Materials (optional)

Use Apparatus / Materials section if it makes prose smoother

Described complicated equipmentScales (e.g., personality traits)

Reliability Validity If mailed, give return rate

Bem (2003)

Subsections of Method Section

ParticipantsDesign (optional)Apparatus / Materials (optional)Procedure

Procedure

Give the reader a feel for what it was like to be a participant in the study.

Lead the reader by the hand through the procedure from the beginning to the end.

Include (or paraphrase) instructions to participants. Use exact instructions for experimental manipulations.

Bem (2003)

Procedure

Describe randomization, counterbalancing, and other control features of the design.

Name all groups, variables, and operations Avoid empty labels (e.g., Group 1) Avoid acronyms and abbreviations Use operational labels (rather than

conceptual labels)Bem (2003)

Procedure

Discuss any ethical procedures Debriefing Confusion Suspicion

Appendices can include new scales or measures, photos of stimuli, etc.

Bem (2003)