The Methods section is your chance to ensure your hard work doesn’t
end at publication - it becomes a cornerstone for future discoveries.
Scientific writing is an art as much as a science, and one of its cornerstones is the Methods section. This is where researchers lay the foundation for reproducibility, credibility, and context in their work. For veterinary scientists, precision and transparency are critical, given the nuanced nature of animal studies.
The Position of the Methods Section
In many journals, the Methods section appears at the end of the manuscript. While this placement may suit the journal's layout, it creates a challenge for researchers: most readers will skip it. Whether you're writing for a journal that places it upfront or at the back, assume your readers haven’t read it.
Don’t rely on the Methods section to explain critical elements of your study.
For example, if your claim hinges on a specific statistical model or a unique experimental approach, reiterate this information briefly in the Results or Discussion sections. Directing readers to "refer to the Methods section" interrupts the flow of comprehension and diminishes the impact of your findings.
What Belongs in the Methods Section?
The golden rule of the Methods section is this:
Include every detail necessary for someone to replicate your study,
and then add some perspective for clarity.
Core Details
Subjects: Describe the animals studied, including species, breed, age, sex, and health status. Specify how and why they were selected.
Materials: Detail equipment, reagents, and software with enough specificity for others to source identical items.
Procedures: Outline experimental protocols step by step, ensuring no crucial action is overlooked.
Statistical Methods: Provide sufficient detail about statistical tools and techniques, including software versions, thresholds, and rationale for tests chosen.
Contextual Discussion
Analogies and Contrasts: Highlight similarities or differences between your methods and established experimental precedents.
For example, explain how your surgical approach to a canine model differs from a standard rodent model used in similar studies. This context helps readers appreciate the relevance and innovation of your work.
The Importance of Tense
Consistency in tense is paramount.
Observations: facts and findings that remain true after the experiment - should be written in the present tense. For example:
o The heart rate of sheep increases significantly under stress conditions.
In contrast, experimental actions should be in the past tense, as they occurred at a specific time. For instance:
o We administered 5 mg/kg of meloxicam subcutaneously to each subject.
This distinction ensures clarity and a professional tone,
reinforcing the temporal sequence of your study.
Beyond Reproducibility
The Methods section is more than a recipe;
it reflects your study’s rigor and innovation.
By integrating detailed methodology with context and critical commentary, you provide readers - and reviewers - a complete picture of your approach. Veterinary science, with its diverse species and study designs, benefits from this level of transparency, which inspires confidence in your findings.
Rick’s Commentary
Approach your Methods section with the mindset that it’s a standalone
resource for future researchers.
Balance precision with readability, context with detail,
and always consider the needs of your audience.
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