Academic Writing #05: Make the Methods Reproducible

Methods explain what you did in enough detail for another researcher to understand and repeat the work. Describe materials, sample selection, equipment, conditions, procedures, and analysis. Explain important design choices.

Report controls, independent samples, repeated measurements, exclusions, and relevant software versions. Describe uncertainty and statistical methods. Include ethics approvals when applicable. Cite established procedures and explain your modifications.

Use past tense for completed work: “We heated the samples.” Passive voice is useful when the procedure matters most: “Samples were heated.” Precision matters more than complicated wording.