Methods部分，作者须清晰具体地阐述研究的过程，使读者能遵照描述重复研究并得到相同结果。典型语境及相应措辞已列举如下：（注：描述研究过程多用一般过去式）
In the Methods section of a dissertation or research article, writers give an account of how they carried out their research. The Methods section should be clear and detailed enough for another experienced person to repeat the research and reproduce the results. Where the methods chosen are new, unfamiliar or perhaps even controversial, or where the intended audience is from many disciplines, the Methods section will tend to be much more extensive. Typical stretches of text found in this section of a research article or dissertation along with examples of the kind of language used for these are listed below. Note that for most of the functional categories in this section, the verbs are written in the simple past tense.
介绍先前研究所用方法
Describing Previously Used Methods
To date various methods have been developed and introduced to measure X:
In most recent studies, X has been measured in four different ways.
Traditionally, X has been assessed by measuring ...
Different authors have measured X in a variety of ways.
Previous studies have based their criteria for selection on ...
The use of qualitative case studies is a well-established approach in ...
This test is widely available, and has been used in many investigational studies.
Case studies have been long established in X to present detailed analysis of ...
Data were gathered from multiple sources at various time points during ...
解释为何要采用或放弃某种方法
Giving Reasons Why A Particular Method Was Adopted Or Rejected
A case study approach was used to allow a ...
Qualitative methods offer an effective way of ...
A quantitative approach was employed since ...
The design of the questionnaires was based on ...
The X method is one of the more practical ways of ...
The X approach has a number of attractive features: ...
However, there are certain drawbacks associated with the use of ...
A major problem with the experimental method is that ...
There are certain problems with the use of focus groups. One of these is that there is less ...
介绍该种具体方法
Indicating A Specific Method
X was prepared according to the procedure used by Smith et al. (1957)
The synthesis of X was done according to the procedure of Smith (1973).
X was synthesised using the same method that was detailed for Y, using ...
The compound was prepared by adapting the procedure used by Smith (1990).
An alternative method for making scales homogenous is by using ...
Samples were analysed for X as previously reported by Smith (2012).
描述样本特征
Describing the Characteristics of the Sample
Eligibility criteria required individuals to have received ...
A random sample of patients with ... was recruited from ...
Forty-seven students studying X were recruited for this study.
Just over half the sample (53%) was female, of whom 69% were ...
The students were divided into two groups based on their performance on ...
All of the participants were aged between 18 and 19 at the beginning of the study.
Publications were only included in the analysis if ...
Articles were searched from January 1965 until April 2010.
A systematic literature review was conducted of studies that ...
解释选取此类样本的原由
Indicating Reasons for Sample Characteristics
Criteria for selecting the subjects were as follows:
The area of study was chosen for its relatively small ...
Five individuals were excluded from the study on the basis of ...
A small sample was chosen because of the expected difficulty of obtaining ...
The subjects were selected on the basis of a degree of homogeneity of their ...
A comparison group of 12 male subjects without any history of X was drawn from a pool of ...
过程描述：用不定式表目的
Describing the Process: Infinitive of Purpose
In order to identify the T10 and T11 spinous processes, the subjects were asked to ...
In order to understand how X regulates Y, a series of transfections was performed.
To establish whether ...,
To measure X, a question asking ... was used.
To see if the two methods gave the same measurement, the data was plotted and ...
To control for bias, measurements were carried out by another person.
To rule out the possibility that ..., the participants were ...
To determine whether ..., the cells were incubated for ...
To enable the subjects to see the computer screen clearly, the laptop was configured with ...
The vials were capped with ... to prevent ...
The process was repeated several times in order to remove ...
In an attempt to make each interviewee feel as comfortable as possible, the interviewer ...
过程描述：其他方式表目的
Describing the Process: Other Phrases Expressing Purpose
For the purpose of height measurement, subjects were asked to stand ...
For the purpose of analysis, 2 segments were extracted from each ...
For the estimation of protein concentration, 100 μl of protein sample was mixed with ...
过程描述：特定动词的被动形式
Describing the Process: Typical Verbs in the Passive Form
The data were normalised using ...
Descriptive data were generated for all variables.
The procedures of this study were approved by ...
Data for this study was retrospectively collected from ...
Prompts were used as an aid to question two so that ...
The experiments were run using custom software written in ...
Two sets of anonymised questionnaires were completed by ...
The solution was washed three times with deionized water and ...
A total of 256 samples were taken from 52 boreholes.
Significance levels were set at the 1% level using the student t-test.
The experiments were carried out over the course of the growing period from ...
Injection solutions were coded by a colleague to reduce experimenter bias.
过程描述：顺序词的使用
Describing the Process: Sequence Words and Phrases
Prior to commencing the study, ethical clearance was sought from ...
Prior to undertaking the investigation, ethical clearance was obtained from ...
In the end, the EGO was selected as the measurement tool for the current study.
After ‘training’, the subjects were told that ...
After collection, the samples were shipped back to X in ...
After obtaining written informed consent from the patients, a questionnaire regarding the ...
Once the Xs were located and marked, a thin clear plastic ruler ...
Once the positions had been decided upon, the Xs were removed from each Y and replaced by ...
On completion of X, the process of model specification and parameter estimation was carried out.
On arrival at the clinic, patients were asked to ...
Following this, the samples were recovered and stored overnight at ...
Following correction for xxx, X was reduced to ...
The analysis was checked when initially performed and then checked again at the end of ...
The subjects were then shown a film individually and were asked to ...
Finally, questions were asked as to the role of ...
In the follow-up phase of the study, participants were asked ...
过程描述：副词的使用
Describing the Process: Adverbs of Manner
The soil was then placed in a furnace and gradually heated up to ...
The vials were shaken manually to allow the soil to mix well with the water.
The medium was then aseptically transferred to a conical flask.
The resulting solution was gently mixed at room temperature for ten minutes and ...
过程描述： “using + 工具” 结构
Describing the process: using + instrument
15 subjects were recruited using email advertisements requesting healthy students from ...
All the work on the computer was carried out using Quattro Pro for Windows and ...
Data were collected using two high spectral resolution Xs.
Using the X-ray and looking at the actual X, it was possible to identify ...
Using an Anthos Micro plate Reader, we were able to separate single cells into different ...
指出问题或局限
Indicating Problems or Limitations
In this investigation there are several sources for error. The main error is ...
Another major source of uncertainty is in the method used to calculate X.
In particular, the analysis of X was problematic.
Further data collection is required to determine exactly how X affects Y.
指导老师：宁 梅
信息采集提供：戴佳沛
图文编辑：王 倩
贵州大学研究生
贵研新声公众号
贵公网安备
52011102002446号