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Methodology Recounts: Structure

In a Methodology Recount you need to demonstrate or develop familiarity with disciplinary procedures, methods and conventions for recording experimental findings.

You will typically need to include an introduction, methods and results, discussion and conclusion, but you may need to include one or more of the following:

  • Abstract - a summary of your experiment, including your aims, methods, main results and conclusion
  • Analysis of results - a discussion explaining the meaning and significance of your findings
  • Apparatus - a description of the equipment you used
  • Calculation - the mathematical working out of your results
  • Conclusion - a summary of what you found and its significance
  • Design - an overview of the materials you used and procedures that you adopted
  • Discussion - a consideration of the meaning and significance of your findings
  • Experimental details - an overview of the materials you used and procedures that you adopted
  • Future work - a summary of the future implications of your conclusions
  • Implementation - an overview of the materials you used and procedures that you adopted
  • Introduction - a broad background to your experiment and a statement of your aims
  • Materials - the equipment you used
  • Methods - the procedure you adopted
  • Objective - the purpose of your experiment
  • Observations - a description of your findings, what you found
  • References - details of any external sources you consulted
  • Results - a description of your findings, what you found
  • Theory - a description of the theories you drew on in planning your experiment.

Examples of Methodology Recounts from different disciplines.

Biological Science Computer Science Engineering Food Science Physics Psychology
Abstract Abstract Abstract Objective Abstract Abstract
Introduction 1. Introduction

Introduction

 Introduction 1. Introduction Introduction
  2. Theory Theory      
Materials & methods 3. Design Apparatus & methods Method 2. Experimental details Method
Results 4. Implementation Observations & results Results 3. Results Results
Discussion 5. Results & analysis Analysis of results Calculation 4. Discussion Discussion
(Conclusion) 6. Conclusion Discussion Discussion    
(Future work)   Conclusion      
References References References References References References

Examples of Methodology Recounts include:

  • computer analysis
  • data analysis report
  • development report
  • experimental report
  • field report
  • forensic report
  • lab report
  • materials selection report 

The exercises below will help you to understand more about the structure of Methodology Recounts.

Task 1

Look at the stages of  typical Methodology Recounts above. There are variations, but the basic order is the same. Drag the stages into the correct order - put the first one at the top.

Exercise

Task 2

Look at the full range of possible stages for a Methodology Recount. Match the stages with the descriptions.

Exercise

Task 3

Look at Example 1 from Mechanical Engineering. Match the headings in the example with the stages described above.

Exercise

Task 4

Look at the Analysis section of Example 1 again. How is it organised? Drag the sub-stages into the correct order - put the first one at the top.

Exercise

Download
PDF icon Example 1

Comments

Bobur's picture Bobur replied on Uzbekistan

hello everybody
Methodology is different affect for us. becouse we are not smilar and we can't do smilar one think. everybody make method from their own experience

MariaUtami's picture MariaUtami replied on Indonesia

Hello,

I am a little bit confused with this material, Methodology Recounts. Am I should use this methodology when take the IELTS test on writing section?
Please advise. Thank you.

Cheers,
Maria

Kirk's picture Kirk replied on Spain

Hello MariaUtami,

The pages here in Writing for a Purpose could help you especially for the academic IELTS, but I don't think you'd need to do a Methodology Recount in the writing part of the IELTS. Have you seen our IELTS section and TakeIELTS? There are practise materials available in both places, and on TakeIELTS you can see sample writing exams.

Best wishes,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team