SCI2010-Writing+Session+4+x(MatMethods)+.pptVIP

Scientific Writing, Editing, and Publishing Session 4 Writing Tips for the Materials and Methods Section Scientific Writing, Editing, and Publishing Materials and Methods 1 General Suggestions: For beginning authors, this section can be written first because it is easiest to write. The format is usually specific to the journal. Subheadings are characteristically used. Much of this section is written in the past tense, passive voice. Much of this section can be included in the supplementary data section This section can be placed after the Discussion section in many journals. Session 4 Materials and Methods 2 This section should be specific, providing sufficient details that allow an experienced researcher in the related field to repeat the experiments in this study. How to do it? Provide sources of key materials and describe preparation of non-standard solutions. Experimental animals, plants, and microorganisms should be identified by genus, species, and strain, as well as age. Sources should be listed and special characteristics described. For human subjects, the criteria for selection should be described, and a statement relating to “informed consent” should be included. Provide sufficient details of the experiments. Descriptions of new methods should include all the needed details. If the methods have been published, references to the specific publications can be used. Do not describe previously published procedures in long detail, but do describe any modifications. Describe the study design and procedures for analysis of the data. Provide information on statistical analyses performed and state the number of observations in each group. Session 4 Include in this section: All the methods used to generate all of the data presented in the results section. Strains and ages of animals, doses used, treatment routes and durations, and other details that would allow the reader to repeat the experiments. Citations for protocols used previously. Detailed descri