Dr. Gass
=
HCOM 308
Summer 2009
The methods section explains=
the
“nuts and bolts” of the experiment, e.g., how the experiment wi=
ll
actually be conducted. You sh=
ould
explain the specific experimental procedures to be followed. The methods section should be
sufficiently detailed that another researcher would be able to replicate yo=
ur
study based on the information provided.&n=
bsp;
Note: typically the Methods section is written in the past tense.
Design Statement: A one-sentence description of the type of experimental design you=
are
using (e.g. pre-test, post-test design, 2 X 3 design, single subject design,
etc.). If you don’t kno=
w what
type of design you have, ask me.
Participants: Describe who the participants are and how they will be
recruited. Explain any screen=
ing
criteria used to select subjects.
If you want, you can make up some hypothetical demographic data about
your subjects (average age, gender distribution, ethnic composition,
etc.). Explain how “vol=
untary
informed consent” will be obtained.&=
nbsp;
Detail how the participants will be assigned to the various treatmen=
t or
control conditions.
Procedures:
Indicate whether a cover story will be employed. Identify the specific instructions=
to be
given to the participants. Ex=
plain
how subjects will be assigned to one condition or another in the experiment=
.
=
; Carefully
explain how the manipulation of the independent variable(s) will be
performed. How will the indep=
endent
variable be operationalized? =
What
experimental stimuli will be presented, what experimental conditions will be
created?
Carefully describe how the <=
u>dependent
variable(s) will be measured.
Detail any scales, instruments, or diagnostic tests that will be
performed. What type or=
level
of data will your study yield? What is your “unit of analysis,”
meaning what comprises one observation, one case, or one record of whatever=
you
are measuring?
Explain what steps will be t=
aken
to control for possible intervening, moderating, or confounding variable=
s. If you are using a pilot study or a
manipulation check, be sure to say so.
Describe the procedures for =
debriefing
participants (thanking participants and explaining why their contributi=
on
was valuable, dehoaxing if a cover story was us=
ed,
desensitizing, contact name and number for future reference).
You should also include revi=
sions
to your Rationale and Review of Literature along with the Methods section.<=
span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Thus you are submitting the first =
half
of an experiment, up to and including the Methods section, but not
including the Results or Discussion sections.
Your Methods section (includ=
ing
the Rationale and Review of Literature) should be approximately 10-12 pages=
in
length, typed, double-spaced, not counting references. All references should follow APA
guidelines. You should also i=
nclude
any necessary appendices. Mat=
erials
commonly found in an appendix include surveys, instruments, or scales used =
in
the study.
Your Methods section represe=
nts
25% of your course grade.
Good luck!