The document outlines how to effectively write the methods section of a medical research paper, emphasizing the importance of explaining the rationale for experiments, using visual elements, and adhering to journal guidelines. It advises narrating research chronologically, using subheadings for clarity, providing detailed descriptions of materials and methods, mentioning ethical approvals, and describing statistical analyses employed. These guidelines aim to ensure that the methods section is understandable for both scientists and general readers, facilitating study replication.

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How to Write the
Methods Section of
your Research Paper?
1 E X P L A I N E A R L Y
Each paragraph or subsection of the “Methods” section
talks about a specific experiment. So, begin your paragraph
by explaining the rationale behind your choices for a
particular experiment.
2 U S E V I S U A L E L E M E N T S
Visual elements like schematic diagrams, flowcharts, and
tables help the readers follow and understand your study
design better. They also break the monotony in the medical
paper writing.
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A D H E R E T O T H E G U I D E L I N E S O F
Y O U R J O U R N A L
Read the guidelines of your target journal carefully and
follow the specific instructions.
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T E L L T H E S T O R Y O F Y O U R
R E S E A R C H
Narrate each experiment of your study in a chronological
order to help readers retrace the gradual development of
your research and its results.
5 U S E S U B H E A D I N G S
Divide the “Methods” section in terms of the experiments
to help the readers follow the section better. You may write
the name of the experiment or its specific objective as a
subheading.
The “Methods” section of a research paper contains the
essential details for other scientists to replicate the study and
helps the common readers understand the study better.
P R O V I D E A L L T H E D E T A I L S
Provide all the details of your study including the
description of the materials, equipment or stimuli used in
the experiment and the variables used (dependent,
independent, and extraneous).
M E N T I O N T H E E T H I C A L
A P P R O V A L
If your study involves approval by the ethics committee
or institutional review board, or an informed consent
from the patients or the guardians, mention it in the
“Methods” section.
W R I T E T H E S T A T I S T I C A L
A N A L Y S I S
Describe all the statistical tests, levels of significance, and
software packages used to conduct the statistical analysis.
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