APA Writing StyleAmerican Psychological Association. (2001). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.). Washington, DC: APA.

Method Section (1.09)

Method section always follows Introduction section immediately, do not begin a new page

“Method” heading is centered and not italicized (3.32)

…NOT METHODS!!!

Method Continued (1.09)

“The Method section describes in detail how the study was conducted. Such a description enables the reader to evaluate the appropriateness of your methods and the reliability and the validity of your results. It also permits experienced investigators to replicate the study if they so desire.”

Method Section In other words

It is the recipe to your experiment

This is where all your ODs are listedThis is where you tell the reader step-by-step

what you did, who you did it to and how you did it

Method Cont. Generally, a Method section is divided into 3

subsections: Participants or Subjects, Apparatus or Materials, and Procedure

The subsections titles are left justified and italicized

Participants or Subjects (1.09)

“Appropriate identification of research subjects and clientele is critical”

The procedure for selecting and assigning Participants or Subjects should be thoroughly described, and in the case of human participants any agreements or payments should be disclosed.

Participants or Subjects (1.09) For humans Report:

- demographic characteristics: sex, age, race/ethnicity, SES, disability status - If a particular demographic

characteristic is important for interpretation of results, describe the characteristic specifically

- Statement regarding HSIRB approval

Participants or Subjects (1.09) For nonhuman animals report:

- gender, age (in mo) or weight genus, species, strain

- the name and location of the supplier

- specify essential details of treatment and handling

- IACUC approval as well as NIH issues

Apparatus or Materials Briefly describes the apparatus or materials used

and their function in the experiment Identify specialized equipment obtained from a

commercial supplier by the model number of the equipment and the supplier’s name and location.

Complex or custom-made equipment may be illustrated by a drawing or photograph.

A detailed description of complex equipment may be included in an appendix.

Procedure Procedure summarizes each step in the execution of

the research. Include the instructions to the participants, the formation of the groups, and the specific experimental manipulations. Describe randomization, counterbalancing, and other control features in the design.

Procedure should tell the reader in sufficient detail so that the reader could reasonably replicate the study.

Examples An excellent example of a method section of

a sample paper can be found in APA section 5.29, beginning on page 308.