Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region VII, Central Visayas
Division of Cebu Province
BUANOY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
LEARNER’S HOME TASK IN RESEARCH
GRADE 10, QUARTER 3 / WEEK 1 & 2 / LHT 10

MELC: Apply the guidelines in scientific writing in preparing the materials and
methods section of a research report

References:

 Kallet RH. How to write the methods section of a research paper. Respir Care.
2004 Oct;49(10):1229-32. PMID: 15447808.
 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/304488843_Study_of_Citronella_le
af_based_herbal_mosquito_repellents_using_natural_binders Retrieved Jan.
15, 21

 Readings/Discussions

For authors of scientific research papers, the objective is to present their findings
clearly and concisely and to provide enough information so that the experiment
can be duplicated. Research articles contain very specific sections, usually dictated by
either the target journal or specific style guides. For example, in the social and
behavioral sciences, the American Psychological Association (APA) style guide is used
to gather information on how the manuscript should be arranged. As with most styles,
APA’s objectives are to ensure that manuscripts are written with minimum distractions
to the reader.

The methods section of a research paper provides the information by which a

study's validity is judged. Therefore, it requires a clear and precise description of how
an experiment was done, and the rationale for why specific experimental procedures
were chosen.

The methods section should

 describe the materials used in the study

 explain how the materials were prepared for the study,
 describe what was done to answer the research question,
 describe how it was done,
 explain how measurements were made and what calculations were performed (if
there is any)
 and explain how the results were analyzed by stating which statistical tests were
employed.

Once all elements of the methods section are written, subsequent drafts should
focus on how to present those elements as clearly and logically as possibly. The
description of preparations, measurements, and the protocol should be organized
chronologically.

In biological sciences, the Methods section might be more detailed, but the
objectives are the same—to present the study clearly and concisely so that it is
understandable and can be duplicated.

If animals (including human subjects) were used in the study, authors should
ensure to include statements that they were treated according to the protocols outlined
to ensure that treatment is as humane as possible.

Additional points to consider or add in your methods section.

 Literature search: Authors should cite any sources that helped with their choice
of methods. Authors should indicate timeframes of past studies and their
particular parameters.

 Study participants: Authors should cite the source from where they received any
non-human subjects. The number of animals used, the ages, sex, their initial
conditions, and how they were housed and cared for, should be listed. In case of
human subjects, authors should provide the characteristics, such as
geographical location; their age ranges, sex, and medical history (if relevant);
and the number of subjects. In case hospital records were used, authors should
include the subjects’ basic health information and vital statistics at the beginning
of the study. Authors should also state that written informed consent was
provided by each human subject.(If there is any)

 Procedures: Authors should describe their study design. Any necessary

preparations (e.g., tissue samples, drugs) and instruments must be explained.
Authors should describe how the subjects were “manipulated to answer the
experimental question.” Timeframes should be included to ensure that the
procedures are clear (e.g., “Rats were given XX drug for 14 d”). For animals
 sacrificed, the methods used and the protocols followed should be outlined.

 Statistical analysis: The type of data, how they were measured, and which
statistical tests were performed, should be described. (Note: This is not the
“results” section; any relevant tables and figures should be referenced later.)
Specific software used must be cited.

Example Methods Section:

Title of the study: Study of Citronella leaf based herbal mosquito repellents using natural
binders

Nandini Rani, Aakanksha Wany, Ambarish Saran Vidyarthi and Dev Mani Pandey*

Department of Biotechnology, Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Jharkhand- 835215, India

Excerpts from the original research manuscript, materials and methods section:

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Collection of Citronella leaf remains left after steam distillation

Citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus) leaf remains were collected from Pharmaceutical

Medicinal Plant garden, BIT Mesra, Ranchi, India after steam distillation from steam distillation
plant. Bundles of leaves were cut into small pieces with the help of sterile sharp scissors.

Preparation of Citronella leaf cakes

Cut leaf pieces were grounded into paste using electrical grinder by adding distilled water.
50-100g of Citronella leaf paste was taken and was plated accordingly (Fig 1). Wet weights of
cakes were taken. For the determination of dry weight cakes were allowed to dry in sun for 24
hrs and dry weight was taken. Figure 1. Preparation of Citronella leaf cake and drying

Formulation of cakes using different natural binders

The different natural binders (500g each) were purchased commercially from local
vendors. Different natural binders used were wood powder, potato starch, corn starch,
coconut shell powder, neem powder and cow dung. The same procedure was followed for
different combinations using different natural binders for the preparation of cakes.

Supplementation of Citronella leaf paste with binders and impregnation with oil

Each cake was prepared as 20% (w/w) binder (i.e. wood powder, coconut shell powder,
Neem powder, cow dung, cornstarch, potato starch) in each cake formulation, whereas the
citronella leaf paste (80%) in all cake formulations was same. As a result, a total of six cake
formulations comprising different binders with Citronella leaf as active ingredients were
prepared for testing. Citronella leaf cakes with no supplementation were used as reference
cake. Wet weight and dry weight of each cake were taken after 24 hours of drying.
Simultaneously, different concentrations of citronella oil such as 5%, 10%, 15% using methanol
as a carrier alcohol was evenly sprayed on different combinations of cakes. Ten cakes
(replicates) were prepared from each combination.

Evaluation of Citronella leaf cakes

The efficacy of prepared citronella leaf cakes were evaluated on three different parameters
such as flammability, burning time and mosquito repellency test.

a) Flammability test and burning time

To observe the flammability of the cakes, the cakes were burnt using candles (Fig
3). The quantity of ash, irritation produced by different combination of cakes and the
time taken to burn completely were recorded (Table 2). The ash weights of each
combination and their burning time were recorded. Depending upon ash weight and
dry weight, residual percentage was calculated. Residual percentage is calculated by:
Residual (%) = Ash weight / Dry weight X 100
Nandini Rani et. al. / Curr Res Microbiol Biotechnol. 2013, 1(3): 98-103
http://crmb.aizeonpublishers.n

b) Mosquito repellency test

Mosquito repellency test was done by simply selecting the mosquito prone areas in
the evening and night period such as bushes, shrubs, laboratory corners, and cafeteria.
The public remarks were noted down after allowing them to burn the cakes and
checking if the mosquitoes are present or escaping away from the burning cakes (Table
3). Also, the mosquito repellency was checked by addition of citronella oil mixed with
carrier alcohol (methanol) in different concentration i.e. 5%, 10%, 15% (Table 4).

c) Statistical Analysis
Data obtained from the flammability test and mosquito repellency test were
compared to the results of the experimental control and were analyzed by means of
employing t – test as the statistical tool.

Exercises:

I. Answer the following questions after reading the sample Methods Section of
a research study. Use a whole sheet of intermediate paper for your answers.
(You may use phrases)

1. What plant was utilized in the study and where did they obtain the plants?

2. What binders were used to make citronella leaf cakes / composite?

3. To evaluate the efficacy of the new product, what tests were conducted?

4. Write the mathematical formula utilized by the researchers in order to

gather some of the data they need.
 5. To analyze the obtained data, what statistical treatment was used?

6. What are the important basic parts of the Methods section?

7. Why is it important that the parts or steps should be in chronological

order?

8. Why is it important to have a clear and concise methods section of a

research paper?

Assessment :

Together with your research team, make a draft of your Methods Section
following the guidelines mentioned in this paper. It is best if all members are
assigned to a particular subtopic and make meaningful contribution to come up with
a remarkable group output. All members must secure a handwritten copy of the
output / draft to be submitted to the teacher on the agreed date.

Gathering data / field or laboratory experimentation might be one of the arduous, nerve
- racking, time consuming and financially draining stage of conducting a research study.
It is important that teamwork, careful planning, constant communication and
collaboration of all research members must be exhibited by all research groups in this
particular research phase to ensure its smooth and successful execution. Your group
will be given a month to conduct the gathering of data but certain written tasks will be
required to be submitted by you every two weeks. Good luck and God bless.

Provide a printed copy of the following using long bondpaper.

 Materials and organisms needed in the experiment with labels and reason why
they are needed in the study (purpose or function) – assign to one member
 Step by step process of preparing the product / plants to be studied (Please
include pictures of yourselves performing the process) along with short caption /
description for each picture. – assign to two members (but all members can
appear in the pictures if desired but not required though)
 Step by step process of testing the product (Please include pictures of your
selves performing the process ) along with a short caption / description for each
picture. – assign to two members (but all members can appear in the pictures if
desired but not required though )
 Prepared by: RIMA JOY D. TEJAM

Research Teacher

Reviewed by: JEANETH S. MENORAS Noted by: SUSAN C. TRIBUNALO

Science Coordinator Principal I