Methods
For multiple experiments, click here.
The Method section of the APA paper describes with detail how
the study was carried out. It should be detailed enough so that readers would
be able to replicate the study if they wanted and would be able to assess the
reliablity and validity of the results. There are three main topics of discussion
for the Method section. The convention is to divide the Method section into
informative subsections.
- Participants or subjects: It is important to identify the participants
in the study so that one is able to make comparisons across groups
and in replications and generalize the results.
Report the total number of participants in the the study and the number
assigned to each group. Indicate that the participants were treated in accordance
with ethical standards of the APA when submitting the paper.
- For human participants, report how they were selected and
assigned to groups, agreements and payments
made, major demographic characteristics (age, sex, race, etc.),
and where appropriate,
characteristics such as socioeconomic status, sexual orientation,
etc.
- For animal participants, report the
genus, species, and strain number (identification information),
and describe how many
animals were used and the sex, age, weight, physiological
condition, and details of the treatment of the animals.
- Apparatus or materials: Identify
special equipment used in the study, including the model number
and supplier's name and location. Conventional laboratory
equipment does not need to be described.
- Procedure: This section summarizes the steps taken during the experiment.
Include instructions to participants (summarized unless used as experimental
manipulation), how the groups were formed, how the experiment was manipulated,
and control features.
For an example, click here.
For a checklist, click here.
