Dissertations and Thesis – What Is the Meaning of the Materials and Methods Section?
One of the most complex and sizable projects that students in any area of study must complete in their academic career is the dissertation. The dissertation is a large body of work that takes months and sometimes even years. It compiles much research, and works to either solve a problem or express a new method of doing so.
Of the many parts included in a thesis, there are is one section that lays out your plans and what materials were used to come to your conclusion. This is important for establishing yourself as a reliable researcher – and lending your overall dissertation more credibility and weight within the department and study area.
Materials and Methods Section
The materials and methods section gives readers and fellow researchers information on where they can access the materials that you used in your research. It also includes information on how you approached your research – and why.
- Materials: the materials you used are an important part of your overall effort to establish a plan of action or answer an important research question. Regardless of the outcome, the items you relied on to come to your conclusion will determine whether or not your project was credible. Credible sources and properly documented materials and sources will lend your dissertation much more weight in the field – and the process should be taken seriously.
- Methods: the methods you used to get your information and make an end-argument or establish a solution is also important. Whether your methods are traditional or non-traditional, you must detail them so that they can be considered and possibly even replicated by other researchers and leaders in the field.
Credibility and the Materials and Methods Section
Your dissertation serves many purposes. One is to get you through graduation – and highlight your successes as a researcher and student. This is important, but so are the other purposes.
For study purposes, your dissertation can help provide more information on an important subject, or even provide direction for students down the road. Exceptional dissertations even have the possibility of formal publication and can be the trajectory of your career. There are many helpful uses for your research within the field – and as such it is important that you set yourself at a standard that shows how serious you took your project. Correctly detailing your sources (and choosing credible ones), and documenting your methods of study and research are both important parts of doing so.
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