Writing a Methods Section

Writing a Methods Section 

Methods 

Participants

Data for this research report was collected from 100 Argentinean female and male science professors from the areas of hard science of Math, Chemistry, Physics and Biology from the National University of Mar del Plata in Argentina. Participants were selected not only based on the subject of teaching, but also on their expertise in each field, interest in research and as sources of data based on grounded theory.

Materials  

A descriptive study was performed to “obtain information concerning the current status of the phenomena to describe “what exists” with respect to variables or conditions in a situation.” (Key, 2002, p. 1). Two variables were considered in the study: conceptions of teaching and consistency index. The implied theories of such variables have functioned as the theoretical framework for the research as well as the implementation of an ex-post-facto design. Additionally, an adapted dilemma questionnaire of 10 items was submitted to the participants. The choice of such kind of questionnaire was so due to the fact that because of its argumentative nature, answers can be easily contextualized within the implicit theories. Moreover, the selection of the final 10 dilemmas was based on the aspects that would be assessed by the two variables of study. 

Procedure

The study took place in the Engineering Faculty of the University of Mar del Plata during the first term of the year 2010. The researcher assembled the participants during several sessions that took place in allotted time. Several sessions were necessary due to schedule restrictions. Participants were randomly assigned to groups. The questionnaires were submitted to every participant and they were invited to answer, account for their choices and share the different points of view with the rest of the people involved in every group. Once all questionnaires were completed and submitted, the researcher collected the. Answers were compared and analyzed, tables and figures were designed based on the two variables of study and the data collected.

References

Key, J. (2002). Research design in occupational education. Oklahoma State University. Retrieved January 8, 2010 from

http: //www.okstate.edu/ag/agendcm4h/academic/aged5980a/5980/index.htm

Mateos-Sanz, M.M., Basilisa García, M., Villanova, S.L (2011). Conceptions of teaching and learning held by University Science Professors 2 (3). Retrieved from

http://ries.universia.net/index.php/ries/article/viewArticle/81/villanova