P a g e | 73

8 PROJECT REPORT WRITING

CHAPTER 2: METHODOLOGY
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to:
1. identify the components of a methodology section
2. apply the strategies for writing a methodology section/chapter
3. apply correct language conventions in writing a methodology section/chapter

7.1 What does a Methodology Chapter Comprise?

In preparing a report, the methodology section may commonly be the first part written by most writers,
simply because this is the most straightforward part of the whole report. Generally, the methodology
section provides detailed and precise procedural information on how the data are collected and how
these data are analysed for the study. The information may include the materials used and the
methods adopted in the study. However, the description or explanation of the materials is not included
since it is assumed that the readers have the background information of the materials. For example, in
reporting the components used in a circuitry design which involves a display, an integrated circuit (IC) and
power supply, an explanatory section on what is a display, an IC and power supply is not necessary
because this information is the fundamental knowledge in electric circuits. Table 1 provides general
information on the possible components and contents of a methodology section.

Table 1 Possible components and contents of a methodology section/chapter

Components Possible contents

WHEN? Describe the time and duration of the study

WHERE? Describe the place or location of the study

Describe the materials, equipment, samples, data, approaches, designs or
WHAT?
techniques used for the study
Describe the step-by-step procedure, analysis procedure, experimental
HOW? procedure, statistical procedure, survey procedure, comparison, process carried
out for the study

The description of the procedure may be illustrated in graphical presentations such as a flow diagram
(Figure 1). Figure 1 shows the stages involved in a post-production phase of a video production carried
out in a study. The main aim of a methodology section in a report is not only to allow the readers to
understand the procedure and analysis undertaken to carry out the study, but also to enable readers to
replicate the experiment or design for a different research. It should be noted that the methodology
section should not include your comments on the observation of the methods carried out! The comments,
nevertheless, should be included later in the results section.
 P a g e | 74

Recording Editing Animation Exporting

Figure 1 Post-production phase

6.3 Structure of a Methodology Section

The structure of a methodology section is determined by the order of what is used (materials, designs,
participants, criteria) and what is done (data collection, analysis procedure) in the study. As such,
the most common organisation is according to a chronological order. Nevertheless, there are other
options to organise a methodology section (Engineering Communication Centre, 2005), which include:
a) dividing and subdividing the steps into key stages or sub-stages
b) using keywords or headings that reflect the nature of the stages, for example Pre-production
and Post-production

The following Table of Content (TOC) provides an example of a structure in a methodology section.

3. METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction

3.2 System Architecture

3.2.1 Preliminary design on what is used
3.2.2 User interface design

3.3 Phases of Video Production

3.3.1 Pre-production
3.3.2 Production on what is done
3.3.3 Post-Production

3.4 Implementation
3.4.1 Production of Texts
3.4.2 Production of Graphics
3.4.3 Production of Audio on what is done
3.4.5 Process of Animation
3.4.6 Process of Integration

In an experimental report, before the description of the procedure, the methodology section may begin
with a description of the apparatus or equipment used which includes the testing conditions and
testing parameters. A diagram to present the whole set up of the apparatus or equipment may be needed.
 P a g e | 75

The following excerpt is another example of a methodology section from a report entitled FPGA-Based
Surveillance System. Read the excerpt and observe the structure adopted by the writer. (Hint: Check the
numbering system and determine the organisation of the section). Discuss with your instructor.

3. Methodology
This section explains the designing of the surveillance system for the study.
outlines the
The description begins with two main parts: the hardware devices and software
organisation of
configurations, which provide the platform for the whole system design. Next,
the
the procedure undertaken to design the surveillance system is discussed.
methodology
section
3.1 Hardware Devices
The devices used in this study were surveillance video cameras and Spartan
3e FPGA Board.

3.1.1 Surveillance video cameras

The two surveillance cameras used in the study were Brand A and Brand B.
Brand A ......(description of the product)...........................................

Brand B ......(description of the product)...........................................

3.1.2 Spartan 3e FPGA board

provides the
Spartan 3e FPGA Board is ......(description of the device) ...............................
information on
what are
3.2 Software Configurations needed or
Matlab Simulink and Xilink System Generator are the main platforms for constructed to
building the system in the study. conduct the
study
3.2.1 Matlab Simulink
This software is used to get the prototype of the algorithms before the
implementation of the system. ......(further description on the function of the
software in the study)......

3.2.2 Xilink System Generator

......(description on the function of the software in the study)......
 P a g e | 76

3.3. Designing the Surveillance System

The steps involved in the design of the system include
implementation of algorithm in MATLAB simulation, generating the
FPGA compatible block set, configuration of FPGA board and provides the
loading of program. These steps are further elaborated in the information on
following: how the whole
study was
3.3.1 Implementation of algorithm in MATLAB Simulink carried out
......(description of the first step)...... step by step,
with reference
3.3.2 Generating the FPGA Compatible Block Set to what are
......(description of the second step)...... needed for the
study as
3.3.3 Configuration of FPGA Board discussed
......(description of the third step)...... earlier

3.3.3 Program Loading

......(description of the fourth step)......

6.4 Language Conventions in a Methodology Section

a) Tenses
The most commonly suggested tense used in reporting the methodology section is past tense.
This is generally because you are reporting your research which had been carried out. In other
words, the use of the past tense denotes your reference to your work and not anyone else’s.

3.1 Data Collection

The first phase of the study focused on identifying internal and external factors contributing
to and/or impeding students’ persistence in the ELHE-DE program. The cross-sectional
survey design, which implies that the data were collected at one point in time (McMillan,
2000), was used. The primary technique for collecting the quantitative data was a self-
developed questionnaire, containing items of different formats: multiple-choice questions,
one-or-more option questions, dichotomous answers like “Yes” and “No”, self-assessment
items, the 7-point Likert type, and open-ended questions.

Adapted from: Ivankova, 2002

However, if the method or procedure can be replicated by others with a high probability of having
the same results, the present tense can be used to report the methodology section.
 P a g e | 77

3.2 Analysis Procedure

Before the statistical analysis of the survey results, the screening of the data is conducted
on the uni-variate and multi-variate levels (Kline, 1998; Tabachnick & Fidell, 2000). Data
screening assists to identify potential multi-colinearity in the data, because multi-variate
tests are sensitive to extremely high correlations among predictor variables. Outlying cases
must be excluded from the analysis because those may result in the poor model fit
(Tabachnick & Fidell, 2000).

Adapted from: Ivankova, 2002

b) Passive constructions
Passive constructions are normally adopted in reporting the methodology section. The emphasis
is given to what is done, not who does it.

o The cross-sectional survey design was used.

The emphasis is on what is done

o The data are collected at one point in time (McMillan, 2000)

c) Transitions
Because the most frequent organisation of the methodology section is chronological, the
transitions used to show the link of ideas in the section mainly show an order or a sequence.

o Before the statistical analysis of the survey results, the screening of the data is
conducted on the uni-variate and multi-variate levels (Kline, 1998; Tabachnick & Fidell,
2000).
o The first phase of the study focused on identifying internal and external factors
contributing to and/or impeding students’ persistence in the ELHE-DE program.
o After the administration of the questionnaires, a series of interview was conducted
with several technicians in the department.

Refer to the links provided at the end of this chapter to get more information and practice on the
language elements.
 P a g e | 78

TUTORIAL ACTIVITIES

Exercise 1
Read carefully the following excerpts taken from different project papers. Identify the type of information
of each excerpt and state whether the excerpts can be included in the methodology section or not.

a) Holmberg (1995) pointed out there was no evidence to indicate distance students
should be regarded as a homogeneous group. However, many distance students “do
share broad demographic and situational similarities that have often provided the basis
for profiles of the typical distance learner in higher education” (Thompson, 1998, p.
12). Characteristics included in such a profile are varied, but generally reflected some
combination of demographic and situational variables, such as gender, age, ethnic
background, disability, location, and life roles (Thompson, 1998).

Adapted from: Ivankova, 2002

Type of Information: __________________________________

Can be included in the methodology section?: Yes / No

b)
In addition to the questionnaires distributed, a series of interviews with the residents of
Taman Bukit Beruang were carried out. The objective of the interview was to obtain
immediate responses on the installation of the water sprinklers along the road in the
residential area. Their suggestions on how to ensure an efficient use of water
sprinklers were also recorded.

Type of Information: __________________________________

Can be included in the methodology section?: Yes / No

c) Product output time per minute is the total product that can be produced in one
minute. The Revoma Label Machine can produce 30 pieces of hologram label per
minute, while the Solo Label Machine can produce 60 pieces of hologram label per
minute. As such, the Solo machine can save more time than the Revoma Label
Machine.

Type of Information: __________________________________

Can be included in the methodology section?: Yes / No
 P a g e | 79

d) The features of the Windows and Mac operating system are analysed. Next, the
features are compared in order to identify similarities and differences between the
two operating systems. Finally, a recommendation on the most suitable operating
system to be used in the secondary school is made.

Type of Information: __________________________________

Can be included in the methodology section?: Yes / No

e) Websites and forums on surveillance network and security cameras were studied to
retrieve useful information on both products. Books and magazines were also
retrieved from the library to obtain contemporary reviews and comments from the
consumers.

Type of Information: __________________________________

Can be included in the methodology section?: Yes / No

f) Thorough research had been done to obtain detailed information on both products
(AXIS P3344 network camera and Videosphere Microdome PTZ camera). Criteria
were established from interviews with management of Maybank. Features of both
products were compared to identify the most suitable product for Maybank. The
features include:
 Video resolution of 1280 X 800
 24-hour operation (Day/Night use)
 Camera angle rotation of 300°
 PoE (Power Over Ethernet) availability
 Maximum cost of RM3000.00

Type of Information: __________________________________

Can be included in the methodology section?: Yes / No

g) Demographic questions constitute the final section of the questionnaire. They provide
information regarding participants’ age, gender, employment and Nebraska residency
status, degrees earned and family structure. Some questions in the survey have an
open-ended “Others (specify)” option to provide one correct answer for every subject
in the study. A choice of “Not applicable” (NA) is included, when necessary. The last
question on the survey is open-ended and asks for additional information about
students’ experiences in the ELHE-DE program.

Adapted from: Ivankova, 2002

Type of Information: __________________________________

Can be included in the methodology section?: Yes / No
 P a g e | 80

h) The navigation design of the documentary shooting is illustrated in the flowchart in

Figure 10. The first step involved the preparation of the scripts about the nira nipah. It
was followed by the preparation of the storyboard. The storyboard is crucial in a
documentary shooting because it provides the storyline from which the whole
shooting process is carried out. The shooting preparation took place after the location
for the shooting was identified. Once the shooting sessions were completed, the
recordings of the shootings were transferred into the computer. The following task is
editing the recordings.

Type of Information: __________________________________

Can be included in the methodology section?: Yes / No

Exercise 2
With reference to your project report assignment:
a) identify the components that you need to include in the methodology section (i.e. what is used
and what is done)
b) prepare the TOC (Table of Content) of your methodology section
c) decide on the tenses to be used to reflect the tasks, process and procedure performed in your
study
d) prepare a graphical presentation, if necessary, to reflect the methodological steps of your study

Exercise 3
Observe the following extract from a report on A Proposal for GPS-less Location Detection Using a
Reference Direction Information Sharing Method with Co-operation of Mobile Terminals. Identify
the language conventions.
a) Circle the verbs that reflect the tenses used and discuss their usage in the text
b) Underline the sentences with passive constructions.
c) Highlight the transitions used in the text, and identify their usage/function.
 P a g e | 81

4.1 Basic function of wireless communication system

In this subsection, two types of devices and structures of the wireless communication system are
shown. These devices are: fixed device (referred to as a “reference station” hereafter) which
transmits radio wave (referred to as a “direction designation signal” hereafter) towards a pre-defined
direction, and mobile terminal which receives and transmits the direction of the designation signal
while obtaining information from the reference direction.

4.1.1 Reference station

Each reference station is a fixed installment with pre-configured information on its installed location
and the direction it should transmit the direction designation signal. The direction designation signal
is transmitted towards the reference direction using the information in it. The directivity can be
formed using, for example, adaptive array antenna.

4.1.2 Mobile terminal

Mobile terminal receives the direction designation signals transmitted from the reference stations or
other mobile terminals. The arrival direction is obtained from processing the direction designation
signals received by the antenna. Then the mobile terminal obtains the reference direction as the
opposite direction of the arrival direction, and transmits the direction designation signal to the
reference direction.
Adapted from: Jun Hirano, 2008

Exercise 4 (Internet search)

In a group of five, find two (2) journal articles in your field. Print a copy of the methodology section from
the articles and answer the following questions.
1. Study the methodology section. Identify the organisation of the section.
2. What do you think of the section? Do you think the methodology discussed is clear and can
be replicated?
3. Are there any graphic presentations used in the articles? How do they reflect the
methodological steps in the study?
4. Identify the language features, such as tenses, passive constructions and transitions, used by
the writer.

Exercise 5 (Library)
In a group of five, find two (2) Bachelor Projects (PSM) in your field. Answer the following questions.
1. Is the methodology chapter organised clearly?
2. Is there any graphical presentation to illustrate the procedure in the study?
3. Are the language conventions, such as tenses, passive constructions and transitions, used
consistently?
 P a g e | 82

Suggested links for enrichment:

http://www.smart-words.org/transition-words.html
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/passive
http://www.admc.hct.ac.ae/hd1/english/process/index.htm