1 WRITING CHEMICAL RESEARCH PAPERS EXPERIMENTAL, OR MATERIALS AND METHODS

2 Function of ‘Materials and Methods’ or ‘Experimental’ Section To allow readers to assess the value and quality of your work To enable readers to repeat or adopt your procedures

3 Function of ‘Materials and Methods’ In general, a Materials and Methods section Should give clearly the following information: Details of experimental procedure – what was done and how Details of quantities, times and all relevant parameters and experimental conditions Details of equipment Details of materials

4 Structure of Materials and Methods Section The ‘Materials and Methods’ or ‘Experimental’ Section will be normally divided into a number of subsections, according to journal style. Typically these are: Materials Instrumentation (Experimental) Procedures (including General Procedure in organic synthesis papers – see later) Any addition experimental sections

5 Contents of ‘Materials and Methods Subsections Materials. Identity, grades and sources (with brief addresses) of key materials should be stated here Instrumentation. Information should include model names/numbers, manufacturers (with brief addresses) and operating conditions (there may be a separate subsection for this)

6 Contents of ‘Materials and Methods Subsections..Continued Procedure. All necessary experimental details (masses, volumes, times, temperatures, etc) should be given here, along with a concise but clear procedural details See special note on synthetic organic chemistry ‘Materials and Methods’ style

7 Some Important General Points Set out procedural details in logical order, making them easy for readers to follow Use subheadings to divide text, according to journal guidelines

8 More General Points Methods should describe experimental design clearly (but briefly). E.g. -Hypotheses tested -Variables measured -Replicates -Reference materials (standards)

9 Some More General Points Methods should explain briefly why each procedure was done Any already published procedure that is important, but not central to the present manuscript, can be merely referenced (especially if lengthy)

10 Yet More General Points Use past tense in third person Give clear descriptions of new equipment constructed for your study: include a figure if necessary Give details of modifications made to standard equipment or existing methods

11 Final General Points (Honestly!) Emphasize sources of specific materials or equipment that are crucial to the study State quantifications precisely (and with estimate of error, where relevant) State statistical tests used (with citation, if special)

12 What Not to Include in ‘Materials and Methods’ Results: These will be in the ‘Results’ or ‘Results and Discussion’ section Background information: that should be in the ‘Introduction’ and/or ‘Discussion’ section Extraneous information or discussion

13 Synthetic Organic Chemistry ‘Materials and Methods’ Style In the Materials subsection, sources (with brief address) and quality of chemicals should be included, as stated previously In the Instrumental subsection (if present), instrument model numbers and manufacturer details should be given, as stated previously

14 Synthetic Organic Chemistry ‘Materials and Methods’ Style.. Continued An Instrumental Procedures subsection (if present) should give essential (but brief) details, including experimental or operating conditions

15 Synthetic Organic Chemistry ‘Materials and Methods’ Style.. Continued In the General Procedure subsection, Details mentioned above are not included, but details of chromatography stationary and mobile phases should be included, along with other essential details on quantities, temperatures, times, etc Physical parameters (m.pt., elemental composition, spectroscopic data, etc) of all new compounds should be summarized in this subsection

16 Example 1

17 Example 2

18 Example 3

19 If in Doubt, Ask a Colleague…