1. Writing about scientific methods in English
Presentation by
UWE Library
Learning Services

2. Writing about scientific methods in English
By the end of this session we hope you’ll feel more confident about:
Identifying the academic style commonly used in the methods section of science writing
Writing a methods section based on the examples provided
Academic style: objective, formal and precise
Appropriate vocabulary: suffixes and prefeies?

3. Is science writing special?
Work in pairs or small groups.
List all the different types of writing you have done or will do on your course, for example:
literature review

4. IMRaD structure Methods Abstract Introduction Methods Results
Discussion / Conclusion
Abstract
Methods
Glasman-Deal, H. (2009) Science Research Writing For Non-native Speakers of English [online]. London: Imperial College Press. [Accessed 26 February 2018].

5. The marshmallow test Task 1
Watch the video. Can you explain the experiment in simple terms?
TED talk: Don't eat the marshmallow

6. The marshmallow test Task 2
Using the language on the handouts to help you, write the methodology of the experiment.
Use at least one sentence from each of the 4 sections.
TED talk: Don't eat the marshmallow

7. References
Tasks adapted from:
Glasman-Deal, H. (2009) Science Research Writing For Non-native Speakers of English [online]. London: Imperial College Press. [Accessed 26 February 2018].
Science research writing: for non-native speakers of English
Glasman-deal, Hilary
Imperial college Press