8 Th e samples were subsequently shipped to ISF for analysis by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). 9 All tubing used was stainless steel, and although two samples were at risk of CFC contamination as a result of brief contact with plastic, variation among samples was negligible. 8__________________ 9___________________ In Sentence 1 'Th e current investigation involved sampling and analysing six sites to measure changes in groundwater chemistry.' the writer off ers a general overview of the entire subsection, including the purpose of the investigation. If you wrote 'introduction' or 'introduces the Methodology' here, that won't help you when you come to write your own thesis or research article because it doesn't tell you what exactly to write in that sentence. Why do I need to introduce the Methodology? In some cases, writers begin immediately with a description of the procedure or the materials. Th is is appropriate where the research focus is very narrow and all those who are likely to read it are carrying out similar research. If this is not the case, it is more reader-friendly to start with some introductory material. Th e aim of providing a short introduction is to make the entry to that section smooth for the reader. Th ere are many ways to introduce the Methodology. Here are three of the most common ways: • Off er a general overview by outlining the parameters of the work, for example the number of tests, the equipment /material/soft ware used and perhaps also the purpose of the investigation. Th is helps the reader to get a general idea of this section. • Provide background information about the materials or about the source of the materials/equipment. • Refer back to something in the previous section. Common options are restating the aim of the project or the problem you are hoping to address.
Chapter 50