How to write a proper Method/Procedure
The method should be written in a clear way so that readers are able to repeat the experiment and get similar results
Using a numbered list for the steps of your experimental procedure is much clearer than writing a whole paragraph or text. The steps should:
Be written in a sequential order, based on when they were performed
Specify any equipment that was used
Specify the quantity of any materials that were used
You also need to use past tense and passive voice when you are writing your method. Scientific reports are suuposed to show the readers what you did in the epxeriment, not what you will do.
EXAMPLE: Here is an INCORRECTLY written method
Wrap foil around a leaf of a plant, and leave it in the sun
After a couple of days, collect the covered leaf and an uncovered leaf.
Remove the foil from the covered leaf and cut a square out of each leaf
Boil water and keep it aside
Place the square pieces of leaf into the boiling water for a few minutes before placing them into test tubes
Add methylated spirits to each test tube
Place test tubes into hot water for a few minutes
After a period of time, take the leaves out and rinse them before placing them into petri dishes
Add a few drops of iodine solution onto each leaf
Observe any reactions
Repeat
Example: Here is the CORRECTLY written method
Aluminium foil was used to fully cover a leaf of a geranium plant. The plant was left in the sun for three days.
On the third day, the covered leaf and 1 non-covered leaf were collected from the same plant. The foil was removed from the covered leaf, and a 1cm square was cut from each leaf using a pair of scissors.
150ml of tap water was boiled in a kettle and poured into a 250ml glass beaker
Using forceps, the 1cm square of covered leaf was placed into the beaker of boiling water for 2 minutes. It was then placed in a test tube labelled "dark"
The water in the beaker was discarded and replaced with 150ml of freshly boiled water
Using forceps, the 1cm square non-covered leaf was placed into the beaker of boiling water for 2 minutes. It was then placed in a test tube labelled "light"
5ml of methylated spirts was measured with a measuring cylinder and poured into each test tube so that the leaves were fully covered.
The water in the beaker was replaced with 150ml of freshly boiled water and both the "light" and "dark" test tubes were immersed in the beaker of boiling water for 5 minutes.
The leaves were collected from each test tube with forceps, rinsed under cold running tap water, and placed onto separate labelled Petri dishes.
3 drops of iodine solutions were added to each leaf
Both Petri dishes were placed side by side and observations were recorded.
The experiment was repeated a further 10 times and results were compared.