Overview
include introduction, literature/information review, and methods/implementation section.
Methods sections will look different depending on the project. The following are a list of elements commonly found in methods section.
- Overview of project (required) – includes purpose of the project, statement of the problem, purpose of the methods section, project type, rationale for project
- Conceptual or design framework (required) – identify theoretical, conceptual, or design frameworks informing your approach. This could be research design, application of specific models (ADDIE, Agile, etc), SWOT analysis, etc.
- Setting and context (required) – includes organizational or community context (describe where the project takes place, stakeholders/participants.
- Data sources and/or information inputs (required) - Surveys, interviews, focus groups, usability testing, reports, administrative data, datasets, system logs, literature, policies, business KPIs, program performance indicators, technical benchmarks, user requirements, design specifications, stakeholder feedback.
- Procedures and activities (required) – this will vary depending on type of project. See list of procedures below for details.
- Tools, Instruments, and Technologies -Identify and justify any tools or software (e.g., R, Python, NVivo, Tableau, Excel, Figma, JIRA). Include survey instruments, codebooks, interview guides, or design templates if relevant. Describe validation or reliability checks if tools were created or adapted.
- Data Analysis or Evaluation Techniques (if applicable) - Analytical procedures (statistical tests, coding frameworks, performance metrics, simulation, model validation, etc.). Methods for interpreting or visualizing results. Benchmarking or comparison approaches.
- Limitations and Assumptions (if applicable) - Constraints in data, design, or implementation. Assumptions underlying your methods. Risks and mitigation strategies.
- Timeline and Workflow (required)- Gantt chart or phase schedule (planning, development, testing, deployment, evaluation). - Key milestones and deliverables.
Types of Procedures (from item 5)
Applied Research Projects
- Research design (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods)
- Sampling and recruitment
- Data collection instruments (surveys, interview guides, etc.)
- Data analysis procedures (statistical, thematic, coding, etc.)
Program or Intervention Design Projects
- Needs assessment or environmental scan
- Stakeholder engagement or co-design process
- Development phases (planning, prototyping, pilot testing)
- Implementation steps and timeline
Technology / Product Development Projects
- System or software requirements analysis
- Design specifications and architecture
- Development process (e.g., sprints, iterations, testing cycles)
- Tools, platforms, and development environments used
- Validation and quality assurance methods
Evaluation or Assessment Projects
- Evaluation framework (formative, summative, process, outcome)
- Indicators or metrics used
- Data collection tools and frequency
- Analysis plan (quantitative, qualitative, or mixed)
- Criteria for success
Policy or Strategic Analysis Projects
- Policy analysis model (e.g., Bardach’s 8-step model, cost-benefit framework)
- Data and document sources
- Comparative or case analysis procedures
- Criteria for policy evaluation