Which Tenses to Use in the Methodology Chapter? Guide plus Examples

The Methodology chapter of your dissertation or research paper is critical for detailing how you conducted your study. It’s where you explain the steps you took to collect and analyze data, ensuring that your research can be understood and potentially replicated by others. The verb tense you use in this section is equally important, as it reflects the timeline of your research and helps maintain clarity. Here’s a breakdown of the tenses you should use in the Methodology chapter, along with examples.

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1. Past Tense: Describing Completed Actions

The past tense is most commonly used in the Methodology chapter because you’re recounting actions that have already been carried out.

• When to use it:
  • To describe the specific steps you took during your research.
  • To outline how data was collected, processed, or analyzed.
• Examples:
  • The data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted with 30 participants.
  • A survey was distributed to 500 respondents via an online platform.
  • The samples were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography.

Using the past tense clearly indicates that these activities were part of your completed research process.

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2. Present Tense: Describing Universally Accepted Methods or Rationales

The present tense is sometimes used to describe established methods or theoretical frameworks, especially if they are widely recognized and remain applicable beyond your study.

• When to use it:
  • When explaining why you chose a specific method.
  • To discuss general principles or universally accepted techniques.
• Examples:
  • Qualitative research is particularly suitable for exploring complex social phenomena.
  • The thematic analysis approach allows researchers to identify patterns within qualitative data.
  • Regression analysis is used to determine the relationship between dependent and independent variables.

This use of the present tense helps to emphasize that these methods are standard or timeless in your field.

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3. Past vs. Present: Combining Both for Clarity

In some cases, you might need to switch between tenses to distinguish between actions you performed (past tense) and general statements about methodology (present tense).

• Example:
  • The participants were selected using purposive sampling because this approach is ideal for targeting specific demographics.
    Here, the past tense is used to describe your action (participants were selected), while the present tense is used to justify your method (this approach is ideal).

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4. Future Tense: Rare but Possible

Although rare, the future tense might appear in the Methodology section if you’re writing a proposal or discussing steps you plan to take in ongoing or future research.

• Example:
  • In the next phase, data will be collected through follow-up interviews.

This usage is limited to proposals or research still in progress.

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Key Tips for Consistency

1. Stick to the timeline: Use past tense for actions already completed, and present tense for established facts or justifications.
2. Be consistent within paragraphs: Avoid shifting tenses unnecessarily within the same paragraph unless there’s a clear reason (e.g., contrasting completed actions with universal principles).
3. Review guidelines: Your institution or journal may have specific preferences for verb tenses, so check their requirements.

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Examples of Correct Tense Usage in a Methodology Chapter

Example 1: Clear Use of Past Tense

• The study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, surveys were distributed to 300 participants. In the second phase, interviews were conducted with 20 selected respondents.

Example 2: Combining Past and Present Tense

• Participants were recruited using snowball sampling, which is widely used in qualitative research to identify hard-to-reach populations.

Example 3: Justifying Methods in Present Tense

• The content analysis method is appropriate for examining recurring themes in textual data.

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Conclusion

Using the correct tense in your Methodology chapter enhances the clarity and professionalism of your writing. The past tense is your go-to choice for describing completed actions, while the present tense works well for general principles or widely accepted methods. In rare cases, you might use the future tense for planned research. By applying these guidelines tenses to use in the methodology chapter, you’ll ensure your chapter is both clear and grammatically precise.

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Posted by Glenn Stevens. Need help editing your methodology chapter? Why not contact Glenn.