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"In
this section," "begins with," "concludes with"
Structure of the written report: the writers are telling you how their research
will be presented in the following section, including the topic and the order in which
information will appear. This is useful because it gives an overview of the methodology
section and therefore makes what follows easier to understand. Without an
overview it may
not be evident why the author/s are presenting certain material or the relevance of
certain sections. This first paragraph functions like an introduction to the following
section. Usually every section of a piece of research writing has some form of
introduction that gives the main points of what follows or outlines the structure of the
research. 
"is intended to," "was constructed to"
Purpose: in this case, the purpose of the model. Very often in methodology sections
the purpose is given first, or at least very early because knowing the aim of the research
is obviously paramount to understanding how the researcher/s set out to achieve their
objectives. Later, in the second paragraph, the more specific purpose (in this case to
predict) is given.
"The
model predicts"
What the model does: the model predicts energy flows. In this sentence we learn a
more specific purpose than was given in the previous paragraph, and are given more
information about how it works.
"The rates of energy
removal from the tank are related to parameters"
Functioning of the system: here the authors tell us which variables affect the rate
of energy removal, i.e. how the system functions. In the following sentence we are told
that the model is used to predict the effect of these parameters.
"it was used"
Application: how the model was used, in this case as a method of predicting how
well the system would work.
"consists
of"
Description: a description of the model, in this case the physical equipment
assumed in the model.
"Was
chosen because"
Rationale: reasons why this method (in this case, this heat exchanger) were chosen
for this model. It is often crucial to give an explanation in order to justify decisions.
"To
simplify the model"
Assumptions: models necessarily involve simplifying reality. Here the authors
specify their assumptions (no stratification in the water), and provide a rationale for
why they can assume this to be true (a submerged pump in the tank is assumed to keep the
water sufficiently well mixed).
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References for works cited on these pages
Academic Support Network
Bridging Program Talkbase French
Courses Other Languages Certificate in Educational Development Writing services
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