methods-writer_skill

Overview

This skill drafts publication-ready Methods sections for interview-based sociology articles, grounded in a systematic analysis of 77 Social Problems and Social Forces papers. It guides pathway selection (Efficient, Standard, Detailed), component coverage, and word-count calibration so your Methods match disciplinary norms. Use it to produce a clean, reviewer-ready Methods draft and a rationale for structure and length.

How this skill works

I assess your study details (sample N, population, recruitment, interview protocol, analysis, access challenges) and apply a decision tree to recommend a pathway. After you confirm the pathway, I draft the Methods section using pathway-specific word allocations, required components, and rhetorical patterns drawn from the corpus. Finally, I revise the draft to match benchmark word counts, include or omit tables, and flag optional components like positionality or ethics.

When to use it

• You need a full Methods section drafted from finished data and analysis.
• You want to shorten or expand an existing Methods section to fit journal norms.
• You need a pathway recommendation (Efficient / Standard / Detailed) with rationale.
• You want to ensure required components (sample, recruitment, analysis) are present and calibrated.
• You need help deciding whether to include tables, positionality, or saturation claims.

Best practices

• Open with a study-led sentence that names the sample and N rather than a methodological justification.
• Default to the Standard pathway (1,200–1,500 words) unless triggers require Efficient or Detailed.
• Use a demographic table when N > 30 or when sample composition affects interpretation.
• Avoid claiming saturation; prefer statements about comparative adequacy, coverage, or pragmatic bounds.
• Include positionality only when identity shaped access, disclosure, or the studied population is vulnerable.

Example use cases

• Single-site study with 40 interviews seeking a Standard-pathway Methods draft and a recommended demographic table.
• Multi-site comparative study with 150 interviews needing a Detailed Methodology with recruitment rates and coding procedures.
• Short methods requirement from a journal (severe word limits) where an Efficient 600–900 word draft is needed.
• Restructuring an existing Methods section to remove saturation claims and add a clearer opening and ethics paragraph.