Abstract

This paper reports an investigation on the move structures and cognitive genres found in the methods sections of research articles (RAs) in the field of experimental psychology. Thirty RAs of experimental psychology were analyzed in terms of the move structure and the cognitive genre applied to realize the moves. The analysis of the move structure of these research articles showed that the basic moves were: describing participants, describing data collection procedure(s) and explaining data analysis. The analysis of the cognitive genres used in the methods sections showed that authors typically require more than one cognitive genre to realize the major moves of the methods sections. The most commonly used cognitive genres in realizing the method section of a RA of experimental psychology were explanation and report. This suggests that the inclusion of the instruction of explanation and report in the EAP writing courses for the psychology major students is essential.

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