Methods: reproducible by a stranger

One job: make the reader believe the claim is warranted. Every paragraph offers a reason or rules out an alternative.

Task: Methods too vague to reproduce.

[Before you start, do three things]
1. Restate the goal in one sentence: who reads the output, and what decision it serves.
2. If I have not given you the following, ask me. Do not assume:
   - subjects and procedure
   - tools and versions
   - data processing
   - ethics approval
3. Say how you plan to do it (at most 5 steps) and wait for my go-ahead.

[Go through each of these]
- four sections: subjects, materials, procedure, analysis
- version numbers and parameter values
- flag steps involving judgement
- point to shareable data or code

[Process]
1. Conclusion first, then support
2. One point per paragraph, stated in its first sentence
3. Address alternative explanations and limits
4. Cut sentences that do not advance the argument
5. Check every number has a source

[Output]
Claim, reason, evidence, alternative, limitation.

[Do not]
- No 'obviously' or 'as we all know'
- Never state a fact without a citation
- Do not repeat results in the discussion
- Do not inflate practical implications