Q Is each section independent?
A No. Some authors write so that each section (intro, methods, etc.) is a complete unit that can exist without the other sections. This style is on its way out largely because of space constraints. Journals such as L&O can only publish a certain number of pages per year, so every word counts. Redundancy is not acceptable. Although you write each section independently, they are published as a unit, and each section of the unit has a specific purpose.
Example of what not to do:
At the end of your introduction, do not put a sentence that says something like "This paper examines circulation in the Duckabush subestaury and delineates the importance of spring runoff in determining the salinity balance for the region. Specifically, a three-dimensional model of tidal forcing overlain by riverine flow indicates that in spring freshwater delivery dominates in this unique system." Why not say this at the end of the introduction? The purpose of the introduction is to define the general importance of the problem and make the reader understand that the issues are important to study. The "Here is what I did" sections are in the ABSTRACT and in the DISCUSSION only.
Q What is the purpose of each section?
A Each section has a unique purpose.
The ABSTRACT concisely tells people what you did and what it means.
The ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS allows you space to thank people and entities that helped you either with financial assistance or scientific assistance. This is the only part of the document where you have complete freedom.
The INTRODUCTION is used to entice the reader into reading the rest of the paper. In the introduction, you describe the general importance of your topic and of the region you studied, and provide background information about both these things.
The METHODS section describes explicitly what you did and how you did it. If you used an established protocol, then you simply reference the paper that describes the protocol. If you did something unique, then you must describe all the details so that someone else can replicate your work. No secrets.
The RESULTS section provides only results, no interpretations. In general, you describe your data from largest issues (The circulation was generally...) down to small issues (during the ebb tide on 5 April 2000, eddy currents in the...). All tables and figures are introduced in the results section. The only exception to this is a table or figure of sampling locations, which is introduced in the methods section.
The DISCUSSION explains what you think your data mean. In the discussion you also should compare your data to other work on the topic. This is the place where you justify all your work and explain what you learned.
There is no SUMMARY section because your papers will be too short to require a summary. Besides, that is what the abstract is for.
The REFERENCES section is used to provide readers with a "map" so they can access supplimentary materials if they so desire.
The TABLES describe data that is not amenable to graphing. In general, a table is used to present specific information (exact Chlorophyl levels) and a figure is used to illustrate a trend (changes in Chlorophyl as a function of salinity).
The FIGURE LEGENDS are on a separate page from the figures themselves.
The FIGURES come last. Do not embed them into the text. Reviwers of manuscripts will often separate the figures from the text and lay them out in a row so that they can all be seen at once. This helps with the reviewing process. It is presumpuous to insert your figures into the text and make your manuscript look like a finished journal article when in-fact you are writing a manuscript that will undergo review prior to publication.
Q Am I done with each section once I hand it in on the due date?
A Not necessarily. It is likely that you will need to revise sections as the quarter proceeds. For instance, you might initially write a methods section that includes several techniques. However, as you interpret the data and decide what aspects of the study will comprise your report, you may no longer need a methods section that describes all the methods.
Rule of thumb: if you do not interpret the data in your discussion, eliminate the data from your methods and results. Exceptions: you cannot ethically eliminate data that is not consistent with your interpretations.
Examples: You can eliminate mentioning oxygen analyses if you do not use any oxygen data, but you cannot eliminate oxygen data from one station if they are inconsistent with your interpretation of data from the other stations.
Ocean 220 Writing