Evaluate the collective function of references cited together in a given text segment.
Classify their combined role into one of the following categories: 'method', 'background', or 'result'.

Text:In our aim to analyse the transcriptional programme that determines fruiting body formation of the ascomycete A. nidulans, we made use of a simple but straightforward approach as it had been described recently (Ray et al., 2004).
Category: