The results section of an APA format paper summarizes the data that was collected and the statistical analyses that were performed to test the hypotheses. This section should be clearly written using appropriate APA style so that other researchers can interpret and build upon the findings.
The results section should begin with restating the purpose of the study and remind readers of the specific hypotheses that were tested. The objective, hypotheses, and research questions should be restated in the same way they were presented in the introduction. This helps provide context and continuity for the reader.
After reintroducing the purpose and hypotheses, the results should be presented in a logical sequence according to the research design of the study. All statistical tests should be written out fully the first time they are mentioned. For example, instead of writing (t(30) = 2.34, p < .05) the first time, it would be better to write "An independent samples t-test was conducted to compare the mean exam scores of the control and experimental groups. There was a significant difference in scores between the two groups, t(30) = 2.34, p < .05."
Subsequent mentions can use abbreviated statistical language. Tables and figures are highly recommended for presenting results in a clear, concise manner. Each table and figure should be referred to in the text by its number (e.g., "As shown in Table 1,..."). Any tables should have a title to concisely explain what the data depicts. Figures also need figure captions that describe key aspects and summarize major findings. All results reported in the text need to include corresponding effect size, confidence interval, and p value information for significant findings. Reporting this information allows readers to accurately interpret the meaning and reproducibility of the results. For example, instead of just writing "There was a significant difference between groups”, a better result would be "There was a statistically significant difference between the mean scores of the control (M=15.33, SD=2.45) and experimental (M=17.28, SD=3.67) groups, t(58) = 2.86, p = .006, d = 0.73, 95% CI [0.25, 1.21]." If null or non-significant results were anticipated as an outcome for certain tests, those should also be reported and discussed briefly. This discussion could address why those non-significant results are still informative. Any post-hoc or follow up analyses should also be delineated with any new results. For studies with multiple dependent variables, the results section should be organized to report the statistical findings for each dependent variable separately. Similarly, if different analyses were conducted for different groups of subjects, those results should be logically separated. Well labeled subheadings can help structure and delineate different clusters of results. The goal in writing the results section is to report the key statistical findings objectively and accurately without overly extensive interpretation. Any results that were unexpected or contradictory to the stated hypotheses should be acknowledged. The level of detail should allow the reader to independently verify any analytic procedures or statistical assumptions if desired. Any information reported in tables and figures should not be redundantly repeated in the prose of the results section text itself. The text should discuss and summarize the most important trends and patterns indicated by the tables and figures to highlight the significant outcomes for the reader. Technical details of each statistical test that are not directly relevant to interpreting the major findings should appear in appendices rather than the body of the results section. While sticking strictly to reporting results without interpretation, it is still appropriate to note any relevant ancillary findings or methodological observations that arose during data collection or analyses. For example, if certain measures exhibited low reliability, outlier data points had to be excluded, or there were unexpected issues implementing certain study conditions, these types of observations could be reported factually in the results section. More extensive discussions of study limitations are typically reserved for the discussion section. By the conclusion of the results section, the reader should have a clear sense of the outcomes of the study without needing to rely heavily on the discussion section for interpretation. Reiterating once again the purpose and hypotheses at the end can help reinforce continuity and context for transitioning into the discussion. Referring explicitly back to the hypotheses in this closing remark helps full integrate and accomplish the goals for the results section. The results section aims to objectively summarize the key findings from statistical analyses in a clear manner using APA style guidelines. With an emphasis on accurate reporting of test statistics, confidence intervals, effect sizes, and raw data where appropriate, the section allows readers to independently interpret results and build on the work without needing to review the raw data themselves. With well organized prose and supplementary tables and figures, the results should paint a comprehensible picture of what outcomes were revealed through the study.