Writing a research experiment paper requires following specific guidelines and principles to present your findings in a clear, organized way. Here are the main sections to include and factors to consider when writing up the results of an experimental research study.
Introduction
The introduction should provide background on the topic being studied and a brief rationale for why the research is important. You’ll want to discuss the general problem or issue and summarize relevant previous research on the topic. The introduction establishes the context and purpose of the study. It ends with a clear statement of the research question or hypothesis being investigated. Make sure to cite other researchers’ work appropriately using APA or Chicago style citations.
A good introduction is around 1-2 paragraphs and ensures the reader understands the significance of the research and purpose of the study. Avoid long lengthy theoretical discussions and focus on giving a concise overview to set the stage for the experiment and results.
Method
The method section provides detailed information on the procedures, participants, materials, variables, and design of the experiment to allow others to replicate the study. It should be written in past tense and provide enough detail so that another researcher could repeat the procedures exactly.
Some key elements to include:
Participants – Describe in detail the characteristics of participants and how they were selected. Provide numbers of participants. Note any relevant demographics or control variables.
Materials – Provide a complete list of all materials used in the experiment like questionnaires, stimuli, equipment. Include details like brands and models. Attach copies of materials as an appendix if lengthy.
Design – Describe the overall design of the study (within or between subjects). Note independent and dependent variables. Explain conditions and groups if applicable. Include a diagram or flowchart if complex.
Procedure – Give step-by-step instructions for conducting the study using active voice. Number or label steps for clarity. Include instructions to participants and experimenter. Consider using screenshots, photos to illustrate equipment use.
Controls – Note any controls or constants implemented to reduce error like counterbalancing, randomized assignment, standardized instructions.
A well written method section allows readers to assess validity and readers should be able to repeat all procedures after reading this section alone. Quantify measurements and provide operational definitions as needed. Use subheadings for clarity.
Results
The results section presents the quantitative and qualitative outcomes of the study without interpreting their meaning. Report and display the results in a logical order that matches the method section.
Use complete sentences and report all relevant results even if they are insignificant or do not support the hypothesis. Display results through well-labeled tables and figures instead of long paragraphs of text whenever possible for clarity. Graphs are ideal for displaying trends or comparisons.
Some guidelines:
Use descriptive statistics like means, standard deviations, correlations or percentages as appropriate.
Report results of statistical tests and note any significant or non-significant findings. Report exact p values and effect sizes.
Introduce each table or figure with a brief caption before discussing results in the text.
Do not repeat all data from tables/graphs in text but highlight key trends.
Use appropriate subheadings to group similar results.
The results section should allow the reader to verify and understand the analysis without needing to check back to the method. Report all unexpected or anomalous results honestly rather than omitting data that does not support hypotheses.
Discussion
The discussion section integrates the results within the context of previous theory and research. It should not simply repeat the results but provide an interpretation of what they mean.
Some factors to address:
Evaluate whether results supported hypotheses and explain how they did or did not correlate with predictions and past literature. Note possible reasons for inconsistencies.
Discuss theoretical and practical significance or implications of the findings. Relate results back to the original research questions or problem.
Acknowledge limitations and sources of error or ambiguity in the study. Propose ways to address limitations in future research. Consider alternative explanations and note results that need more investigation.
Do not overgeneralize results and acknowledge limits to how far findings can be generalized based on the study design. Suggest avenues for future research to address unanswered questions.
End with a clear concluding statement summarizing why the research was important and what it contributes to the topic area. Note how the study brought more understanding even if did not provide definitive answers.
Keep opinions well founded and supported by evidence from the study or literature. Avoid subjective non-scientific speculation. Maintain an objective, unbiased tone overall.
References
Use a consistent citation style like APA or Chicago to list all references used in the paper. Include in text citations and a References page at the end with full citations for all references used in any part of the paper from introduction to discussion.
Ensure references are accurately formatted and all details are provided including publication year, title, publisher, page numbers etc. Check that all in text cites match the reference page. References legitimize claims and ideas so use reputable, academic sources.
Additional Considerations
Use standard structure with consistent section headers for clarity. Maintain professional tone without jargon. Write in active voice. Proofread thoroughly for typos, inconsistent formatting, and flow. Check APA style guidelines closely for details on formatting tables, figures, headings etc.
Submit for feedback from peers and experts in the field. Revise based on reviewer comments before submitting for grading, publication or presentation. The quality of writing and organization should aim for clarity and rigor to share findings persuasively.
Following these guidelines will help create a well organized and clearly communicated research report. By methodically describing methods and thoughtfully discussing results, the reader gains full understanding and can assess the validity, implications and limitations of the experimental study.
Andrew Stroud