Writing the results section of a research paper requires describing the experimental findings in an organized and objective manner. This section conveys what was observed during the study without interpreting the results or drawing conclusions. While this may seem straightforward, crafting an effective results section takes careful thought and planning.
The purpose of the results section is to summarize the key findings from your research in an orderly, quantitative way. This section should answer the question “what was found” by clearly reporting the observations and data collected during your study without speculating why certain results occurred. Readers will use the results section to understand the evidence gathered in support or rejection of the stated hypotheses.
The structure of the results section parallels the method section. Results should be presented in the same sequence the methods were performed. For example, if the methods describe several experiments that were conducted in a particular chronological order, the corresponding results for each experiment should be presented in that same order. Organizing results this way helps readers follow the logic and progression of the study.
While formatting can vary, the results section generally includes text, tables, and figures. Start by introducing the broad overview or purpose of the section in a couple of sentences. Then proceed to present specific data and quantitative results. Focus on only reporting the key findings without unnecessary background or tangential details. Reserve interpretation for the discussion section.
Use consistent formatting to call out different types of results. For example:
Report descriptive statistics like means, standard deviations, and percentages in paragraphs of text.
Use tables to present multiple related numerical values or comparisons in an organized grid format.
Illustrate trends and relationships through clearly labeled graphs and figures.
Quantify and define all measurements, units, and variables in the results. Avoid vague terms like “many”, “several”, or “high” that do not provide precise information. Precisely using numbers and statistics gives readers a concrete sense of the study outcomes.
Here is an example results section from a hypothetical study into the impact of exercise duration on strength gains:
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of varying exercise duration on upper body strength development over 6 weeks. Thirty sedentary male and female participants (age 18-30) were randomly assigned to one of three exercise protocols: 30 minutes per session (n=10), 45 minutes per session (n=10), or 60 minutes per session (n=10).
Bench press one repetition maximum (1RM) strength was assessed at baseline and after the 6-week training period for each participant. As shown in Table 1, at baseline there were no significant differences in mean 1RM strength between the groups (F=0.423, p=0.657).
After the 6-week training period, a one-way ANOVA revealed a significant effect of exercise duration on mean strength gains (F=15.69, p<0.001). As displayed in Figure 1, the 45 minute per session group attained the greatest strength improvements over baseline (mean gain = 12.5 kg, SD = 3.2). The 60 minute group realized slightly less strength gains than the 45 minute group (mean gain = 11.1 kg, SD = 2.7) but more than the 30 minute group (mean gain = 7.8 kg, SD = 2.1).
Post-hoc analysis with Tukey's HSD showed the 45 minute group achieved significantly greater strength gains than the 30 minute group (p=0.003). There was no statistically significant difference in strength gains between the 45 minute and 60 minute groups (p=0.142) or between the 30 minute and 60 minute groups (p=0.060). This example results section effectively conveys the key findings of the hypothetical study without interpretation. Specific numerical data and statistics are reported to quantify observations and directly answer what was found regarding the impact of different exercise durations on upper body strength development. Well-formatted text and visual aids like the table and figure clearly communicate results in a logical, easy to follow manner for readers. The results section needs to objectively summarize experimental observations using precise language and appropriate organizational structures. While simple to describe, crafting results that precisely yet concisely convey what was found demands thought, planning and practice. Following standard reporting practices will help ensure readers gain a clear understanding of evidence gathered related to the research question or hypotheses under investigation.