The results section of a research paper is more than a data dump—it is the part of your manuscript where you demonstrate what your study uncovered. Unlike the discussion section, which explains the meaning and implications of your findings, the results section should remain objective, concise, and well-structured.
Yet, many researchers struggle with this stage of writing. Some overload the section with raw data, while others blur the line between results and discussion. To help you avoid these pitfalls, this article provides clear strategies on how to present research results effectively so that reviewers and readers can easily understand your work.
The Purpose of the Results Section
The results section addresses the critical question: What did you find? Its primary purposes are:
- To report findings without interpretation.
- To present data in a logical, reader-friendly order.
- To provide sufficient evidence for readers to evaluate your study.
Think of the results section as the foundation of your paper—the place where evidence is laid out before any interpretation begins.
Organize Results Around Research Questions or Hypotheses
The clearest way to structure the results section is to align it with your research questions or hypotheses. This makes it easier for reviewers and readers to connect your findings with your study objectives.
Practical tips:
- Begin with descriptive results (e.g., participant demographics, baseline characteristics).
- Present results for each research question in the same sequence they were posed.
- Use subheadings to separate different categories of findings.
Use Tables and Figures Strategically
Visual elements such as tables, charts, and graphs can make complex results easier to digest. However, they must be used purposefully:
- Tables: Ideal for displaying precise values or large amounts of numerical data.
- Figures (graphs, charts): Best for illustrating trends, comparisons, or relationships.
- Best practice: Do not repeat all table or figure contents in the text. Instead, summarize the most important patterns and direct readers to the visual.
Example:
- Ineffective: "Table 1 shows that 68% of participants preferred online learning."
- Effective: "The majority of participants (68%) preferred online learning (see Table 1)."
Be Concise and Objective
The results section should be factual and free of subjective commentary.
Do:
- Use past tense (e.g., "The data revealed…").
- Report only the most relevant findings.
- Highlight statistical significance where applicable.
Don't:
- Use emotional or evaluative language (e.g., "surprisingly" or "interestingly").
- Explain why a result occurred—that belongs in the discussion.
Highlight Key Findings Clearly
While avoiding interpretation, you should still emphasize what matters most.
- Use transition phrases like "The analysis showed…" or "Results indicated…".
- Draw attention to significant differences or correlations.
- Provide context by reporting effect sizes or confidence intervals when relevant.
This helps readers quickly identify the findings that truly matter.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Mixing results with discussion: Keep interpretation out of the results section.
- Overloading with raw data: Place detailed datasets or supplementary material in appendices.
- Unclear visuals: Ensure tables and figures are properly labeled and easy to read.
- Repetition: Avoid copying every number from tables into the text.
By steering clear of these errors, your results section will remain concise and reader-friendly.
Conclusion
Presenting research results effectively is about clarity, structure, and objectivity. Organize findings around your research questions, use tables and figures strategically, and highlight key results without drifting into interpretation.
By mastering this section, you set the stage for a strong discussion, where the true meaning and significance of your findings will shine.
