Learn How to Write the Dissertation Results Section with expert tips. Discover how to present data, interpret findings, and structure your results effectively for maximum impact.
The results section of a dissertation is crucial because it presents the findings from the research study in a clear, concise, and structured manner. This section is not about interpreting or analyzing the data—that responsibility falls under the discussion section—but rather it serves to provide the raw findings in response to the research questions posed at the beginning of the dissertation. Writing this section requires an understanding of the research methods used, the type of data collected, and how to present that data in a way that is easy for the reader to understand.
In this paper, we will explore how to write the dissertation results section, providing helpful guidance, examples, and practical steps to ensure clarity and precision. We will also include relevant keywords such as Dissertation results section example PDF, How to write dissertation results section PDF, Results section of a research paper example, Results and discussion sample research paper PDF, and Quantitative dissertation results section example.
Understanding the Dissertation Results Section
Before delving into the specifics of how to write the results section, it is important to clarify its purpose within the dissertation. The results section is designed to present the findings of your research in an organized manner. The key features of a results section are:
- Clarity: Your results should be presented in a way that makes it easy for the reader to understand the findings.
- Structure: The data should be organized logically, following the sequence of your research questions or hypotheses.
- Objectivity: Avoid interpreting the results in this section; instead, simply present the findings. Analysis and interpretation are saved for the discussion section.
Typically, the results section is structured around the methods used, which may include quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods research. The structure varies depending on the research design.
Steps to Writing the Results Section
Organize Data Based on Research Questions
The first step in writing the results section is to organize your data around your research questions or hypotheses. If you are following a quantitative approach, this could mean presenting statistical results for each hypothesis tested. For qualitative research, it might involve thematic analysis where data is grouped according to recurring patterns or themes.
For example, if you are conducting research on the impact of social media usage on mental health, the research questions could include:
- How often do individuals engage with social media?
- What effects do individuals report from social media usage on their mental well-being?
The data presented in the results section should answer these questions. For instance, you may show the number of hours participants spend on social media, their responses to questions about well-being, or specific patterns of mental health issues that correlate with social media habits.
Present Data Clearly and Concisely
Once you have organized your data, the next step is to present it in a manner that is clear and concise. In the case of quantitative dissertation results section examples, data should be presented numerically. You might include tables, charts, and graphs that summarize the statistical findings. For example, you could include a table showing the correlation between social media usage and the reported anxiety levels of participants.
Tables should be labeled properly, and each column and row should be clearly explained. Graphs and charts should also have clear titles, axes labels, and legends where appropriate. This visual representation helps readers quickly grasp the findings without wading through pages of numbers.
Example (Quantitative):
| Participant ID |
Hours on Social Media |
Anxiety Level (1-10) |
| 1 |
2 |
4 |
| 2 |
5 |
7 |
| 3 |
3 |
5 |
In contrast, qualitative results are often presented as direct quotes from participants or as summarized themes that emerged from the data. For example, if a theme like “Social Media Addiction” emerged, you would present that theme along with participant quotes to support it.
Example (Qualitative): Theme: Social Media Addiction
Participant 1: “I spend hours on social media every day; it feels impossible to stop.”
Participant 2: “I check my phone every few minutes, even when I’m not expecting anything new.”
Present Statistical Results (If Applicable)
For quantitative dissertations, presenting statistical results is an important part of the results section. When presenting statistical data, it is essential to include:
- The type of statistical test used (e.g., t-test, ANOVA, regression analysis).
- The significance level (p-value).
- Confidence intervals.
- Effect sizes, if applicable.
This type of data should be presented in tables or graphs, but you should also explain the results in text to make it easier for the reader to follow.
Example (Statistical Results):
“A t-test was conducted to compare anxiety levels between participants who use social media for 1-3 hours per day and those who use it for more than 5 hours per day. Results indicated a significant difference between the two groups, with participants who used social media for longer periods reporting higher anxiety levels (t(58) = 2.45, p = 0.02).”
Avoid Interpretation and Discussion
It is crucial not to interpret or discuss the implications of your results in this section. While it may be tempting to provide insights into why certain findings occurred, this should be reserved for the discussion section of your dissertation. The goal of the results section is to simply report the data as it is.
Use Visual Aids Effectively
Including tables, charts, and graphs in your results section can make the data more accessible. For example, results and discussion sample research paper PDF often show how the results are interpreted in light of existing literature. However, in the results section, these visual aids should strictly serve to present the raw data, not to provide analysis.
Example (Graph):
A bar chart can be used to display the average anxiety levels for different groups based on their social media usage.
Provide Context to Help the Reader Understand
Sometimes, numbers alone do not provide enough context. In this case, it is helpful to provide a brief description of the data before presenting the results. This helps the reader understand what the data represents.
For instance, in a qualitative dissertation results section example, you might begin by explaining how many participants mentioned a particular theme and then provide examples or quotes to illustrate this. This helps contextualize the data, making it more meaningful.
Example Dissertation Results Section
To give you a better understanding of how to write your own dissertation results section, here’s a simplified example based on a study examining social media use and mental health:
Results Section:
Quantitative Data:
The participants were asked about their average daily social media usage and how it affected their perceived anxiety levels. Data from 50 participants were collected, and the results were analyzed using a t-test to compare anxiety levels between those using social media for less than 3 hours a day and those using it for more than 5 hours a day.
Table 1: Anxiety Levels Based on Social Media Usage
| Group |
Mean Anxiety Level (1-10) |
Standard Deviation |
| 1-3 hours |
4.3 |
1.2 |
| More than 5 hours |
6.8 |
1.5 |
Results indicated a significant difference between the two groups (t(48) = 3.65, p < 0.01), with the high-usage group reporting higher levels of anxiety.
Qualitative Data:
Thematic analysis of interview data revealed several recurring themes related to social media usage and its impact on mental health. The main themes identified were “Social Media Addiction,” “Increased Anxiety,” and “Difficulty Disconnecting.”
Theme 1: Social Media Addiction
Participants often described a compulsive need to check their social media accounts. One participant stated, “I can’t stop scrolling; it’s like I’m addicted to the notifications.”
Theme 2: Increased Anxiety
Many participants reported feelings of anxiety related to social media use, with one participant noting, “I feel stressed when I can’t access my social media; it’s like I’m missing out on something important.”
Conclusion
Writing the results section of a dissertation requires clarity, structure, and a focus on presenting the data without interpretation. It is important to organize the data around research questions, present it in both text and visual formats, and refrain from interpreting the findings. With the right approach, you can effectively communicate your research findings in a way that prepares the reader for the discussion and analysis that will follow in the next section of your dissertation.
For additional resources, it may be helpful to consult a Dissertation results section example PDF or a How to write dissertation results section PDF, which can provide a more detailed guide with real-world examples.
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