The results section of a research paper should include a detailed analysis of the data collected during the study. This section should provide readers with an objective summary of the findings, without including any interpretation or discussion. Below are some key elements that should be included in the results section:
Clear Presentation of Data: Depending on the nature of the study, data can be presented in various ways such as tables, graphs, charts, or figures. The presentation of data should be clear, concise, and easily understandable.
Descriptive Statistics: Descriptive statistics such as mean, median, mode, standard deviation, and range should be used to summarize the data. These statistics should be presented in a way that allows readers to understand the central tendencies and variability of the data.
Inferential Statistics: If the study includes any inferential statistics such as t-tests, ANOVA, or regression analysis, these should also be presented in the results section. The results of these statistical analyses should be reported with the associated levels of significance.
Null Hypotheses: The results section should clearly state whether the null hypotheses were rejected or failed to be rejected. This information should be backed up by the statistical analysis.
Data Verification: The results section should address the quality and accuracy of the data collected. Any issues or anomalies should be explained, and the steps taken to address them should be outlined.
Limitations: The limitations of the study should also be discussed in the results section. This includes any factors that may have affected the validity, reliability, or generalizability of the findings.
Tables and Figures: Any tables or figures used to support the results should be clearly labeled and numbered. They should be placed in the appropriate location in the text and referred to in the text.
Overall, the results section should provide a clear and concise summary of the data collected during the study. This section should be written in an objective tone and should not include any interpretation or speculation of the data.