RESULTS/ FINDINGS

COURSE INFO

TERM                         Spring 2024                                               TIME     S 8.00 – 11.00 PM

Dr. Mohamed Hadji    mohamed.hadji@univ-saida.dz

mohamedhadji1983@gmail.com

Lesson 04  RESULTS/ FINDINGS  Objectives : 1. Identify and apply essential skills for structuring the Results section of a research paper, including highlighting key discoveries, addressing unexpected findings, and maintaining objectivity. 2. Practice organizing and presenting research data effectively using figures, tables, and appropriate tenses to enhance clarity and conciseness in reporting results. 3. Develop the ability to critically analyze and revise draft Results sections to improve their coherence, relevance to research aims, and overall impact in communicating research findings.

 

4. RESULTS/ FININGS

4.1. Essential Skills for Writing Results in Research Papers

When writing the Results section of a research paper, several key skills are crucial. Notably, some journals integrate the Results section with the Discussion under the title "Results and Discussion." However, if a separate Results section is required, it should be presented without extensive interpretation or discussion, making it typically the shortest section of the paper.

One critical skill is determining which results are most representative and organizing them in a manner that highlights their relevance to the aims, hypotheses, or questions posed at the outset of the paper. This often involves using figures and tables in many disciplines, with commentary provided in the text. Alternatively, some disciplines rely solely on textual reporting of findings.

Additionally, it is important to include any significant negative results in this section. From a language perspective, the key skill lies in reporting results clearly and concisely. Ensuring that referees and readers can easily understand the results is essential for contributing effectively to the existing knowledge base.

4.2. The Organization of the Results Section

The Results section should address these inquiries:

Ø  What were my discoveries?

Ø  What was absent or not discovered?

Ø  What unexpected findings contradicted my hypotheses?

A common approach is to structure the Results following the order of protocols or procedures outlined in the Methods section. Figures and tables can then be utilized to sequence the answers to these questions.

 

 

 

4.3. How Should I Introduce the Results Section?

There are two common approaches to begin the Results section. One way is to provide a broad overview of your surveys, experiments, etc., without repeating detailed information from the Methods section. Examples of this approach include:

Overall, the results presented below demonstrate that...

The three key findings of this empirical study are...

The following emergent themes were identified from the analysis...

Alternatively, you can directly dive into presenting your results by directing readers' attention to a specific figure or table either in the first sentence or shortly thereafter. Examples of this approach include:

Figure 1 illustrates the mass spectra obtained from an analysis of the two residues. The first residue reveals...

A total of 34 wheat genotypes (Table 1) were screened for... Significant variations in responses to increased sunlight are shown in Figure 1.

An analysis was conducted to examine... For this purpose, the average times of x and y were compared... Figures 1-3 highlight the differences between...

4.4. How to Proceed With the Rest of the Results Section and How to Conclude It Effectively?

Arrange Figures and Tables: Before writing, organize your figures and tables in a logical order that supports your initial aim or hypothesis stated in the Introduction. Exclude any results that are not relevant to supporting your research hypothesis, but do include results that contradict your hypothesis.

Associate Key Findings with Figures: Associate key findings with each figure or table. Ensure that each figure or table contributes directly to answering your research question or supporting your hypothesis.

Comment on Figures: Comment on each figure or table individually, discussing the key findings and their significance. Follow the recommended structure by Maeve O'Connor as outlined below:

Highlight Primary Results: Start by highlighting the primary results, including those from control groups if applicable, that directly answer your research question.

Outline Secondary Results: Next, outline any secondary results that are relevant but not as central to your main research question.

 

Provide Supporting Information: Offer supporting information or context for each result to help readers understand its significance.

Address Contradictory Results: Mention any results that contradict your hypothesis, and explain why they are anomalous or unexpected.

Concluding the Results: Conclude the Results section by summarizing the key findings and their implications for your research. You can also mention any limitations of the study and suggest areas for further investigation.

Remember to maintain clarity and conciseness throughout the Results section, focusing on presenting your findings objectively and logically.

4.5. Tenses to Be Used When Reporting the Findings

When reporting your Results in a research paper, it is appropriate to use past tenses because your results pertain to findings that were observed and recorded before you began writing the paper. The past simple tense is commonly used to report these results, often employing a mixture of active and passive forms as needed. Here are some examples of past tense usage in reporting results:

Active Form: "The experiment showed a significant increase in enzyme activity."

Passive Form: "A significant increase in enzyme activity was observed during the experiment."

Active Form: "Our findings indicated a strong correlation between X and Y."

Passive Form: "A strong correlation between X and Y was identified in our study."

Using past tenses appropriately, helps maintain accuracy and clarity in presenting your research results.

4.6. What Style Should I Use When Reporting the Findings or Results?

When reporting your Results in a research paper, the style you use should typically be objective and formal. An impersonal style, as demonstrated by Dr. Mitchell in your example, adds a sense of objectivity to your findings. Here are some key points about the style to use when reporting results:

Impersonal Style: Using an impersonal style avoids personal pronouns (such as "we" or "I") and instead focuses on presenting the findings objectively. For example:

Personal Style: "We found that..."

Impersonal Style: "There was a perceived..."

Formal Language: Maintain a formal tone throughout the Results section. Avoid colloquial language, contractions, and slang.

Passive Voice: The passive voice is often used in scientific writing to emphasize the action or the result rather than the person or entity performing the action. For instance:

Active Voice: "The researchers conducted the experiment."

Passive Voice: "The experiment was conducted."

Use of Specific Terms: Be precise and use specific terms to describe your results. Avoid vague language that may lead to ambiguity.

Avoiding Interpretation: While presenting the results, focus on describing what was observed or measured rather than interpreting or discussing the implications. Save interpretation for the Discussion section.

Overall, the goal is to present your results in a clear, objective, and professional manner, allowing readers to understand the findings without bias or subjective influence.

4.7. How can I assess the quality of my findings section?

Here is a self-assessment checklist for evaluating your Results section in a research paper:

1)      Have I expressed myself as clearly as possible to highlight the contribution of my results for referees and readers?

2)      Have I focused on reporting key results or trends from each figure or table, avoiding unnecessary repetition of values?

3)      Have I refrained from drawing conclusions in the Results section, especially if it is an independent section?

4)      Have I chosen the most effective format (e.g., figures, tables) to present my data, ensuring no redundancy across different visuals?

5)      Are my tables comprehensive, including all relevant points without exclusively selecting data that supports my argument?

6)      Have I included only essential information that readers need to know and that I will discuss further in the Discussion section?

7)      Have I mentioned any methodological aspects (e.g., selection and sampling procedures) that may have affected my results?

8)      Have I used tenses correctly, such as past simple (in passive form) for reporting findings and present simple for describing established scientific facts?

9)      By addressing these questions, you can ensure that your Results section is clear, focused, and accurately represents your research findings.