Dissertation Research Results

When you have completed the task of analyzing the data that you have collected on your way to putting together your dissertation, the next step will be to look in the direction of putting down the results in an organized and acceptable format. There are procedures to be followed and this shall form the basis of this article.

When do you start the results section?

Immediately you are through with the collection of data for your dissertation, it is important to make a case for the results of your study before you move on to throwing more light on discussing the meaning of the result. Your readers need to understand what they are in for; doing this will give them a clear direction on where you are going. 

The tone of the language of the results section should be in the past tense. The length of it will be subject to the magnitude of data you have gotten at your disposal. You must do everything to ensure that you only involve information that is relevant to the research questions and the problem that you are out to solve.

We shall now take a look at how the results can be written based on the type of paper that is written:

Results of quantitative research

The best approach to go about framing your results is to tag it along research sub-questions or the hypothesis that you have formed. Take each sub-question on their basis and explain their relevance and as well as reliability. How do the results relate to each of the questions asked? Is there any link with the hypothesis? These are measures to be taken into account in the evaluation of the results.

Highlight the important trends including differences and similarities that you have spotted. The results that are not relevant to the hypothesis or sub-question can be included in the appendix. It is important to include visual elements in this type of research. All the tables and figures should be given clear descriptions and titles. This will enable your readers to understand what you are trying to express. 

Results of qualitative research

In this type of research, the analysis of the results must be structured around key topics or themes of the results that emerged through the analysis of your data. It is expected that you make general observations about what the data shows for each data shows.

A good example of how best to go about it is explained below:

• Mention recurring points of agreement or disagreement
• Mention patterns and trends
• The individual responses are significant to your research question.

The points mentioned above should be supported with direct quotations. All other points mentioned that are not relevant can be included in the appendix.

Results vs discussion vs conclusion

There is a big line of difference between the three mentioned above. They should not overlap with each other because each of them has a specific role to play. The boundary should be drawn and the incidence of repetition should be avoided.

You are expected to be objective in your report in the results section. You are expected to present only brief observations about your sub-question or hypothesis.

 The discussion section is where you are expected to go into fuller details on explanations. The implications of each of them will be drawn out here. This is the area for detailed argument and analysis of your data. It should be supported by relevant data whose sources are to be duly acknowledged.

The conclusion represents the summary of what you have in the sub-question and hypothesis put together. You are expected to be definite here in your approach because it is an expression of your final decision based purely on facts and data that you have been able to put forward. It should be brief and must contain a call to action.

You are expected to finish strongly here and state the reason why your research work is necessary to the needs of the times that we are in. You are expected to bring out only the major points in the conclusion.

Final thoughts

The technical details that are involved in the handling of the results of research findings have been described above. Every detail that is required to achieve success has been detailed above.