How to Write the Results Section of a Scientific Article
The Results section presents the findings of a study in a systematic, clear, and predominantly objective manner. Its main purpose is to show the evidence obtained from the research and to answer the study's research questions or hypotheses.
The Results section primarily explains what was found. Detailed interpretation of why those findings occurred or what they mean is generally reserved for the Discussion section.
What Is the Purpose of the Results Section?
A well-written Results section should allow readers to understand:
- What were the main findings of the study?
- How were the research questions answered?
- Were the hypotheses supported?
- What important relationships, differences, or patterns were identified?
- Which findings represent the main outcomes of the research?
In What Order Should Results Be Presented?
The order of presentation should follow the objectives of the study and the analytical plan. Results should be organized logically so that readers can follow the findings without unnecessary difficulty.
A common sequence for quantitative studies is:
Participant characteristics → Descriptive findings → Preliminary analyses → Main analyses → Hypothesis testing → Additional analyses
For qualitative studies, a useful sequence may be:
Main themes → Subthemes → Explanatory findings → Participant quotations / illustrative examples
1. Begin with the Sample or Study Group
Depending on the research design, the Results section may begin with a brief description of the participants, sample, or data source.
In quantitative studies, descriptive information such as age, sex, education, or other relevant characteristics may be reported in the text or in a table.
Only characteristics that are relevant to understanding the research should be included. Unnecessary descriptive detail can make the Results section difficult to follow.
2. Present Descriptive Findings
Where appropriate, descriptive statistics such as means, standard deviations, medians, frequencies, percentages, minimum values, and maximum values may be reported for key study variables.
These findings help readers understand the general characteristics of the data and sample.
3. Organize Findings According to Research Questions
Presenting results in the same sequence as the research questions or hypotheses often makes the manuscript easier to follow.
Separate subheadings may be used for individual research questions or analytical stages, particularly when the study contains several analyses.
4. Report Statistical Results Clearly and Completely
In quantitative research, general statements such as “a significant relationship was found” or “the groups differed significantly” are usually insufficient on their own.
Depending on the analysis, authors should report relevant statistical information such as test statistics, degrees of freedom, p values, confidence intervals, effect sizes, and model coefficients.
Example: A positive and statistically significant relationship was found between X and Y (r = .42, p < .001).
Because statistical significance alone does not indicate the magnitude or practical importance of a finding, effect sizes and confidence intervals should also be reported where appropriate.
5. Clearly Report Hypothesis Outcomes
In hypothesis-driven research, authors may explicitly indicate whether the evidence supports the relevant hypothesis.
Example: Digital leadership positively predicted digital transformation. Therefore, H1 was supported.
A hypothesis that is not supported should not be treated as a failed result. Null, unexpected, and non-significant findings are also part of the scientific record and should be reported transparently.
6. Use Tables and Figures Effectively
Tables and figures can improve the clarity of results when large amounts of numerical or structured information must be presented.
Authors should avoid reproducing every value from a table in the text. Instead, the text should emphasize the main finding, pattern, or comparison, while the table provides the detailed values.
Poor approach: Repeating every mean, standard deviation, and p value from the table in the surrounding paragraph.
Better approach: Highlighting the most relevant relationship or difference in the text and directing readers to the table for detailed values.
7. How Should Qualitative Findings Be Written?
Qualitative Results sections are often organized around themes, categories, patterns, or other analytical structures identified during data analysis.
Each major theme may be presented under a separate subheading. Authors should explain the theme, show how it relates to the research question, and support it with participant accounts or other evidence where appropriate.
Participant quotations should illustrate findings rather than replace analytical reporting. The Results section should not become a collection of long quotations.
Appropriate identifiers, pseudonyms, or participant codes should be used to protect participant confidentiality.
Example Structure for Qualitative Findings
Theme → Explanation → Subtheme / pattern → Supporting quotation → Main finding
8. Results in Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses
Systematic reviews should clearly report the study selection process, characteristics of included studies, quality or risk-of-bias assessments, and the results of the synthesis.
Meta-analyses should report effect estimates, confidence intervals, heterogeneity measures, and relevant subgroup or sensitivity analyses where applicable.
Visual tools such as a PRISMA flow diagram may be useful for presenting the study selection process clearly.
9. Do Not Hide Negative or Unexpected Findings
Findings that do not support the original hypothesis, are not statistically significant, or are unexpected should still be reported.
Selective reporting of only those results that support the researcher's expectations weakens the transparency and scientific integrity of the study.
What Is the Difference Between Results and Discussion?
These two sections are often confused.
Results: Explain what the study found.
Discussion: Explain what those findings mean, why they may have occurred, and how they relate to existing literature.
For example, “X was positively associated with Y” is a result. Explaining why this association may exist or why it is consistent or inconsistent with previous research belongs in the Discussion section.
Common Mistakes in the Results Section
- Interpreting and discussing findings instead of reporting them
- Repeating every value from tables in the text
- Reporting only statistically significant findings
- Including analyses unrelated to the research questions
- Reporting statistical tests incompletely
- Treating the p value as the only indicator of scientific importance
- Presenting tables or figures without explaining their main message
- Reporting hypothesis outcomes ambiguously
- Using participant quotations without sufficient thematic analysis
- Presenting findings in an order unrelated to the study objectives
A Practical Formula for Writing Results
For each research question or major analysis, the following structure may be useful:
Research question / analysis → Main result → Necessary statistical evidence → Reference to table or figure
For qualitative research:
Theme → Explanation → Evidence / participant account → Main finding
Check Before Submission
- Are the results presented in the same logical order as the research questions?
- Are the major findings clearly stated?
- Are the required statistical values reported completely?
- Are tables and figures explained in the text?
- Is information from tables unnecessarily repeated in the text?
- Are unsupported hypotheses also reported?
- Are qualitative themes supported by appropriate evidence?
- Does the Results section avoid unnecessary interpretation or literature comparison?
