THE RESULTS SECTIONS OF
RESEARCH ARTICLES
THE RESULTS SECTION IN A
RESEARCH ARTICLE
What is the difference
between data and results?
DATA VS. RESULTS
 Often used interchangeably despite being different
 Data: consist of facts and numbers presented in
tables and figures
 Data can be manipulated to obtain a result
 Results: statements that summarize or explain
what the data show
 Results give readers a sense whether one value is
higher/lower than another or some data differ from
other data in significant ways
 A result is supported by data
DATA VS. RESULTS
Results statements:
After 80 visits, bees visited iridescent disks more
frequently than after their immediate
introduction to the arena [first 10 visits = 4.7;
last visit = 8.1] (Fig. 4b)
The surface morphology at 65ºC (fig. 5) was
smoother than that at 35ºC and 55ºC (fig. 6).
What language is typically
used in the Results sections
of research articles?
LANGUAGE OF RESULTS SECTIONS
Two important language characteristics of the
Results sections:
1. The use of location statements
2. Comparative language
Can you give some examples of each?
LOCATION STATEMENTS
Five patterns:
Pattern A The high rates are shown in Table 3.
Pattern B Table 3 shows the high rates.
Pattern C The rates were high (see Table 3) / (Table 3) /
(shown in Table 3).
Pattern D The rates were high, as shown in Table 3.
As shown in Table 3, the rates were high.
Pattern E
(other, not A-D)
The results, given in Table 3, show the high rates.
Figure 3 is a photograph of the bridge.
COMPARATIVE LANGUAGE
 Classic comparison:
The median wage of a college graduate is now higher than the median
wage of a high school graduate.
 Avoiding repetition (the use of “that”):
The median wage of a college graduate is now higher than that of a
high school graduate.
 Adding complexity (percentages, X times):
The median wage of a college graduate is now more than 70 % higher
than that of a high school graduate.
 Adding hedging:
The median wage of a college graduate is now slightly more than 70 %
higher than that of a high school graduate.
What moves should a Results
section of a research article
include?
THE STRUCTURE OF RESULTS SECTION
1. REVISITING THE RESEARCH AIM/EXISTING
RESEARCH
2. GENERAL OVERVIEW OF RESULTS
3. INVITATION TO VIEW RESULTS
4. SPECIFIC/KEY RESUTLS IN DETAIL
5. COMPARISONS WITH RESULTS IN OTHER
RESEARCH
6. PROBLEMS WITH RESULTS
7. POSSIBLE IMPLICATIONS OF RESULTS
1. REVISITING THE RESEARCH AIM/EXISTING
RESEARCH
- To what extent your study fulfills the aims you set
out in the Introduction
- You might want to go back to the Intro and
redefine the original aims in relation to the results
you obtained
The main purpose of this work was to…
In this work, we sought to establish a methodology
for…
In earlier studies attempts were made to establish …
THE STRUCTURE OF RESULTS SECTION
THE STRUCTURE OF RESULTS SECTION
2. GENERAL OVERVIEW OF RESULTS
- Here, you summarize your methodology
(highlight the important aspects of the materials,
equipment or methodology you used to obtain
your results)
It is apparent that in all/most/the majority of
cases…
In this section, we compare/evaluate/present…
The results are divided into two parts as follows:…
THE STRUCTURE OF RESULTS SECTION
3. INVITATION TO VIEW RESULTS
- You can’t always write Figure 1 shows… Figures
and tables don’t always show things; sometimes
they present things or summarize things.
Figure 1 contains
corresponds to
demonstrates
displays
illustrates
lists
THE STRUCTURE OF RESULTS SECTION
4. SPECIFIC/KEY RESULTS IN DETAILS
- The language used to describe specific results
includes both language which provides objective
description of the results (e.g., lower) and
subjective, evaluative language or hedging (e.g.,
significantly lower, slightly lower)
Objective: it was found, remains constant, did not
occur …
Hedging: in the majority of cases it was found,
tends to remain constant, did not occur in general
…
THE STRUCTURE OF RESULTS SECTION
5. COMPARISONS WITH RESULTS IN OTHER
RESEARCH
- Make sure the location of the reference citation or
number is accurate
- Remember that the right place for a reference is not
always at the end of the sentence.
As reported by Hyland (2010), …
This is consistent with results obtained in [1].
The results are qualitatively similar to those of earlier
simulation studies.
THE STRUCTURE OF RESULTS SECTION
6. PROBLEMS WITH RESULTS
- Remember that research is not made invalid by
inappropriate results if they are presented in a
conventional, professional way.
Minimize the problem/focus on good results:
Although this was not obtained experimentally, it can
be assumed to exist.
Suggest reasons for the problem:
…. was hard to control and is beyond the scope of this
study.
Offer a solution:
… in future, it is advised that/case should be taken...
THE STRUCTURE OF RESULTS SECTION
7. POSSIBLE IMPLICATIONS OF RESULTS
- Provide a general explanation or interpretation of
what your results might mean. This signals the
move towards the Discussion/Conclusion. Use
hedging expressions.
This suggests/indicates/implies that…
It seems therefore that…
It could be inferred therefore that these may have …
Compare the two sentences:
 We found that sunbathing is related to the onset of cancer.
(NO HEDGING)
 It is thought that excessive sunbathing may sometimes be considered
as contributing to the onset of certain types of cancer.
(EXTREMELY HEDGED STATEMENT)
HEDGING