Crafting an Effective Results Section in a Psychology Paper

In a psychology paper, the results section plays a pivotal role in unveiling the findings of a study or experiment, accompanied by pertinent data and analyses. This section should solely focus on presenting the outcomes without introducing personal interpretations or opinions, which belong in the discussion section. Here's a comprehensive guide encompassing what to include, what to steer clear of, and valuable advice for penning a compelling results section:

Essential Elements to Include:

1. Concise Summary of Findings:

   • Clearly outline the study's principal findings, main effects, hypotheses, and statistically significant outcomes.

2. Participant Flow:

   • Describe the procedures for participant recruitment, retention, and any relevant exclusion rates. Mention participants who began the study but did not complete it.

3. Excluded Data:

   • Detail the reasons for excluding certain data points or participants from the study, providing the rationale and methodology behind these decisions.

4. Data Presentation:

   • Present relevant data such as sample sizes, statistical measurements (means, standard deviations, etc.), and results of statistical tests (p-values, effect sizes, etc.) in a clear manner.

5. Tables and Figures:

   • Utilize tables and figures to showcase data concisely and lucidly. Ensure they are labeled with appropriate numbers and informative titles.

Aligning Results and Claims:

• Ensure that the results reported in this section directly substantiate the assertions made in the discussion section. Avoid assertions not supported by the findings.

Considering Your Audience:

• Provide a high-level summary of the results instead of delving into intricate descriptions of all data. If necessary, consider creating a supplementary data archive online.

Transparency in Reporting Results:

• Be transparent and incorporate all pertinent findings, even if they may deviate from your initial hypotheses. Omission of results compromises research integrity and accuracy.

Differentiating Results and Discussion:

• The results section presents findings and data, while the discussion section interprets these findings and explores their implications.

Communicating Results Effectively:

• Write in a clear and comprehensible manner, enabling readers to grasp the results without needing specialized technical knowledge.

Including Effect Sizes and Statistical Significance:

• Include effect sizes alongside statistical significance to provide readers with a clearer understanding of the findings' magnitude.

Prioritizing Clarity and Organization:

• Employ tables and figures to enhance the clarity of the results section.
• Create a logical flow explaining the sequence and relationships of the results.

What to Avoid:

1. Cause-and-Effect Statements:

   • Avoid making definitive claims or suggesting that your results conclusively prove something.

2. Interpretations:

   • Reserve interpretations and explanations of the findings for the discussion section.

3. Data Dumping:

   • Provide a structured explanation of the findings; avoid presenting raw data without context.

4. Raw Data:

   • Refrain from including raw data in the results section; focus on summarizing the findings instead.

5. Text-Only Data:

   • Enhance the results with tables and figures for improved understanding.

6. Repeated Data:

   • Avoid presenting data repeatedly in multiple tables or figures.

7. Irrelevant Findings:

   • Exclude findings that do not directly relate to the research questions.

8. Omission of Pertinent Data:

   • Avoid omitting relevant findings even if they contradict your initial hypotheses.

Writing Tips for an Effective Results Section:

• Use clear and concise language, employing the past tense.
• Adhere to the specified format and structure of the journal you are submitting to.
• Review published articles on similar topics to understand how results are presented effectively.
• If needed, consider consulting a writing lab or editorial services for additional guidance.