Chapter 4: Results
Purpose of Chapter 4
The results chapter presents your findings objectively without interpretation. It should be organized logically, typically following the order of your research questions. This chapter provides the evidence that will support your conclusions and recommendations.
Section Breakdown
Descriptive Statistics
- • Present participant demographics
- • Show response rates and data screening
- • Display means, standard deviations, frequencies
- • Check assumptions for statistical tests
Main Findings
- • Organize by research questions or hypotheses
- • Present statistical test results
- • Report effect sizes and confidence intervals
- • Include p-values and test statistics
Tables and Figures
- • Use APA format for all tables
- • Create clear, labeled figures
- • Reference each table/figure in text
- • Avoid redundancy between text and visuals
Hypothesis Testing
- • State each hypothesis clearly
- • Report whether accepted or rejected
- • Provide supporting statistics
- • Address each research question
Presenting Different Types of Results
📊 Quantitative Results
- • Use precise statistical language
- • Include all relevant statistics
- • Report exact p-values (e.g., p = .023)
- • Follow APA reporting standards
💬 Qualitative Results
- • Present themes systematically
- • Include participant quotes as evidence
- • Show frequency of themes if relevant
- • Use pseudonyms for confidentiality
Example Statistical Reporting
"A Pearson correlation analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between leadership style and employee engagement, r(148) = .67, p < .001, 95% CI [.58, .74]."
"The regression model was statistically significant, F(3, 196) = 45.23, p < .001, R² = .41, and explained 41% of the variance in job satisfaction."
Formatting Guidelines
- • Tables: Numbered sequentially (Table 4.1, 4.2, etc.)
- • Figures: Numbered separately (Figure 4.1, 4.2, etc.)
- • Decimals: Report to 2-3 decimal places consistently
- • Font: Use readable fonts for tables (min 10pt)
- • Spacing: Double-space text, single-space tables
What to Include vs. Exclude
✓ Include
- • Objective findings
- • All relevant data
- • Unexpected results
- • Non-significant findings
✗ Exclude
- • Interpretation of results
- • Discussion of implications
- • Comparison to literature
- • Recommendations
Qualitative Themes Example
Theme 1: Leadership Communication
This theme emerged from 87% of participants (n=26) who emphasized the importance of clear communication...
"My manager's daily check-ins made all the difference during the transition" (Participant 3)
Common Pitfalls
- 🚫 Interpretation: Discussing what results mean instead of just presenting them
- 🚫 Cherry-picking: Only showing favorable results
- 🚫 Poor Organization: Jumping between topics without clear structure
- 🚫 Redundancy: Repeating the same information in text and tables