Drafting the Results Section: How to Avoid Interpretation

by Collette Dowd on September 5, 2025

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Writing the Analysis: How to Maintain an Academic Tone

The data analysis is complete, the output has been generated, and now you face the seemingly simple task of writing it up. However, this phase is a rhetorical tightrope. The main goal of the findings chapter is to objectively report what you found, not to discuss what it means. Adding speculation here undermines the logical flow of your dissertation. This article provides a detailed framework for crafting a objective and academically toned results section that accurately conveys your data while strictly avoiding the temptation to interpret it.

1. The Sacred Divide: Reporting vs. Interpreting

Understanding the core difference between the Results chapter and the Discussion chapter is critical. Think of it as a strict separation of powers.

The Results Chapter: This section is the "empirical evidence." Its only job is to present the data in a detached manner. It answers the question: "What did you find?"

The Discussion Chapter: This is where you interpret the facts. Its job is to discuss the implications of those results, situate them in context, and answer the "so what?". It answers the question: "What do these findings mean?"

Mixing these two weakens both. The reader gets confused, unsure if they are reading a fact or your speculation about that fact.

2. The Language of Objectivity

The tone of your writing is your most powerful tool for maintaining objectivity. Choose your verbs and phrases to report rather than to imply.

Use Neutral Reporting Verbs:

Instead of: "The results show that the intervention was amazing." (Subjective)

Use: "The results indicated a statistically significant improvement in scores." (Neutral)

Other strong choices: "demonstrated," "revealed," "exhibited," "was observed," "was found."

Avoid Value Judgments:

Avoid Subjective Adjectives: Unexpected.

Instead of: "A surprising negative correlation was found."

Use: "A negative correlation was found."

Avoid Speculative Verbs: Suggests (Save "suggests" for the Discussion chapter).

Instead of: "This finding suggests that the theory is correct."

Use: "This finding is consistent with the proposed theory." or "This finding aligns with the predictions of Theory X."

3. The Formula for Presenting Each Finding

To ensure clarity and IGNOU project help (<a href="https://tyeala.com/how-to-write-an-impressive-ignou-project-report-tips-for-success-2/">tyeala.com</a>;) neutrality, follow a standard formula for presenting each statistical test or qualitative theme.

State the Purpose: Briefly note what you were testing. "To address the first hypothesis, an independent-samples t-test was conducted to compare the mean scores of Group A and Group B."

Report the Key Statistics: Provide the relevant results. "The results indicated a significant difference between the groups (t(58) = 3.67, p = .001)."

Describe the Outcome: Translate the numbers in a simple, factual statement. "The mean score for Group A (M = 85.2, SD = 4.3) was significantly higher than the mean score for Group B (M = 76.5, SD = 5.1)."

Direct to the Visual: Point the reader to the accompanying table or figure. "See Table 1 for a summary of the group means and standard deviations."

This formulaic approach keeps your writing focused and prevents you from straying into commentary.

4. The Power of Visuals

Clear and precise graphs and charts are the backbone of an objective results section. They present the data in its purest form, allowing the reader to see the evidence for themselves.

Tables are for exact values: Use them to present output from complex tests (e.g., means, standard deviations, p-values, coefficients).

Figures are for trends and comparisons: Use charts (e.g., bar charts, line graphs) to visually illustrate relationships and differences between groups.

Ensure visuals are self-explanatory: A good table or figure should have a descriptive caption and be understandable with minimal reference to the text. This reduces the need for you to narrate the data in your writing.

5. Handling Negative and Non-Significant Results

An objective report includes all results, not just the exciting ones. A non-significant finding is still a valid result.

Do not hide them: Including non-significant results is a mark of integrity and prevents publication bias.

Report them neutrally: Use the same factual language as you would for a significant result.

Example: "The analysis revealed no statistically significant difference in satisfaction scores between the two conditions (t(42) = 1.23, p = .225)."

6. Mistakes That Introduce Bias

Be on high alert for these frequent missteps that can sneak interpretation into your results section: <img src="https://media.instamojo.com/imgs/c55c3ff81aba4d62b8bc8642bb05a630.png"; style="max-width:400px;float:left;padding:10px 10px 10px 0px;border:0px;" alt="" />

Apologizing for Results: "Unfortunately, the results were not significant." (This implies a desired outcome, which is subjective).

Speculating on Causes: "The lack of significance was probably due to the small sample size." (Save this for the Discussion chapter on limitations).

Using Emotional Language: "It was exciting to find that..." (This is unprofessional and subjective).

Overusing "Clearly" or "Obviously": If it were clear and obvious, you wouldn't have needed to run the test. Let the data stand on its own.

In Summary

Writing a compelling results section requires disciplinary restraint. It is an exercise in <a href="https://search.un.org/results.php?query=academic">academic</a>; humility, where you step back and let your hard evidence take center stage. By using objective language, following a structured reporting formula, using tables and figures, and including non-significant results, you construct a chapter that is credible and trustworthy. This creates a solid foundation of empirical facts upon which you can then, in the next chapter, construct a nuanced and persuasive interpretation of what those facts ultimately mean. The power of your argument depends on this strict division.

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