While working on the dissertation, it is important to express the research findings precisely. A dissertation results section is where you present the outcomes of your data collection and methodologies, showcasing the hard work you’ve put into your research. Such an interpretation of results is necessary to convey the scientific work in your dissertation completely.
Typically, the results section makes up about 5% of your total dissertation. For an 8000-word thesis, you need to write 400 to 600 words in the result.
Read Also: 8000 Words Dissertation Breakdown – Tested Guidelines and Techniques to Know
However, students often find it difficult to present their data logically and cover everything while staying within this word limit.
Considering your difficulties, we have designed a thorough guide to help you write an excellent dissertation results section. So, let’s begin it together!
What is the Dissertation Results Section?
According to the book Surviving Your Dissertation: A Comprehensive Guide, the result section is where you can present your main conclusion or findings from the data that you have collected and analysed for your dissertation. It gives you a platform where you can display your findings more concisely and clearly.
The main purpose of writing the results is to inform the reader about what you have got from this research methodology. It highlights the key findings based on your data collection and analysis. So, always try to present your results as clearly as possible because it helps the readers to understand your discoveries.
How to Write Dissertation Results Section? A Step-by-Step Guide
Students working on their research projects need dissertation writing help for each step separately. So, to help you express the findings perfectly, we have shared a step-by-step guide here. Whether you need support for the undergraduate dissertation results section or graduate or postgraduate, here is a basic roadmap for all!
Follow the easy steps given below:
1. Review Your Institute Guidelines
First of all, check any advice your adviser offers or the university provides for a well-written result section of a dissertation. These will clarify what you should mention in your Results section and what you should not, therefore guiding your knowledge of expectations. Moreover, you should also pay attention to any restrictions on material length and any particular criteria for your discipline.
2. Focus on Your Findings
This dissertation results section is the centre of attraction that revolves around your research questions. To express it clearly, you should sort your data using subheads so that readers can more easily follow along and grasp your conclusions. Using either a hierarchical or chronological method, you can arrange the results section of a dissertation according to your study questions or assumptions.
3. Use Figures and Tables Wherever Required
Present data using tables and figures. Also, make sure that they are self-explanatory and numbered correctly. Add all required details in an easy format so that, with just one glance, the reader can easily understand the importance of your findings.
4. Start with an Introduction
While writing the dissertation results section, always begin it with a brief introduction. Here, you should quickly review how you gathered and examined your data and restate your study question or hypothesis. This prepares the ground for what lies ahead.
5. Present Your Findings
In the main body part, you should write down the results you got from your experiments or methodology. While expressing these findings, make sure that you use simple, straightforward language and arrange your results under logical subheads. You should also consider adding tables and charts as these visual tools allow you to clearly state your arguments to the reader.
6. Discuss Your Results
As you go deep into the dissertation results section, go into the consequences quickly. Here, you should link your results to current studies and underline any surprising or important conclusions. Steer clear of overinterpretation and keep your discussion based on the facts. Recall that you are reporting on research that has already been done; hence, write this part in the past tense.
7. Edit and Improve
After you’ve finished writing, give some thought to your results. Finding mistakes or misinterpretations depends on this last stage of the dissertation results section. As you edit, be sure that you present your results precisely and methodically. Verify whether your goals and introduction match your findings.
Writing Tips for a Strong Results Section
Results are just as important as your research methods, so it’s essential to present them clearly. Remember that a well-written result section of the dissertation is important for a better understanding of your key research findings.
So, here are some tips for you to write your dissertation results section in a good way:
1. Make Use of the Past Tense
As you are reporting on already completed research, it is compulsory to use past tense when you are writing your results.
2. Be Concise and Precise
Only concentrate on informative data without spending time on irrelevant things and provide data that is specifically related to your research question.
3. Structure Logically
Here, you have to give a logical structure to your dissertation results section to maintain its clarity. If your findings are organised logically, the reader will understand them easily. So, always start with broad findings and use subheadings to separate them into different sections.
4. Utilize Visual Aids
If the data of your dissertation results section needs a clearer representation than the only text form, you should present it by using different visual elements like tables, charts, and figures. These measures will simplify your data for the reader.
5. Present Data Accurately
After getting your research result or the main findings, portray the data accurately without giving any biased opinion. So, instead of adding something unrealistic, you should always rely on the actual data, which shows your professionalism.
6. Proofread Carefully
Proofreading your dissertation results section is essential while writing your main findings. Double-check all possible errors of grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Through this, you can reflect professionalism in your result section of a dissertation.
7. Illustrate Difficult Data
Use visual components while presenting information that is hard to convey. In the book Writing a Successful Thesis Or Dissertation, the author states that by using graphs, charts, pictures, and tables, you can simplify the complicated data and enhance its understanding for the readers.
8. Be Honest in Reporting
You have to write your dissertation results section honestly, as it is the representation of your findings. Whether you get expected results or the unexpected, present them accurately. The key to this is how you remain honest while presenting your data. Keep in mind that you cannot align your thoughts with your final results here.
Dissertation Results Section Examples
Well, there are different types of research that students do when writing their dissertations. It mostly includes quantitative research, where you mostly work with numbers and statistics; qualitative research, where you work on the quality aspects; and mixed research containing both these factors. Whatever the research methods you choose, you have to present your outcomes accordingly.
Before going to present the results of your research methodology, you should first understand your research type. For a better understanding, you should look over the examples of already written content from the Internet, libraries, scholarly journals, books, or authentic articles. It will provide you with a clear idea of what to do or avoid in the dissertation results section.
For example, San Jose State University presented both qualitative and quantitative examples separately, such as:
How Long should a Results Section be in a Dissertation?
When it comes to the length of the dissertation results section, remember that it does not remain constant and depends upon several factors that make it variable. These changing factors include your dissertation’s total word count, research topic and type, the complexity of the task, and the requirements of your university.
A general weightage of a results section is 5% of the whole presented work, which sometimes goes from 5 to 10%. So, from a 15,000-word dissertation, you can expect a 750-word results part. However, it is just a general estimate often used in different institutions to present the outcomes of research and avoid unnecessary details.
What does a Dissertation Results Section Include?
According to the University of Westminster, the dissertation results section follows materials and methods, taking fourth place in this voyage. It sums up the key insights of your findings. So, make it clear and logical to impress the reader with your data analysis and presentation methods.
As per Antioch University, the result section consists of the following three main parts:
- An introduction where you introduce your findings.
- Findings in which you will talk about your research questions or hypotheses and present accordingly.
- A conclusion summarises the key results.
Conclusion
After going through data collection and analysis, the dissertation results in the section become the centre of attraction for students. This is the part where you showcase the actual outcomes of your research journey. To clearly present your results and effectively communicate your ideas, follow the guide mentioned above, along with expert tips.
If you need a hand expressing your findings clearly and preparing for your discussion, contact professionals to avail of dissertation writing services in the UK. They can provide the extra support to help your work shine.
Remember that the result section is the main chapter for any reader to evaluate your research work and its implications in the real world. So, by paying attention to detail and following the right structure, you will be on your way to mastering this stage of dissertation writing.
