Dissertation Results Chapter: Complete Guide to Presenting Your Findings

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TL;DR

Purpose: The results chapter objectively presents your research findings without interpretation—it answers “what did you find?”
Structure: Choose between “by research question/hypothesis” (quantitative) or “by theme/pattern” (qualitative).
Length: Typically 15% of total dissertation (e.g., 2,500–3,000 words for a 15,000-word thesis).
APA 7th: Follow specific formatting for tables and figures (no horizontal lines, notes below captions, accessibility).
Golden Rule: Results = “what”; Discussion = “why”. Never mix interpretation with results.
Common mistakes: Over-reporting all data, interpreting results, poor table formatting, ignoring negative findings.
Pro tip: Create tables and figures before writing text to force data structure clarity.
Statistical precision: Report exact p-values (p = .032), effect sizes, and confidence intervals.

Introduction

The results chapter is often the most straightforward part of your dissertation—yet many students stress over it. Why? Because there’s confusion about what belongs here, how to structure it, and how to present data clearly. This guide cuts through the noise with evidence-based recommendations from university writing centers and official style guides. Whether you’re writing a quantitative STEM dissertation or a qualitative humanities thesis, you’ll learn exactly how to craft a results chapter that meets academic standards and makes your findings shine.

Understanding the Results Chapter’s Purpose

The results chapter is purely descriptive. Its job is to present your data objectively, without speculation or interpretation. As the APA Style Guide states, results sections must be selective—include only what addresses your research questions or hypotheses. Save “why this matters” for the discussion chapter.

Key functions:

Report the outcomes of your analysis
Use visuals (tables, figures) to clarify complex data
Highlight patterns, trends, and notable findings
Include negative or non-significant results (ethical obligation)

What results is NOT:

Not the place for analysis or implications
Not a commentary on existing literature
Not a repetition of your methodology details

Results Chapter Structure: Two Main Approaches

Your research methodology dictates your chapter structure. There are two primary organizational patterns:

By Research Question or Hypothesis (Quantitative Preferred)

This is the classic IMRaD (Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion) approach common in STEM and social sciences. You present findings in the same order you stated your research questions or hypotheses.

When to use:

Quantitative studies with clear hypotheses
Mixed-methods with distinct quantitative component
Disciplines that value hypothesis testing (psychology, biology, economics)

Structure:

Preliminary findings (any data cleaning or sample description)
Descriptive statistics (means, standard deviations, frequencies)
Inferential statistics organized by hypothesis/research question
Tables and figures placed near first mention

Example H3: Results for Hypothesis 1: Student Engagement Predicts Achievement

Sample paragraph:

As shown in Table 1, student engagement scores (M = 4.2, SD = 0.8) were significantly positively correlated with academic achievement (r = .67, p < .001). This supports Hypothesis 1.

By Theme or Pattern (Qualitative Preferred)

Qualitative research often groups findings into themes, categories, or patterns that emerged from analysis.

When to use:

Qualitative interviews, focus groups, textual analysis
Grounded theory, ethnography, case studies
Humanities and some social sciences

Structure:

Introduction to analysis process (briefly)
Thematic sections with subheadings for each major theme
Evidence for each theme: participant quotes, observational notes, document excerpts
Tables/figures (if helpful, e.g., concept maps)

Example H3: Theme 1: Navigating Cultural Identity

Sample paragraph:

Many participants described a fluid sense of cultural identity, shifting between contexts. As one participant noted: “I’m completely different at work than I am at home—it’s like I have two selves.” This theme emerged in 23 of 30 interviews.

Decision Flowchart: Which Structure Fits Your Study?

Start
  ├── Is your study primarily quantitative or mixed with quantitative component? → Yes → Use "by research question/hypothesis" structure.
  └── No (primarily qualitative or theoretical) → Use "by theme/pattern" structure.

Note: Some humanities disciplines (e.g., philosophy, literature) may use an essay-style structure where results and discussion are interwoven. Check recent dissertations from your department. The University of Southampton (Feb 2026) notes a recent shift toward thematic organization even for some qualitative work.

Quantitative vs Qualitative: Key Differences

The two approaches differ in almost every aspect. Understanding these contrasts prevents structural errors.

Aspect	Quantitative Results	Qualitative Results
Organization	By hypothesis/research question	By theme/pattern
Data type	Numbers, statistics, measurements	Words, quotes, observations
Visuals	Graphs, tables of means/variances	Concept maps, quote tables, diagrams
Length	Typically longer due to stats reporting	Often shorter, but rich description
Voice	Passive or active; APA neutral	Often more narrative, active
Statistical reporting	Exact p-values, effect sizes, CIs	Not applicable
Tense	Past tense	Past tense
Typical disciplines	STEM, economics, psychology	Anthropology, education, arts

Mixed methods: Present quantitative and qualitative results separately, using appropriate structures for each, then integrate in the discussion.

Tables and Figures in APA 7th Edition: Complete Formatting Guide

Tables and figures clarify complex data—but only if formatted correctly. APA’s 7th edition (2020) introduced major changes from the 6th edition, and many student resources still teach outdated rules.

When to Use Tables vs Figures

Tables: Present precise numerical data (e.g., demographic characteristics, statistical outputs). Use when readers might need exact values.
Figures: Show trends, relationships, or conceptual models (e.g., bar charts, scatterplots, flow diagrams). Use to illustrate patterns.

Rule of thumb: If a visual conveys the same information as a sentence, use the visual. If it’s just a few numbers, describe in text.

APA 7th Formatting Rules (What Changed from 6th)

Element	6th Edition	7th Edition
Horizontal lines	Yes (three-line rule)	No – use only vertical lines if needed (rare)
Table notes	Below table, separate with title	Below table, but title above table
Figure captions	Below figure	Below figure (unchanged)
Font	Varies (often Times New Roman)	Any serif or sans-serif, legible (e.g., 11-pt Calibri, 12-pt Times)
Accessibility	Not emphasized	Alt text required for electronic submission

Table Formatting Checklist

Number: Table 1, Table 2, etc., in order of first mention.
Title: Italicized, title case, one line (no period).
Headings: Clear, concise; use sentence case; include units in parentheses.
Rows/columns: Minimum 2 rows/columns; avoid sparsely populated tables.
Notes: Below the table; use Note. (italic) for general notes, a, b, c for specific notes.
No vertical lines unless necessary for clarity.
Double-space throughout (unless your institution allows single-spacing for tables).

Example table title: Table 1
*Demographic Characteristics of Participants (N = 150)

Figure Formatting Checklist

Number: Figure 1, Figure 2, etc.
Caption: Below figure; include brief title and explanation (e.g., “Figure 1. Distribution of engagement scores across grade levels.”).
Labels: Axes labeled with units; clear legend if multiple series.
Font: Consistent with text; legible.
Resolution: At least 300 dpi for raster images.
Color: Use color judiciously; ensure grayscale versions remain interpretable.

Labeling and Referencing in Text

First mention: “As shown in Table 1, …” or “Figure 2 illustrates…”
Placement: Tables/figures should appear soon after first textual mention, not at the chapter’s end.
Do not say “Please see Table 3 later.” Embed them inline.

For detailed examples, see the University of Washington’s guide on reporting statistical results.

Word Count Guidelines by Degree Level

How long should your results chapter be? There’s no universal answer, but consensus points to ~15% of total word count for quantitative studies. Qualitative results can vary more widely (often shorter, with rich quotes). The Academic Assignments blog and Epic Essay provide these benchmarks:

Degree Level	Typical Total Word Count	Results Chapter Target	Notes
Bachelor’s	8,000–12,000	1,200–1,800 (15%)	Often includes fewer statistical tests
Master’s	15,000–20,000	2,250–3,000 (15%)	Standard range
PhD	70,000–100,000	10,500–15,000 (15%)	May include multiple studies

Discipline adjustments:

STEM: Often at the lower end of the range; tables and graphs convey much information concisely.
Humanities: May have shorter results if combined with discussion; qualitative themes can be expressed in fewer words.
Social Sciences: Typically within 15% range; balance of stats and themes.

Critical warning: Students consistently over-write the results chapter by 40–60%, diluting impact. Focus on selectivity—report only what directly answers your research questions. The APA Style principle of selective reporting is your friend.

Separating Results from Discussion: Clear Boundaries

One of the most common errors is mixing results (what you found) with discussion (what it means). This can cost you marks. Southampton’s 2026 guide emphasizes strict separation: results describe; discussion interprets.

What Goes in Results

Factual statements: “The mean score was 4.2 (SD = 0.8).”
Statistical outcomes: “There was a significant difference between groups, F(2, 147) = 5.34, p = .006.”
Observations: “17 participants mentioned cost as a barrier.”
Visual descriptions: “As Figure 1 shows, engagement declined after week 4.”

What Goes in Discussion

Interpretation: “The high engagement scores suggest that the intervention was effective.”
Comparison to literature: “Unlike Smith (2020), we found no gender difference…”
Explanations: “The unexpected drop may be due to participant fatigue.”
Implications: “These findings imply that policy should focus on…”

Red Flag Phrases That Reveal Mixing

If you catch yourself writing:

“This suggests that…”
“This indicates…”
“This could be because…”
“These results are surprising because…”
—you’ve entered discussion territory. Move that sentence to the discussion chapter.

Statistical Reporting Standards (Quantitative)

Modern dissertations require precise statistical reporting. Outdated guides still say “p < .05”; current best practice is exact p-values with effect sizes and confidence intervals.

For each statistical test, report:

Test statistic (t, F, r, χ², etc.)
Degrees of freedom
Exact p-value (e.g., p = .032, not p < .05)
Effect size (Cohen’s d, eta-squared, odds ratio) with confidence interval
Direction of effect (which group was higher/lower?)

Example:

An independent-samples t-test revealed a significant difference in scores between the intervention group (M = 4.5, SD = 0.7) and control group (M = 3.8, SD = 0.9), t(148) = 2.45, p = .016, d = 0.40, 95% CI [0.07, 0.73].

Source: University of Washington’s statistics guide.

7 Most Common Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)

Based on university writing center surveys and editing services, here are the most frequent errors with concrete fixes.

1. Interpreting Data Instead of Reporting

Mistake: “The high scores indicate that the program was successful.” (interpretation)
Fix: “The intervention group had higher scores (M = 4.5) than the control group (M = 3.8).” Save interpretation for discussion.

2. Reporting Every Single Data Point

Mistake: Listing all 30 participants’ responses in a paragraph.
Fix: Summarize key trends; use a table for full data. “Most participants (n = 23) agreed with the statement.”

3. Poor Table/Figure Formatting

Mistake: Using horizontal lines, missing notes, inconsistent fonts.
Fix: Follow APA 7th checklist above. Verify with your university’s guidelines.

4. Missing Statistical Details

Mistake: “There was a significant difference, p < .05.”
Fix: Provide exact p-value, effect size, and confidence interval.

5. Hiding Negative or Non-Significant Results

Mistake: Only reporting significant findings.
Fix: Include all results, even non-significant ones. It’s ethical and strengthens credibility.

6. Wrong Tense or Voice

Mistake: “We found that…” (active, first person may be discouraged in some fields)
Fix: Use past tense and either passive (“It was found that…”) or active without pronoun (“The analysis revealed…”). Check your department’s preference.

7. Not Linking to Research Questions

Mistake: A results chapter that reads like a data dump with no connection to the study’s aims.
Fix: Start each subsection by referencing the corresponding research question or hypothesis.

Discipline-Specific Considerations

While the core principles above apply universally, some disciplines have distinct conventions.

STEM (Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science)

Structure: Strict IMRaD; results before discussion.
Visuals: Heavy use of graphs, charts, and tables.
Length: Concise; data often speaks for itself.
Style: Direct, minimal narrative.
Example: A biology dissertation might have separate “Results” and “Discussion” chapters.

Social Sciences (Psychology, Sociology, Education)

Flexibility: Often combines IMRaD with thematic elements.
Mixed methods: Present quantitative and qualitative results separately.
Balance: Mix of statistics and quotes.
Style: APA style predominant.
Example: An education study might present qualitative themes first, then quantitative outcomes.

Humanities (Philosophy, Literature, History)

Structure: Often an essay-style chapter where results and discussion are intertwined.
Data: Textual analysis, historical documents, philosophical arguments.
Visuals: Rare; sometimes concept maps or diagrams.
Length: Variable; may be shorter with dense argumentation.
Example: A literature dissertation might present “Findings” as a series of analytical arguments with textual evidence.

Business/Management

Case studies: May present results as narrative case descriptions.
Practical implications: Sometimes included early.
Style: Mix of academic and practitioner-oriented.

Recommendation: Examine 3–5 recent dissertations from your department to adopt the local convention. The Writing Scientist blog offers clear contrasts between STEM and humanities formats.

Handling Unexpected or Negative Results

It’s tempting to hide non-significant or surprising findings, but this is a cardinal error. Ethical research requires reporting everything.

Negative results: “The intervention did not significantly improve scores, t(50) = 0.78, p = .44.” This is perfectly acceptable and may point to important nuances.
Unexpected findings: Present them objectively. “Contrary to our hypothesis, Group A performed worse than Group B.” Then discuss possible reasons in the next chapter.
Censoring data: Never remove outliers or data points without justification. If you excluded data, explain why in methodology.

Practical Writing Tips

Write results before discussion. Even though it feels counterintuitive, drafting results first forces you to describe findings without interpretation. Proof-Reading Service (2025) recommends this order.
Create tables and figures first. Building your visuals clarifies what you actually need to say. You’ll spot gaps and redundancies early.
Use past tense consistently. “The analysis revealed…” not “reveals.”
Active vs passive: Follow your discipline’s norm. Sciences often use passive (“It was found”); humanities may allow active (“I argue”).
Check formatting early. Don’t wait until the end to format tables—APA 7th has specific requirements that can affect content (e.g., no horizontal lines means you may need to adjust layout).
Get a second opinion. Ask a peer to read your results chapter and see if they can identify any interpretation leakage.

Conclusion

Your results chapter is the factual backbone of your dissertation. By choosing the right structure for your methodology, following APA 7th formatting, maintaining strict separation from discussion, and avoiding common pitfalls, you’ll present your findings with clarity and confidence. Remember: selectivity is key—report only what answers your research questions, use visuals wisely, and let the data speak for itself.

Need help ensuring your results chapter meets the highest standards? TopDissertations.com offers professional editing by subject-matter experts who understand disciplinary conventions. Explore our dissertation editing services or order a custom-written results chapter tailored to your research.

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Sources: APA Style Guide (apastyle.apa.org), University of Southampton (2026), University of Washington Psychology Writing Center, Monash University, GradCoach, Proof-Reading Service (2025), Scribbr, and others. All links verified as of April 2024.