Your results should be presented in an easy and concise manner that allows readers to easily derive various conclusions. What information should feature in the scientific paper results section? Read our guide for tips on writing an outstanding results section of a research paper.

What is the results section of a research paper?

The results chapter of a research paper is the section where you report the findings of various experiments performed during your study. This chapter presents the data you have collected in a logical order, often with the use of descriptive figures such as graphs and tables.

The results chapter tackles all data relating to your research objectives. Although you should show links between various variables, refrain from introducing theories regarding these correlations.

What goes in the results section of a research paper?

After your research, you might have collected a ton of calculations and data for various variables. Covering all this information in your paper may result in a lengthy chapter that limits the optimal analysis of your results. 

You should thus trim your information to the details that help you make inferences relevant to your research questions. Some of the items to include in the results section of a research paper APA include: 

• An introduction highlighting the research objectives you intend to cover in your experiment.
• A detailed outline of the process you used to reach your results including any variables you adjusted to test your hypothesis.
• The process of data collection and the criteria and ethical considerations that were made when selecting your sample group.
• Charts, tables, and summarized paragraphs for the data you collected. Here, we recommend that you represent your data in a manner that’s easy for the reader to compare and investigate your conclusions.  
• You may also include a short explanation after each figure to show the reader how you interpreted the results, avoiding confusion. The visual aids and explanations should explain the frequency and correlation of events when various variables were tweaked and the causality of events. This should however be done without arguing possible reasons for these observations. 
• Finally, conclude your results with a summary of the key findings yielded during your study.

Note: calculations used to coalesce the data should be covered in the appendices chapter. 

How to write the results section of a research paper

How do you go about writing the results section of your research paper? These steps ought to come in handy to avoid the confusion inspired by copious amounts of data. 

1. Check instructions

The faculty guideline often outlines the requirements of presenting your results in a research paper. It is best that you revisit these guidelines to establish the completeness of the information you have coalesced. 

Also, check other publications to familiarize yourself with the visualizations and content to prepare in the findings section. 

2. Sort your findings into sections

Your experiment features multiple variables each geared towards investigating a research question. Before you start writing, revisit the research questions and sort your data into various categories.

Doing this allows you to sort your data in a manner that’s easy for readers to follow your results with minimum confusion. 

3. Design your visual data representations

Visual representations are more efficient in highlighting the relationship between various datasets compared to words. However, start off by establishing the visual presentations that are permitted by your faculty. 

All the graphs and tables used should be self-explanatory and tackle all the data yielded in your research. When going about this section, ensure that you are conversant with spreadsheets to avoid various errors that might misrepresent your results.

4. Write down your findings

After preparing the relevant visual diagrams, offer a short summary for each table/ graph used. The summary should highlight the relationship between various variables to guide the reader on your interpretation. 

The summary will prepare the reader for arguments that you intend to make in the discussion. After writing your summaries, edit each chart and summary to ensure clarity. 

How to start a results section of a research paper

The results section in an academic paper should start by discussing the research questions of your paper. What do you intend to establish? By addressing this question, you can refocus the attention on the purpose of your paper, helping readers to reach various conclusions based on the data you collected.

Next, write the process you followed for research, highlighting any variables that were adjusted to provide a better basis for comparison. 

Final take

We hope that this guide has helped you overcome any challenges you were facing with your research paper. Be keen to check a research paper results example for a better understanding of how to write the research paper results.

If you are like me, you’d settle for the former gift as it looks well thought of and more appealing. However, this does not necessarily imply that the first gift was of lower value than the second. The packaging influenced your decision-making. 

Like the gifts, a hook determines your reader’s attitude toward your paper. A great hook sparks curiosity in your reader, guiding them to go through your work in a bid to scratch their intellectual itch. This article will highlight tips on how to write a good hook for a paper and reel in many readers from the scholarly sea. 

What is a hook in a research paper?

The mention of a hook conjures an image of a curved shiny metal used for fishing. Like the fisherman’s hook, an essay hook is a catchy element that pulls your readers into your work. 

This opening sentiment is found in the introduction of your research paper and highlights the importance of your research. The hook may do this by highlighting a popular fallacy or indicating the extent of the existing research gap that your research will bridge. 

How to write a hook for a research paper

Writing a hook for a research paper often proves a daunting task for many students. often, students may struggle with their introduction and fail to capture the essence of their work. Here, we will highlight some steps for writing a great research paper hook.

1. Gauge your audience

A research paper is often geared towards a knowledgeable audience of scholars. However, the interests of scholars may vary depending on the topic and niche of your paper. Ideally, refrain from complex jargon in your hook as this may obfuscate its meaning, rendering it worthless.

Also, gauge the interests of scholars in your discipline and write a hook that appeals to these interests. For instance, check the common debates regarding your topic and capture the alluring components of these debates to appeal to your reader’s interests. 

2. Create an outline

An outline is essential for understanding the entirety of your research paper’s argument. We recommend that you design an outline and prepare a hook that complements your key argument.

If you select rhetorical questions, settle for one that accentuates your key arguments. 

3. Gauge the purpose of your paper

The hook for research paper should set the mood for your introduction and your paper’s arguments. For instance, a funny hook would barely have an impact when introducing a complex topic. At best, this may give a reader the idea that your paper will not address the topic with the seriousness it calls for. 

You must prepare your thesis statement and work towards a hook that highlights the importance of your research. Also, consult your peers for an analysis of how well your hook introduces your topic. 

Easy ideas for a hook in a paper

If you are stuck with your hook, here are some research paper hook examples to guide your selection.

1. Question Hook

Question hooks are usually rhetorical and open-ended. These questions are geared to get a reader curious about a particular matter. 

Often, the questions should challenge a popular notion in your field or explore options that have been previously ignored in previous studies. 

e.g., What impact would a television set add in a classroom setting? Are we too fixated on the futuristic tech that we overlook the applications of the available teaching-learning resources?

2. Quotes

Quotes are popular in scientific writing. However, you don’t always have to rely on quotes from famous people. Instead, find quotes that are relevant to your topic or those that provoke a desired line of thought.

e.g., teach me and I will forget. Show me and I might remember. Engage me and I will learn. A popular quote that highlights the importance of engaging all senses in the teaching-learning process. While many teachers settle for the lecture method, research shows that various learners have varied methods of study… 

3. Statistical Facts

Like the former, facts are a staple for introductions in academic journals. The facts selected for your hook should be relevant to the topic and informative for your reader. Also, facts should feature an in-text citation to show their legitimacy. 

e.g., 65,000 people in the US suffer from mental issues and fail to seek help for fear of stigmatization (king, 2012). How can this be addressed to ensure maximum productivity of our workforce?

4. Clarifying a Popular Misconception

Another way to open your research paper is by challenging a belief that is popular in your discipline. 

e.g., Do poor academic results show the difference in learners’ cognitive capacities or rather highlight the ineptitude of a teacher’s methodologies? Since most classes cover a wide range of learners, is it not necessary to find each learner’s preferred mode of learning and guide them with proper tools?

Final take

We hope that this guide has answered your questions on writing a research paper hook. If you are still struggling with your paper, feel free to consult our experts for custom assistance.