The section allows you to present the data that founded the basis of your investigations. The findings section of research paper also helps to justify your thoughts and affirm a position. It reveals whether your original idea was confirmed by the data you collected.
The best advice on how to write the findings section of a research paper is to look back at where it all began. You went into the research to investigate a principle. It is time to tell your reader what you found. The data you present will then be used to justify a position.
The findings section of a research paper also combines the revelations from your Literature Review, though faintly. It will require the use of descriptions and discussions of the results obtained during data analysis.
Expert tips on how to present research findings
- Revisit your thesis statement and research questions
Research questions and the thesis statement are the anchors of this chapter. Your entire data collection escapade was about proving your statement. For this reason, revising or reminding the reader acts as the wake-up call. It shows the genesis of your quest to find data.
The research questions also help you to choose tools and data analysis techniques. Each question will result in particular data and findings. By revisiting, you help the reader to connect your methods and the findings you get.
- Identify a story in your data
What is the data telling you about your hypothesis? Research findings definition point at a revelation. That revelation is done as you read through the data from one section to the other. Each data entry reveals something you were investigating. The reader is interested in understanding this story. It explains why the section is always descriptive. Your idea is to help the reader to understand the revelation made by the data you have collected.
- Find focus in your data
Data can be read in so many ways. However, you must direct the reader on how he will understand and interpret your data. From the sample of summary of findings in research, you will discover that the researcher shines a spotlight on a particular element of the data. The aspect of the data that receives attention helps him to answer the research questions.
- Give the lessons
This is where you acknowledge that your methods were right but still missed some of the points. It is a time to affirm your assertions while also admitting the points that were missed in the course of data collection. A research findings example will help you to accurately capture this aspect.
- Draw a conclusion
You have the Discussion chapter to draw your conclusions but you still must guide the reader on what to see in your data presentation. The sentences are usually very short. In fact, each paragraph or finding is only three sentences long. The conclusions affirm or disapprove of the question that you were investigating.
Here is a presentation of findings in research paper example to guide you when writing your own:
Rate of weight gain
The findings indicated that people gain more weight towards the end of the year compared to the beginning
Uptake of exercises and gym activity
Data reveals that most people enroll in the gym and take on exercise at the beginning of the year.
Opinion on weight loss
Most people believe that they can lose weight by exercising, going to the gym, and dieting.
Place of dieting in weight loss
While people appreciate diet as a source of weight loss, most of them are not willing to take the option.
Weight lost groups
Most of those interviewed said that exercise groups kept them motivated to lose weight.
Exercising at home
While it is convenient, most people feel better going to the gym
Online exercise routines
Most respondents cited online routines as effective at the beginning but cause them to lose morale.
Improvising around the house
Most respondents have improvised exercise tools around the house but they still prefer gym equipment
Exercising with partners
Those who exercised with their partners achieved the results faster and were satisfied
Exercise and age
People turn to exercises in their late thirties onwards.