Results: Telling the Truth Without Putting Them to Sleep

The results section of a scientific paper is where evidence speaks. This is the space to present the facts uncovered by your research, free from speculation or interpretation. Despite its importance, many researchers struggle to present their results in a way that is both accurate and engaging. It is easy to fall into one of two traps: overwhelming the reader with raw data, or underwhelming them with vague summaries.

Writing the results section requires clarity, structure, and discipline. The goal is to report findings truthfully, in a manner that is informative without being tedious. The reader should be able to follow your logic, understand the key outcomes, and see how the data connect to your study objectives.

The Purpose of the Results Section

The results section serves to answer the research question posed in the introduction. It presents what was found through your study without interpreting why the findings matter. Interpretation belongs in the discussion. The results should be objective, complete, and logically organised.

This section provides the foundation upon which your conclusions will rest. If the results are unclear or disorganised, the entire paper suffers. Clear communication of findings increases the credibility of your research and allows others to evaluate its value.

Organisation and Flow

Begin by referring back to your research objectives or hypotheses. Results should be presented in the same order as the questions or aims stated earlier in the paper. This helps the reader maintain orientation and follow your narrative logically.

Use subheadings to divide the results into logical sections. For example, clinical trials may use headings such as Participant Flow, Primary Outcomes, and Secondary Outcomes. Laboratory experiments might use Results by Assay, Gene Expression Data, or Time-Course Analyses.

Each paragraph or section should present one key result. Begin with a summary statement, then support it with data. Avoid burying key findings in the middle of large blocks of text.

Descriptive Statistics First

Begin with descriptive statistics that characterise your sample or data set. This includes counts, percentages, means, standard deviations, medians, and ranges. Provide enough information for readers to understand the basic features of your data.

Example:

“A total of 312 participants were enrolled in the study. The median age was 64 years (IQR 58–70), and 52 percent were male.”

Present baseline or pre-intervention characteristics clearly. This provides context for the interpretation of subsequent outcomes and allows for comparison with other studies.

Presenting Outcomes

After describing the sample, present your primary and secondary outcomes. Use specific, concise language to describe what was found. Include actual numbers and relevant statistical values.

Example:

“At eight weeks, systolic blood pressure decreased by a mean of 11.2 mmHg (95% CI: 8.4–14.0) in the treatment group compared with 3.5 mmHg (95% CI: 1.0–6.0) in the control group (p < 0.001).”

Include confidence intervals and p-values to allow readers to assess statistical significance and precision. Avoid vague terms like “significant improvement” without accompanying data.

If results were not statistically significant, report them openly. There is value in negative findings, and omitting them undermines transparency.

Use of Tables and Figures

Tables and figures play a critical role in the results section. They allow complex data to be communicated visually and help reduce clutter in the main text. Tables are best for exact values; figures are better for illustrating patterns or trends.

Every table and figure should have a clear title and descriptive legend. They should be understandable on their own, without requiring the reader to refer back to the text. Avoid duplicating information in both table and prose. Refer to each figure or table in the narrative to guide the reader.

Example:

“Figure 2 illustrates the time-dependent reduction in symptom severity across treatment groups.”

Ensure consistency in the formatting of tables and graphs. Use the same units, decimal places, and terminology throughout. This promotes clarity and professionalism.

What to Include and What to Omit

Include:

• Participant flow and sample size

• Baseline characteristics

• Primary and secondary outcome data

• Relevant subgroup analyses

• All pre-specified outcomes

• Adverse events or unexpected findings

Omit:

• Interpretation or explanation of results

• References to other studies

• Repetition of methods

• Raw data dumps without synthesis

Do not explain why the results occurred or what they mean in this section. Those questions belong in the discussion. Stay focused on reporting what was observed.

Statistical Results

Present statistical analyses with appropriate detail. Include:

• Type of test used

• Test statistics (e.g., t-values, F-ratios)

• Degrees of freedom

• p-values and confidence intervals

Clearly identify which comparisons were pre-specified and which were exploratory. Be transparent about missing data and how it was handled.

Avoid selectively reporting only significant results. This practice introduces bias and undermines scientific integrity. If adjustments for multiple comparisons were made, report the method and thresholds used.

Writing Style and Tone

Use clear, objective language. Avoid subjective adjectives such as “remarkable,” “striking,” or “surprising.” The results should speak for themselves.

Use the past tense to describe what was found. Be precise and economical in your language. Do not use five words where two will do.

Avoid long paragraphs filled with numbers. Instead, summarise patterns and support them with key values.

Example:

“The intervention group demonstrated higher adherence rates than the control group. Eighty-four percent of participants in the intervention group completed all sessions, compared with 61 percent in the control group (p = 0.002).”

This format keeps the reader engaged while conveying critical information.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Data dumping: Presenting pages of numbers without synthesis or structure

• Omitting negative findings: Failing to report non-significant or null results

• Repeating information: Redundant reporting in text, tables, and figures

• Poor formatting: Inconsistent decimal places, missing units, or unlabelled graphs

• Interpreting data: Explaining why results occurred within the results section

Review and Revise

Once the results are written, revisit the introduction and methods to ensure consistency. Verify that all outcomes mentioned earlier are reported and that no new, unplanned analyses have been added without justification.

Ask a colleague to read your results section and summarise the main findings. If their summary does not match your intentions, revisions are needed for clarity.

Review your tables and figures for accuracy, formatting, and alignment with journal standards. Ensure that every value is correct and every figure supports your narrative.

Conclusion

The results section is where your data speak clearly and confidently. By structuring this section with care, using visual aids wisely, and avoiding the temptation to interpret, you help readers understand exactly what your study found.

Writing results that are both truthful and readable is a skill developed through practice. Aim to communicate your findings clearly, allow the data to guide the narrative, and present the evidence with professional precision. With the right approach, your results can be both scientifically rigorous and engaging to read.

Contact us if you need expert support with writing or refining your scientific manuscript.