Structure of a Results Section
For an exploratory study
Where you have a bunch of predictor and outcome variables and you’re just trying to see what moves.
- Write about the details of the statistical test you ran (e.g., “for each dependent variable, we ran a regression predicting this outcome from the participant’s self-esteem score and controlling for age and gender")
- Wherever possible, present your results in a table (see below). All results go in the table for people to see
- Only discuss (in text) results that are significant
- Exception is if something is very theoretically important but is not significant.
- Your section structure will be much more fluid here. If <5 predictors are significant, you can discuss them one-by-one. If >5 predictors are significant, try to find a natural grouping for them.
For an experimental study
Where you have a clear IV, DV, and mediator
- Manipulation Check
- Effect of IV on the Mediator
- Effect of IV on the Dependent Variable
- Mediation Results
What does not go in a results section
- Demographics
- Histograms
- Factor analysis results
- Any interpretation of the results
General Advice for Statistical Reporting