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