The function of the Results section is to objectively present your key results, without interpretation. This section should follow a logical sequence (often similar to the order in which questions/hypotheses are presented within the introduction) and use text complemented by tables and figures.

  • Start with basic descriptive results.  This may involve indicating how many field samples were collected and in what groups they belonged.

In 2014, we collected 200 goldenrod galls of which 20 were predated by birds, 40 were predated by Eurytoma obtusiventris, 40                         were predated by Eurytoma gigantea, 17 were empty, and 83 retained the gall fly larva.

  • State the results of the statistical tests.
  • Use tables and figures to elucidate particularly important findings.
  • Raw data are NOT included in the results section.  Your professor may want to reference your raw data and/or analyses, so be prepared to submit them in the form of an Appendix or Excel file if requested.
  • Refrain from mentioning your hypotheses in this section, saving the interpretation for the discussion section.

Example

 

**Note that each discipline within biology may have specific stylistic approaches to paper sections.  See Prof. Trapaini’s site for information on writing in neuroscience