How to write a results chapter
How to present dissertation findings clearly and objectively, organised by research question or theme, without slipping into discussion.
9 min read · Reviewed 2026 · Written and reviewed by Chris McGarrigle
A dissertation results chapter presents what you found — organised clearly by research question, objective or theme — using tables, figures or quotations as evidence, without interpreting what the findings mean; that interpretation belongs in your discussion chapter.
The most common structural error is separating results and discussion so strictly that the results chapter becomes an unreadable wall of numbers or quotations with no narrative thread. The fix is not to interpret prematurely, but to use clear signposting so the reader can follow the shape of what you found.
How you organise this chapter depends heavily on your method: quantitative results are usually organised around hypotheses or variables, qualitative results around themes, and mixed-methods studies typically integrate both under shared headings.
Organise around your research questions, not your instrument
Structure the chapter by research question or objective, not by the order questions appeared on your survey or interview schedule. This keeps the golden thread visible and makes it far easier for an examiner to check that every objective has been addressed.
Present quantitative results with restraint
Report descriptive statistics first, then inferential tests, referring to tables and figures rather than repeating every number in the prose. State whether each hypothesis was supported or not, using the statistical language your discipline expects (e.g. p-values, confidence intervals, effect sizes).
Keep interpretation out of this section. 'Mean satisfaction was significantly higher in Group A (p < .05)' is a result; 'this suggests Group A management style is more effective' is discussion.
Present qualitative results theme by theme
Introduce each theme with a short description, support it with two or three well-chosen participant quotations, and briefly explain how the quotation illustrates the theme — but stop short of connecting it to wider theory, which belongs in the discussion.
- Name each theme clearly and consistently across the chapter.
- Choose quotations that are illustrative, not just dramatic.
- Attribute quotations consistently (e.g. by pseudonym or participant number).
- Note where themes were shared across most participants versus a minority.
Use tables and figures to reduce prose, not replace it
Every table or figure needs a title, a number, and at least one sentence in the text that tells the reader what to notice in it. Never present a table with no accompanying sentence — readers should not have to interpret data unaided.
Keep the line between results and discussion clear
A useful test: if a sentence uses words like 'suggests', 'implies', 'because' or 'this means', it is probably discussion, not results. If your programme combines results and discussion into one chapter, this distinction still matters — signal clearly within the text when you move from reporting to interpreting.
Common mistakes
- Interpreting findings in the results chapter instead of saving that for the discussion.
- Organising the chapter by instrument order rather than by research question.
- Presenting a table or figure with no sentence explaining what to notice in it.
- Cherry-picking only the most dramatic quotations rather than representative ones.
- Reporting every statistic from the output with no narrative structure at all.
Try this: The results-or-discussion audit
- Print or copy your draft results chapter.
- Highlight any sentence containing 'suggests', 'shows that', 'because' or 'this means'.
- For each highlighted sentence, decide whether it belongs in results (rephrase to be neutral) or discussion (move it).
- Recheck that every research question or objective has a clearly signposted subsection.
Do it in SuperDiss
Organise your results by theme or research question and keep interpretation cleanly separated.
Structure your findings with the Analysis toolStudents also ask
- Can I combine results and discussion into one chapter?
- Many programmes allow or even prefer this, particularly for qualitative dissertations. If you do combine them, use clear subheadings and signal explicitly when you move from reporting a finding to interpreting it.
- How many quotations should a qualitative results chapter include?
- There is no fixed number, but aim for two or three well-chosen, representative quotations per theme rather than an exhaustive list. Quality and representativeness matter more than volume.
- Should I report non-significant results?
- Yes. Non-significant findings are still results and should be reported honestly; omitting them because they were not the outcome you hoped for is a form of selective reporting that examiners are trained to notice.
Related research: analyse findings
Move from raw data to themes, results and a discussion that answers the question.
Thematic analysis, step by step
How to move from transcripts to codes to defensible themes, and how to tell a real theme from a topic summary.
How to write a discussion chapter
The difference between results and discussion, a reliable structure, and how to make claims your data can support.
Continue your dissertation journey
- Thematic analysis, step by step
- How to write a discussion chapter
- Qualitative vs quantitative research
- How to write a limitations section
Browse every guide in dissertation analysis.
Read next
Thematic analysis, step by step
How to move from transcripts to codes to defensible themes, and how to tell a real theme from a topic summary.
How to write a discussion chapter
The difference between results and discussion, a reliable structure, and how to make claims your data can support.
Qualitative vs quantitative research
The real difference between qualitative and quantitative dissertation research, and how to choose based on your question rather than your comfort zone.
This guide is general educational content. Your institution's regulations, handbook and supervisor's instructions always take precedence. Where a named framework is mentioned, consult the original source text rather than relying on this summary.