Writing the Analysis: How to Maintain an Academic Tone

The number crunching is complete, the findings are clear, and now you face the deceptively straightforward task of documenting it. However, this phase is a rhetorical tightrope. The primary purpose of the results chapter is to factually describe what you found, not to discuss what it means. Adding speculation here weakens the academic rigor of your dissertation. This guide provides a practical strategy for writing a objective and formally written results section that accurately conveys your data while strictly avoiding the temptation to interpret it.

1. The Sacred Divide: Reporting vs. Interpreting

Understanding the core difference between the Results chapter and the Discussion chapter is critical. Think of it as a clear division of labor.

• The Results Chapter: This section is the “empirical evidence.” Its only job is to display the findings in a neutral manner. It answers the question: “What did you find?“
• The Discussion Chapter: This is where you explain the evidence. Its job is to explain the meaning of those results, connect them to the literature, and answer the “so what?”. It answers the question: “What do these findings mean?“

Blurring this line weakens both. The reader gets disoriented, unsure if they are reading a observation or your opinion about that fact.

2. The Language of Objectivity

The style of your writing is your most powerful tool for maintaining objectivity. Choose your verbs and phrases to report rather than to imply.

Use Neutral Reporting Verbs:

• Instead of: “The results show that the intervention was amazing.” (Subjective)
• Use: “The results indicated a statistically significant improvement in scores.” (Neutral)
• Other strong choices: “demonstrated,” “revealed,” “exhibited,” “was observed,” “was found.”

Avoid Value Judgments:

• Avoid Subjective Adjectives: Clear.
  • Instead of: “A surprising negative correlation was found.”
  • Use: “A negative correlation was found.”
• Avoid Speculative Verbs: Suggests (Save “suggests” for the Discussion chapter).
  • Instead of: “This finding suggests that the theory is correct.”
  • Use: “This finding is consistent with the proposed theory.” or “This finding aligns with the predictions of Theory X.”

3. The Formula for Presenting Each Finding

To ensure clarity and neutrality, follow a standard formula for presenting each statistical test or qualitative theme.

1. State the Purpose: Remind the reader what you were testing. “To address the first hypothesis, an independent-samples t-test was conducted to compare the mean scores of Group A and Group B.”
2. Report the Key Statistics: Objectively state the relevant results. “The results indicated a significant difference between the groups (t(58) = 3.67, p = .001).”
3. Describe the Outcome: State what the statistic means in a simple, factual statement. “The mean score for Group A (M = 85.2, SD = 4.3) was significantly higher than the mean score for Group B (M = 76.5, SD = 5.1).”
4. Direct to the Visual: Point the reader to the accompanying table or figure. “See Table 1 for a summary of the group means and standard deviations.”

This formulaic approach keeps your writing on task and prevents you from straying into commentary.

4. Using Tables and Figures Effectively

Clear and precise graphs and charts are the backbone of an objective results section. They present the data in its purest form, allowing the reader to see the evidence for themselves.

• Tables are for exact values: Use them to present multiple data points (e.g., means, IGNOU project approval standard deviations, p-values, coefficients).
• Figures are for trends and comparisons: Use graphs (e.g., bar charts, line graphs) to showcase relationships and differences between groups.
• Ensure visuals are self-explanatory: A good table or figure should have a clear title and be understandable with minimal reference to the text. This reduces the need for you to narrate the data in your writing.

5. Reporting All Findings

An objective report details all results, not just the exciting ones. A non-significant finding is still a important finding.

• Do not hide them: Reporting non-significant results is a mark of integrity and prevents a skewed understanding.
• Report them neutrally: Use the same neutral tone as you would for a significant result.
  • Example: “The analysis revealed no statistically significant difference in satisfaction scores between the two conditions (t(42) = 1.23, p = .225).”

6. Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Be on high alert for these frequent missteps that can sneak interpretation into your results section:

• Apologizing for Results: “Unfortunately, the results were not significant.” (This implies a desired outcome, which is subjective).
• Speculating on Causes: “The lack of significance was probably due to the small sample size.” (Save this for the Discussion chapter on limitations).
• Using Emotional Language: “It was exciting to find that…” (This is unprofessional and subjective).
• Overusing “Clearly” or “Obviously”: If it were clear and obvious, you wouldn’t have needed to run the test. Let the data stand on its own.

In Summary

Writing a compelling results section requires stylistic discipline. It is an exercise in rhetorical precision, where you cede the spotlight and let your data take center stage. By adhering to a neutral tone, employing a consistent framework, leveraging visuals effectively, and reporting all findings faithfully, you construct a chapter that is unassailably objective. This builds a rock-solid base of uninterpreted evidence upon which you can then, in the next chapter, construct a nuanced and persuasive interpretation of what those facts ultimately mean. The strength of your argument depends on this strict division.