The Results Chapter

1. What is the results chapter? The results is where you objectively, neutrally present
and describe the findings of your qualitative analysis.
 Your results chapter should purely present and describe the finding, not interpret
them.
 Some universities or program will require that you combine the results and discussion
chapter.
 In some case, it will make sense to include numberical data in a qualitative resullt
chapter.
 The purpose of qualitative is to achieve depth and richness, so don’t get stuck on the
numbers.
2. What to include/exclude in the results chapter?
 Don’t speculate ragarding the meaning of the data in the result chapter. Save it for the
discussion.
 The contents and structure of your results chapter will depend your analysis method/s.
 Analysis methods: content analysis, thematic analysis, narrative analysis and
discourse analysis.
 Don’t dump large amounts of raw data into your research chapter. Include select
quotes strategically.
 Your research aims, objectives and questions help you determine what’s relevant and
what’s not
3. How to write the results chapter?
 Chapter Intro:
 Provide a brief roadmap outlining the structure of your results chapter to help orient
the reader.
 Make use of consistent healings and subhealings to help the reader navigate your
results chapter
 Chapter Body:
 Carefully consider a clear and logical structure for the body section before you start
writing.
 Section structure:
 Brief, clear healding
 What the theme entails
 What the theme excludes
 Sample extracts
 Closing section
 It’s essential to have a logical structure in place and to apply a consistent approach to
each section.
 Aim to use 2 – 3 interview quotes ( or extracts) per claim that you make in your
chapter
 Avoid using interpretive words such as “ suggests”, “impplies”, “means”, “infers”.
 Chapter summary
 The concluding summary should summarise your key findings and lay a foudation for
the discussion.
 Remind the reader of the findings that relate to your reserch aims, objectives, and
reserch questions.
 Don’t present any new information or data in the concluding summary. Only refer to
previous data.
4. Five tips to ace the results chapter
 Use the past tense and active voice.
 Review your work multiple times.
 Present only what is most relevent and useful.
 Use visually distantive headings and titles.
 Use tables and figures to improve digestability.