How to Write the Results Section of a Research Paper

After all the experiments, hours in the lab, and data collection, it's finally time to present your findings. The Results section of a research paper is where you show what you discovered—clearly, concisely, and without interpretation.

A well-written Results section allows readers to grasp your key findings quickly, even if they’re just skimming. Here’s how to do it right.

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Step 3: Writing Your Results

1. Let Your Tables and Graphs Speak for Themselves

In today’s fast-paced academic world, many readers skim papers before deciding to read them fully. Your tables and figures should be detailed and clear enough that readers can understand the major outcomes without having to dig too deeply into the text.

✅ Good Practice:

• Use descriptive titles for tables and figures.
• Include clear legends explaining any symbols or abbreviations.
• Design them to stand alone—someone should understand the message even without reading the full paper.

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2. Stick to the Facts—Save the Interpretation for Later

The Results section is not the place for discussion or explanation. Your job here is to present the data, not analyze it. That’s what the Discussion section is for.

✅ Say this:

"Treatment with Compound A reduced tumor size by 42% compared to the control group (p < 0.05)."

🚫 Not this:

"This suggests that Compound A is highly effective and could be used in clinical settings."

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3. Don’t Repeat What’s Already in Your Figures

You don’t need to write out every single data point that appears in a table or graph. Instead, use your text to highlight key findings and direct readers to the visuals for detailed data.

✅ Example:

"As shown in Figure 2, cell proliferation significantly decreased in the treatment group."

This avoids redundancy and keeps your Results section focused and readable.

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4. Label and Cite Figures and Tables Correctly

Each table and figure must be numbered sequentially (Figure 1, Figure 2, Table 1, etc.), and every one of them should be referenced in the text. Be sure to follow your target journal’s formatting guidelines for:

• Figure/table numbering
• Citation styles
• Placement of captions and legends

Sloppy formatting is one of the easiest ways to annoy reviewers and delay publication.

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5. Design Clear, Readable Graphs

Don’t overload your graphs with too much information. A clean, well-designed graph communicates far more effectively than one cluttered with data.

✅ Best Practices:

• Use clearly labeled axes with legible font sizes
• Avoid using more than 3–4 variables in a single chart
• Choose color schemes that are accessible to colorblind readers
• Include units of measurement

Your visual data presentation should enhance the narrative—not overwhelm it.

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Final Thoughts

Writing the Results section is about presenting your data accurately and efficiently, while giving your figures and tables the spotlight they deserve. Resist the urge to speculate or interpret—that comes later.