Results:
The language center of AIT (2003) says that the purpose of the results section is to state what you as the writer found. Statistics such as percentages are used. A few common issues are going into too much detail like you should do in the discussion section. AIT (2003) suggests ways to organize the results section which include combining the discussion section with it. They conclude with an example as well as advice to aid a writer in composing their discussion section (AIT, 2003).
David Caprette (2007) says that a results section must summarize your findings as well as allow the reader to understand them to a point. It should not go into great detail like the discussion section does though but it should atleast make sense. When writing the results section, use past tense (Caprette, 2007).
I think that the results section should just be short and to the point. The place to go into detail is the discussion section so you should not let yourself go on and on with the explanations.
Caprette, D.R. (2007). How to Write a Research Paper: Discussion. Retrieved October 26, 2009, from http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~bioslabs/tools/report/reportform.html
Language Center of Asian Institute of Technology. (2003). Writing up Research Results. Retrieved October 26, 2009, from http://www.languages.ait.ac.th/EL21RES.HTM
Discussion:
The Department of Biology at Bates College (2002) says that the discussion section “interprets your results.” They say to stay focused and keep a solid voice throughout the section. Also, do not waste time talking about your exact results exactly because it was already done in the previous section. Finally Bates College (2002) states: “Do not introduce new results to the discussion section. You must relate your work to the findings of other studies- including previous studies you may have done and those of other investigators.
Dean Hess (2004) suggests that you ”state the major findings of the study, explain the meaning, relate your findings to other studies, consider alternative explanations of the findings, state the relevance and limitations, and make suggestions for further research.” All of those parts make up the complete discussion section. Once you have written about each other these parts your discussion is finished.
The discussion section is where you have room to go on and on unlike the other two sections I read about. Although you are able to write more, you do not want to ramble on and lose the readers attention. The discussion section needs to help the reader understand the results as well as give yourself, as the writer, room to interpret what you believe happened.
The Department of Biology at Bates College. (2002). Discussion. Retrieved October 26, 2009, from http://abacus.bates.edu/~ganderso/biology/resources/writing/HTWsections.html#discussion
Hess, D. (2004). How to Write an Effective Discussion. Retrieved October 26, 2009, from http://www.rcjournal.com/contents/10.04/10.04.1238.pdf
Conclusion:
The writing center at UNC (2007) describes the conclusion section as the most difficult of all of the sections. They say that it should make the reader be happy they read your paper. A strategy they say to use is called the “So What?” game. While writing, ask yourself “So what?” and then explain. Do not use the phrases “in conclusion,” “in summary,” or “in closing.”
Barry Hamilton (2005) says that the conclusion must bring closure to the reader. He also says to not introduce new information like the Writing Center at UNC says. Hamilton says that if you write it well, the conclusion only really needs to be one paragraph (Hamilton, 2005).
I think that the conclusion needs to be short and to the point. If you continue on and on you’re not giving the reader closure, it is like they are reading another paper. Keeping a short conclusion as well as giving the reader closure is the perfect ending to any paper.
Hamilton, B.W. (2005). Tips for Writing a Strong Conclusion. Retrieved October 26, 2009, from http://acc.roberts.edu/NEmployees/Hamilton_Barry/TIPS%20FOR%20WRITING%20A%20STRONG%20CONCLUSION.htm
The Writing Center at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. (2007). Conclusions. Retrieved October 26, 2009, from http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/conclusions.html
