Manuscript Preparation and Writing Standards4

Manuscript Preparation and Writing Standards4

4. Presenting and Writing the Results Section

Purpose of the Results Section

The Results section represents the empirical core of a scientific manuscript. Its primary purpose is to present the findings of the study in a clear, systematic, objective, and scientifically rigorous manner. This section should answer the research questions and test the hypotheses through the presentation of evidence generated from the study.

In high-impact Q1 and Q2 journals, the Results section is expected to provide a logical and transparent account of the study’s findings without introducing interpretation, speculation, or extensive discussion. The focus should remain on what the data reveal rather than why the findings occurred.

A well-written Results section enables readers to understand the outcomes of the research efficiently and serves as the foundation upon which the Discussion and Conclusion sections are built.

Fundamental Principles of Writing Results

The Results section should be:

Objective

Present findings without personal opinions or subjective judgments.

Logical

Arrange findings according to the research objectives, hypotheses, or analytical framework.

Concise

Report relevant findings without unnecessary repetition or excessive detail.

Evidence-Based

Support all statements with data, statistical analyses, figures, tables, or other empirical evidence.

Reproducible

Provide sufficient information for readers to understand how conclusions were derived from the collected data.

Recommended Structure of the Results Section

Although organizational approaches vary among disciplines, high-quality manuscripts generally follow a structured progression from descriptive findings to more advanced analyses.

4.1 Descriptive Results

Purpose

The Results section often begins with a summary of the sample characteristics, study context, or baseline observations.

Examples include:

• Demographic characteristics of participants
• Environmental characteristics of study sites
• Experimental conditions
• Initial observations
• Descriptive statistics

Example

A total of 412 participants completed the survey. The sample consisted of 54.3% females and 45.7% males, with an average age of 36.8 years. Most respondents possessed a university degree and had resided in the study area for more than five years.

For environmental studies:

The study area exhibited an average annual temperature of 22.4°C and annual precipitation of 630 mm during the observation period.

Descriptive findings establish the context for subsequent analyses.

4.2 Presentation of Primary Findings

Purpose

This subsection presents the main outcomes directly related to the study objectives and hypotheses.

Each result should be reported clearly and systematically.

Example:

Analysis revealed a statistically significant positive relationship between urban green space coverage and environmental resilience (β = 0.47, p < 0.001).

Strong results writing emphasizes evidence rather than interpretation.

Weak example:

Green spaces were extremely beneficial for environmental sustainability.

Strong example:

Areas with greater green space coverage demonstrated significantly higher environmental resilience scores compared with areas characterized by limited vegetation cover.

4.3 Reporting Statistical Results

For quantitative research, statistical reporting must be precise and complete.

Authors should report:

• Statistical tests used
• Test statistics
• Significance levels
• Confidence intervals
• Effect sizes where applicable

Example

Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that environmental awareness significantly predicted sustainable behavior (β = 0.39, t = 5.62, p < 0.001).

Example

Independent sample t-tests indicated significant differences between the intervention and control groups (t = 3.87, p < 0.01).

Modern Q1/Q2 journals increasingly emphasize effect sizes and confidence intervals in addition to p-values.

4.4 Presentation of Tables

Purpose

Tables should summarize complex information efficiently and improve reader comprehension.

High-quality tables should:

• Present information not easily conveyed through narrative text.
• Be self-explanatory.
• Include informative titles.
• Use consistent formatting.
• Avoid excessive detail.

Good Practice

Table title:

Table 2. Relationship between Environmental Indicators and Urban Resilience Scores

Avoid:

Table 2. Results

The reader should understand the table independently of the main text.

4.5 Presentation of Figures

Figures are particularly valuable when illustrating:

• Trends
• Patterns
• Comparisons
• Relationships
• Geographic information
• Conceptual frameworks

Common figure types include:

• Graphs
• Charts
• Maps
• Flow diagrams
• Heat maps
• Model visualizations

Best Practices

Figures should:

• Be high resolution.
• Use readable labels.
• Include units of measurement.
• Contain clear legends.
• Avoid unnecessary visual complexity.

Each figure should contribute meaningful scientific information.

4.6 Reporting Qualitative Findings

For qualitative studies, results are typically organized around themes, categories, or conceptual constructs.

Example

Theme 1: Environmental Awareness

Participants consistently emphasized the importance of environmental education in promoting sustainable practices.

Representative quotation:

“Environmental education is the foundation of long-term sustainability.”

Theme 2: Institutional Support

Respondents identified policy consistency and institutional cooperation as critical determinants of environmental resilience.

In Q1/Q2 journals, qualitative findings should move beyond simple quotations and demonstrate analytical depth.

4.7 Reporting Mixed-Methods Results

Mixed-methods studies should integrate quantitative and qualitative findings systematically.

Example:

Quantitative analysis indicated a strong relationship between community engagement and resilience outcomes. Qualitative interviews supported these findings by revealing how local participation contributed to environmental decision-making processes.

Integration enhances the robustness and credibility of findings.

Organizing Results Around Research Questions

One of the most effective approaches is to organize results according to research objectives or hypotheses.

Example:

Research Question 1

Findings related to environmental quality indicators.

Research Question 2

Findings related to community resilience.

Research Question 3

Findings related to policy effectiveness.

This structure improves readability and facilitates peer review.

What Should Not Appear in the Results Section

Authors frequently weaken manuscripts by including material more appropriate for the Discussion section.

Avoid:

Extensive Interpretation

Incorrect:

These results prove that environmental education is the best solution for sustainability challenges.

Correct:

Environmental education exhibited a significant positive association with sustainable behavior.

Interpretation belongs in the Discussion section.

Literature Comparisons

Incorrect:

These findings agree with Smith (2021).

Such comparisons belong in the Discussion section.

Speculation

Incorrect:

The observed pattern may have occurred because participants were highly motivated.

Speculative explanations should be reserved for the Discussion section.

Common Writing Style for Results

Results should be written in the past tense because they describe completed analyses.

Examples:

✓ The analysis revealed…

✓ The findings indicated…

✓ Participants reported…

✓ Regression models demonstrated…

Avoid excessive use of subjective language.

Advanced Expectations in Q1/Q2 Journals

Leading journals increasingly expect:

Transparency

Authors should report all relevant findings, including non-significant results when appropriate.

Statistical Robustness

Advanced analyses should be justified and reported accurately.

Reproducibility

Data presentation should enable verification and replication.

Data Visualization Quality

Figures and tables should adhere to professional publication standards.

Balanced Reporting

Results should neither exaggerate nor minimize observed effects.

Common Reasons Results Sections Receive Critical Reviews

Selective Reporting

Reporting only favorable outcomes while omitting contradictory findings.

Overinterpretation

Drawing conclusions not supported by the data.

Statistical Errors

Incorrect analyses or incomplete reporting.

Redundancy

Repeating information in both tables and narrative text.

Poor Organization

Presenting findings without a clear logical structure.

Insufficient Data Presentation

Failing to provide adequate evidence to support claims.

Results Section Checklist

Before submission, ensure that the Results section:

✓ Directly addresses the research questions and hypotheses.

✓ Presents findings objectively.

✓ Reports statistical analyses accurately.

✓ Uses tables and figures effectively.

✓ Avoids interpretation and speculation.

✓ Presents both significant and non-significant findings where appropriate.

✓ Maintains consistency with the methodology.

✓ Uses clear and professional academic language.

✓ Follows a logical structure.

✓ Provides sufficient evidence to support all reported findings.

Editorial Recommendation

In high-impact Q1 and Q2 journals, the Results section should function as a scientific presentation of evidence rather than an argument. Authors should focus on clarity, precision, and transparency, allowing the empirical findings to speak for themselves. The stronger and more organized the Results section, the easier it becomes to develop a persuasive Discussion and a scientifically meaningful Conclusion.