Results present the complete findings in numerical terms. Wu-Lin - PDF document

Providence University Results College of Management • The result section of the report presents the findings of the study in both figures and written text. • Figures (graphs, tables, and diagrams) Results present the complete findings in numerical terms. Wu-Lin Chen (wlchen@pu.edu.tw) • The accompanying text helps the reader to Department of Computer Science and focus on the most important aspects of the Information Management results and to interpret them. Providence University Technical Writing S03 2 Text in Results Alternate Short Text • The text in the result section consists of • Elements 1 and 2 (combined): statements that present the most important results and that three basic elements on information. indicate in parentheses the figure where they – Element 1: a statement that locates the can be found. figures where the results can be found. • Element 3: statements that comment on the – Element 2: statements that present the most results. important findings. • Example: Caffeine was somewhat more potent – Element 3: statements that comment on the than theophylline in preventing leaf-eating results. (Figure 1). In contrast, caffeine has been reported elsewhere to be ten times weaker than theophylline as an adenosine antagonist. Providence University 3 Providence University 4 Technical Writing S03 Technical Writing S03 Commenting on Results – Two Two Patterns For Ordering Comments Patterns • Two ways to order your comment statements Alternating Pattern R 1 +C 1 ; R 2 +C 2 ; R 3 +C 3 – Alternating Pattern: Put a short comment (one or two sentences) after each significant result Sequential Pattern R 1 +R 2 +R 3 +C you mention. R = Results (Element 2); C = Comments (Element 3) – Sequential Pattern: Leave your comments until all the results have been mentioned. Note: The alternating pattern is best if you have many individual results with specific comments about each result. The sequential pattern is used when there are several individual results to which one general comment applied. Technical Writing S03 Providence University 5 Technical Writing S03 Providence University 6 1

Functions of Comments Choose Verb Tense for Results • The comments (Element 3) in results • In Element 1, use the present tense to sections may serve a variety of different locate your data in a figure. functions. Comments may: – EX: Results of the t-tests are presented in Table 1. –generalize from the results – EX: Table 4 summarizes the test results on –explain possible reasons for the results precontaminated insulators. –compare the results with results from • Note: locational statements can be written other studies in either the active or passive voice. Providence University Providence University Technical Writing S03 7 Technical Writing S03 8 Choose Verb Tense for Results Choose Verb Tense for Results • When you report your findings (Element 2), • When commenting on the findings use the past tense . (Element 3), it is conventional to use the – EX: As a group, divorced mothers spent over present tense or modal auxiliaries . twice as much time in employment as married mothers (Figure 2). – EX: The coefficient of correlation was found to be significant at .001 level. • Note: In some field such as engineering and economics, authors may present their findings in the present tense. Providence University 9 Providence University 10 Technical Writing S03 Technical Writing S03 Comments on The Results Comments on The Results • When the comment compares your results • When the comment gives a possible with the results of other studies, use the explanation for the results, use a modal present tense . auxiliary . – EX: This is consistent with earlier findings – EX: These results can (may) be explained by suggesting that personal characteristics are considering the voltage distribution on 230 kV not related to attrition and teaching. insulators during freezing conditions. Technical Writing S03 Providence University 11 Technical Writing S03 Providence University 12 2

Comments on The Results Comments on The Results • When the comment generalizes from the • You may also use tentative verbs in the results, use may . present tense instead of modal auxiliaries to generalize from results. – EX: Hyperactive children may be generally responsive to amphetamines. – EX: It appears (seems or is likely) that hyperactive children are generally responsive to amphetamines. – EX: These results suggest that children who display learning problems are depending on only one cerebral hemisphere. Providence University Providence University Technical Writing S03 13 Technical Writing S03 14 Presenting Different Types of Findings: Presenting Different Types of Findings: Comparisons Among Groups Fluctuation of A Variable Over Time • If you studies involve a comparison among groups (often • To report the findings show the tendency of a variable to one or more experimental groups with a control group), fluctuate over time, use expressions of variation or Element 2 statements are often written using special verbs of variation in your Element 2 statements. comparative or superlative expressions. Variable Verb Phrase of variation Time period Group 1 Comparison Group 2 Prices showed a tendency to increase over three-year period. The professional athletes had faster eye movements than our other subjects. Quartz I reactors had a higher mass flow than Quartz II. in the second half of the The percentage of tended to decline decade. female students Superlative Group 1 The highest incidence of Otitis Media was found among Australian Indians. Providence University 15 Providence University 16 Technical Writing S03 Technical Writing S03 Presenting Different Types of Findings: Presenting Different Types of Findings: Fluctuation of A Variable Over Time Relationship Between Two or More Variables • When you report the relationship of one variable with another, or relationships among variables, it is common Variable Verb of variation Time period to use verbs of correlation or association in Element 2. Variable X Verb of correlation / association Variable Y rose fell correlated with The concentration of increased marital status. over the period studied. Choice of location was negatively corrected with sulfur dioxide decreased associated with dropped remained constant declined highly Dry weight of related to total nitrogen. was not significantly top growth closely Technical Writing S03 Providence University 17 Technical Writing S03 Providence University 18 3