Academic phrases for reporting research results

Report a finding

• The results showed that [X] was associated with [Y].
• As shown in Table [X], [group] reported a higher/lower [measure] than [comparison group].
• Analysis of the data identified three recurring themes: [theme 1], [theme 2], and [theme 3].

Describe a pattern carefully

• There was a statistically significant difference between [X] and [Y] (p = [value]).
• Participants frequently described [theme], particularly when [condition].
• The findings did not show a clear relationship between [X] and [Y].

Report the finding before explaining what it means

1. Reopen the question. Identify the hypothesis, question, group, measure, or qualitative theme before choosing a phrase.
2. Identify the reportable observation. Decide whether the record shows a pattern, difference, relationship, theme, quotation, null result, or mixed result; do not choose a phrase before checking analysis.
3. State the result in plain language. Make group, measure, comparison, or theme specific enough for readers to follow.
4. Point readers to the evidence. Refer to the applicable table, figure, theme, quotation, descriptive statistic, or output and identify the relevant pattern without narrating every value twice.
5. Check statistical or thematic precision. Use only values, effects, confidence intervals, quotations, codes, or themes supported by your verified record; a phrase cannot supply a p value, sample size, effect size, or participant account.
6. Preserve the Results boundary. Report relevant unexpected, null, or mixed findings, while moving causal explanation, comparison, implication, and recommendation to Discussion unless sections are explicitly combined.

Fictional learning example: separate reporting from interpretation and never fill in a statistic

This invented practice situation is not a real dataset, statistical output, or result to submit. A fictional writer checks a fictional analysis record, states a measured group difference in plain language, then points to a fictional table and a verified fictional statistic. The writer does not fill in a p value, effect size, sample size, quotation, or theme merely because a phrase has a bracket. Possible reason, comparison with prior studies, and limitation remain for a separate Discussion paragraph.

Choose a Results phrase only after you identify the evidence job

A phrase can signal a result, but it cannot turn a display, statistic, theme, or absence of a pattern into evidence. Match the phrase to the record readers need to inspect, then make the reporting choice fit your discipline and assignment.

Use university and style guidance, then follow the required format

[USC Libraries' Results guidance](https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/results) describes Results as a logical, concise report of findings based on methods, without bias or interpretation. [Purdue OWL's tables and figures guidance](https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/apa_tables_and_figures.html) advises writers to mention each display in the text and guide readers to the key point rather than repeat every value. [APA Style](https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/tables-figures) explains that visual displays should help readers understand the work. [Illinois State University's statistics-reporting examples](https://about.illinoisstate.edu/jhkahn/apastats/) show discipline-specific result forms. Check the style manual, course, journal, and verified analysis before using any form.