Video: Results Section in Research Papers: How to Write It Effectively

The Results section in research papers answers one key question: “What did you find?” This section presents your research findings objectively, without interpretations or opinions (those belong in the Discussion section). In this video, Dr. Raffaella Gozzelino (NOVA Medical School, Lisbon) takes you through presenting your research results effectively by using the right visuals and following journal formatting rules.  

Here’s what the video covers: 

• How to report your results clearly: Learn to describe your findings precisely by linking them directly to the methods you used. Always ensure consistency between text, tables, and figures.  
• When to use tables vs. figures: Tables are best for showing detailed numbers, comparisons, or characteristics, whereas figures are perfect for trends, patterns, and visual relationships.  
• Avoiding repetition: Understand why you should never present the same data twice. For instance, information summarized in a table need not be represented in a graph. Keep each visual unique and complementary.  
• Making figures self-explanatory: Discover how to create figure legends that are short, clear, and informative so readers can understand the visuals even without reading the full text.  
• Formatting tips: Always double-check that figure numbers, labels, and data match perfectly between text and visuals. Follow the journal’s prescribed style for reporting statistics like p-values, confidence intervals, and effect sizes.  
• Verb tense and tone: Learn when to use past tense and when to use present tense in the Results section 

The video also highlights examples of good vs. unnecessary visuals, helping you avoid clutter to keep your paper focused. Watch this video to make your Results section concise yet comprehensive, ensuring readers and reviewers quickly grasp your key findings. 

Break that writer’s block! Check out Paperpal and simplify your academic writing with AI assistance.