Chapter 4: Findings

Structure of a typical Chapter 4

1. Introduction: restate the purpose and research questions.
2. Data collection summary: dates, response rate, and any changes from the plan in Chapter 3.
3. Sample or participant description: demographics in a table, without identifying anyone.
4. Results by research question: one section per question, in the same order as Chapter 1.
5. Summary: a short answer to each question and a transition to Chapter 5.

Reporting quantitative results

• Start with descriptive statistics (M, SD, n) for each variable.
• Report data screening and whether test assumptions were met.
• For each test, give the statistic, degrees of freedom, p value, and effect size.
• State whether each null hypothesis was rejected or not rejected.

Reporting qualitative findings

• Briefly describe the coding process and how themes were developed.
• Present each theme with a heading, a clear definition, and short participant quotations as evidence.
• Use pseudonyms or participant codes (P1, P2) to protect confidentiality.
• Show how many participants contributed to each theme, if your design reports it.
• Include discrepant cases that do not fit the main pattern.

Tables and figures

Number every table and figure, refer to each one in the text, and don't repeat every number in sentences. Highlight the main result instead. See our List of Tables and List of Figures guides.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Interpreting or comparing to the literature too early; save that for Chapter 5.
• Reporting results in a different order from the research questions.
• Leaving out results that did not support the hypotheses.
• Long quotations that repeat the same point; choose the clearest one or two.
• Using past tense inconsistently; report results in past tense.

Formats differ by university, program, and field. Your graduate school's thesis and dissertation manual and your committee always take priority over any general guide, including this one.