Understanding Data The Results Section Why Is This So Import

Understanding Data The Results Sectionwhy Is This So Importantcomm

Understanding Data – The Results Section Why is this so important? “Communicating experimental lab results to other scientists and the broader world is a key part of the scientific enterprise. Therefore, developing students’ scientific communication skills should be an explicit goal of undergraduate degree programs in the sciences.” (Hood-DeGrenier, 2015). The Results Formula Approach The results formula approach consists of five questions that anyone can ask about an experiment. Those five questions, when answered in a specific order, will lead to a clear, concise, complete and well-written results section. The results formula approach asks the following questions:

1. WHY?

   Why was the experiment performed? What question was it trying to answer?

2. HOW?

   How was the question approached experimentally? What was actually done?

3. WHERE?

   In which figure or table are the data shown?

4. WHAT?

   Fully describe the actual results of the experiment.

5. SO WHAT?

   Based on the results, what is the answer to the original question?

How can the results formula help you write a better results section? Why is this important? The results formula provides a structured method to organize and present experimental data clearly and logically, facilitating effective scientific communication. When following this approach, writers ensure that they explain the purpose, methodology, visual data representation, results, and implications in a coherent sequence. This structure not only makes it easier for readers to interpret findings but also enhances the credibility and impact of the scientific work.

Any other thoughts/ideas/comments you’d like to share about this assignment? Starting with “Why” is crucial because it contextualizes the experiment within its scientific question, setting the stage for clear understanding. The “How” section summarizes the approach, giving readers enough detail to understand the experiment without overwhelming with procedural minutiae. Clearly referencing the "Where" ensures that readers can easily locate the data being discussed, especially in papers with multiple figures. Describing “What” fully explores the data shown, providing a comprehensive view of the findings. The “So What” ties the results back to the original question, highlighting significance and implications, often serving as a bridge to the discussion. Overall, answering these questions in order makes the results narrative more effective and insightful, strengthening the logical flow of scientific reporting.

Reference: Hood-DeGrenier, J.K. (2015). A Strategy for Teaching Undergraduates to Write Effective Scientific Results Sections. CourseSource, (2), 1-3.

Paper For Above instruction

The Results section of a scientific paper serves as the backbone of empirical research, providing a structured presentation of data that supports the study's conclusions. Effective communication in this section hinges on clarity, coherence, and logical progression, which can be systematically achieved through the "Results Formula" approach. This method emphasizes answering five pivotal questions—Why, How, Where, What, and So What—in a specific sequence, thereby guiding authors toward crafting a compelling and comprehensible results narrative.

The initial question, "Why," sets the foundation for the Results section by elucidating the purpose of the experiment. Understanding the rationale offers context, highlighting the research question or hypothesis that prompted the study. Without this clarity, readers may struggle to grasp the significance of the data presented subsequently. For instance, if the experiment aimed to determine the effect of a particular variable on plant growth, explicitly stating this helps orient the reader and frames the data within a meaningful scientific inquiry.

Next is the "How"—a concise description of the approach taken to address the research question. While detailed methods are reserved for the Methods section, this overview is critical in providing enough procedural information for readers to interpret the data correctly. For example, specifying the experimental conditions, treatments, or measurements used helps contextualize the results. This step also aids in connecting the experimental design to the outcomes observed, reinforcing logical coherence.

The "Where" directs authors to reference the specific figure or table where the pertinent data can be found. Properly citing visual representations ensures that readers can locate and interpret the data efficiently. In papers with multiple figures or tables, precise references like "Figure 2" or "Table 1" are essential to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity, thus improving the readability and usability of the report.

The "What" component involves a detailed description of the actual results, explaining what the data reveal. This is the core of the Results section, where authors present the findings without interpretation or speculation. Descriptions should be comprehensive, covering all relevant aspects of the data, including trends, significant differences, or patterns observed in the figures or tables. This thorough reporting ensures transparency and factual accuracy.

Incorporating these five questions into the writing process not only enhances clarity and logical flow but also aligns the Results section with rigorous scientific standards. Answering "Why" first grounds the reader, "How" ensures understanding of methods, "Where" facilitates data location, "What" provides the core findings, and "So What" offers interpretation and significance. This structured approach ultimately leads to more effective scientific communication, allowing researchers to share their insights clearly and confidently with the scientific community and beyond.

References

• Hood-DeGrenier, J. K. (2015). A Strategy for Teaching Undergraduates to Write Effective Scientific Results Sections. CourseSource, (2), 1-3.
• Day, R. A., & Gastel, B. (2012). How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper. Cambridge University Press.
• Peat, J., & Elliott, E. (2008). Scientific Writing: Easy When You Know How. BMJ Books.
• Graff, G., & Birkenstein, C. (2018). They Say / I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Swales, J. M., & Feak, C. B. (2012). Academic Writing for Graduate Students. University of Michigan Press.
• Cargill, M., & O'Connor, P. (2009). Writing Scientific Research Articles: Strategy and Steps. Wiley-Blackwell.
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• Thompson, J. M., & Kumar, S. (2014). Communicating Scientific Results: How to Write a Clear Results Section. Journal of Scientific Communication, 10(2), 45-53.
• Day, R. A. (2013). How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper. Cambridge University Press.