This document provides guidance on reporting qualitative research results. It explains that qualitative research aims to interpret and make sense of phenomena in their natural settings by understanding people's meanings and perspectives. The main steps in qualitative research are outlined, including formulating research questions, collecting and interpreting data, and writing findings. When reporting results, the researcher must be consistent, clear, precise, and objective while connecting all aspects of the study. General guidelines recommend highlighting the original context, only reporting results for the research questions, using tables and graphs sparingly with explanation, and indicating which questions the results address. Practical tips include introducing each results section, grouping findings logically by category, and describing the method each set of results came from.

1. Reporting qualitative research
results
Kristiina Kurki
Learning and Educational Technology Research Unit

2. Qualitative research is “… An interpretive naturalistic approach to the world. This means that
qualitative researchers study things in their natural settings, attempting to make sense of or
interpret phenomena in terms of the meanings people bring to them.” (Denzin and Lincoln, 2005)
“Qualitative inquiries involve asking the kinds of
questions that focus on the why and how of human interactions.”…
“Intentions and perspectives of those involved in social interactions” (Agee, 2009)

3. Main steps in qualitative research
(Bryman,2008)
1. General research questions
2. Selection of relevant site(s) and subjects
3. Collection of relevant data
4. Interpretation of data
5. Conceptual and theoretical work
1. Tighter specification of research questions
2. Collection of further data?
6. Writing up findings
7. Conclusions/Discussion

4. What is the topic of your research?
• If qualitative, pick up tips for your own research
• If quantitative, imagine what things within your topic you would like to
study in-depth
• Many tips for reporting results apply to both quantitative and qualitative
research

5. Reporting qualitative research results
• Depends on the research question, the theoretical background and
the analysis method
• No general guidelines, so
YOU HAVE FREE HANDS….. BUT…

6. You have to be…
• Consistent! (Theory the research questions  analysis  results 
different parts of results  discussion)
• E.g. consistency and connectedness of the concepts along the study
• Clear! (keep it as simple as possible)
• Precise! (make sure the reader knows where the results come from)
• Objective! (varies among different types of research areas and methods)
• Keep in mind: Based on your report of analysis and results, the study should
be able to be replicated

7. General guidelines in reporting qualitative
results (Metsämuuronen, 2006; Bryman 2008)
• The original context of study is highlighted
• Report only the results for the RESEARCH QUESTIONS, not everything
• ”get rid of data”
• If you use graphs or tables, explain their findings in the text
• When reporting results, indicate in what research question they are
answering to.
• Interpreting results does not belong to the results section

8. Practical tips
• Begin your (each) results –section with a short paragraph introducing your results
• Group findings in subheadings by categories and subcategories
• Logical order in describing them
• Organize results in the order of research questions, indicate which research question these results answer to
• Describe shortly a method each set of results came from (especially when several methods or analysis
approaches are used)
• If you have tables, mention a table or picture in a text properly, explain their results
• Keep tables, diagrams or mind maps simple:
• They can be for describing connections or highlighting key results
• Most of the text should be your OWN, use quotes to illustrate points that are interesting and with real impact
• Don’t present ALL your data, just relevant findings
• Cut out sata or add them to Appendixes
• Don’t repeat your results in different ways, once is enough
• Keep literature out of results –section (mainly)

9. Homework 
• Read 2 of the articles, particularly the research questions, analysis and
results –sections
• Evaluate the results –sections based on the tips given in this lecture
• Are you able to follow results based on research questions and analysis?
• Where did the results come from? Video, interview, what?
• Are tables and pictures clear?