This document provides guidance on presenting data and results in a research paper. It discusses including details on how data was gathered and limitations. Visuals like tables, graphs and images should be used to present results, with a title, labels and legend. The document also provides tips on formatting visuals, citing sources, discussing results in text, and integrating results and discussion.

1. Dealing with Data

2.  Detailed descriptions of primary research
Methods.
 Include specifics about how you gathered the
data: who, where, when.
 Explain rationale for choices
 Discuss limitations.
 If you are not using IMRD, you may instead
discuss why theories and texts were chosen,
relevant, significant.

3.  Use two strategies for presenting results:
◦ Visuals: Share data in graphical form (e.g., tables,
charts, graphs, photographs).
 Provide a descriptive title, clear headings and labels,
units of measurement, etc.
◦ Written: Draw attention to major observations and
key trends in paragraph form. Don’t interpret or
give reactions yet if you are using IMRD.

4.  Table: Arranges data in rows and columns to
show intersections of two factors. Includes
Numerical (amounts, percentages) and Text (uses
words, phrases).
 Graph: Shows relationships between numbers.
Includes Line (change in quantity over time), Bar
(compare amounts), and Pie (pieces of the whole)
 Chart: Shows relationships between parts, steps,
or stages.
 Images: Maps, Photos, Drawings, Screenshots.
 See EW 32-33 for examples

5.  What kind of data have you collected?
 What sorts of relationships do you need to
show?
 What kinds of visuals will illuminate the topic?
 What types of visuals are used by your
sources? Why were they chosen? How are
they used?

6.  Aim for simple and uncluttered
 Include a Title for each visual (e.g. “Table 1.
Women Vs. Men in Cleaning Commercials”)
 Use appropriate headings, units of
measurement, intervals, etc.
 Cite any visual you did not create (See EW
page 378-79)
 Consider size and placement carefully

7. Bar
Graph
•Title at
Bottom
•Units of
Measurement
•Starts at zero
•Appropriate
intervals
Figure 6. Running Speed of
Common Farm Animals

8. Pie Chart
• Slices are arranged
from biggest to
smallest.
• Labels are included
inside the slices to
show both the
category and the
percentage that each
slice represents.
Figure 3. Bailout Rates for
Different Sections of Our Web
Site

11. Figure 1. Bill Clinton the Kitten Plays Peek-a-
Boo

12.  Don’t overly rely on your visuals.
 Type up the most important results in paragraph
form.
 If multiple forms of primary research were used,
follow the organization you used in your
methods section (e.g., first observations, then
surveys).
 For interviews, summarize answers and include a
few select quotes from transcript that were most
important, not the whole thing.
 When discussing data presented in a visual,
direct reader’s attention to chart or graph with a
parenthetical: (Fig. 1).

14.  Some projects may not lend themselves as
readily to the IMRD method. If presenting
your results without discussing them seems
like it doesn’t work, you may decide to
integrate the results (findings) and discussion
(interpretations).

15.  On a piece of paper:
◦ Write your name at the top in large letters.
◦ Underneath, write a brief description of
your research--just enough to help others
make sense of your data.
◦ Leave space under the description for
others to write.

16.  On your desk, place:
◦ All your data
◦ The piece of paper with your name at the top and
description
 Rotate around the room and look at each
others’ data. You will write a comment on at
least three people’s piece of paper.
◦ Describe what you found most interesting
◦ Comment on possible use or revisions of visuals

17.  Return to your desk. Read the comments.
 Add one more comment: what did you find
most interesting about your data?

18.  Make Writing Center Appointments 5 points
participation Extra Credit on Final Research
Article (print and attach e-mailed notes from
appointment). You may attend up to two
consultations for up to 10 points.
 Finish Any Primary Research.
 Revise Literature Review/Introduction and
Methods section.
 Draft Results and Discussion sections (or
equivalent). Include visuals.
 Bring Draft of Research Article for Tuesday 4/9.