The findings chapter of a dissertation may also be known as the results section. Or, it may be known as two different sections. It is important to review specifics with your instructor so you know what information to include. While this may vary from one dissertation to another, it helps to understand basic details your findings chapter should include to help serve its purpose for this portion of the project. The following points will provide basic insight on what this section should discuss to make the writing process a little easier.
- As you write the introduction to this section you will mention details that help you reach your findings. You simply detail what you did to come up with what you found. You may follow this information with subheadings and statistical data. Depending on how you structure this information may depend on how you format your paper. This information should be new and recent; it should not include findings of another researcher from the past.
- Have your ideas and notes together regarding positive and negative elements of your findings. This information will help you think about what you will write and how your findings came together. Think of using this information as something an attorney would do before presenting their case to a jury. Review your evidence and think about most important points that need to be discussed with clarity.
- Point out details to mention that are clear and concise. You need information that will help readers understand how you came across your findings. Your information may help readers come up with their own way of interpreting your details without missing the main point.
- Some students may find this section of the paper short and this is okay. You may need to write your discussion and results section to help you define your findings. In your discussion section you will actually interpret what you found. This element is what makes the discussion section and findings section different.
- This section will detail your observations. Present this content logically and keep it simple. Your audience should be able to follow what you observed. Think about what you came across and how you came across it.
- Write a rough draft of your findings and have a colleague or instructor read it over for consistency.
- Seek sample dissertations to read and study before attempting to write your own section.