Organizing the Results Chapters

Political Science 5397
Applied Research Project

Texas State University
Patricia M. Shields





1. Organize the chapter using the Conceptual Framework

- Outline the chapter using the Conceptual Framework as your guide. The conceptual framework elements of the chapter usually begin after an initial Introduction. example:

I. Introduction

II. Name of Category 1 (or working hyp 1) Conceptual framework

III. Name of Category 2 (or working hyp 2) Conceptual framework.....

- Most Conceptual frameworks have categories. Use the larger categories as the subheadings for the results chapter. In the example, the Name of category 1 is the subheading in the chapter.

- Use the table that operationalized the conceptual framework to tell you which evidence you will be discussing under each subheading.
 
 

2. Do the tables before you do any writing - Insert relevant tables in the outline first.

-Almost all results chapters will have tables which present evidence.

-The operationalization table in the methods chapter will tell you which evidence belongs in each table.

-Construct at least one table for each subheading in the conceptual framework section of the Results chapter outline.

example:

I. Introduction

many options here restate the purpose

give the reader overview of chapter

give demographic information about the sample

 There may be a table -- construct the table


II. Name of Category 1 (or working hyp 1) Conceptual framework

Insert table

III. Name of Category 2 (or working hyp 2) Conceptual framework....

Insert table

3. Tips for writing up tables -Look at the table and reflect about what it tells you.

- Ask Yourself
a. What is the big picture? Do you see any trends? Are there patterns in the data? Overall, did the evidence support the hypothesis? (when relevant)

b. What is the little picture? Are there a few interesting facts that should be developed in the text?

c. synthesis can you bring the big and little picture together.

-I suggest that you circle the figures you find important and then discuss what is circled.


-Write in ENGLISH

Questionnaire numbers do not mean anything. The meaning contained within the question is the key.

Avoid false precision. Percents should never be presented to two decimal places (89.88). This would be better written "Almost ninety percent..."

You can also insert the actual numbers as a parenthetical "The majority (55%) of the respondents agreed with ...."

Use terms like half, the vast majority, less than one in ten etc. to present a sense of proportion without using numbers.

For variety, numbers should be used but sparingly.

If the number of cases is small (under 20) it is usually best to use the actual numbers. The percent makes sense to present in the text and table if the actual number (of respondents-- documents you content analyzed) gets beyond 20.

Always provide the sample size somewhere in the Table.