Demystifying the Dissertation Structure for Level 7 Students at Sheffield Hallam University - Part 5a - Results Section

This article is intended to assist Level 7 Master's students at Sheffield Hallam University in successfully writing and completing their dissertations. I understand how daunting it can be when you have to refer to numerous books and documents to comprehend each section of the dissertation and then consolidate your knowledge and understanding into one cohesive piece.

To simplify your work and gather all the necessary information in one place, I have compiled these articles, which present the main sections of the dissertation structure in six different parts, focusing on each section as illustrated in the image above. Additionally, there is a bonus section at the end that discusses reflection, the final part of the dissertation.

Furthermore, the entire dissertation is expected to be around 15,000 to 20,000 words for Level 7 master's students at SHU. You can ideally allocate this word count throughout the entire dissertation structure, depending on your research project or topic of study.

I have compiled this information based on my research, insights, and understanding. If you feel I have overlooked anything, please feel free to leave a comment in the section below. I would be more than happy to learn more at any point in time (no offense).

So, come on in and read this article with a cup of tea or coffee.

Part 1 - Abstract

Click here to access Part 1

Part 2 - Introduction

Click here to access Part 2

Part 3 - Literature Review (LR)

Click here to access Part 3

Part 4 - Methodology

Click here to access Part 4

Part 5a - Results/Findings

In this section, you need to objectively report the main findings of your research and it's the most straightforward part of your report to write. Your results chapter should purely present and describe the findings, not interpret them. The contents and structure of your results chapter will depend on your analysis method/s(Content analysis, thematic analysis, narrative analysis or discourse analysis).

In discussion section, you will interpret the results in detail and draw out their implications.

Two important points to bear in mind when writing about your findings:

• Results/Findings: Is to stress that the purpose is to present the results of your data analysis. 'What I found out?'
• Discussion: Your judgements based on what you found out. 'What judgements I have formed on the basis of what I found out?'

The purpose of your project report is to communicate the answer to your research question in as clear a manner as possible to your readers. Therefore you should structure your findings in a clear, logical and easily understood manner.

How to write the results chapter?

The results chapter structure is three core:

1. Introduction - This introduction chapter is vital as it provides context for your findings. Keep it clear and concise. The aim here is to provide the reader with a basic roadmap of what to expect.
2. Main Body - The body section of your results chapter is where you present the key relevant findings from your qualitative or quantitative analysis. The findings which relate to your research aims, objectives and questions.
3. Concluding Summary - The concluding summary is really important because it summarises your key findings and lays the foundation for the discussion chapter. Keep it concise. Just highlight the key takeaways.

• Interpreting the data instead of presenting and describing it.
• Including irrelevant data or analysis findings.
• Including analysis methods that are complex instead of relevant.
• Over-relying on tables and figures instead creating a text narrative.
• Poor choice and presentation & tables and figures.
• Shaping the data to fit preconceived notions or theory.
• Having a poorly designed chapter structure and awkward flow.

References

Saunders, M., Thornhill, A., & Lewis, P. (2016). Research methods for business students (Seventh edition.). Pearson Education.

Cheers!