Option 1: Direct and concise:
> "This study investigated [state the main research question or hypothesis]. The results show that..." or "The findings presented below address the research question of [research question] and demonstrate..."
This option is best when your results are straightforward and directly answer your main research question.
Option 2: Contextualizing the results:
> "To assess [specific aspect of research question], [method used] was employed. The analysis revealed..." or "Following the [method] analysis of [data], the key findings were..."
This approach works well if your methodology requires some explanation before presenting the main results. It provides a bridge between the methods and the findings.
Option 3: Highlighting the main finding:
> "The most significant finding of this study was..." or "A key observation emerging from the data is..."
This option is suitable when you have a very clear and impactful primary result. Subsequent paragraphs can then elaborate on supporting findings.
Option 4: Summarizing the overall trend:
> "Overall, the results indicate a [trend] in [variable] across [groups/conditions]." or "The data generally support the hypothesis that..."
This is useful when your results show a general pattern, even if there are some exceptions or nuances.
Key elements to include in your opening:
* A clear link to the research question or hypothesis: Explicitly state how the results relate to the aims of the study.
* Conciseness: Avoid lengthy introductions or unnecessary background information.
* Focus on the data: Begin with the main findings, rather than minor details.
* Appropriate tense: Use past tense to describe what you *found* (e.g., "The results showed...").
Example:
Let's say your research investigated the effect of a new fertilizer on plant growth. Here's how you could start the results section using different approaches:
* Option 1: "This study investigated the effect of fertilizer X on plant height. The results show that plants treated with fertilizer X exhibited significantly greater height compared to control plants."
* Option 2: "To assess the impact of fertilizer X on plant growth, plant height was measured weekly over a four-week period. The analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between fertilizer application and plant height increase."
* Option 3: "The most significant finding of this study was the dramatic increase in plant height observed in plants treated with fertilizer X, exceeding the control group by an average of 30%."
Remember to tailor your opening to the specifics of your study and the nature of your findings. The goal is to seamlessly transition the reader from the methods to the core results, setting the stage for a clear and comprehensive presentation of your data.