Role of Chapter Four in the Research Report

• Report (Chapters 1–5):

  • Chapter 4 (Results): Presentation of research findings.

• Chapter four

  • This is the results section of your research report.

  • It involves presentation of data and statistical forms.

  • Statistical data refers to all those numerical descriptions of events, things or objects.

  • They take the form of counting or measurements eg sex and age distribution of children with diarrheal diseases, clinically diagnosed cases of malaria.

  • Note that results are presented according to the objectives of the study.

2. Statistical Methods

• These are the different means of organizing, analyzing and interpreting numerical data for better understanding of a phenomenon so as to allow us make good discisions/conclusions.

• Statistical methods can be;

  • Descriptive

  • Analytical

3. Descriptive and Analytical Statistics

• Descriptive statistics involves organization, presentation and summarization of data.

• Analytical statistics involves organization, presentation, summarization and finding an association between variables.

4. Statistical Variable

• Refers to any measurable characteristic that assumes a different value among individuals or subjects eg temperature, blood pressure, age, weight etc.

• Statistical variables can be;

  • Quantitative variable

  • Qualitative variable

• Quantitative variables can be measured in the form of numbers as opposed to names or descriptions of events.

• Qualitative varaibles can not be measured in the form of numbers but rather names age degree of pain like moderate, severe pain; tribe like Ganda, nyankole etc.

5. Presentation of Data

• Data presentation is important in any research study.

• It helps to summarize all the junk raw data into information that can easily be read an appreciated by other readers of your work.

• Data can be presented in the form of tables, figures ie graph, pie chart, line graph, histograms etc.

• These form visual aids that helps the reader to quickly understand the information.

6. Tables

• These help to summarize and give picture of how big, shape and distribution of the study findings.

• These can be presented as;

  • Frequency distribution tables

  • Grouped Frequency distribution tables

• For a table to be clearly translated, it must be properly constructed.

How to Construct a Table

• Ensure the table has an appropriate tittle.

• Tittle should be above the table.

• Every table must be numbered to facilitate easy referencing.

• Should fit on one page.

• Column and row headings should be brief and clear.

• Units of headings should be clearly indicated.

7. Figures (Graphs, Charts)

• These help to give a valuable supplement to the statistical analysis.

• They help to show the trends of distribution.

• When constructing a figure, follow the same guidelines for a table but the heading of a figure is usually placed below the figure.