Primary Research Paper
Results
The results section presents findings without interpretation. It should be clear and concise (no fluff or unnecessary language), providing enough detail for readers to understand the outcomes of the research.
Connect results to research question using an introduction.
State relevant findings
Summarize key findings
Discussion
The discussion section interprets the findings, explaining their implications, significance, and how they fit within the existing body of research
Compare and contrast to previous studies.
Present the importance of your study and how it may be able to contribute to and/or fill existing gaps in the field.
Limitation of your research and how it could be adjusted in the future to address the limitations.
If appropriate, state how the findings from your study revealed new gaps in the literature that had not been previously exposed or adequately described.
Results Example
[Introductory Context]: This research investigated the feasibility of creating a meal for three college students in Bozeman Montana with a budget constraint of $20. The study involved careful selection of ingredients, comparison of costs, and evaluation of caloric intake. [Relevant Finding] The total cost of ingredients for a three person meal of empanadas amounted to $18.45. [Relevant Finding] Although other ingredients were utilized, Table 1 shows that main contributors to cost were chicken thighs, butter, oil, and eggs. Significant correlations were found between the amount of fat in an ingredient and its cost. While most ingredients were purchased, it is important to note that some were taken from food courts or dining facilities if the ingredient was publicly available. These publicly available foods account for costs marked as N/A. [Relevant Finding] The quality our meal was calculated using SMCS which suggests that a full meal requires no less than 500 calories per serving. Table 2 describes the calorie total in relation to the amount of each ingredient used. As a whole, the meal provided approximately 2560 calories, or 640 calories per serving which exceeds the required caloric intake per serving by 140 calories. These results confirm that it is possible to make a meal with a budget of only twenty dollars that feeds three people 500 calories each.
Discussion Example
[Key finding] Our research on food budgeting in Bozeman Montana showed that it is possible to make a filling meal for three people with a budget of twenty dollars. [Placing findings in context] This is in contrast to student polling and opinions on the availability of cost effective food for college students and residents of Bozeman (Layle Funder, 2024). [Implications of research]: Our results suggest that, with access to basic kitchen supplies and time, individuals or families with limited financial resources could explore cost-effective meals that provide efficient caloric values. [Limitation] However, although our research found that it is possible to cook a filling meal for under twenty dollars, we cannot ignore the possibility of individuals not having time or space to prepare such a meal. According to the bureau of cooking statistics, a homecooked meal takes approximately 30 minutes to prepare and that is if you are in a home with a kitchen. Many college students are in dorms with one kitchen per floor that does not come fitted with the required cooking equipment. [Recommendations for future research] In future studies, it could be valuable to limit time to 30 minutes and allow for a very finite repertoire of cooking equipment.