Method, Results, and Discussion in an APA 7 paper

When these sections are used

Method, Results, and Discussion are common sections in research reports, especially quantitative studies. They are not a required template for every APA paper.

A qualitative paper may use Findings instead of Results or select headings that fit its approach. A mixed methods paper should explain how its quantitative and qualitative components relate to one another.

Before choosing headings, identify the research design and review the program or journal requirements.

Method: explain what was done

The Method section provides the information readers need to understand how the study was conducted. It should allow them to evaluate the decisions and, when relevant, replicate the procedure.

Depending on the study, it may include:

• participants or data sources
• selection criteria
• materials, instruments, or measures
• research design
• data collection procedure
• analysis strategy
• relevant approvals and ethical considerations

Do not turn the section into a list of details without a purpose. Include the information needed to understand the results.

Example:

Eighty-four first-year students participated. For six weeks, they used a daily form to record study time and completed assignments. At the end, the number of unfinished assignments was compared between students who planned weekly sessions and those who did not use a fixed schedule.

Results: report what was found

Results communicates the findings without hiding relevant data. A quantitative paper may include statistics, tables, and figures. A qualitative paper may organize findings by themes, categories, or narratives supported by excerpts from the data.

Present each result in relation to the corresponding question or hypothesis. A table or figure supports the explanation, but it does not replace the text that tells readers what to notice.

When reporting means, standard deviations, tests, or confidence intervals, follow the rules for reporting statistics in the text. Avoid repeating every value from a table in the paragraph.

Example:

Students who planned weekly sessions ended the period with fewer unfinished assignments. The difference was clearest during weeks with two or more due dates, when the scheduled group distributed its work earlier.

This passage reports the pattern. It does not yet explain why the pattern occurred or what it means in other settings.

Discussion: interpret the findings

The Discussion explains the study's contribution in relation to its purpose and previous research. It should not merely repeat the results.

A complete discussion may address:

1. the main answer to the research question
2. connections with earlier literature
3. alternative explanations
4. strengths and limitations
5. practical or theoretical implications
6. questions for future research

When comparing the results with earlier studies, add the corresponding in-text citations. This helps readers distinguish your findings from explanations drawn from other works.

Example:

The findings suggest that a schedule is useful not only because it records assignments but because it reserves specific times to begin them. However, the study lasted six weeks and involved first-year students, so the same pattern cannot be assumed for other programs or academic periods.

The introduction connects the sections

Before Method, the paper introduction explains the importance of the problem, summarizes the necessary background, and states the objectives or questions. Each later section should answer that initial promise.

Section	Question it answers
Introduction	What will be studied and why?
Method	How was the study conducted?
Results or Findings	What was found?
Discussion	What do the findings mean?

Checklist

• The headings match the actual research design.
• Method explains participants or data, procedure, and analysis.
• Results reports findings without anticipating the full interpretation.
• Discussion interprets, acknowledges limits, and explains implications.
• Tables and figures are mentioned in the text.
• Claims based on other works include citations.
• The sequence responds to the objectives stated in the introduction.