Research Findings: Presentation and Analysis

• Chapter 4 presents and discusses the study's findings.
• Results are organized by research questions or themes identified in the analysis.
• Each section presents data in textual format, supplemented by tables or graphs.
• The discussion integrates findings with existing literature, noting supporting and contradictory studies.

Organization of Results and Discussion

• Organize results and discussion by research questions or themes from the study.
• Present findings in the order of research questions, addressing each thoroughly.
• Structure discussion around specific themes and group related results together if your research identifies them.

Presentation Formats

• Use at least two of the following formats when presenting results: textual, tabular, and graphical.
• Textual format is required.
• The choice between tabular and graphical depends on the data and the way it is best presented.

Textual Format

• Clearly describe findings in narrative form.
• Follow APA 7th edition guidelines for reporting statistical results.
• Include mean, standard deviation, t-values, and p-values.
• Report statistics with correct formatting (italicize p-values).
• Example: "The analysis revealed a significant difference between the control and experimental groups (M = 5.42, SD = 1.07; t (28) = 2.54, p = .017)."

Tabular Format

• Use tables to present data that is easily understood in a structured format like comparisons across groups or conditions.

APA Format for Tables

• Tables are numbered sequentially (e.g., Table 1, Table 2).
• The table number is placed above the table, aligned to the left, and bolded.
• The table title is placed below the table number, italicized, in title case, and aligned to the left.
• Place notes below the table, starting with "Note." in italics.
• Employ only horizontal lines to separate table headers and data, avoiding vertical lines to enhance readability and simplicity.

Graphical Format

• Use graphs to show trends, patterns, or relationships in your data.
• Graphs are useful for visualizing changes over time or differences between groups.

APA Format for Figures

• Figures are numbered sequentially (e.g., Figure 1, Figure 2).
• The figure number is above the figure, aligned left, and bolded.
• Place the figure caption below the figure, in sentence case, aligned to the left.

Discussion of Results

• Discuss results within the context of existing literature.
• Highlight whether findings support or contradict previous studies.

Supporting Literature

• Discuss how results align with existing research to reinforce or extend current knowledge.

Contradictory Literature

• If results differ from previous studies, explore possible reasons for the discrepancy and suggest areas for further research.
• Example: A study revealed a significant effect of concentration on color changes, F (2, 45) = 6.78, p < 0.01.
• Post-hoc comparisons using Tukey's HSD test showed the mean sharpness and intensity of color changes were significantly higher in the 100% Butterfly Pea extract condition (M = X.XX, SD = X.XX) compared to both the 50% (M = X.XX, SD = X.XX) and 75% (M = X.XX, SD = X.XX) conditions (p < .05).
• There was no significant difference between the 50% and 75% conditions (p > .05).
• These findings align with previous research by Smith et al. (2020), who demonstrated that higher concentrations of natural extracts, such as those from hibiscus flowers, resulted in more vivid color changes when used as pH indicators.
• Smith et al. found similar significant differences in color intensity across different extract concentrations, supporting the idea that increasing extract concentration enhances the visibility and accuracy of natural pH indicators.

Chapter 5: Summary of Findings, Conclusion, and Recommendations

• Chapter 5 summarizes key findings, draws conclusions, and offers recommendations based on the research.
• It wraps up the study by highlighting main points, interpreting results, and suggesting actions or further research.

Summary of Findings

• This section provides a summary of the main research results, based on the analysis presented in Chapter 4.
• Findings must align with research questions and results discussed in the previous chapter.
• Each finding is tied to a specific research question, ensuring a connection between questions, data, and conclusions.
• The number of findings matches the number of research questions.

Summary of Findings (example)

• The sharpness and intensity of color changes in Butterfly Pea (Clitoria ternatea Linn.) flower strips varied with the concentration of the extract.
• The 100% Butterfly Pea extract produced the most vivid and intense color changes (M = 4.8, SD = 0.2), followed by the 75% extract (M = 4.2, SD = 0.3), and the least sharp and intense changes were observed with the 50% extract (M = 3.6, SD = 0.4).
• The reaction time for the Butterfly Pea flower strips to change color also depended on the concentration of the extract; 100% extract caused the fastest reaction time (M = 2.1 seconds, SD = 0.3), followed by the 75% extract (M = 3.2 seconds, SD = 0.4).
• The 50% extract had the slowest reaction time (M = 4.5 seconds, SD = 0.5), demonstrating that higher concentrations lead to quicker color change responses.
• The acceptability level of Butterfly Pea flower as an alternative pH indicator was found to be high (M = 4.5, SD = 0.3 on a 5-point Likert scale).
• Participants in the study favorably rated the extract due to its clear color changes and natural origin, considering it effective and reliable for indicating pH changes, making it a viable alternative to traditional chemical indicators.
• There was a significant difference in the sharpness and intensity of color changes among Butterfly Pea flower strips exposed to different concentration levels of the extract. ANOVA results indicated a significant difference in concentration on color sharpness and intensity, F (2, 27) = 15.62, p < .001.
• Post hoc comparisons using the Tukey HSD test indicated that the mean score for the 100% extract condition was significantly different from both the 75% and 50% conditions.
• The study also found a significant difference in the reaction time of Butterfly Pea flower strips among the different concentration levels. ANOVA results showed a significant difference in concentration on reaction time, F(2, 27) = 22.48, p < .001.
• Post hoc analyses revealed the reaction times for the 100% extract were significantly faster than those for the 75% and 50% extracts.
• The difference between the 75% and 50% extracts also was significant.

Conclusion

• This is the section where we interpret the findings and explain what they mean.
• Answer research questions and explain their implications.
• Conclusions are inferences made from findings, not just a representation of results.
• Each conclusion matches a specific finding, providing a synthesis of information and highlighting key insights; conclusions are numbered to match findings.

Conclusion (example)

• Higher concentrations of Butterfly Pea (Clitoria ternatea Linn.) extract, particularly 100% extract, are most effective in producing vivid and intense color changes, indicating its suitability as an alternative pH indicator.
• The fastest reaction times observed with 100% Butterfly Pea extract demonstrate that higher concentrations are more responsive, making them suitable for applications requiring quick visual feedback.
• Studies confirmed that Butterfly Pea extract is highly acceptable to users as an alternative pH indicator. The extract’s natural origin and clear color changes contribute to its high rating, suggesting strong potential for broader adoption in various pH indication applications.
• The study demonstrates that higher concentrations of Butterfly Pea extract (specifically 100% extract) significantly enhance the sharpness and intensity of color changes, indicating that using 100% extract produces clearer and more distinct visual indicators, which are beneficial for precise and reliable pH indication.
• The concentration of Butterfly Pea extract significantly influences the reaction time of color changes.
• Higher concentrations, such as 100% extract, result in markedly faster reaction times compared to lower concentrations (75% and 50% extracts), which makes concentrated extracts more suitable for applications requiring quick and immediate visual feedback.

Recommendations

• This section offers practical advice and suggestions for future actions based on the findings and conclusions.
• Focus on the significance of the study and its beneficiaries .
• Recommendations should be made through conclusions and benefits identified for the study's stakeholders.
• Each recommendation is directly linked to its corresponding conclusion, ensuring grounding in research evidence and analysis.
• Recommendation numbers match the conclusion numbers.

Recommendations (example)

• Enhance knowledge on Butterfly Pea extract as a pH indicator to create sustainable income opportunities within local communities in the Philippines by marketing the product nationwide, contributing to economic development.
• The DOST (Department of Science and Technology) should encourage further research into plant-based solutions, fostering ongoing scientific exploration and innovation in natural pH indicators and their applications.
• Science laboratories should use this research to provide laboratories a cost-effective method for pH testing using Butterfly Pea extract, reducing reliance on expensive pH meters and improving accessibility to pH determination.
• These findings guide future researchers in developing accurate methodologies, advancing scientific investigations on natural pH indicators, and ensuring continuity and progress in the field.