Writing a Quantitative Data Analysis Chapter: Examples and Templates

Templates do not replace understanding—but they eliminate structural guesswork when writing a quantitative data analysis chapter under deadline pressure. This guide provides copy-adapt section templates, table frameworks, and filled examples for common dissertation tests. Replace bracketed placeholders with your statistics and customise prose to your study context.

Chapter introduction template

'This chapter presents findings addressing research questions [1–N] formulated in Chapter 1. Section [4.2] describes the sample. Sections [4.3–4.N] report hypothesis testing results. Section [4.N+1] summarises key findings. Interpretation appears in Chapter 5.'

Sample profile template

'A total of [N] respondents participated. Table [4.1] presents demographic characteristics. The majority were [description]. [X]% were female; mean age was [M] years (SD = [SD]).'

Hypothesis section template

'H1 proposed that [statement]. A [test name] was conducted to compare [groups/variables]. Assumptions of [normality/homogeneity] were [met/violated; action taken]. As shown in Table [4.X], [group A] (M = [x], SD = [x]) [higher/lower] than [group B] (M = [x], SD = [x]), [t/F/etc.]([df]) = [value], p = [value], [effect size] = [value]. H1 was [supported/not supported].'

Correlation template

'H2 predicted a positive relationship between [X] and [Y]. Pearson correlation showed [positive/negative/no significant] association, r([df]) = [value], p = [value], with [X] explaining [r²]% of variance in [Y]. H2 was [supported/not supported].'

Regression template

'H3 tested whether [predictors] predicted [DV]. Multiple regression yielded R² = [value], F([df]) = [value], p = [value]. [Predictor] was a significant predictor (β = [value], p = [value]). H3 was [partially supported/supported/not supported].'

ANOVA template

'H4 compared [DV] across [k] groups. One-way ANOVA revealed [significant/non-significant] differences, F([df]) = [value], p = [value], η² = [value]. Post-hoc Tukey tests showed [pairwise results]. H4 was [supported/not supported].'

Table 4.X APA skeleton

Title: 'Means, Standard Deviations, and [Test] Results for [Variable] by [Group]'. Columns: Group, n, M, SD, [test statistic], p. Note: 'p < .05 indicates statistical significance.'

Assumption reporting template

'Normality was assessed via Shapiro-Wilk tests and Q-Q plots. [Variable] scores were approximately normal in [all groups/subgroups]. Levene's test indicated [equal/unequal] variances (p = [value]); [equal variances not assumed row was used / standard test reported].'

Chapter summary template

'This chapter reported findings for [N] hypotheses. H1, H3, and H5 were supported; H2 and H4 were not supported. Key findings include [2–3 bullet points in prose]. These results are interpreted in Chapter 5.'

Adapting templates responsibly

Templates structure reporting—they do not generate statistics. Every number must come from your SPSS output. Customise wording to your field's conventions and university style guide.

Example: filled t-test paragraph

'H1 proposed that remote employees report higher job satisfaction than office-based employees. An independent samples t-test was conducted. Remote employees (M = 4.12, SD = 0.71) reported significantly higher satisfaction than office employees (M = 3.78, SD = 0.69), t(186) = 3.21, p = .002, d = 0.47. H1 was supported.'

Professional data analysis support

If test selection, SPSS output interpretation, or results chapter writing is blocking your dissertation timeline, ReportLift data analysis support helps you run valid tests, interpret findings correctly, and report results to examiner and journal standards.