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T Test Overview: How to Use & Examples

By Jim Frost 12 Comments

What is a T Test?

A t test is a statistical hypothesis test that assesses sample means to draw conclusions about population means. Frequently, analysts use a t test to determine whether the population means for two groups are different. For example, it can determine whether the difference between the treatment and control group means is statistically significant.

The following are the standard t tests:

• One-sample: Compares a sample mean to a reference value.
• Two-sample: Compares two sample means.
• Paired: Compares the means of matched pairs, such as before and after scores.

In this post, you’ll learn about the different types of t tests, when you should use each one, and their assumptions. Additionally, I interpret an example of each type.

Which T Test Should I Use?

To choose the correct t test, you must know whether you are assessing one or two group means. If you’re working with two group means, do the groups have the same or different items/people? Use the table below to choose the proper analysis.

Now, let’s review each t test to see what it can do!

Imagine we’ve developed a drug that supposedly boosts your IQ score. In the following sections, we’ll address the same research question, and I’ll show you how the various t tests can help you answer it.

One Sample T Test

Use a one-sample t test to compare a sample mean to a reference value. It allows you to determine whether the population mean differs from the reference value. The reference value is usually highly relevant to the subject area.

For example, a coffee shop claims their large cup contains 16 ounces. A skeptical customer takes a random sample of 10 large cups of coffee and measures their contents to determine if the mean volume differs from the claimed 16 ounces using a one-sample t test.

One-Sample T Test Hypotheses

• Null hypothesis (H 0 ): The population mean equals the reference value (µ = µ 0 ).
• Alternative hypothesis (H A ): The population mean DOES NOT equal the reference value (µ ≠ µ 0 ).

Reject the null when the p-value is less than the significance level (e.g., 0.05). This condition indicates the difference between the sample mean and the reference value is statistically significant. Your sample data support the idea that the population mean does not equal the reference value.

Learn more about the One-Sample T-Test .

The above hypotheses are two-sided analyses. Alternatively, you can use one-sided hypotheses to find effects in only one direction. Learn more in my article, One- and Two-Tailed Hypothesis Tests Explained .

Related posts : Null Hypothesis: Definition, Rejecting & Examples and Understanding Significance Levels

We want to evaluate our IQ boosting drug using a one-sample t test. First, we draw a single random sample of 15 participants and administer the medicine to all of them. Then we measure all their IQs and calculate a sample average IQ of 109.

In the general population, the average IQ is defined as 100 . So, we’ll use 100 as our reference value. Is the difference between our sample mean of 109 and the reference value of 100 statistically significant? The t test output is below.

In the output, we see that our sample mean is 109. The procedure compares the sample mean to the reference value of 100 and produces a p-value of 0.036. Consequently, we can reject the null hypothesis and conclude that the population mean for those who take the IQ drug is higher than 100.

Two-Sample T Test

Use a two-sample t test to compare the sample means for two groups. It allows you to determine whether the population means for these two groups are different. For the two-sample procedure, the groups must contain different sets of items or people.

For example, you might compare averages between males and females or treatment and controls.

Two-Sample T Test Hypotheses

• Null hypothesis (H 0 ): Two population means are equal (µ 1 = µ 2 ).
• Alternative hypothesis (H A ): Two population means are not equal (µ 1 ≠ µ 2 ).

Again, when the p-value is less than or equal to your significance level, reject the null hypothesis. The difference between the two means is statistically significant. Your sample data support the theory that the two population means are different. Learn more about the Null Hypothesis: Definition, Rejecting & Examples .

Learn more about the two-sample t test .

Related posts : How to Interpret P Values and Statistical Significance

For our IQ drug, we collect two random samples, a control group and a treatment group. Each group has 15 subjects. We give the treatment group the medication and a placebo to the control group.

We’ll use a two-sample t test to evaluate if the difference between the two group means is statistically significant. The t test output is below.

In the output, you can see that the treatment group (Sample 1) has a mean of 109 while the control group’s (Sample 2) average is 100. The p-value for the difference between the groups is 0.112. We fail to reject the null hypothesis. There is insufficient evidence to conclude that the IQ drug has an effect .

Paired Sample T Test

Use a paired t-test when you measure each subject twice, such as before and after test scores. This procedure determines if the mean difference between paired scores differs from zero, where zero represents no effect. Because researchers measure each item in both conditions, the subjects serve as their own controls.

For example, a pharmaceutical company develops a new drug to reduce blood pressure. They measure the blood pressure of 20 patients before and after administering the medication for one month. Analysts use a paired t-test to assess whether there is a statistically significant difference in pressure measurements before and after taking the drug.

Paired T Test Hypotheses

• Null hypothesis: The mean difference between pairs equals zero in the population (µ D = 0).
• Alternative hypothesis: The mean difference between pairs does not equal zero in the population (µ D ≠ 0).

Reject the null when the p-value is less than or equal to your significance level (e.g., 0.05). Your sample provides sufficiently strong evidence to conclude that the mean difference between pairs does not equal zero in the population.

Learn more about the paired t test.

Back to our IQ boosting drug. This time, we’ll draw one random sample of 15 participants. We’ll measure their IQ before taking the medicine and then again afterward. The before and after groups contain the same people. The procedure subtracts the After — Before scores to calculate the individual differences. Then it calculates the average difference.

If the drug increases IQs effectively, we should see a positive difference value. Conversely, a value near zero indicates that the IQ scores didn’t improve between the Before and After scores. The paired t test will determine whether the difference between the pre-test and post-test is statistically significant.

The t test output is below.

The mean difference between the pre-test and post-test scores is 9 IQ points. In other words, the average IQ increased by 9 points between the before and after measurements. The p-value of 0.000 causes us to reject the null. We conclude that the difference between the pre-test and post-test population means does not equal zero. The drug appears to increase IQs by an average of 9 IQ points in the population.

T Test Assumptions

For your t test to produce reliable results, your data should meet the following assumptions:

You have a random sample

Drawing a random sample from your target population helps ensure it represents the population. Representative samples are crucial for accurately inferring population properties. The t test results are invalid if your data do not reflect the population.

Related posts : Random Sampling and Representative Samples

Continuous data

A t test requires continuous data . Continuous variables can take on all numeric values, and the scale can be divided meaningfully into smaller increments, such as fractional and decimal values. For example, weight, height, and temperature are continuous.

Other analyses can assess additional data types. For more information, read Comparing Hypothesis Tests for Continuous, Binary, and Count Data .

Your sample data follow a normal distribution, or you have a large sample size

A t test assumes your data follow a normal distribution . However, due to the central limit theorem, you can waive this assumption when your sample is large enough.

The following sample size guidelines specify when normality becomes less of a restriction:

• One-Sample and Paired : 20 or more observations.
• Two-Sample : At least 15 in each group.

Related posts : Central Limit Theorem and Skewed Distributions

Population standard deviation is unknown

A t test assumes you have a sample estimate of the standard deviation. In other words, you don’t know the precise value of the population standard deviation. This assumption is almost always true. However, if you know the population standard deviation, use the Z test instead. However, when n > 30, the difference between the t and Z tests becomes trivial.

Learn more about the Z test .

Related post : Standard Deviations

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Reader Interactions

April 16, 2024 at 5:00 pm

Hello Jim, and thank you on behalf of the thousands you have helped.

Question about which t test to use:

20 members of a committee are asked to interview and rate two candidates for a position – one candidate on Monday, the other candidate on Tuesday. So, one group of 20 committee members interviews 2 separate candidates one day after the other on the same variables . Would this scenario use a paired or independent application? thank you,, js

April 16, 2024 at 8:37 pm

This would be a case where you’d potentially use a paired t-test . You’re determining whether there’s a significant difference between the two candidates as given by the same 20 committee members. The two observations are paired because it’s the same 20 members giving the two ratings.

The only wrinkle in that, which is why I say “potentially use,” is that ratings are often ordinal. If you have ordinal rankings, you might need to use a nonparametric test.

April 11, 2024 at 11:25 pm

Question about determining tails: when determining the P values, this is what I am told: “You draw a t curve and plot t value on the horizontal axis, then you check the sign in Ha, if it is > such as our case you shade the right hand side. ( if Ha has <sign, the shade the left hand side).II) Determine if the shaded side is a tail or not ( a smaller side is called a tail), if it is, P=sig/2;If it is not a tail then P=1-(sig/2)" When emailing the isntructor, this is all I was told: For p of t test, if the shaded area according to your Ha is small, it is a tail (which is half of the two tails), if it is large then 1- a tail.

So, when determining P of T test, how do I know whether to perform 1-(p/2) or just P/2

We use the software SPSS so P=sig in the instructions.

April 12, 2024 at 12:04 am

From your description, I can’t tell what you’re saying.

Tails are just the thin, extreme parts of the distribution. In this hypothesis testing context, shaded areas are called critical regions or rejection regions. You need to determine whether your t-value (or other test statistic) falls within a critical region. If it does, your results are significant and you reject the null. However that process doesn’t tell you the p-value. I think you’re mixing two different things. Here are a couple of posts I’ve written that will clarify the issues you asked about.

Finding the P-value One and Two Tailed Hypothesis Tests Explained

January 10, 2024 at 3:08 pm

Happy New Year!

I have a few questions I was hoping you’d be able to help me with please?

In the case of a t-test, I know one assumption is that the DV should be the scale variable and the IV should be the categorical variable. I wondered if it mattered whether it was the other way around – so the scale variable was the IV and the categorial variable the DV. Would it make much difference? When I’ve done a t-test like this before, it doesn’t seem to, but I may be missing something.

Would it be better to recode the scale variable to a categorical variable and do a chi-square test?

Or does it just depend on what I am aiming to do. So whether I want to examine relationships or compare means?

Any advice would be appreciated.

January 10, 2024 at 5:34 pm

Hi Charlotte

Yes, you can do that in the opposite direction but you’ll need to use a different analysis.

If you have two groups based on a categorical variable and a continuous variable, you have a couple of choices:

You can use the 2-sample t-test as you suggest to determine whether the group means are different.

Or, you can use something like binary logistic regression to use the continuous variable to predict the outcome of the binary variable.

Typically, you’ll choose the one that makes the most sense for your subject area. If you think group assignment affects the mean outcome, use the t-test. However, if you think the continuous value of a variable predicts the outcome of the binary variable, use binary logistic regression.

I hope that helps!

October 11, 2023 at 5:40 am

Jim, When the input variable is continuous (such as speed) and the output variable is categorical (pass/ fail) I know that logistic regression should be done. However can a standard 2-sample t-test be done to determine if the mean input level is independent of result (pass or fail)? Can a standard deviations test also be done to determine if the spread on values for the input variable is independent of result?

October 6, 2023 at 5:23 am

This was really helpful. After reading it, conducting a T test analysis is almost like a walk in the park. Thanks!

October 6, 2023 at 6:41 pm

Thanks so much, Mark!

September 8, 2023 at 2:14 am

Thank you for your awesome work.

September 7, 2023 at 2:03 am

Your explanation is comprehensive even to non-statisticians

September 7, 2023 at 6:57 pm

Thanks so much, Daniel. So glad my blog post could help!

Comments and Questions Cancel reply

Statistics Made Easy

How to Report T-Test Results (With Examples)

We can use the following general format to report the results of a one sample t-test :

A one sample t-test was performed to compare [variable of interest] against the population mean.   The mean value of [variable of interest] (M = [Mean], SD = [standard deviation]) was significantly [higher, lower, or different] than the population mean; t(df) = [t-value], p = [p-value].

We can use the following format to report the results of an independent two samples t-test :

A two sample t-test was performed to compare [response variable of interest] in [group 1] and [group 2].   There [was or was not] a significant difference in [response variable of interest] between [group1] (M = [Mean], SD = [standard deviation]) and [group2] (M = [Mean], SD = [standard deviation]); t(df) = [t-value], p = [p-value].

We can use the following format to report the results of a paired samples t-test :

A paired samples t-test was performed to compare [response variable of interest] in [group 1] and [group 2].   There [was or was not] a significant difference in [response variable of interest] between [group1] (M = [Mean], SD = [standard deviation]) and [group2] (M = [Mean], SD = [standard deviation]); t(df) = [t-value], p = [p-value].

Note: The “M” in the results stands for sample mean, the “SD” stands for sample standard deviation, and “df” stands for degrees of freedom associated with the t-test statistic.

The following examples show how to report the results of each type of t-test in practice.

Example: Reporting Results of a One Sample T-Test

A botanist wants to know if the mean height of a certain species of plant is equal to 15 inches. She collects a random sample of 12 plants and performs a one sample-test.

The following screenshot shows the results of the test:

Here’s how to report the results of the test:

A one sample t-test was performed to compare the mean height of a certain species of plant against the population mean.   The mean value of height (M = 14.33, SD = 1.37) was not significantly different than the population mean; t(11) = -1.685, p = .120.

Example: Reporting Results of an Independent Samples T-Test

Researchers want to know if a new fuel treatment leads to a change in the average miles per gallon of a certain car. To test this, they conduct an experiment in which 12 cars receive the new fuel treatment and 12 cars do not.

The following screenshot shows the results of the independent samples t-test:

A two sample t-test was performed to compare miles per gallon between fuel treatment and no fuel treatment.   There was not a significant difference in miles per gallon between fuel treatment (M = 22.75, SD = 3.25) and no fuel treatment (M = 21, SD = 2.73); t(22) = -1.428, p = .167.

Example: Reporting Results of a Paired Samples T-Test

Researchers want to know if a new fuel treatment leads to a change in the average mpg of a certain car. To test this, they conduct an experiment in which they measure the mpg of 12 cars with and without the fuel treatment.

The following screenshot shows the results of the paired samples t-test:

A paired samples t-test was performed to compare miles per gallon between fuel treatment and no fuel treatment.   There was a significant difference in miles per gallon between fuel treatment (M = 22.75, SD = 3.25) and no fuel treatment (M = 21, SD = 2.73); t(11) = -2.244, p = .046.

Additional Resources

Use the following calculators to automatically perform various t-tests:

One Sample t-test Calculator Two Sample t-test Calculator Paired Samples t-test Calculator

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Hey there. My name is Zach Bobbitt. I have a Masters of Science degree in Applied Statistics and I’ve worked on machine learning algorithms for professional businesses in both healthcare and retail. I’m passionate about statistics, machine learning, and data visualization and I created Statology to be a resource for both students and teachers alike.  My goal with this site is to help you learn statistics through using simple terms, plenty of real-world examples, and helpful illustrations.

One Reply to “How to Report T-Test Results (With Examples)”

I really liked you explanation and examples. You solved my problem of mixing the concepts of independent sample t-test & paired sample t-test

Thank you very much

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How to Report a T -Test Result in APA Style

The APA style guide details precise requirements for citing the results of statistical tests, which means as well as getting the basic format right, you've got watch out for punctuation, the placing of brackets, italicisation, and the like.

There are a number of different t -tests, the most common being single sample t -test, independent t -test and dependent t -test. The basic format for reporting the result of a t -test is the same in each case (the color red means you substitute in the appropriate value from your study):

t ( degress of freedom ) = the t statistic , p = p value .

It's the context you provide when reporting the result that tells the reader which type of t -test was used. Here are some examples.

Single Sample T -Test

United fans reported higher levels of stress ( M = 83, SD = 5) than found in the population as a whole, t (48) = 2.3, p = .026.

Coffee drinkers spent more time awake ( M = 17.8, SD = 1.4) than the population norm, t (28) = 2.6, p < .05.

Independent T -Test

The 25 participants who received the drug intervention ( M = 480, SD = 34.5) compared to the 28 participants in the control group ( M = 425, SD = 31) demonstrated significantly better peak flow scores, t (51) = 2.1, p = .04.

There was no significant effect for sex, t (38) = 1.7, p = .097, despite women ( M = 55, SD = 8) attaining higher scores than men (M = 53, SD = 7.8).

Dependent T -Test

The results from the pre-test ( M = 13.5, SD = 2.4) and post-test ( M = 16.2, SD = 2.7) memory task indicate that the presence of caffeine in the bloodstream resulted in an improvement in memory recall, t (19) = 3.1, p = .006.

There was a significant increase in the volume of alcohol consumed in the week after the end of semester ( M = 8.7, SD = 3.1) compared to the week before the end of semester ( M = 3.2, SD = 1.5), t (52) = 4.8, p < .001.

1. The abbreviations M and SD stand for mean and standard deviation respectively.

2. If your t -test is one-tailed, you need to say so.

3. There are two ways to report p values. The first way is to cite the alpha value, as in the second of the single sample t -test examples above. The second way, very much the preferred way in the age of computer aided calculations (and the way recommended by the APA), is to report the exact p value (as in our first example). If you report the exact p value, then you need to state your alpha level early in your results section. The other thing to note here is that if your p value is less than .001, it's conventional simply to state p < .001, rather than give the exact value.

4. Remember to drop the leading 0 from the p value.

5. No need to provide a formula for t .

6. Degrees of freedom are N - 1 for the single sample and dependent measures t -tests; and ( N 1 - 1) + ( N 2 - 1) for the independent t -test.

7. If you're hypothesis testing, then remember to restate your hypothesis.

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Writing a Research Paper Introduction | Step-by-Step Guide

Published on September 24, 2022 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on March 27, 2023.

The introduction to a research paper is where you set up your topic and approach for the reader. It has several key goals:

• Present your topic and get the reader interested
• Provide background or summarize existing research
• Position your own approach
• Detail your specific research problem and problem statement
• Give an overview of the paper’s structure

The introduction looks slightly different depending on whether your paper presents the results of original empirical research or constructs an argument by engaging with a variety of sources.

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Table of contents

Step 1: introduce your topic, step 2: describe the background, step 3: establish your research problem, step 4: specify your objective(s), step 5: map out your paper, research paper introduction examples, frequently asked questions about the research paper introduction.

The first job of the introduction is to tell the reader what your topic is and why it’s interesting or important. This is generally accomplished with a strong opening hook.

The hook is a striking opening sentence that clearly conveys the relevance of your topic. Think of an interesting fact or statistic, a strong statement, a question, or a brief anecdote that will get the reader wondering about your topic.

For example, the following could be an effective hook for an argumentative paper about the environmental impact of cattle farming:

A more empirical paper investigating the relationship of Instagram use with body image issues in adolescent girls might use the following hook:

Don’t feel that your hook necessarily has to be deeply impressive or creative. Clarity and relevance are still more important than catchiness. The key thing is to guide the reader into your topic and situate your ideas.

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

This part of the introduction differs depending on what approach your paper is taking.

In a more argumentative paper, you’ll explore some general background here. In a more empirical paper, this is the place to review previous research and establish how yours fits in.

Argumentative paper: Background information

After you’ve caught your reader’s attention, specify a bit more, providing context and narrowing down your topic.

Provide only the most relevant background information. The introduction isn’t the place to get too in-depth; if more background is essential to your paper, it can appear in the body .

Empirical paper: Describing previous research

For a paper describing original research, you’ll instead provide an overview of the most relevant research that has already been conducted. This is a sort of miniature literature review —a sketch of the current state of research into your topic, boiled down to a few sentences.

This should be informed by genuine engagement with the literature. Your search can be less extensive than in a full literature review, but a clear sense of the relevant research is crucial to inform your own work.

Begin by establishing the kinds of research that have been done, and end with limitations or gaps in the research that you intend to respond to.

The next step is to clarify how your own research fits in and what problem it addresses.

Argumentative paper: Emphasize importance

In an argumentative research paper, you can simply state the problem you intend to discuss, and what is original or important about your argument.

Empirical paper: Relate to the literature

In an empirical research paper, try to lead into the problem on the basis of your discussion of the literature. Think in terms of these questions:

• What research gap is your work intended to fill?
• What limitations in previous work does it address?
• What contribution to knowledge does it make?

You can make the connection between your problem and the existing research using phrases like the following.

Now you’ll get into the specifics of what you intend to find out or express in your research paper.

The way you frame your research objectives varies. An argumentative paper presents a thesis statement, while an empirical paper generally poses a research question (sometimes with a hypothesis as to the answer).

Argumentative paper: Thesis statement

The thesis statement expresses the position that the rest of the paper will present evidence and arguments for. It can be presented in one or two sentences, and should state your position clearly and directly, without providing specific arguments for it at this point.

Empirical paper: Research question and hypothesis

The research question is the question you want to answer in an empirical research paper.

Present your research question clearly and directly, with a minimum of discussion at this point. The rest of the paper will be taken up with discussing and investigating this question; here you just need to express it.

A research question can be framed either directly or indirectly.

• This study set out to answer the following question: What effects does daily use of Instagram have on the prevalence of body image issues among adolescent girls?
• We investigated the effects of daily Instagram use on the prevalence of body image issues among adolescent girls.

If your research involved testing hypotheses , these should be stated along with your research question. They are usually presented in the past tense, since the hypothesis will already have been tested by the time you are writing up your paper.

For example, the following hypothesis might respond to the research question above:

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The final part of the introduction is often dedicated to a brief overview of the rest of the paper.

In a paper structured using the standard scientific “introduction, methods, results, discussion” format, this isn’t always necessary. But if your paper is structured in a less predictable way, it’s important to describe the shape of it for the reader.

If included, the overview should be concise, direct, and written in the present tense.

• This paper will first discuss several examples of survey-based research into adolescent social media use, then will go on to …
• This paper first discusses several examples of survey-based research into adolescent social media use, then goes on to …

Full examples of research paper introductions are shown in the tabs below: one for an argumentative paper, the other for an empirical paper.

• Argumentative paper
• Empirical paper

Are cows responsible for climate change? A recent study (RIVM, 2019) shows that cattle farmers account for two thirds of agricultural nitrogen emissions in the Netherlands. These emissions result from nitrogen in manure, which can degrade into ammonia and enter the atmosphere. The study’s calculations show that agriculture is the main source of nitrogen pollution, accounting for 46% of the country’s total emissions. By comparison, road traffic and households are responsible for 6.1% each, the industrial sector for 1%. While efforts are being made to mitigate these emissions, policymakers are reluctant to reckon with the scale of the problem. The approach presented here is a radical one, but commensurate with the issue. This paper argues that the Dutch government must stimulate and subsidize livestock farmers, especially cattle farmers, to transition to sustainable vegetable farming. It first establishes the inadequacy of current mitigation measures, then discusses the various advantages of the results proposed, and finally addresses potential objections to the plan on economic grounds.

The rise of social media has been accompanied by a sharp increase in the prevalence of body image issues among women and girls. This correlation has received significant academic attention: Various empirical studies have been conducted into Facebook usage among adolescent girls (Tiggermann & Slater, 2013; Meier & Gray, 2014). These studies have consistently found that the visual and interactive aspects of the platform have the greatest influence on body image issues. Despite this, highly visual social media (HVSM) such as Instagram have yet to be robustly researched. This paper sets out to address this research gap. We investigated the effects of daily Instagram use on the prevalence of body image issues among adolescent girls. It was hypothesized that daily Instagram use would be associated with an increase in body image concerns and a decrease in self-esteem ratings.

The introduction of a research paper includes several key elements:

• A hook to catch the reader’s interest
• Relevant background on the topic
• Details of your research problem

and your problem statement

• A thesis statement or research question
• Sometimes an overview of the paper

Don’t feel that you have to write the introduction first. The introduction is often one of the last parts of the research paper you’ll write, along with the conclusion.

This is because it can be easier to introduce your paper once you’ve already written the body ; you may not have the clearest idea of your arguments until you’ve written them, and things can change during the writing process .

The way you present your research problem in your introduction varies depending on the nature of your research paper . A research paper that presents a sustained argument will usually encapsulate this argument in a thesis statement .

A research paper designed to present the results of empirical research tends to present a research question that it seeks to answer. It may also include a hypothesis —a prediction that will be confirmed or disproved by your research.

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Writing up a Research Report

• First Online: 04 January 2024

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• Stefan Hunziker 3 &
• Michael Blankenagel 3  

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A research report is one big argument about how and why you came up with your conclusions. To make it a convincing argument, a typical guiding structure has developed. In the different chapters, there are distinct issues that need to be addressed to explain to the reader why your conclusions are valid. The governing principle for writing the report is full disclosure: to explain everything and ensure replicability by another researcher.

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Barros, L. O. (2016). The only academic phrasebook you’ll ever need . Createspace Independent Publishing Platform.

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Field, A. (2016). An adventure in statistics. The reality enigma . SAGE.

Field, A. (2020). Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics (5th ed.). SAGE.

Früh, M., Keimer, I., & Blankenagel, M. (2019). The impact of Balanced Scorecard excellence on shareholder returns. IFZ Working Paper No. 0003/2019. https://zenodo.org/record/2571603#.YMDUafkzZaQ . Accessed: 9 June 2021.

Pearl, J., & Mackenzie, D. (2018). The book of why: The new science of cause and effect. Basic Books.

Yin, R. K. (2013). Case study research: Design and methods (5th ed.). SAGE.

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Hunziker, S., Blankenagel, M. (2024). Writing up a Research Report. In: Research Design in Business and Management. Springer Gabler, Wiesbaden. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-42739-9_4

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Home » Research Report – Example, Writing Guide and Types

Research Report – Example, Writing Guide and Types

Table of Contents

Research Report

Definition:

Research Report is a written document that presents the results of a research project or study, including the research question, methodology, results, and conclusions, in a clear and objective manner.

The purpose of a research report is to communicate the findings of the research to the intended audience, which could be other researchers, stakeholders, or the general public.

Components of Research Report

Components of Research Report are as follows:

Introduction

The introduction sets the stage for the research report and provides a brief overview of the research question or problem being investigated. It should include a clear statement of the purpose of the study and its significance or relevance to the field of research. It may also provide background information or a literature review to help contextualize the research.

Literature Review

The literature review provides a critical analysis and synthesis of the existing research and scholarship relevant to the research question or problem. It should identify the gaps, inconsistencies, and contradictions in the literature and show how the current study addresses these issues. The literature review also establishes the theoretical framework or conceptual model that guides the research.

Methodology

The methodology section describes the research design, methods, and procedures used to collect and analyze data. It should include information on the sample or participants, data collection instruments, data collection procedures, and data analysis techniques. The methodology should be clear and detailed enough to allow other researchers to replicate the study.

The results section presents the findings of the study in a clear and objective manner. It should provide a detailed description of the data and statistics used to answer the research question or test the hypothesis. Tables, graphs, and figures may be included to help visualize the data and illustrate the key findings.

The discussion section interprets the results of the study and explains their significance or relevance to the research question or problem. It should also compare the current findings with those of previous studies and identify the implications for future research or practice. The discussion should be based on the results presented in the previous section and should avoid speculation or unfounded conclusions.

The conclusion summarizes the key findings of the study and restates the main argument or thesis presented in the introduction. It should also provide a brief overview of the contributions of the study to the field of research and the implications for practice or policy.

The references section lists all the sources cited in the research report, following a specific citation style, such as APA or MLA.

The appendices section includes any additional material, such as data tables, figures, or instruments used in the study, that could not be included in the main text due to space limitations.

Types of Research Report

Types of Research Report are as follows:

Thesis is a type of research report. A thesis is a long-form research document that presents the findings and conclusions of an original research study conducted by a student as part of a graduate or postgraduate program. It is typically written by a student pursuing a higher degree, such as a Master’s or Doctoral degree, although it can also be written by researchers or scholars in other fields.

Research Paper

Research paper is a type of research report. A research paper is a document that presents the results of a research study or investigation. Research papers can be written in a variety of fields, including science, social science, humanities, and business. They typically follow a standard format that includes an introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion sections.

Technical Report

A technical report is a detailed report that provides information about a specific technical or scientific problem or project. Technical reports are often used in engineering, science, and other technical fields to document research and development work.

Progress Report

A progress report provides an update on the progress of a research project or program over a specific period of time. Progress reports are typically used to communicate the status of a project to stakeholders, funders, or project managers.

Feasibility Report

A feasibility report assesses the feasibility of a proposed project or plan, providing an analysis of the potential risks, benefits, and costs associated with the project. Feasibility reports are often used in business, engineering, and other fields to determine the viability of a project before it is undertaken.

Field Report

A field report documents observations and findings from fieldwork, which is research conducted in the natural environment or setting. Field reports are often used in anthropology, ecology, and other social and natural sciences.

Experimental Report

An experimental report documents the results of a scientific experiment, including the hypothesis, methods, results, and conclusions. Experimental reports are often used in biology, chemistry, and other sciences to communicate the results of laboratory experiments.

Case Study Report

A case study report provides an in-depth analysis of a specific case or situation, often used in psychology, social work, and other fields to document and understand complex cases or phenomena.

Literature Review Report

A literature review report synthesizes and summarizes existing research on a specific topic, providing an overview of the current state of knowledge on the subject. Literature review reports are often used in social sciences, education, and other fields to identify gaps in the literature and guide future research.

Research Report Example

Following is a Research Report Example sample for Students:

Title: The Impact of Social Media on Academic Performance among High School Students

This study aims to investigate the relationship between social media use and academic performance among high school students. The study utilized a quantitative research design, which involved a survey questionnaire administered to a sample of 200 high school students. The findings indicate that there is a negative correlation between social media use and academic performance, suggesting that excessive social media use can lead to poor academic performance among high school students. The results of this study have important implications for educators, parents, and policymakers, as they highlight the need for strategies that can help students balance their social media use and academic responsibilities.

Introduction:

Social media has become an integral part of the lives of high school students. With the widespread use of social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat, students can connect with friends, share photos and videos, and engage in discussions on a range of topics. While social media offers many benefits, concerns have been raised about its impact on academic performance. Many studies have found a negative correlation between social media use and academic performance among high school students (Kirschner & Karpinski, 2010; Paul, Baker, & Cochran, 2012).

Given the growing importance of social media in the lives of high school students, it is important to investigate its impact on academic performance. This study aims to address this gap by examining the relationship between social media use and academic performance among high school students.

Methodology:

The study utilized a quantitative research design, which involved a survey questionnaire administered to a sample of 200 high school students. The questionnaire was developed based on previous studies and was designed to measure the frequency and duration of social media use, as well as academic performance.

The participants were selected using a convenience sampling technique, and the survey questionnaire was distributed in the classroom during regular school hours. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis.

The findings indicate that the majority of high school students use social media platforms on a daily basis, with Facebook being the most popular platform. The results also show a negative correlation between social media use and academic performance, suggesting that excessive social media use can lead to poor academic performance among high school students.

Discussion:

The results of this study have important implications for educators, parents, and policymakers. The negative correlation between social media use and academic performance suggests that strategies should be put in place to help students balance their social media use and academic responsibilities. For example, educators could incorporate social media into their teaching strategies to engage students and enhance learning. Parents could limit their children’s social media use and encourage them to prioritize their academic responsibilities. Policymakers could develop guidelines and policies to regulate social media use among high school students.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, this study provides evidence of the negative impact of social media on academic performance among high school students. The findings highlight the need for strategies that can help students balance their social media use and academic responsibilities. Further research is needed to explore the specific mechanisms by which social media use affects academic performance and to develop effective strategies for addressing this issue.

Limitations:

One limitation of this study is the use of convenience sampling, which limits the generalizability of the findings to other populations. Future studies should use random sampling techniques to increase the representativeness of the sample. Another limitation is the use of self-reported measures, which may be subject to social desirability bias. Future studies could use objective measures of social media use and academic performance, such as tracking software and school records.

Implications:

The findings of this study have important implications for educators, parents, and policymakers. Educators could incorporate social media into their teaching strategies to engage students and enhance learning. For example, teachers could use social media platforms to share relevant educational resources and facilitate online discussions. Parents could limit their children’s social media use and encourage them to prioritize their academic responsibilities. They could also engage in open communication with their children to understand their social media use and its impact on their academic performance. Policymakers could develop guidelines and policies to regulate social media use among high school students. For example, schools could implement social media policies that restrict access during class time and encourage responsible use.

References:

• Kirschner, P. A., & Karpinski, A. C. (2010). Facebook® and academic performance. Computers in Human Behavior, 26(6), 1237-1245.
• Paul, J. A., Baker, H. M., & Cochran, J. D. (2012). Effect of online social networking on student academic performance. Journal of the Research Center for Educational Technology, 8(1), 1-19.
• Pantic, I. (2014). Online social networking and mental health. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 17(10), 652-657.
• Rosen, L. D., Carrier, L. M., & Cheever, N. A. (2013). Facebook and texting made me do it: Media-induced task-switching while studying. Computers in Human Behavior, 29(3), 948-958.

Note*: Above mention, Example is just a sample for the students’ guide. Do not directly copy and paste as your College or University assignment. Kindly do some research and Write your own.

Applications of Research Report

Research reports have many applications, including:

• Communicating research findings: The primary application of a research report is to communicate the results of a study to other researchers, stakeholders, or the general public. The report serves as a way to share new knowledge, insights, and discoveries with others in the field.
• Informing policy and practice : Research reports can inform policy and practice by providing evidence-based recommendations for decision-makers. For example, a research report on the effectiveness of a new drug could inform regulatory agencies in their decision-making process.
• Supporting further research: Research reports can provide a foundation for further research in a particular area. Other researchers may use the findings and methodology of a report to develop new research questions or to build on existing research.
• Evaluating programs and interventions : Research reports can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of programs and interventions in achieving their intended outcomes. For example, a research report on a new educational program could provide evidence of its impact on student performance.
• Demonstrating impact : Research reports can be used to demonstrate the impact of research funding or to evaluate the success of research projects. By presenting the findings and outcomes of a study, research reports can show the value of research to funders and stakeholders.
• Enhancing professional development : Research reports can be used to enhance professional development by providing a source of information and learning for researchers and practitioners in a particular field. For example, a research report on a new teaching methodology could provide insights and ideas for educators to incorporate into their own practice.

How to write Research Report

Here are some steps you can follow to write a research report:

• Identify the research question: The first step in writing a research report is to identify your research question. This will help you focus your research and organize your findings.
• Conduct research : Once you have identified your research question, you will need to conduct research to gather relevant data and information. This can involve conducting experiments, reviewing literature, or analyzing data.
• Organize your findings: Once you have gathered all of your data, you will need to organize your findings in a way that is clear and understandable. This can involve creating tables, graphs, or charts to illustrate your results.
• Write the report: Once you have organized your findings, you can begin writing the report. Start with an introduction that provides background information and explains the purpose of your research. Next, provide a detailed description of your research methods and findings. Finally, summarize your results and draw conclusions based on your findings.
• Proofread and edit: After you have written your report, be sure to proofread and edit it carefully. Check for grammar and spelling errors, and make sure that your report is well-organized and easy to read.
• Include a reference list: Be sure to include a list of references that you used in your research. This will give credit to your sources and allow readers to further explore the topic if they choose.
• Format your report: Finally, format your report according to the guidelines provided by your instructor or organization. This may include formatting requirements for headings, margins, fonts, and spacing.

Purpose of Research Report

The purpose of a research report is to communicate the results of a research study to a specific audience, such as peers in the same field, stakeholders, or the general public. The report provides a detailed description of the research methods, findings, and conclusions.

Some common purposes of a research report include:

• Sharing knowledge: A research report allows researchers to share their findings and knowledge with others in their field. This helps to advance the field and improve the understanding of a particular topic.
• Identifying trends: A research report can identify trends and patterns in data, which can help guide future research and inform decision-making.
• Addressing problems: A research report can provide insights into problems or issues and suggest solutions or recommendations for addressing them.
• Evaluating programs or interventions : A research report can evaluate the effectiveness of programs or interventions, which can inform decision-making about whether to continue, modify, or discontinue them.
• Meeting regulatory requirements: In some fields, research reports are required to meet regulatory requirements, such as in the case of drug trials or environmental impact studies.

When to Write Research Report

A research report should be written after completing the research study. This includes collecting data, analyzing the results, and drawing conclusions based on the findings. Once the research is complete, the report should be written in a timely manner while the information is still fresh in the researcher’s mind.

In academic settings, research reports are often required as part of coursework or as part of a thesis or dissertation. In this case, the report should be written according to the guidelines provided by the instructor or institution.

In other settings, such as in industry or government, research reports may be required to inform decision-making or to comply with regulatory requirements. In these cases, the report should be written as soon as possible after the research is completed in order to inform decision-making in a timely manner.

Overall, the timing of when to write a research report depends on the purpose of the research, the expectations of the audience, and any regulatory requirements that need to be met. However, it is important to complete the report in a timely manner while the information is still fresh in the researcher’s mind.

Characteristics of Research Report

There are several characteristics of a research report that distinguish it from other types of writing. These characteristics include:

• Objective: A research report should be written in an objective and unbiased manner. It should present the facts and findings of the research study without any personal opinions or biases.
• Systematic: A research report should be written in a systematic manner. It should follow a clear and logical structure, and the information should be presented in a way that is easy to understand and follow.
• Detailed: A research report should be detailed and comprehensive. It should provide a thorough description of the research methods, results, and conclusions.
• Accurate : A research report should be accurate and based on sound research methods. The findings and conclusions should be supported by data and evidence.
• Organized: A research report should be well-organized. It should include headings and subheadings to help the reader navigate the report and understand the main points.
• Clear and concise: A research report should be written in clear and concise language. The information should be presented in a way that is easy to understand, and unnecessary jargon should be avoided.
• Citations and references: A research report should include citations and references to support the findings and conclusions. This helps to give credit to other researchers and to provide readers with the opportunity to further explore the topic.

Advantages of Research Report

Research reports have several advantages, including:

• Communicating research findings: Research reports allow researchers to communicate their findings to a wider audience, including other researchers, stakeholders, and the general public. This helps to disseminate knowledge and advance the understanding of a particular topic.
• Providing evidence for decision-making : Research reports can provide evidence to inform decision-making, such as in the case of policy-making, program planning, or product development. The findings and conclusions can help guide decisions and improve outcomes.
• Supporting further research: Research reports can provide a foundation for further research on a particular topic. Other researchers can build on the findings and conclusions of the report, which can lead to further discoveries and advancements in the field.
• Demonstrating expertise: Research reports can demonstrate the expertise of the researchers and their ability to conduct rigorous and high-quality research. This can be important for securing funding, promotions, and other professional opportunities.
• Meeting regulatory requirements: In some fields, research reports are required to meet regulatory requirements, such as in the case of drug trials or environmental impact studies. Producing a high-quality research report can help ensure compliance with these requirements.

Limitations of Research Report

Despite their advantages, research reports also have some limitations, including:

• Time-consuming: Conducting research and writing a report can be a time-consuming process, particularly for large-scale studies. This can limit the frequency and speed of producing research reports.
• Expensive: Conducting research and producing a report can be expensive, particularly for studies that require specialized equipment, personnel, or data. This can limit the scope and feasibility of some research studies.
• Limited generalizability: Research studies often focus on a specific population or context, which can limit the generalizability of the findings to other populations or contexts.
• Potential bias : Researchers may have biases or conflicts of interest that can influence the findings and conclusions of the research study. Additionally, participants may also have biases or may not be representative of the larger population, which can limit the validity and reliability of the findings.
• Accessibility: Research reports may be written in technical or academic language, which can limit their accessibility to a wider audience. Additionally, some research may be behind paywalls or require specialized access, which can limit the ability of others to read and use the findings.

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

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Section 1- Evidence-based practice (EBP)

Chapter 6: Components of a Research Report

Components of a research report.

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Elements of  research report

The research report contains four main areas:

• Introduction – What is the issue? What is known? What is not known? What are you trying to find out? This sections ends with the purpose and specific aims of the study.
• Methods – The recipe for the study. If someone wanted to perform the same study, what information would they need? How will you answer your research question? This part usually contains subheadings: Participants, Instruments, Procedures, Data Analysis,
• Results – What was found? This is organized by specific aims and provides the results of the statistical analysis.
• Discussion – How do the results fit in with the existing  literature? What were the limitations and areas of future research?

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Volume 30, Number 8—August 2024

Research Letter

Persistence of influenza h5n1 and h1n1 viruses in unpasteurized milk on milking unit surfaces.

Suggested citation for this article

Examining the persistence of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) from cattle and human influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 pandemic viruses in unpasteurized milk revealed that both remain infectious on milking equipment materials for several hours. Those findings highlight the risk for H5N1 virus transmission to humans from contaminated surfaces during the milking process.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus was detected in US domestic dairy cattle in late March 2024, after which it spread to herds across multiple states and resulted in at least 3 confirmed human infections ( 1 ). Assessment of milk from infected dairy cows indicated that unpasteurized milk contained high levels of infectious influenza virus ( 2 ; L.C. Caserta et al., unpub. data, https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.05.22.595317 ). Exposure of dairy farm workers to contaminated unpasteurized milk during the milking process could lead to increased human H5 virus infections. Such infections could enable H5 viruses to adapt through viral evolution within humans and gain the capability for human-to-human transmission.

Figure 1 . Illustration of milking unit surfaces tested in a study of persistence of influenza H5N1 and H1N1 viruses in unpasteurized milk. Before attaching the milking unit (claw), a dairy worker disinfects...

The milking process is primarily automated and uses vacuum units, commonly referred to as clusters or claws, which are attached to the dairy cow teats to collect milk ( Figure 1 ) ( 3 ). However, several steps in the milking process require human input, including forestripping, whereby workers manually express the first 3–5 streams of milk from each teat by hand. Forestripping stimulates the teats for optimal milk letdown, improves milk quality by removing bacteria, and provides an opportunity to check for abnormal milk. The forestripping process can result in milk splatter on the floor of the milking parlor and surrounding equipment and production of milk aerosols.

After forestripping, each teat is cleaned and dried by hand before the claw is installed. During milking, a flexible rubber inflation liner housed within the stainless-steel shell of the claw opens to enable the flow of milk and closes to exert pressure on the teat to stop the flow of milk ( Figure 1 ). When the flow of milk decreases to a specific level, the claw automatically releases ( 3 ), at which point residual milk in the inflation liner could spray onto dairy workers, equipment, or the surrounding area. Of note, milking often takes place at human eye level; the human workspace is physically lower than the cows, which increases the potential for infectious milk to contact human workers’ mucus membranes. No eye or respiratory protection is currently required for dairy farm workers, but recommendations have been released ( 4 ).

Influenza virus persistence in unpasteurized milk on surfaces is unclear, but information on virus persistence is critical to understanding viral exposure risk to dairy workers during the milking process. Therefore, we analyzed the persistence of infectious influenza viruses in unpasteurized milk on surfaces commonly found in milking units, such as rubber inflation liners and stainless steel ( Figure 1 ).

For infectious strains, we used influenza A(H5N1) strain A/dairy cattle/TX/8749001/2024 or a surrogate influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 pandemic influenza virus strain, A/California/07/2009. We diluted virus 1:10 in raw unpasteurized milk and in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) as a control. As described in prior studies ( 5 – 7 ), we pipetted small droplets of diluted virus in milk or PBS onto either stainless steel or rubber inflation liner coupons inside an environmental chamber. We then collected virus samples immediately (time 0) or after 1, 3, or 5 hours to detect infectious virus by endpoint titration using a 50% tissue culture infectious dose assay ( 7 ). To mimic environmental conditions within open-air milking parlors in the Texas panhandle during March–April 2024, when the virus was detected in dairy herds, we conducted persistence studies using 70% relative humidity.

Figure 2 . Viral titers in a study of persistence of influenza H5N1 and H1N1 viruses in unpasteurized milk on milking unit surfaces. A) Viral titers of bovine A(H5N1) virus diluted 1:10 in...

We observed that the H5N1 cattle virus remained infectious in unpasteurized milk on stainless steel and rubber inflation lining after 1 hour, whereas infectious virus in PBS fell to below the limit of detection after 1 hour ( Figure 2 , panel A). That finding indicates that unpasteurized milk containing H5N1 virus remains infectious on materials within the milking unit. To assess whether a less pathogenic influenza virus could be used as a surrogate to study viral persistence on milking unit materials, we compared viral decay between H5N1 and H1N1 in raw milk over 1 hour on rubber inflation liner and stainless-steel surfaces ( Figure 2 , panel B). The 2 viruses had similar decay rates on both surfaces, suggesting that H1N1 can be used as a surrogate for H5N1 cattle virus in studies of viral persistence in raw milk. Further experiments examining H1N1 infectiousness over longer periods revealed viral persistence in unpasteurized milk on rubber inflation liner for at least 3 hours and on stainless steel for at least 1 hour ( Figure 2 , panel C). Those results indicate that influenza virus is stable in unpasteurized milk and that influenza A virus deposited on milking equipment could remain infectious for >3 hours.

Taken together, our data provide compelling evidence that dairy farm workers are at risk for infection with H5N1 virus from surfaces contaminated during the milking process. To reduce H5N1 virus spillover from dairy cows to humans, farms should implement use of personal protective equipment, such as face shields, masks, and eye protection, for workers during milking. In addition, contaminated rubber inflation liners could be responsible for the cattle-to-cattle spread observed on dairy farms. Sanitizing the liners after milking each cow could reduce influenza virus spread between animals on farms and help curb the current outbreak.

Dr. Le Sage is a research assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh Center for Vaccine Research, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Her research interests include elucidating the requirements for influenza virus transmission and assessing the pandemic potential of emerging influenza viruses.

Acknowledgments

We thank the Lakdawala lab members, Centers of Excellence for Influenza Research and Response (CEIRR) risk assessment pipeline meeting attendees, Rachel Duron, and Linsey Marr for useful feedback.

This project was funded in part with federal funds from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, under contract no. 75N93021C00015 and a National Institutes of Health award (no. UC7AI180311) from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases supporting the operations of the University of Pittsburgh Regional Biocontainment Laboratory in the Center for Vaccine Research. H5N1 studies were performed in accordance with select agent permit no. 20230320-074008 at the University of Pittsburgh.

This article was preprinted at https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.05.22.24307745v1 .

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . H5N1 bird flu: current situation summary [ cited 2024 Jun 13 ]. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/avian-flu-summary.htm
• Burrough  ER , Magstadt  DR , Petersen  B , Timmermans  SJ , Gauger  PC , Zhang  J , et al. Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b virus infection in domestic dairy cattle and cats, United States, 2024. Emerg Infect Dis . 2024 ; 30 : 1335 – 43 . DOI PubMed Google Scholar
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• Qian  Z , Morris  DH , Avery  A , Kormuth  KA , Le Sage  V , Myerburg  MM , et al. Variability in donor lung culture and relative humidity impact the stability of 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus on nonporous surfaces. Appl Environ Microbiol . 2023 ; 89 : e0063323 . DOI PubMed Google Scholar
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• Kormuth  KA , Lin  K , Prussin  AJ II , Vejerano  EP , Tiwari  AJ , Cox  SS , et al. Influenza virus infectivity is retained in aerosols and droplets independent of relative humidity. J Infect Dis . 2018 ; 218 : 739 – 47 . DOI PubMed Google Scholar
• Figure 1 . Illustration of milking unit surfaces tested in a study of persistence of influenza H5N1 and H1N1 viruses in unpasteurized milk. Before attaching the milking unit (claw), a dairy worker...
• Figure 2 . Viral titers in a study of persistence of influenza H5N1 and H1N1 viruses in unpasteurized milk on milking unit surfaces. A) Viral titers of bovine A(H5N1) virus diluted 1:10...

Suggested citation for this article : Le Sage V, Campbell AJ, Reed DS, Duprex WP, Lakdawala SS. Persistence of influenza H5N1 and H1N1 viruses in unpasteurized milk on milking unit surfaces. Emerg Infect Dis. 2024 Aug [ date cited ]. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid3008.240775

DOI: 10.3201/eid3008.240775

Original Publication Date: June 24, 2024

1 These first authors contributed equally to this article.

Table of Contents – Volume 30, Number 8—August 2024

Please use the form below to submit correspondence to the authors or contact them at the following address:

Seema Lakdawala, Emory University School of Medicine, 1510 Clifton Rd, Rm 3121 Rollins Research Center, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA

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Party rules make it almost impossible to replace nominees without their consent, let alone smoothly replace them with someone else. And doing so would amount to party insiders’ overturning the results of primaries when Democratic voters overwhelmingly to nominate Biden. He won almost 99% of all delegates.

And at the moment, there’s no known, serious effort to push him off the top of the ticket.

Still, the Democratic National Committee's charter does make some provisions in case the party’s nominee is incapacitated or opts to step aside, and an anti-Biden coup at the convention is theoretically possible, if highly unlikely. So how would it work?

What happens if Biden drops out before the convention?

The only plausible scenario for Democrats to get a new nominee would be for Biden to decide to withdraw, which he has sworn off repeatedly during other bumpy stretches of his campaign.  

He could do so while serving out the rest of his term in the White House, as Lyndon Johnson did in 1968. 

If Biden were to drop out before he is scheduled to be formally nominated in August, it would create a free-for-all among Democrats, because there’s no mechanism for him or anyone else to anoint a chosen successor.

It takes a majority of the roughly 4,000 pledged delegates to win the party’s nomination. Biden’s won 3,900 of them. Under recent reforms, the party’s more than 700 superdelegates — Democratic lawmakers and dignitaries — are allowed to vote only if no one wins a majority of pledged delegates on the first ballot, so their votes could be crucial in a contested convention. 

Because Biden's opponents all won effectively no delegates throughout the Democratic nominating process, there'd be a virtual clean slate heading into the convention, and the decision would most likely come down to the convention delegates who were initially pledged to Biden.

Biden would have some influence over his pledged delegates, but ultimately, they can vote as they please, so candidates would most likely campaign aggressively to win over each individual delegate.

However, there's a potentially important wrinkle: Democrats plan to formally nominate Biden virtually ahead of the late-August convention to sidestep any potential concerns about ballo t access in Ohio, where a technical quirk has complicated things

Democrats decided to plan a virtual nomination for Biden after Ohio Republicans balked at passing pro forma legislation that would allow Biden to be on the ballot, even though the convention falls after a state deadline. But while Republicans passed a law to shift the deadline, Democrats decided to move forward with a virtual nomination nonetheless.

Could Democrats replace Biden against his will?

There’s no evidence the party would entertain a change without Biden’s consent. But even if it did, there’s no mechanism for it to replace a candidate before the convention, and certainly no way for it to anoint a chosen successor.

If large swaths of the Democratic Party lost faith in Biden, delegates to the national convention could theoretically defect en masse. Of course, they were chosen to be delegates because of their loyalty to Biden and have pledged to support him at the convention.

But, unlike many Republican delegates, Democratic delegates aren’t technically bound to their candidate. DNC rules allow delegates to “in all good conscience reflect the sentiments of those who elected them,” providing some wiggle room.

The party’s charter does include provisions to replace the nominee in the event of a vacancy. The measure is intended to be used in case of death, resignation or incapacitation, not to replace someone who has no desire to step down.

That was the measure that Donna Brazile, then the interim DNC chair, considered invoking after Hillary Clinton collapsed two months before the 2016 election, she wrote in her memoir .

In her memoir, released a year later, Brazile wrote that she was worried “not just about Hillary’s health but about her anemic campaign ... so lacking in the spirit of fight.” 

“Perhaps changing the candidate was a chance to win this thing, to change the playing field in a way that would send Donald Trump scrambling and unable to catch up,” she wrote, adding that aides to other would-be candidates contacted her, including then-Vice President Biden’s chief of staff.

But after less than 24 hours of consideration, Brazile realized the idea was untenable without Clinton’s cooperation and likely to only divide her party further. “I could not make good on my threat to replace her," she wrote.

Current DNC Chair Jaime Harrison is a longtime Biden ally who serves, essentially, at the pleasure of the president. And the national party has certainly given no indication it’s anything but fully behind his re-election.  

What happens if Biden withdraws after the convention?

To fill a vacancy on the national ticket, the chair can call a “special meeting” of the full DNC, which includes about 500 members. On paper, at least, all it takes is a majority vote of those present to pick new presidential and vice presidential nominees. But that process would most likely be anything but smooth and be filled with behind-the-scenes jockeying and public pressure campaigns. 

If a vacancy were to occur close to the November election, however, it could raise constitutional, legal and practical concerns. Among other issues, ballots have to be printed well in advance of the election, and it might not be possible to change them in time.

Would Kamala Harris replace Biden?

If Biden were to relinquish the presidency, Vice President Kamala Harris would automatically become president — but not the Democratic Party’s nominee. Nor would she necessarily be the nominee if Biden withdrew from his re-election bid while he remained in the White House.

She might be politically favored, but party rules give the vice president no major mechanical benefit over other candidates. 

Biden’s delegates wouldn’t automatically transfer to Harris, and the convention holds separate votes on nominees for president and vice president. So she would still need to win a majority of delegates at the convention. 

If the top of the ticket were vacated after the convention, she would still need to win a majority of votes at the special meeting of the DNC.

That is all, at least, under current party rules. But a vacancy at the top of the ticket is the kind of dramatic moment that might lead party leaders to revisit them in the name of easing the transition. Harris has some close allies in key places at the DNC, including a co-chair of the party’s Rules and Bylaws Committee. But nothing would be likely to happen without a fight.

Ben Kamisar is a national political reporter for NBC News.

Alex Seitz-Wald is a senior politics reporter for NBC News.

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United States Housing Market

The average United States home value is $360,681 , up 4.3% over the past year and goes to pending in around 13 days .

What is the Zillow Home Values Index?

Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), built from the ground up by measuring monthly changes in property level Zestimates, captures both the level and home values across a wide variety of geographies and housing types.

United States Key Takeaways

Typical Home Values: $360,681

1-year Value Change: +4.3%

(Data through May 31, 2024)

United States Housing Market Overview

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Analysis Suggests 2021 Texas Abortion Ban Resulted in Increase in Infant Deaths in State in Year After Law Went into Effect

Researchers use statistical modeling to estimate infant deaths expected if one of the country’s most stringent state abortion laws had not been enacted.

A study led by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health researchers estimates that infant deaths in Texas increased more than expected in the year following the state’s 2021 ban on abortion in early pregnancy, especially among infants with congenital anomalies. 

The Texas law prohibiting abortions after a fetal heartbeat could be detected—as early as five or six weeks—went into effect September 1, 2021. At the time, the law—Senate Bill 8, or S.B. 8—was the most stringent state abortion law in the country. It did not allow exemptions for congenital anomalies. 

The researchers’ analysis of monthly death certificate data in Texas and the rest of the United States found that between 2021 and 2022, infant deaths in Texas rose from 1,985 to 2,240, a year-over-year increase of 255 deaths. This corresponds to a 12.9 percent increase in infant deaths in Texas versus a 1.8 percent increase in infant deaths in the rest of the U.S. during the same period. The study defines infants as under 12 months old.

The study was published online June 24 in JAMA Pediatrics .

The findings come as more U.S. states enact stricter abortion laws following the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs decision, the landmark ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade and returned abortion policymaking to the states.

To approximate the causal impact of S.B. 8, the authors narrowed their analysis to examine changes in the expected number of infant deaths in Texas from March to December 2022—the time period that captures the first set of pregnancies under S.B. 8. The researchers estimate there were 216 excess infant deaths in Texas that would most likely not have occurred from March to December 2022 had the state’s abortion law not been in place. This is equivalent to a 12.7 percent increase above the expected 1,697 infant deaths for this time period. There were 1,913 observed deaths in Texas from March to December 2022.

An analysis of neonatal deaths—deaths in the first 28 days—found similar patterns, with an estimated 145 excess deaths in the post-policy period. These results were not observed in other states.

The new study is thought to be the first to examine how the Texas abortion ban may have impacted infant deaths in the state and is among the first to present evidence evaluating recent abortion bans and pre-viability restrictions. Prior research has shown that states with more abortion restrictions see more infant deaths than those without. The authors note that these earlier studies evaluate fundamentally different and less severe abortion restrictions and primarily examine correlation. 

“Our study is particularly relevant given the June 2022 Dobbs Supreme Court decision that returned abortion lawmaking to states and subsequent rollbacks of reproductive rights in many states,” says Alison Gemmill, PhD, assistant professor in the Bloomberg School’s Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health and one of the study’s lead authors. “These findings suggest that restrictive abortion policies may have important unintended consequences in terms of infant health and the associated trauma to families and medical costs.”

For their month-by-month causal analysis, the researchers drew from infant death certificates in Texas and 28 comparison states from 2018 through 2022. They excluded the District of Columbia and several states that had fewer than 10 infant deaths in any month from 2018 to 2022, as the exact counts are not provided in currently publicly available data. The researchers selected March 2022 as the first cohort exposed to the Texas abortion policy because these infants, if born full term, would have been approximately 10 to 14 weeks gestation when the Texas law went into effect in September 2021. Before S.B. 8’s enactment, people would have been able to seek termination in the event a fetal issue was detected during screening prior to 20 weeks gestation. 

In an analysis of cause of death using all 2021 and 2022 death certificate data, the researchers found that Texas had atypical increases in infant deaths due to congenital anomalies, the leading cause of infant death. Infant deaths attributable to congenital anomalies increased 22.9 percent in Texas between 2021 and 2022 versus a decrease of 3.1 percent in the rest of the U.S. during the same period. Another divergent cause of death pattern in Texas was infant deaths from accidents, which increased by 21 percent in Texas versus a one percent increase in the rest of the U.S.

“Our results suggest that restrictive abortion policies that limit pregnant people’s ability to terminate pregnancies, particularly those with fetal abnormalities diagnosed later in pregnancy, may lead to increases in infant mortality,” says Suzanne Bell, PhD, MPH, assistant professor in the Bloomberg School’s Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health and one of the study’s lead authors. “These findings make clear the potentially devastating consequences abortion bans can have on pregnant people and families who are unable to overcome barriers to this essential reproductive health service.”

The authors note that the data did not include maternal and clinical characteristics of infant deaths, thus limiting the authors’ ability to explore potential mechanisms behind these findings.

The researchers are currently studying the impact across socioeconomic groups that abortion bans have on live births and infant mortality in Texas and other states that banned abortion following Dobbs .

This study was supported by the Hopkins Population Center from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (P2CHD042854).

“ Infant Deaths After Texas’ 2021 Ban on Abortion in Early Pregnancy ”   was written by Alison Gemmill, Claire Margerison, Elizabeth Stuart, and Suzanne Bell.

Media contacts: Barbara Benham at [email protected] and Robin Scullin at [email protected]

Note: This news release has been updated to consistently reflect that the Texas law went into effect in September 2021.

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Public Trust in Government: 1958-2024

Public trust in the federal government, which has been low for decades, has increased modestly since 2023 . As of April 2024, 22% of Americans say they trust the government in Washington to do what is right “just about always” (2%) or “most of the time” (21%). Last year, 16% said they trusted the government just about always or most of the time, which was among the lowest measures in nearly seven decades of polling.

When the National Election Study began asking about trust in government in 1958, about three-quarters of Americans trusted the federal government to do the right thing almost always or most of the time.

Trust in government began eroding during the 1960s, amid the escalation of the Vietnam War, and the decline continued in the 1970s with the Watergate scandal and worsening economic struggles.

Confidence in government recovered in the mid-1980s before falling again in the mid-’90s. But as the economy grew in the late 1990s, so too did trust in government. Public trust reached a three-decade high shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks but declined quickly after. Since 2007, the shares saying they can trust the government always or most of the time have not been higher than 30%.

Today, 35% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents say they trust the federal government just about always or most of the time, compared with 11% of Republicans and Republican leaners.

Democrats report slightly more trust in the federal government today than a year ago. Republicans’ views have been relatively unchanged over this period.

Since the 1970s, trust in government has been consistently higher among members of the party that controls the White House than among the opposition party.

Republicans have often been more reactive than Democrats to changes in political leadership, with Republicans expressing much lower levels of trust during Democratic presidencies. Democrats’ attitudes have tended to be somewhat more consistent, regardless of which party controls the White House.

However, Republican and Democratic shifts in attitudes from the end of Donald Trump’s presidency to the start of Joe Biden’s were roughly the same magnitude.

Among Asian, Hispanic and Black adults, 36%, 30% and 27% respectively say they trust the federal government “most of the time” or “just about always” – higher levels of trust than among White adults (19%).

During the last Democratic administration, Black and Hispanic adults similarly expressed more trust in government than White adults. Throughout most recent Republican administrations, White Americans were substantially more likely than Black Americans to express trust in the federal government to do the right thing.

Note: For full question wording, refer to the topline . White, Black and Asian American adults include those who report being one race and are not Hispanic. Hispanics are of any race. Estimates for Asian adults are representative of English speakers only.

Sources: Pew Research Center, National Election Studies, Gallup, ABC/Washington Post, CBS/New York Times, and CNN Polls. Data from 2020 and later comes from Pew Research Center’s online American Trends Panel; prior data is from telephone surveys. Details about changes in survey mode can be found in this 2020 report . Read more about the Center’s polling methodology . For analysis by party and race/ethnicity, selected datasets were obtained from searches of the iPOLL Databank provided by the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research .

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60 SEO Statistics For 2024

Updated: Nov 28, 2023, 2:48pm

Table of Contents

Key seo statistics in 2024, search engine statistics, keyword statistics, ranking statistics, link building statistics, video search statistics, mobile seo statistics, voice search statistics, local seo statistics, seo industry statistics.

As a small business owner, SEO should be top of mind. This is particularly true if you’re on a budget and don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on paid ads. SEO can improve your website’s visibility and in turn, increase conversions and sales.

With a solid SEO strategy, you may also build brand awareness and trust with current and prospective customers. Whether you’re new to SEO, working with a third-party SEO service , or consider yourself a seasoned vet, these SEO statistics will provide some insight into the current state of the industry and how it might change in the future.

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Organic clicks accounted for 45.1% of all search result clicks in 2022

Out of the total search engine clicks on desktop devices, 45.1% came from organic clicks 6 . This shows that users are more likely to trust organic search results than those that come from other sources, such as paid ads. By taking advantage of SEO, you can win more traffic.

26% of searches resulted in no clicks

Not every search leads a user to a third-party website from an organic search result. In fact, 26% of searches resulted in zero clicks 6 . These zero-click searches were likely informational queries rather than commercial queries with high purchase intent. Users may find the information they’re looking for directly on the search results page and therefore have no reason to click through to any website.

Less than 1% of users get to the second page of search results

When users search for something, they don’t want to dig for the information they’re looking for. That’s why it’s no surprise that only 0.44% of Google search users visit second-page results 12 . To succeed online, it’s essential that your website ranks on page one for as many relevant keywords as possible.

The first organic result in a search results page has an average click-through rate of 27.6%

Click-through rate (CTR) shows how often users who see your organic search result actually click through to your web page. Page one results have an average click-through rate of 27.6%, compared to page two results, which have a much lower average rate of 15.8% 12 . The higher your web page ranks, the more clicks you’re likely to receive.

Building credibility is the main benefit of SEO

No matter what products or services you sell or how long you’ve been in business, credibility is important 6 .  If users trust your brand, they’ll feel more confident buying from you. A strong SEO strategy can also position you as a trustworthy leader in your industry and help you stand out from your competitors.

SEOs say their biggest challenges are lack of resources and strategy issues

It’s not easy to succeed in SEO, especially if you’re struggling with your strategy and/or don’t have the resources to design and implement it. Fortunately, you can take SEO courses to expand your knowledge and skills. Another option is to outsource SEO to the pros so you can focus on other, big-picture tasks, such as growing your business.

SEOs say that the biggest shifts in the industry are AI and Google updates

When asked about the “biggest shifts” and industry changes in SEO, 18.7% of respondents said machine learning and artificial intelligence while 18% said Google updates 1 . Since SEO is ever-evolving, it’s important to stay up to date on the latest changes so you can adjust your strategy accordingly.

Google’s algorithm has over 200 factors

Google considers more than 200 signals or clues when it determines its search engine rankings 10 . Penguin, which was created in 2012, is one of these signals. It helps reduce the presence of sites that use black hat SEO techniques. Other factors include domain age, keyword usage, content length, duplicate content, grammar and mobile usability.

Over 90% of searches worldwide happen on Google

While Google is not the only search engine out there, it’s where you should focus your SEO efforts as it has 90.68% of the search engine market share 17 . Once you’re pleased with how you’re ranking in Google, you can expand your efforts to other search engines, such as Bing, Yahoo, Naver and DuckDuckGo.

Google also owns almost 94% of market share for mobile search

When it comes to mobile search market share, Google takes the cake as well. Out of all the mobile searches that occur, 93.77% are on Google 17 . This reinforces the importance of ensuring your website is SEO-friendly on mobile devices. It should look great and be easy to navigate on iOS and Android.

The second and third most used search engines worldwide are Yahoo and Bing with 3.23% and 3.17% market shares, respectively

Google is the most popular search engine and Yahoo and Bing are right behind it 17 . Since Google is blocked in some countries such as China, it might make sense to focus on Yahoo and Bing as well. Just keep in mind that these search engines have different algorithms than Google so your strategy might need to change.

In the past five years, Google has done approximately 36 major algorithm updates

Google updates its algorithm often to improve search quality and keep digital marketers on their toes. In fact, the search engine completed 36 algorithms between September 2018 and September 2023 18 . Thirteen of these updates were considered core updates. As a business owner who uses SEO, it’s your job to familiarize yourself with these updates as they come out.

The average internet user conducts three to four searches per day on search engines

Searching on Google is an everyday activity, just like taking a shower and brushing your teeth. On average, a Google user performs three to four searches per day 12 . It’s how they get answers to their questions and find solutions to their problems.

The most Google traffic comes from the United States, India and Brazil

People from around the world depend on Google search. Research shows that 27.03% of its traffic comes from the United States, followed by India (4.46%) and Brazil (4.41%) 2 . If you sell to customers abroad, make sure most of your content targets the U.S. market.

Google has over 8.5 billion searches per day worldwide

Believe it or not, Google runs around 99,000 search queries per second. This adds up to 8.5 billion searches per day in every part of the world 8 . If your website isn’t optimized for organic Google search, you’re missing out and need to design an SEO strategy as soon as possible.

About 95% of keywords have a volume of 10 or less searches per month

Keywords are words or phrases users type into search engines to find the content they’re looking for. Not all keywords are popular as 95% of all keywords have 10 or fewer searches per month 13 . A keyword research tool can give you some insight on what these keywords are in your industry so you know where to focus your SEO efforts.

15% of searches are brand new searches that have never been searched before by Google

You can find out which relevant keywords were searched for in the past. However, 15% of searches that Google sees every day are brand new 10 . This means the search engine constantly has to work to ensure users receive the best content for their queries.

There are more than 19,000 keywords with over 100,000 monthly search volume in the U.S.

There are 19,881 high-volume keywords with more than 100,000 monthly searches in the U.S 13 . You should identify what these keywords are so you can tailor your content around them. However, don’t forget to target uncommon or rare keywords as well. While higher-volume keywords can attract a wider audience, lower-volume keywords are easier to rank for.

Google’s Keyword Planner can overestimate keyword volumes by as much as 91%

Google Keyword Planner is a free tool you can use to learn about keywords related to your business and their search volumes. If you do take advantage of it, keep in mind that the search volumes it reveals are not 100% accurate. The tool can overestimate keyword impressions by up to 91% 19 .

14.1% of all keywords are phrased as a question

It’s not uncommon for users to use words such as “how,” “what,” “where” and “who” while searching as 14% of all keywords are questions 12 . By using questions in your content, you can build trust and draw in highly relevant traffic. When you create content for question keywords, keep things clear and concise, use bullet points and numbers, and add supportive images.

The most searched keywords on Google are ‘youtube,’ ‘facebook’ and ‘whatsapp web’

Social media and communication sites including “YouTube,” “Facebook” and “WhatsApp Web” are the most popular keywords users search for in Google 6 . Their volumes are 1,200,000,000, 867,000,000 and 543,300,000, respectively. This highlights the power of using social media in your digital marketing strategy.

According to experts, the most important ranking factors in 2023 are quality content, backlinks and search intent/relevance

SEO experts believe that the keys to ranking high in search engines in 2023 are quality content, backlinks and search intent or relevance 20 . Therefore, you should prioritize these factors as you develop and implement your SEO strategy.

Google rewrites the title 61% of the time while rewriting the description about 63% of the time

Each web page has a meta title and meta description that inform search engines what they’re about. The titles and descriptions you write are not set in stone as Google rewrites 61% of titles 13 and 62.78% of descriptions 1 . To write quality metadata, use the right keywords and be conversational.

The most common types of featured snippets are paragraphs (82%) and lists (11%)

Featured snippets are short excerpts of text that show up at the top of Google’s search results to quickly answer a user’s question. Most of these snippets are in paragraph form (81.95%) while the rest are in list form (10.77%) 1 . To increase your chances of ranking for a featured snippet, write content that answers questions, add a table of contents with anchor links and insert an FAQ section.

The average ‘age’ of top result pages is 2.6 years old

Unfortunately, high search engine rankings don’t happen overnight. On average, pages that are at the top of search results are 2.6 years old 13 . With patience and hard work, you can slowly but surely watch your pages jump up in rankings.

Click-through rates decline at an average of 32.3% for each position on the first page

There’s no denying that earning a spot at the top of search engine results takes hard work. However, this hard work is often worth it when you consider that the higher you rank, the more likely users are to click through to your web page. The average click-through rate for the number one spot is 27%, compared to the 2.4% click-through rate at the number 10 spot 12 .

Over 90% of pages never get organic traffic

In a perfect world, all of your pages would rank organically. The reality, however, is that more than 90% of pages never do 13 . To make sure your pages are not part of this statistic, create original, high-quality content, build backlinks to authoritative websites, and ensure they’re indexed.

The top-ranked search results typically have 3.8 times more backlinks than lower-ranked results

Backlinks are essentially votes that tell Google your web page is valuable and informative. They’re important to build as the top-ranked search results usually have 3.8 more backlinks than results in spots two through 10 12 . To build backlinks, reclaim unlinked mentions, try to earn a spot on “Best X” lists, reach out to journalists, become a source for other publishers and update old content.

About 95% of pages have no backlinks at all

Despite the fact that backlinks are essential if you want your pages to rank well, 95% of all web pages don’t have them 12 . Be a part of the 5% of pages with high-quality backlinks that lead to excellent search engine rankings. If you don’t have the time or knowledge to do so, don’t be afraid to consult an SEO professional.

In 2022, backlinks had an average cost of $361.44

Top-quality backlinks from highly authoritative sites with high domain authorities (DAs) do not come cheap. In 2022, they were an average of $361.44 13 . The price you might pay for a backlink will likely depend on DA, content quality, domain quality, top relevance, organic traffic and the country or language.

Long-form content receives 77% more links than short-form content

It can take a lot more time and effort to write a long blog post than a short blog post. However, the extra time commitment can pay off. Data shows that longer content with 3,000 or more words received 77.2% more links than shorter content with 1,000 or fewer words 12 .

The top link-building strategy in 2022 according to experts was to publish link-worthy content

Content is king, especially if you want to build quality backlinks that improve your SEO. Experts in the field believed that in 2022, content was the key to link-building success 1 . The content you create should be relevant, engaging and useful to your particular target audience. Don’t forget to make sure it’s 100% original.

26% of searches include a video in the results

According to research from BrightEdge, 26% of search results have a video thumbnail. 21 If you’re wondering if it’s worth it to add videos to your web pages, the answer is likely “yes.” Videos can help you stand out and get noticed by Google.

Videos have a 41% higher CTR than plain text results

Video content can make it easier and faster for your audience to get the information they’re looking for. That’s why it’s no surprise videos have a 41% higher click-through rate than text-filled pages 22 . If you’ve done everything you can but your page isn’t ranking as well as you’d like it to, add a video.

Mobile users are 12.5 times more likely to see organic image results and three times more likely to see organic video results

If you’re investing in videos and images for your website, make sure they’re optimized for mobile. Here’s why: mobile users saw 12.5 times more images and three times more videos in organic search 6 .

HD videos rank higher than lower-quality videos

High-definition, or HD, videos offer higher resolution and quality than standard-definition videos. Therefore, YouTube chose to highlight them 18 . Not only will poor-quality videos frustrate your users, they can also lead to lost views and subscribers. In addition, you may receive dislikes. If possible, put in the extra effort and turn your videos into HD videos.

63% of searches are conducted on a mobile device in the U.S.

Mobile devices made up 63% of organic search engine visits in the U.S., as of the fourth quarter of 2021 2 . To make sure your website is optimized for mobile search, use a responsive design, simplify your navigation, eliminate pop-ups and keep all content short and concise. Don’t forget to improve page speed as well.

58% of searches are conducted on a mobile device, globally

If you serve customers abroad, you should know that 58.33% of global organic search visits were conducted on mobile devices, as of the first quarter of 2023 2 . Therefore, it’s important that your website accommodates mobile search as well as an international audience.

Mobile users conduct about 4.96 billion searches per day worldwide

Every day, there are 4.96 billion mobile searches performed across the globe 2 . When you design your website for the global mobile market, remember to limit scrolling, add large, mobile-friendly buttons and ensure a clean, efficient design.

57% of local searches come from a mobile device and tablet

When users are out and about looking for a product or service in their local area, they’re likely to use their mobile devices to find it. In fact, 57% of all local searches are made on mobile devices and tablets 3 . This means your website should be compatible on mobile devices and tailor to local audiences.

Appearing first for a mobile search doesn’t mean you’ll appear in first position on a desktop search

It can be exciting to earn the number one spot on mobile search engine results pages (SERPs). However, that doesn’t mean you’ll be number one on desktop SERPs as well. Only 17% of websites kept their positions across both mobile and desktop SERPs. In addition, 37% lost their spots when searches came from mobile 6 .

20% of Google App searches are conducted by voice

Voice search allows users to speak to a mobile or desktop device to conduct a Google search. It can come in handy when they have their hands full or are on the go. Of all the searches in the Google App, 20% of them are performed by voice 10 .

50% of U.S. consumers use voice search every day

These days, voice search is more popular than ever before. In fact, half of all U.S. customers use it on a daily basis 4 . To ensure your website supports voice search and captures this audience, target question keywords and other long-tailed keywords, prioritize local SEO, use schema makeup and optimize speed.

Over 1 billion voice searches are conducted every month

Users perform over 1 billion voice searches every month 6 . If you’re not investing in voice search optimization, you’re missing out. As you tweak your website to meet the needs of those who use voice search, think about your audience’s voice search behavior and how you can create content that aligns with their intent.

Voice searches are longer than text-based searches, on average

It’s easier to say a long word or phrase than to type it. That’s why voice searches tend to be longer than text-based searches 8 . By using long-tailed keywords that are relevant to your business and target audience, you can cater to voice search users.

70% of voice search results pull from ‘Featured Snippets’ and ‘People Also Ask’

While Featured Snippets are highlighted text excerpts that appear at the top of a Google search results page, People Also Ask is a feature that shows users additional content and answers related to their search query. Featured Snippets and People Also Ask account for 70% of voice search results 6 .

Experts forecast that by 2024, voice search queries will increase to 2 billion per month

There’s a good chance voice search will continue to grow in popularity. SEO experts predict that the number of monthly voice search queries will increase from 1 billion to 2 billion in 2024. If you haven’t optimized your site for voice, now is the time to do so 24 .

The top voice assistants are Amazon, Google and Apple, with 69%, 25% and 5% market share in 2021, respectively

Voice assistants are programs that allow users to perform voice searches. As of June 2021, the leading voice assistant is Amazon (69%), followed by Google (25%) and Apple (5%). As long as your site accommodates voice search, it can reach users, no matter which voice assistant they choose to use 7 .

46% of all Google searches are local

Local SEO targets customers in a specific city, region or neighborhood. When you consider the fact that almost half of all Google searches have local intent, you’ll want to ensure local SEO is part of your overall SEO strategy, especially if you sell to customers in certain geographic areas 8 .

50% of smartphone users visited a store within a day of their local search

If your goal is to get customers in the door as soon as possible, local search is essential. Half of all smartphone users who perform a local search went to a store they found through it within a day 10 .

Four in five people use search engines for local queries

The popularity of local queries is significant. Four out of five people use search engines to meet a need they have in their local area 10 . To optimize your website for local search, claim your Google Business Profile listing, add your business to local directories, create content with local search terms and add schema markup.

‘Open now near me’ searches have increased by 400%

Customers don’t want to wait long to go to a business and buy what they need. That’s why they often search “open now near me.” These searches have gone up by 400% from September 2019 to August 2020 and September 2020 to August 2021 10 . By claiming your Google Business Profile listing and adding your hours, you can take advantage of this trend.

18% of local searches lead to a purchase within 24 hours

If you’d like to convert users while your product or service is fresh in their minds, local search is key. Compared to 7% of non-local searches, 18% of local smartphone searches resulted in a purchase within a day 10 .

42% of local searchers click into map pack results

Google Maps Pack is a set of three Google Maps search results that usually appear when users perform local searches for businesses. Earning a spot on the Google Maps Pack can do wonders for your business as 42% of local searchers click on these results 12 . To increase your chances of becoming a Google Maps Pack result, claim your Google Business Profile listing, generate more online reviews and build citations.

Almost 64% of customers are likely to read Google reviews before visiting a local business

Don’t underestimate the power of Google reviews as 63.6% of customers will read them before they stop into a local business 11 . To get more Google reviews, provide excellent customer service, add review links to your website and emails, and simply ask for reviews from current and former customers.

The average SEO budget for a small business is almost $500 per month

You don’t have to spend thousands upon thousands of dollars on SEO. On average, a small business budget is $497.16 per month 12 . You can always increase your budget as you see results and earn more revenue.

SEO agencies charge an average of over $3,200 per month

If you don’t have the in-house time or expertise to focus on SEO, you might consider an agency. However, keep in mind that SEO agencies can be pricey. You can expect to pay an average of $3,209 per month for their services 13 .

SEO roles are projected to grow by 22% between 2020 and 2030

SEO specialists can work for digital marketing agencies or in-house marketing departments. The demand for these types of professionals is forecasted to increase by 22% between 2020 and 2030 14 . Depending on your budget and goals, you might want to hire an SEO specialist to assist with your SEO strategy.

The SEO industry is forecasted to be worth almost $218 billion by 2030

Rest assured SEO isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. By 2030, the SEO services market is predicted to grow to $217,846 15 . As a small business, SEO should be a part of your overall marketing plan today, tomorrow and years down the road.

52% of business leaders develop content with the help of AI

Content marketing, which focuses on creating useful and informative content can lead to better SEO results. Thanks to the rise in AI content generation tools, you can simplify your content marketing efforts, just like 52% of business leaders who are currently doing so 16 .

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Anna Baluch is a freelance writer from Cleveland, Ohio. She enjoys writing about a variety of health and personal finance topics. When she's away from her laptop, she can be found working out, trying new restaurants, and spending time with her family. Connect to her on LinkedIn.

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Fact-Checking Biden’s and Trump’s Claims on Domestic Policy

We scrutinized the presidential candidates’ recent claims on abortion, health care, crime and climate change ahead of the debate.

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By Linda Qiu

Reporting from Washington

President Biden and former President Donald J. Trump will face off Thursday night for the first time in four years, giving each ample opportunity to fling accusations about the other’s positions. Some will hew close to the facts, but there will most likely be ample exaggeration or statements lacking adequate nuance.

The two candidates have not been shy in their critiques and attacks on each other on the campaign trail.

The presumptive nominees have sparred over immigration policy and the state of the economy . Mr. Trump has portrayed the country, hyperbolically, under Mr. Biden as lawless. Mr. Biden has sometimes omitted context while describing Mr. Trump’s views on abortion rights and the Affordable Care Act.

Here’s a fact check of some of their recent claims on domestic issues.

Mr. Trump misrepresented abortion laws and crime levels across the country.

What Was Said

“It’s hard to believe they have some states passing legislation where you can execute the baby after birth.” — Mr. Trump in an interview on Fox News in June

False. No state has passed a law allowing the execution of a baby after it is born, which is infanticide.

Since the Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to abortion, about 20 states have enacted protections enshrining the right in state constitutions and shielding those seeking or providing abortions in the state from restrictions in other states. None of these new laws allow for “executing” the baby after birth.

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