12/19/ · A discussion section is the section of a research paper or journal article in which authors present their interpretation of the major findings of their research. Discussion sections are one of the four major sections (i.e., introduction, method, results, and discussion) of most types of research papers. The discussion section typically includes the 7/4/ · The top of the first page of a research paper. It is always important to follow the institution guidelines accordingly. Introduction section comes after the abstract. The discussion section is often considered the most important part of your research paper because this is where you 8/6/ · How to Organize the ‘Discussion and Conclusion’ Section of Your Research Paper For a high-quality academic article, you should divide your ‘Discussion’ section in at least 3 parts, focused on the theoretical contributions of your research paper, the managerial or policy implications, and limitations and future research suggestions based on the outcomes and conclusions of your study
Writing a Discussion Section - SAGE Research Methods
The purpose of the discussion is to interpret and describe the significance of your findings in light of what was already known about the research problem being investigated and to explain any new understanding or insights that emerged as a result of your study of the problem.
The discussion will always connect to the introduction by way of the research questions or hypotheses you posed and the literature you reviewed, but the discussion does not simply repeat or rearrange the first parts of your paper; the discussion clearly explain how your study advanced the reader's understanding of the research problem from where you left them at the end of your review of prior research.
Annesley, Thomas M. The discussion section is often considered the most important part of your research paper because this is where you:. Annesley Thomas M. Fourteen Steps to Writing an Effective Writing discussion section of research paper Section. San Francisco Edit, General Rules. These are the general rules you should adopt when composing your discussion of the results :.
The Content. The content of the discussion section of your paper most often includes :. Organization and Structure. Keep the following sequential points in mind as writing discussion section of research paper organize and write the discussion section of your paper:. Overall Objectives. The objectives of your discussion section should include the following: I.
Briefly reiterate the research problem or problems you are investigating and the methods you used to investigate them, then move quickly to describe the major findings of the study. You should write a direct, declarative, and succinct proclamation of the study results, usually in one paragraph. Explain the Meaning of the Findings and Why They are Important.
Consider the likelihood that no one has thought as long and hard about your study as you have. Systematically explain the underlying meaning of your findings and state why you believe they are significant. If applicable, begin this part of the section by repeating what you consider to be your most significant or unanticipated finding first, then systematically review each finding, writing discussion section of research paper.
Otherwise, follow the general order you reported the findings in the results section. Relate the Findings to Similar Studies. No study in the social sciences is so novel or possesses such a restricted focus that it has absolutely no relation to previously published research. The discussion section should relate your results to those found in other studies, particularly if questions raised from prior studies served as the motivation for your research.
This is important because comparing and contrasting the findings of other studies helps to support the overall importance of your results and it highlights how and in what ways your study differs from other research about the topic. Note that any significant or unanticipated finding is often because there was no prior research to indicate the finding could occur. If there is prior research to indicate this, you need to explain why it was significant or unanticipated.
Consider Alternative Explanations of the Findings, writing discussion section of research paper. It is important to remember that the purpose of research in the social sciences is to discover and not to prove. When writing the discussion section, you should carefully consider all possible explanations for the study results, rather than just those that fit your hypothesis or prior assumptions and biases.
This is especially important when describing the discovery of significant or unanticipated findings. Note writing discussion section of research paper unanswered questions or issues your study did not address and describe the generalizability of your results to other situations.
If a limitation is applicable to the method chosen to gather information, writing discussion section of research paper, then describe in detail the problems you encountered and why.
Make Suggestions for Further Research. You may choose to conclude the discussion section by making suggestions for further research [this can be done in the overall conclusion of your paper]. Although your study may offer important insights about the research problem, this is where you can address other questions related to the problem that remain unanswered or highlight previously hidden questions that were revealed as a result of conducting your research.
You should frame your suggestions by linking the need for further research to the limitations of your study [e. NOTE: Besides the literature review section, the preponderance of references to sources is usually found in the discussion section, writing discussion section of research paper. A few historical references may be helpful for perspective, but most of the references should be relatively recent and included to aid in the interpretation of your results or used to link to similar studies.
If a study that you cited does not support your findings, don't ignore it--clearly explain why your research findings differ from theirs. Problems to Avoid. Analyzing vs. Department of English Writing Guide. George Mason University; Discussion. The Structure, Format, Content, and Style of a Journal-Style Scientific Paper. Department of Biology. Bates College; Hess, Dean R. Fourteen Steps to Writing to Writing an Effective Discussion Section. San Francisco Edit, ; The Lab Report. University College Writing Centre.
University of Toronto; Sauaia, A. et al. Lund Research Ltd. The Writing Center. University of North Carolina; Schafer, Mickey S. Writing the Discussion. Writing in Psychology course syllabus. University of Florida; Yellin, Linda L. A Sociology Writer's Guide. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon, Interpretation is a subjective exercise. As such, you should always approach the selection and interpretation of your findings introspectively and to think critically about the possibility of judgmental biases unintentionally entering into discussions about the significance of your work.
With this in mind, be careful that you do not read more into the findings than can be supported by the evidence you have gathered. Remember writing discussion section of research paper the data are the data: nothing more, nothing less. MacCoun, Robert J. Don't Write Two Results Sections! One of the most common mistakes that you can make when discussing the results of your study is to present a superficial interpretation of the findings that more or less re-states the results section of your paper.
Obviously, you must refer to your results when discussing them, but focus on the interpretation of those results and their significance in relation to the writing discussion section of research paper problem, not the data itself, writing discussion section of research paper. Azar, Beth. Avoid Unwarranted Speculation!
The discussion section should remain focused on the findings of your study. For example, if the purpose of your research was to measure the impact of foreign aid on increasing access to education among the poor in Bangladesh, it would not be appropriate to speculate about how your findings might apply to populations in other countries without drawing from existing studies to support your claim or if analysis of other countries was not a part of your original research design.
If you feel compelled to writing discussion section of research paper, do so in the form of describing possible implications or explaining possible impacts. Be certain that you clearly identify your comments as speculation or as a suggestion for where further research is needed. USC Libraries Research Guides Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper 8. The Discussion.
Search this Guide Search, writing discussion section of research paper. Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper Offers detailed guidance on how to develop, organize, and write a college-level research paper in the social and behavioral sciences. Purpose of Guide Types of Research Designs Design Flaws to Avoid Independent and Dependent Variables Glossary of Research Terms 1.
Choosing a Research Problem Reading Research Effectively Narrowing a Topic Idea Broadening a Topic Idea Extending the Timeliness of a Topic Idea 2, writing discussion section of research paper. Preparing to Write Academic Writing Style Choosing a Title Making an Outline Paragraph Development 3.
The Abstract Executive Summary 4. Writing discussion section of research paper Introduction The C. The Literature Review Citation Tracking Content Alert Services Evaluating Sources Primary Sources Secondary Sources Tiertiary Sources What Is Scholarly vs. The Methodology Qualitative Methods Quantitative Methods 7. The Results Using Non-Textual Elements 8. The Discussion Limitations of the Study 9, writing discussion section of research paper.
The Conclusion Appendices Proofreading Your Paper Common Grammar Mistakes Writing Concisely Citing Sources Avoiding Plagiarism Footnotes or Endnotes? Further Readings Annotated Bibliography Giving an Oral Presentation Group Presentations Dealing with Nervousness Using Visual Aids Grading Someone Else's Paper How to Manage Group Projects Types of Structured Group Activities Group Project Survival Skills Writing a Book Review Multiple Book Review Writing discussion section of research paper Reviewing Collected Works Writing a Case Study Writing a Field Report About Informed Consent Writing Field Notes Writing a Policy Memo Writing a Research Proposal Acknowledgments Bibliography.
Definition The purpose of the discussion is to interpret and describe the significance of your findings in light of what was already known about the research problem being investigated and to explain any new understanding or insights that emerged as a result of your study of the problem. Structure and Writing Style I. General Rules These are the general rules you should adopt when composing your discussion of the results : Do not be verbose or repetitive Be concise and make your points clearly Avoid the use of jargon or undefined technical language Follow a logical stream of thought; in general, interpret and discuss the significance of your findings in the same sequence you described them in your results section [a notable exception is to begin by highlighting an unexpected result or finding in order to grab the reader's attention] Use the present verb tense, especially for established facts; however, refer to specific works or prior studies in the past tense If needed, use subheadings to help organize your discussion or to categorize your interpretations into themes II.
The Content The content of the discussion section of your paper most often includes : Explanation of results : Comment on whether or not the results were expected for each set of findings; go into greater depth to explain findings that were unexpected or especially profound. If appropriate, note any unusual or unanticipated patterns or trends that emerged from your results and explain their meaning in relation to the research problem.
References to previous research : Either compare your results with the findings from other studies or use the studies to support a claim. This can include re-visiting key sources already cited in your literature review section, or, save them to cite later in the discussion section if they are more important to compare with your results instead of being a part of the general literature review of research used to provide context and background information.
How to Write The Discussion Section of Research Writing
, time: 4:16Discussion Section of Research Paper | Writing Tips
12/19/ · A discussion section is the section of a research paper or journal article in which authors present their interpretation of the major findings of their research. Discussion sections are one of the four major sections (i.e., introduction, method, results, and discussion) of most types of research papers. The discussion section typically includes the How to Write the Discussion Section of a Research Paper? Restate the Research Question and State the Most Important Findings Remind your reader of the question or problem you Explain Why the Study’s Findings Are Important and What They Mean There 7/4/ · The top of the first page of a research paper. It is always important to follow the institution guidelines accordingly. Introduction section comes after the abstract. The discussion section is often considered the most important part of your research paper because this is where you
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