Discussing Your Findings

The “Discussion” section of a research article should do the following:

Briefly restate the research question and review the method(s)

· This should be done in no more than 1-2 paragraphs.

· Many readers skip directly to this section, so it should stand alone.

Summarize the major findings of the study.

· The first paragraph should state clearly and directly, what you found.

· Subsequent paragraphs should support that statement with your evidence.

· Remember these are your major findings. Be selective about what is most interesting, useful or compelling. Do not report all of your findings

· However, if you do have useful information that is in addition to your major findings, include a paragraph that refers/links the reader to the data analysis section of your paper/wiki. It can highlight a few interesting findings you would like the reader to make note of.

· Start with general findings and move to any specific findings that are interesting or unexpected.

Discuss the meaning of the findings.

· What are your own explanations for the results?

· Explain why your findings are important or how they enhance our understanding of the topic.

· Put yourself in the shoes of someone who has not been working on this all semester. Your reader may not immediately see why your data is important.

· Your tone here should make clear that these are just your interpretations – avoid trying sounding conclusive, “While more research in this area would be useful, it seems as though…”

Make recommendations for practice

Be sure your data clearly supports your recommendations.

Relate the findings to similar studies.

· Note if your findings support those of similar studies or if they indicate a departure.

· Point out how your study is different than other similar studies (e.g. it may be a similar method but on a different population or vice versa).

· Do not criticize other studies here. You can contrast what you found with what others did, but do not attack the work of other researchers.

Consider alternative explanations of the findings.

· Explore other possible explanations for what you found. You want to avoid having your own biases and expectations influence how you interpret the meaning of the data.

· Explain any unanticipated findings, or findings that were the opposite of what you expected.

Acknowledge the limitations of your study.

· All studies have limitations. Better for you to identify them than for a critic to point them out later and cast doubt on your credibility.

· It is an issue of ethical reporting that you are clear about how the findings should be understood within the context of the limitations of the study.

· Generally, the discussion section of a research paper is expected to reflect humility.

Make suggestions for future research.

Every study should lead directly to the next study. Very often the most useful studies do not provide answers but instead help us understand the issue in a way that helps us research it better. Einstein said, “If I had an hour to save the world, I would spend 59 minutes defining the problem.”

Conclusion

· Leave the reader with the primary message you want them to remember.

AVOID

Overinterpretation of the results

It can be easy to inflate the interpretation of the results. Be sure that everything you say is supported by your data. Also keep in mind that the goal of research is to discover or help understand, not to prove.

Unwarranted speculation

Stay focused on your data and the topic and scope of your study. For example, if the subjects in your population are of a certain kind, don’t suggest your results are true for everyone. If you feel compelled to generalize an idea, make it clear that you are not claiming it as a finding, “We speculate that....”

Inflating the importance of the findings

Claims that a single study has resulted in conclusive results with far-reaching, earth shattering implications are a major turn-off. Your study is useful for what it is – no need to try to convince anyone that it is life changing.

Tangential issues

Stay focused on your original research question. Tangential issues distract and confuse.

Ignoring your audience

The goal is for your findings to be used to inform those who can do the work in this topic area. Avoid jargon or research terms that not everyone understands. Keep it brief and to the point. Anticipate questions or critiques and address them (e.g. will your audience question why you chose a certain method or certain subjects?). Anticipate the extent to which your audience will expect you to justify your decisions – are they skeptics or do they already believe in the credibility of your method?

References

Dawson, C. (2009). Introduction to research methods: A practical guide for anyone undertaking a research project (4th ed.). Oxford, UK: How To Books Ltd.

Glatthorn A. A. & Joyner, R. L (2005). Writing the winning thesis or dissertation: A step-by-step guide. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Hess, D. R. (2004). How to write an effective discussion. Respiratory Care 49(10), 1238-1241.

Wendy Wagner, NCLC 203, 2011