Discussion SectionThe overall purpose of a research paper’s discussion section is to evaluate and interpret results, while explaining both the implications and limitations of your findings. Per APA (2020) guidelines, this section requires you to “examine, interpret, and qualify the results and draw inferences and conclusions from them” (p. 89). Discussion sections also require you to detail any new insights, think through areas for future research, highlight the work that still needs to be done to further your topic, and provide a clear conclusion to your research paper. In a good discussion section, you should do the following: Show
For more specific details on your Discussion section, be sure to review Sections 3.8 (pp. 89-90) and 3.16 (pp. 103-104) of your 7th edition APA manual *Box content adapted from: University of Southern California (n.d.). Organizing your social sciences research paper: 8 the discussion. https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/discussion LimitationsLimitations of generalizability or utility of findings, often over which the researcher has no control, should be detailed in your Discussion section. Including limitations for your reader allows you to demonstrate you have thought critically about your given topic, understood relevant literature addressing your topic, and chosen the methodology most appropriate for your research. It also allows you an opportunity to suggest avenues for future research on your topic. An effective limitations section will include the following:
*Box content adapted from: University of Southern California (n.d.). Organizing your social sciences research paper: Limitations of the study. https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/limitations ConclusionIn many research papers, the conclusion, like the limitations section, is folded into the larger discussion section. If you are unsure whether to include the conclusion as part of your discussion or as a separate section, be sure to defer to the assignment instructions or ask your instructor. The conclusion is important, as it is specifically designed to highlight your research’s larger importance outside of the specific results of your study. Your conclusion section allows you to reiterate the main findings of your study, highlight their importance, and point out areas for future research. Based on the scope of your paper, your conclusion could be anywhere from one to three paragraphs long. An effective conclusion section should include the following:
*Box content adapted from: University of Southern California (n.d.). Organizing your social sciences research paper: 9. the conclusion. https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/conclusion What should be included in the discussion of a research paper?The discussion section is where you delve into the meaning, importance, and relevance of your results. It should focus on explaining and evaluating what you found, showing how it relates to your literature review, and making an argument in support of your overall conclusion. It should not be a second results section.
How do you structure a research discussion?What To Do When Writing A Scientific Discussion. Do Summarize Your Results and Outline Their Interpretation in Light of the Published Literature. ... . Do Explain the Importance of Your Results. ... . Do Acknowledge the Shortcomings of the Study. ... . Do Discuss Any Future Directions. ... . Do Decide Between the Active or Passive Voice.. What are three components of a discussion section?On principle, simple, clear and effective language should be used throughout the text. In addition, a pre-peer review process is recommended to obtain feedback on the manuscript. The discussion section can be written in 3 parts: an introductory paragraph, intermediate paragraphs and a conclusion paragraph.
What is the structure of a discussion paper?A regular discussion essay format comprises an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Given underneath is an overall arrangement of a conversation paper structure: In the introduction of a discussion paper, the given issue is paraphrased and the offered thoughts, explanations, and contentions are described.
|