8 page minimum paper about voting
Writing a Discussion Section
The purpose of the discussion section is to explain the meaning of the results section of your research paper.
Remember that the purpose is to HELP the reader understand the study and the focus here is on the data. Repeat: The focus is on the data, not the literature review.
1
Let’s review what we’ve done…
You have carefully written your hypothesis
You have designed your study
You have collected your data
You conducted statistical analysis
You grouped the summary results into tables and graphs
After second bullet, explain how we will design the study together next time. For this first time, I designed it.
2
Now, the discussion…
Although the discussion section comes toward the end of your research paper, you should be giving some thought to this section from the moment your study was conceived. The discussion includes questions you have had from the outset.
What are those questions?
Why is the study important?
How does the study relate to previous studies? (This is why you review the literature.)
What are the limitations of the study design?
What are the merits of the study’s results?
Elements to Include in the Discussion
State the study’s major findings
Explain the meaning and importance of the findings
Relate to findings to those of similar studies
Consider alternative explanations of the findings
Elements to Include in the Discussion
State the relevance of the findings
Acknowledge the study’s limitations
Make suggestions for further research
Things to Avoid in the Discussion
Over-presentation of the results
Unwarranted expectation
Inflation of the importance of the findings
Conclusions that are not supported by the data
Inclusion of the “take-away” message—this will be included in the conclusion section
First, the DON’Ts…
Over-interpretation of the results
Do not over interpret the results. Do not go beyond what is supported by the data.
Speculation
The study should remain focused on your data. If you feel compelled to speculate, make sure your reader knows you are speculating.
Inflating the importance of the findings
Unwarranted inflation of the importance of the study is not appropriate.
Conclusions that are not supported by the data
Remember the order:
Hypothesisstudydata
Don’t allow biases to enter into your discussion!
Also…
Don’t go off on a tangent—stay focused on the hypothesis and the study results.
Finally…
Do not use the discussion section to criticize other studies. You can contrast your findings to other published studies, but do not attack other investigations.
Do not preach to the reader, either!
Elements to include in the discussion
State the Major Findings of the Study
The discussion should begin with a statement of the major findings of the study
It should be a clear declaration of the study results, but should not include data or a reference to the study design.
It should read something like, “Our findings suggest…”
Explain the Meaning of the Findings and Why They Are Important
Because you conceived, designed, and conducted the study, the meaning of the results may seem clear to you, but may not be as obvious to the reader.
The goal here is to explain the meaning of the findings and why they are important. You want your reader to be able to easily make sense of your findings.
Relate the Findings to Those of Similar Studies
It is most likely that there will be previously published papers on the focus of your study.
The discussion section should relate your findings to those of other studies.
The findings of other studies may support your findings, which strengthens the importance of your study results.
It is also important to point out how your study differs from other similar studies.
Consider Alternative Explanations of the Findings
It is important to remember that the purpose of research is to discover and not to prove.
It is important, therefore, to carefully consider all possible explanations for the study results, rather than just those that fit your biases.
State the Relevance of the Findings
The reason we conduct social science studies is usually to try to improve society or correct social ills. Thus, it is important to explain your findings in a social context.
This can be further explained in a “policy implications” section, but you should allude to it here.
More and more, social science research is including (and journals are asking for) a separate section on policy implications.
Acknowledge the Study’s Limitations
All studies have limitations.
Even the best studies in the most prestigious journals have limitations.
It is better to acknowledge your study’s limitations than to have them pointed out after you have submitted it or published it.
Make Suggestions for Further Research
Although a study may answer some important questions, it is likely that related questions may remain unanswered.
Make suggestions for further study in your discussion section.
What is the Take-Away?
The “take-away” message is what you want the reader to remember from your study.
The take-away should be the first sentence of your conclusions section.
In some journals, the conclusions section is a paragraph or subsection of the discussion.
Other journals require a separate conclusion section.