Are you struggling to write a quality discussion section of a research paper? Well then, look no further for answers. Keep reading this blog to be enlightened. 

The discussion section of your research paper is the second-to-last stage of writing your thesis. It comes after your findings and before your conclusion. It also means that you are just two steps away from finally completing your thesis. 

However, writing this section requires a structure of information that you should apply to refine your discussion. It will also keep your information organized and add neatness to your work.

Clearing the Confusion Between Results and Discussion

Many researchers confuse findings with the discussion, or try to combine the two. To make matters worse, they paste their results into the discussion and assume they’ve done their part. These mistakes will not only confuse the readers but will also make your paper look incomplete.

Hence, you need to understand the difference between results and discussion. If you need any assistance, you can look for thesis editing services to add refinement to your work.

Now, your results section includes all the graphs, tables, and calculations that you did to analyze your data and its outcomes. You can briefly describe this information, but the detailed discussion should go in a separate section.

This is where the discussion section comes in. In this part, you summarize your research, interpret your findings, compare them to similar existing research, and provide the implications and limitations of your study.

To help ease things for you, here is the correct way of structuring your discussion section:

• Research Summary
• Result Interpretation
• Comparison with Existing Work
• Implications of Your Findings
• Limitations of Your Findings

We will discuss this structure further in this blog to help you understand the aim of this structure.

The Purpose of a Discussion Section and Steps to Write It

The discussion section is not just a part of your thesis writing. It holds significant importance in your research. Its main objective is to provide critical analysis and interpretations of your results.

It explains how similar or different your outcome was compared to previous studies and where it fits. By providing clear limitations and future recommendations for your study, you let the research community know how your paper contributes to the field.

Thus, if you want to write a quality discussion section of a research paper, then follow these steps:

1.      Link Results to Research Objectives

Begin writing your discussion by providing a research summary first. Recall your research topic and its objectives. Talk about the methodology you applied when conducting your research.

Then, write down what your results were. Do not add too many details. Keep it concise and just summarize the main ideas, as you have already discussed all of this previously.

If you ever feel uncertain when writing your thesis, then you can use dissertation writing services. These services are especially great for advanced research or analytical writing.

2. Interpret Your Findings Clearly

Through your research summary, you discussed what your results are. In your interpretation, you will answer the when, how, and why questions. Here, you will analyze your results in detail. 

You will talk about what your collected data really means and whether the results were positive or negative, or whether they aligned with your research questions. You should also include any unexpected outcome, error, or issue that you faced while deriving your results. 

3. Compare Your Findings with Existing Literature

Next, compare your results with your literature review. If your result differs from the existing studies, provide a clear explanation. Be sure to cite references correctly when referring to previous studies.

For instance, Y happened because of X reason, but since X does not exist in this case, the result was Z. If you ever stumble while writing your paper, then it is advisable to hire a research paper writing service to unburden yourself. 

4. Discuss Practical and Theoretical Implications

Afterwards, discuss why your research and its results are important in the field. Talk about how your research can benefit society. 

Avoid exaggerating your results or undermining them. Be raw and clear in your writing and describe them as they are. If you observed something interesting throughout your research, you can add that information too. But avoid certainty in it.

Use phrases like it looks like to make it clear to the reader that your information could either be right or wrong.  

5. Acknowledge Limitations Without Undermining Your Study

To make your study truly genuine, be sure to be loud and clear about its limitations. Honesty and truthfulness will help you to write a quality discussion section of your research paper. If you had trouble collecting data, add that information.

If the results differ from your objectives and hypotheses, be honest. If you made an error in data analysis, let the readers know. The clearer your limitations are, the more open it will be for further studies. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main goal of a discussion section?

Its main goal is to explain what your results mean, their significance, how they fit in existing literature, and how they tie back to your research objectives. 

Should I repeat the results in the discussion?

No, your discussion section should focus on the interpretation of your results, not their repetition. 

How long should a discussion section be?

Your discussion section should not be longer than 1000-1200 words. Break down your information into paragraphs to make your information easier to read and understand. 

Can I introduce new data in the discussion?

No, you should not add any new data, findings, or information in the discussion section. If you do so, it will make your paper confusing and convoluted.  

Is it necessary to mention limitations?

Yes, you should clearly mention any limitations, errors, or problems you faced in your research. This will add transparency and strengthen your research paper. 

Wrapping Up a Strong Research Discussion

Did we help you navigate how to write a quality discussion section of a research paper? By following the suggestions and steps stated in this blog, you can meticulously craft your discussion while ensuring clarity and honesty.

Once you have narrowed down every important aspect of your discussion, you can then conclude and finish up your paper effortlessly, like a true diligent student.