If you’re wondering how to write the discussion section of your research paper, then you’ve come to the right place. Unlike the rest of the paper, the discussion part should not be longer than six to seven paragraphs. You should try to keep each paragraph under two hundred words. You may also divide this section into three separate paragraphs. Just make sure to check your word count several times during the writing process to ensure you don’t exceed this limit.
Do’s and don’ts
When writing the discussion section of your research paper, there are certain dos and don’ts to remember. You should start by stating the major conclusions and then use the remaining space to discuss the results. In other words, you should use a pyramid structure, so the section is organized in a logical order. Also, make sure you use the same key terms, narration mode, and verb tense throughout. Your paper should be organized as an inverted pyramid, starting with a restatement of the research question and ending with an analysis of how the results might be applied in theory or practice.
You must also discuss the limitations of your study. Don’t introduce any new results in the discussion section, and don’t mistake reiteration for interpretation. While it is acceptable to refer to yourself in first person while discussing your study, be sure to keep the tone informal, as it will distract the reader from your main point. If you need to write about the results in the discussion section, make sure to use an outline of your study.
Structure
In a research paper, the discussion section explains the importance and relevance of the study’s findings. In other words, it explains what was learned and how it can be applied in the future. It also connects the research to its introduction and literature review. In other words, it should be well-written and concise. The following are some tips to follow in the discussion section:
During the process of writing the Discussion section, students should create an outline to organize their thoughts in a logical manner. The goal is to make sure that the reader knows what the study is all about. Using subheadings will help students organize their thoughts into a coherent piece. It is also advisable to avoid plagiarism. The tone and language used in the discussion section should be formal and academic, and the author should avoid using the third person, or referring to himself or herself as the author.
Pitfalls
When writing the Discussion section of your research paper, make sure to follow the formatting guidelines of your paper. APA and MLA style formatting are required for many academic journals and publications. However, you may be writing for an in-class assignment. For example, an instructor may require you to use APA format when writing the Discussion section of a research paper. Here are some tips for writing this section.
In the discussion section of your research paper, make sure to discuss the results of your study. This is because you have analyzed the data and interpreted the results. The goal of this section is to provide the reader with the most important findings of the study. Do not force them to read the entire paper several times before they understand its implications. Start by repeating the most important finding and review each one sequentially.
Do’s
Writing the Discussion section of a research paper can be a difficult task. This part of the paper is the place where you can make your reader understand the importance of your research. It serves three main purposes: to discuss your findings and to explain how your research could lead to new understandings. Moreover, it connects the introduction with the results. Do not make the discussion too lengthy.
When writing the discussion section of a research paper, you should avoid overstating your limitations and minimizing the importance of secondary findings. The purpose of this section is to review your findings in light of published literature and suggest new research questions. The discussion should also showcase the novelty of your study and its implications. As an author, you can use this checklist to ensure that your discussion section is clear, concise, and full of interesting information.
Including suggestions for further research
The purpose of a research paper is to prove or discover a certain concept or problem. In the discussion section, you should consider other possible explanations and not only those that fit your assumptions and biases. Your study may give you important insights into the problem, but it may not answer all of the questions you asked. If that’s the case, you should make suggestions for further research.
The discussion section should assess the results and draw conclusions and implications. You can do this by relating the results to a broader framework. You can also link the conclusion to potential avenues for future research. High-quality academic articles should include at least three parts in the Discussion section. The first part of the Discussion section should focus on the theoretical contributions, the second on managerial or policy implications, and third, on limitations and suggestions for future research.