When working on a research paper, one of the most important parts you must include is the discussion or the analytical section where you outline your findings. While it is almost the final part of an academic research paper, learning how to use it correctly without keeping things cluttered is essential. This article will help you understand the specifics regarding the discussion section of a research paper. You will learn why this section must be implemented, what to consider, and what things to avoid. This guide shall provide you with the structure and the basic rules.
What is the discussion section of a research paper?
Speaking of an academic definition, a good discussion section in a research paper should provide a comprehensive analysis of any findings that you have encountered, especially when it's something unexpected. Since the talk is about the final part of your research, you must keep things condensed and realize that your target audience already knows the subject. It means that you have to analyze and interpret your findings. Once done, you must provide a brief significance of what you have discussed by bringing things back to the primary research objectives. In a certain sense, you must show the importance of what you have studied or an issue that has been brought up.
What is the purpose of a discussion section?
Your discussion must represent a brief review, so you must analyze and evaluate your research paper first. If you are not finished with your exploration yet, do not start with the discussion section because the purpose is to provide a clear context by discussing what’s already done. The purpose is to take each part of the preceding sections and make it easier for your target audience to connect the dots.
You have to provide at least three parts in your discussion section of a research paper, where you include an interpretation, an analytical part, and an explanation. It means you have to talk to your readers and provide a review by showing why your outcome is important and how it fits within the science. At the same time, you must remain self-critical and mention the limitations that you have encountered. If you require assistance, consider getting professional research paper help for valuable guidance.
How long should the discussion section of a research paper be?
The length aspect is tricky because your general requirements may differ depending on your subject and the total length of your research paper. The common rule is that your "Discussion" part should not be longer than the sum of other sections. You have to keep it within 6-7 paragraphs. The median discussion length is usually between 1100 and 2200 words.
In a certain sense, your length will always relate to the number of your findings. Do not repeat your findings word after word because the purpose is to include a concise statement by dividing your total amount of words for three vital sections.
Structure of discussion section of a research paper
The most challenging part for college and university students is the structure of the discussion part of the research paper. As we have already learned, three sub-sections must be included. As an author, starting with a discussion in a research paper, you have to provide three main objectives, or contact someone to write my discussion post for you.
- Discussion of your research paper. You have to start with the main objectives and answers that explain your research and the brief background of the methodology you have taken. It should be up to five sentences. Include your main thesis and remind your target audience about the key elements of your study.
- Analysis of your findings. The middle part of your "Discussion" section should provide analytical writing. It should include a brief comparison with the previous research papers with references. The purpose is to support your study and the methods you have taken. This is where you start with interpreting your results and defend the answers as the introduction to your findings.
- Interpretation of the research results. In the final section of your discussion, you must discuss your study's strengths and limitations by interpreting the results in greater depth. Discuss how your findings relate to the objectives that you have taken before. The tone of your structure must show that the research has been completed. Talk about the conclusion of your study and discuss the significance of your research paper. If it fills the gap in a certain field of study, mention it as well.
When you are done with your structure and the notes, you have to understand that it is not the conclusion section because you have to talk and do a short review. It means that you have to learn how to write a research summary and always take all the key points as you explain things in writing. It is exactly what you must do when you think over your structure, where you go step by step to make your research paper or essay sound clear.
How to write the discussion section of a research paper: 7 steps
Step 1: Read your research and always take notes. Start by reading through the previous sections of your research by taking notes of all the important elements.
For example, if your research paper focuses on children’s literature and the interest among the kids, set your objectives to remind what you will discuss. It may start with: “The importance of studying young authors and the classics of children’s literature has been supported by the children’s book shows and social initiatives. The statistical data and research surveys have shown that the social campaigns boost the interest among the young readers”.
Step 2: Outline your main thesis objectives. Feel free to provide your thesis in a different, more condensed way. Once again, if we are dealing with a certain subject, it has to be related to the main problem.
Suppose we are dealing with Digital Marketing and logistics in the post-Covid world. In that case, it has to be something like that: “The digital marketing in 2023 has been based on the lessons that we have learned during the pandemic times, which shows that the future of digital sales will relate to what we already know”.
Step 3: Introduce your findings. Once you have introduced your main research subject, you should discuss what you could learn. It should not be a carbon copy of the results because you have to interpret them clearly, as if you are talking to a good friend.
If you are studying autistic children, your example of discussion in the research paper can be like that: “The methodology used has shown that the use of technology apps helps the autistic children learn with the help of AI-based tools and seek the safe methods of communication. Based on statistical data, we can see that virtual classrooms have increased the learning time by at least 67%”.
Step 4: Provide an analysis of the process. You should offer an analytical tone next as you discuss your research paper. It is one of the most challenging aspects that must be done.
Suppose you are studying ER Nursing and the burnout problem. In that case, your discussion part of a research paper will be this way: “While the research methods used have been mostly limited to surveys and questionnaires, the majority of the nurses have also kept to journaling and the diaries. It has shown that most ER nursing personnel wish to join free Psychology courses to manage the stress”.
Step 5: Interpret the pros and cons of research. Do not pick only the good or the bad parts as you provide an interpretation. It means that you must include all sides of your research as you look at the findings.
An example of this part in the field of Education would be this way: “The Learning Management Systems that have been researched have shown that while they are flexible and accessible, there are still mental aspects like an emotional bonding. It shows that the physical presence of a teacher will never replace the virtual assistants”.
Step 6: Limitations and the results. It is where you should talk about the limitations and the challenges you have faced.
For example, when you research Modern Fashion, your limitations may look this way: “Since there was a small sample of the customers that could visit the shops in person, it creates a specific group that differs from the online customers who could see the items differently. It shows that the sample group used has been quite biased”.
Step 7: The place of your research in the scientific realm. In other words, it should show how your results fit within the local scientific community and/or the world.
A discussion section of a research paper example for the field of Legal Studies will look this way: “It shows that the Freedom of Speech in practice is not the same aspect as the theoretical paradigm one studies during the academic course. The practical side of freedom done in this research shows why it is important to conduct field sessions based on the actual case studies”.
What to avoid in a discussion section?
The majority of modern students often need help understanding what must be done. When you explore your notes and look back at the previous sections, it is important to ensure that you are not missing something important or do not repeat aspects that have already been discussed. Keeping all the challenges on how to write the discussion section of a research paper in mind, our experts developed a basic checklist regarding things you must avoid as you work on your discussion section. Furthermore, you can find cheap research papers here, ensuring you can overcome any problems while staying within your budget.
- Don't copy your research results section! Although you should provide information about your research results, there are other objectives than this! You have to interpret the results and not only state them repeatedly. Your tone must be analytical, as you do not have to keep things up to a simple summary. Explain your results and discuss as you evaluate the pros and cons of the findings by staying unbiased and honest.
- Make arguments with at least one piece of evidence! When you talk about your findings, you have to offer support and examples that relate to your research. It can be a case study or a research reference. A quote or statistical data should back up your explanations. At the same time, do just what is necessary and ensure you stay within your scientific field. Only make assumptions or start with an interdisciplinary approach if it is absolutely necessary!
- Connect the dots with your target audience! Remember to provide information in a special way that would connect all of the previous sections. If there is some important statistical data, mention it again and point out why it’s essential for your research results.
- Only introduce information that has been included before! Your discussion should talk about what has been mentioned in the previous sections. Only add information that could make things clear. The purpose of discussion in a research paper is to base things on what you already have! If you have a new idea, incorporate it in the past parts and discuss it in your following section. Do not forget to include anything new in the "Results" section to ensure that everything remains equal.
- Only pick some of the essential and positive aspects. Since you have to interpret your findings, pick some crucial facts that make your research sound good. Even if your work could not address the problem or an issue that has been researched, say so! It is absolutely fine to provide an honest answer as you have to discuss your limitations. Discuss and explain why something has happened or why your research did not work by explaining.
Making your discussion section inspiring
Now, what is the discussion section of a research paper to sum things up? It is a piece of writing that should motivate your readers and even make a call to action as you talk about your take's advantages and the limitations you have faced. When you discuss something, it should briefly explain your research. If a person starts reading your research from this section, it should represent an executive plan that instantly explains every single bit. Always start with a research paper thesis statement because it will remind the readers about your main goals and show how it has been achieved and what barriers have been encountered. The golden rule of research writing will help you narrow things down and keep your writing condensed, inspiring, and clear!
FAQ
What is the main focus of the discussion section?
It is to provide your readers with a clear explanation, analysis, and interpretation of what you could find as a researcher. Create a small review of your research to showcase all the advantages achieved. If a certain section provides the summary, it should be included in your discussion. Do not explain your methodology at greater length or repeat your thesis alone because you have to discuss and explain why your research is helpful. Most importantly, always show how your research findings fit within the main scientific field.
What to include in the discussion section of a research paper?
Let us assume a simple example: when you are writing a research paper on domestic abuse in Chile. Your discussion section should pose a thesis statement in the beginning and discuss why it is important and what objectives have been set. In the next part, you should explain your findings as to the reasons why domestic abuse happens and what solutions have been used. It must be based on the thesis and methodology without getting too deep. Once done, talk about the strong and the weak parts by analyzing your take on the problem. Offer an interpretation of how your research paper will help to address the problem not only in Chile but globally as well.
