The discussion section is arguably the most important part of a research paper. This is where you interpret your findings, contextualize them within existing knowledge, and highlight the impact of your study. Crafting an engaging discussion section is both an art and a science. Follow this comprehensive guide to elevate your academic writing skills and learn how to develop convincing, eloquent discussions.
Background
The discussion section allows you to step back and make sense of the broader meaning of your research. Whereas the results just state what was found, the discussion explains what it all means. An effective discussion not only interprets your specific findings but places them within the larger research landscape.
This section enables you to showcase your critical thinking skills. You analyze correlations, account for unexpected outcomes, acknowledge limitations, and recommend future directions. The discussion transforms your study from an isolated contribution into part of an unfolding academic narrative. Mastering this section is key to producing high-impact papers.
This guide explores the core elements of excellent discussion sections. You’ll learn how to interpret your findings, compare them to previous work, address hypotheses, highlight implications, and more.
Understanding the Purpose of the Discussion Section
Each part of a paper has a unique role and format. The discussion section has a defined role: interpreting the meaning and significance of your study results. This differs from the introduction, which frames the rationale and aims, and different from the abstract, which simply states the facts of the study. The discussion circles back after you’ve objectively reported your findings to explain what they mean subjectively.
Specifically, the discussion contextualizes your research with published work in the field. It allows you to explain how your data fills knowledge gaps, aligns with theories, or contributes new perspectives. This fosters scholarly dialogue.
At its core, the discussion returns to the research problem established in the introduction. Given your results, how have you advanced your understanding of this problem? Directly addressing this demonstrates the relevance of your study.
Key Elements of a Strong Discussion Section
Specific components are essential to an informative, compelling discussion. Include the following:
Summary of Key Findings
Recap your most prominent experimental outcomes, such as:
- Statistical relationships detected
- Direction and magnitude of effects
- Differences between groups
- Notable correlations or lack thereof
Remind readers of the critical takeaways most relevant to your research aims.
Interpretation of Results
Analyze what your findings mean in the context of existing theories and literature:
- Explain the significance of observed effects
- Discuss possible mechanisms or models that could produce the outcomes
- Point out any correlations, patterns, or surprises in the data
Dig into the meaning underlying the results.
Implications of Research
Address the impact and applications of your study:
- How do the findings advance general understanding in your field?
- What innovations or new research directions do they enable?
- Can the results improve processes, design, or policies in related areas?
Emphasize the difference your work makes.
Limitations of the Study
Identify potential weaknesses and flaws in the experimental design, procedures, or analysis:
- Were there methodological shortcomings that could influence the results?
- What questions remain unresolved that future studies could address?
- How could the research approach be improved?
Being self-critical strengthens your credibility.
Recommendations for Future Research
Based on the study, propose ideas for advancing work in the field:
- Suggest new variables, conditions, or samples to investigate
- Advise specific methods, techniques, or technologies to utilize
- Identify open questions raised by the results
Give guidance for driving progress.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
It’s also crucial to sidestep these common missteps:
- Introducing new results only in the discussion – findings must be in the results section
- Making exaggerated, unsupported claims that overstate the impact
- Undermining the research quality or value of your findings
- Being wordy, unfocused, repetitive, or hard to follow
- Using excessive jargon or technical terms unfamiliar to readers
Keep your discussion streamlined, balanced, and audience-focused.
Structuring the Discussion Section
How you organize the discussion impacts the logic and flow of ideas. Use these techniques:
- Begin by unambiguously stating the main conclusions
- Structure sections thematically around specific points, not just findings
- Use transitions to guide readers between different arguments
- Add descriptive subheadings to orient the reader
- Use present verb tense – avoid past tense used in methods and results
Logical organization and signposting facilitate comprehension.
| Section | Purpose | Length | Tips | Discussion Ideas to fill in! |
| Introduction | Summarize key results and overall answers to research questions | 1 paragraph | Be concise and highlight most relevant findings | |
| Middle Paragraphs | Interpret and discuss results in order of importance/sequence | 3-5 paragraphs | Compare findings to previous research and explain correlations, patterns, and surprises. | |
| Later Paragraphs | Acknowledge limitations and make recommendations for future research | 2-3 paragraphs | Do not just state limitations – explain the impact. Offer specific ideas for advancing research. | |
| Conclusion | Memorable summation of core findings and impact | 1 paragraph | Restate key points clearly. Emphasize broader implications of research. |
Comparing Results with Previous Research
Putting your findings in the context of prior studies is essential:
- Directly reference relevant papers and briefly describe their results
- Point out where your outcomes agree, contradict, or extend previous findings
- If similar, discuss possible reasons for consistency
- If different, propose explanations for variations
- Identify any unexpected or surprising outcomes
These comparisons demonstrate your deep understanding of the field.
Addressing Hypotheses and Unexpected Findings
Particularly note results related to your original hypotheses:
- If hypotheses were supported, discuss the significance of the confirmation
- If hypotheses were not supported, acknowledge this and offer alternate explanations
- For mixed or partial results, break down the nuances
- Analyze any unexpected findings and explore possible reasons for them
This shows integrity in appraising your own expectations.
Crafting a Concluding Takeaway
Close the discussion with a memorable summation of your study and its contributions:
- Restate the core finding(s) in concise, plainly stated key points
- Emphasize the broader impact of the research
- Relate directly to the original research problem/questions
- Avoid introducing new issues not already discussed
The conclusion drives home the importance of your work.
Recommended length: The discussion section should be around 3 pages, 1500 words, or 25% of the overall paper length. This provides sufficient space to interpret and contextualize the study thoroughly. Copy and paste this table to get started on your project right now!
Conclusion
The discussion section gives you an opportunity to flex your interpretive muscles. Avoid rehashing results – instead, dig into what they mean. Master the art of explaining the significance of your study with these best practices for compelling discussions. Engaging in scholarly conversation amplifies the impact of your work.
