Discussion Researchers use the discussion to examine their work in - PDF document

Providence University Discussion College of Management • Discussion is usually the last major section of the report, followed by the list of references. • In the discussion you step back and take a broad look at your findings and your study as a whole. Discussion • Researchers use the discussion to examine their work in the larger context of their field. Wu-Lin Chen (wlchen@pu.edu.tw) • Discussion is sometimes called “conclusions.” Department of Computer Science and Information Management Providence University Technical Writing S03 2 Discussion Information in Discussion • The discussion section moves • The information that you include in discussion Abstract section depends greatly on the findings of your the reader back from the Introduction study. specific information reported in • The conventional order that most writers follow the methods and the results Method is the specific-to-general movement. sections to a more general • The kinds of information included in the view of how the findings should discussion section are not fixed. Results be interpreted. • The first elements are typically those that refer most directly to the study and its findings. Discussion Providence University Providence University Technical Writing S03 3 Technical Writing S03 4 First Information Elements in Discussion: Later Information Elements in Discussion: Specific Reference to the Study General Statements about the Study 1. A reference to the main purpose or hypothesis As the discussion section continues, you move the of the study. reader’s attention away from the specific 2. A review of the most important findings, results of the study and begin to focus more whether or not they support the original generally on the importance that the study may hypothesis, and whether they agree with the have for other workers in the field. findings of other researchers. 5. Implications of the study (generalizations from 3. Possible explanation for or speculations about the results) the findings 6. Recommendations for future research and 4. Limitations of the study that restrict the extent practical applications. to which the findings can be generalized. Providence University Providence University Technical Writing S03 5 Technical Writing S03 6

Note Researcher’s Position Towards the Findings • The order of discussion elements shown • Researchers make explicit their own views previously is not strictly followed by all on the study and its findings. authors. • Researchers may take a position with • It is conventional to move from specific to respect to the explanations, implications, more general information elements. limitations, or applications of the findings. Providence University Providence University Technical Writing S03 7 Technical Writing S03 8 Researcher’s Position on Information in the Complex Structure in Discussion Statements Discussion • Typically, the researcher’s position is Position Information Element carried by the main clause while the that speed jobs do not tax older workers information being reported contained in One possible explanation is to their limits. (explanation) the noun clause. that it is satisfactory to seek explanations We can no longer assume only in economic factors. (implication) that other industries may produce We acknowledge different results. (restriction) this technique has promise as a tool in Clearly, evaluation of forages. (application) Providence University Providence University Technical Writing S03 9 Technical Writing S03 10 Complex Structure in Discussion Statements Verb Tenses Used in Discussion Statements Main clause • The type of information you want to + THAT + Noun clause (researcher’s position) present will determine the verb tenses used in the discussion section. both theories are able to We can conclude with certainty that • The verb tense most commonly used in explain significant referring to the purpose, the hypothesis, amounts of variance. and the findings is the simple past. Providence University Providence University Technical Writing S03 11 Technical Writing S03 12

Verb Tenses in First Discussion Elements: Verb Tenses in First Discussion Elements: Simple Past Tense Past, Present, and Modal Auxiliaries • Referring to the purpose • In discussion statements that explain possible – Example: This research attempted to assess two reasons for, or limitations to, the findings, the theories of behavior. (some research workers use past, present, or modal auxiliaries may be used. present perfect tense in referring to the purpose) • The choice depends on whether the explanation • Referring to the hypothesis for the specific findings is restricted to your study – Example: We originally assumed that physical (past) or whether it refers to a general condition decrements would be more apparent in speed jobs than in skill jobs. (present). • Restating the findings • Modal auxiliaries may also be used to – Example: The principle of readability was not followed emphasize the speculative nature of these in the income tax booklet of any of the states studied statements. except Virginia. Providence University Providence University Technical Writing S03 13 Technical Writing S03 14 Verb Tenses in First Discussion Elements: Verb Tenses in First Discussion Elements: Past, Present, and Modal Auxiliaries Present Tense • Explaining the findings • When comparing your findings to those of – Example: It is possible that microbial activity caused other researchers, use the present tense. some immobilization of labial soil phosphorous. – Example: These results are in substantial (restricted to study) – Example: It is possible that microbial activity causes agreement with those of Bates [2]. some immobilization of labial soil phosphorous. (general condition) • Limiting the findings – Example: Our sample was very small. – Example: Other industries may produce different results. Providence University Providence University Technical Writing S03 15 Technical Writing S03 16 Expressions Indicating the Verb Tenses in Latter Elements: Present and Modal Auxiliaries/Tentative Verbs Researcher’s Position • As you move from the specific considerations of your • The main clause of a complex sentence in the study to broader, more general statements about the discussion section often contains special importance of the study as a whole, use simple present tense and modal auxiliaries/tentative verbs. expressions that indicate the researcher’s own • Implications point of view, or position, towards the – Example: It appears that squatter housing market behave as information contained in the noun clauses. economically rational entities. • Recommendations and applications • At the beginning of the discussion section, – Example: The approach outlined in this study should be certain expressions make it clear that you are replicated in other manufacturing plants. – Example: We recommend that the approach outlined in this reconsidering the hypothesis of your study. study be replicated in other manufacturing plants. Providence University Providence University Technical Writing S03 17 Technical Writing S03 18

Expressions for Restating the Expressions for Explaining Findings Hypothesis Main clause Noun clause Main clause Noun clause + THAT + + THAT + (researcher’s position) (information) (researcher’s position) (information) that skill increases with experience. These results can be explained by assuming older workers in speed jobs It was anticipated that would have poorer that jobs in light manufacturing do not tax performance than younger The theory led us to infer One reason could be older workers to their limits. workers. In line with this hypothesis, we assume that age of the subjects had much of an It is unlikely The results seem inconsistent with our effect on attitude. hypothesis Providence University Providence University Technical Writing S03 19 Technical Writing S03 20 Expressions for Suggesting Implications Main clause Noun clause + THAT + (researcher’s position) (information) suggest imply frost affects the pan by These findings lend support to the that breaking its massive assumption structure. lead us to believe provide evidence Providence University Technical Writing S03 21