Writing Discussion Sections
Functionally, the purpose of a Discussion section is to explicitly demonstrate how the new information generated by the study fits into what is already known. This is how the new data you’ve created is “situated” in the field — by your careful placement of what is new against that which is established. Results can take the form of data, hypotheses, models, definitions, formulas, etc.
The Discussion section is carefully orchestrated — no wild speculation is allowed. Instead, a conversation is crafted between the new information and others’ results, data, models, hypotheses, etc. Four relational moves can be made: claim, corroborate, clarify, or conflict.
- Claim — add new information to what is already known
- Corroborate — support what is already known
- Clarify — extend or refine what is already known
- Conflict — counter or contradict what is already known
Steps to Crafting a Discussion Section
- Briefly restate RQ and main result/s.
- Situate current research findings through “dialogue” model — speculate on outcome.
- Discuss relevant limitations.
- Provide suggestions for future research or application.
Analysis: This particular Discussion is noteworthy for sporting all the relationships typically found in the research literature; normally, “claims” are relatively infrequent. Note that each paragraph forms its own unit conveying talking points for one major idea.