How To Write a Good Discussion of Findings

A research work is not complete without a detailed discussion of results obtained from the analysis. In fact, your findings are the basis for conclusions, suggestions and recommendations for policy actions and subsequent researches that relate to your research topic.

Through the discussion section, you must be able to make a meaning of your result, explain its importance, as well as show the relationship between variables and indicators under discussion. Much emphasis should be laid on explanation and estimation of the result of the analysis in relation to research objectives and literature review.

So, how do you write a good discussion of findings that aligns with your research objectives? There are certain elements to be considered when writing the discussion of findings, which includes; Interpretations; Implications; Limitation of Findings. Understanding this elements will be helpful in telling the right story about your research and the results obtained from the analysis.

Hey Research has highlighted useful steps to guide you through writing a good discussion of findings.

· ALIGN YOUR OBJECTIVES TO YOUR FINDINGS

Start your discussion of findings by recalling your research objectives and the questions you seek to answer. Identify and summarize your major findings to provide answers to the questions accurately. Desist from beating around the bush by interpreting exactly what was gotten from the analysis in relation to your research objectives.

This be done in few lines not more than a paragraph. A practical example of starting a discussion of findings is;

Based on the findings

The analysis of the result shows that

· INTERPRET YOUR RESULT

In most cases, the result of your analysis will be ambiguous to your audience except you. Therefore, you must interpret the result, such that your supervisor understands its importance and correlation with your research objectives and question.

Result interpretation usually follows the test type chosen for the research study. The test types includes, regression, correlation, Chi-square, among other types of research methodology available.

Hint on interpretation includes;

A general descriptive analysis that consist of the mean, median, mode, standard deviation, maximum, and minimum.

Showing the correlation between two or more variables

Interpreting the impact of variable A on Variable B

Aligning analysis result to research hypothesis.

Ensure you start your discussion of findings with the most significant results to the objectives of your research.

· IMPLICATION DISCUSSION

Discussion of findings does not end with the interpretation, it includes juxtaposing your result with the outcomes of the research studies of past scholars that were reviewed in the literature section. It is crucial your discussion follows the path of existing knowledge.

Explain what your result is contributing to the related researches in existence and its consequences for theories. Discuss the similarities and differences that exist between your results and that of past studies.

Notable implications to be discusses;

Result correlation with theories — In support or against

Economic implications

Practical implications

This is to ensure that your supervisor understands the contribution of your research and the implication of the result to the research being conducted.

· HIGHLIGHT THE LIMITATIONS

The discussion of findings is incomplete without stating some of the limitations surrounding your research work. Highlighting the limitations makes your findings credible to your supervisor. Limitations cut across all the processes of the research work, including research methodology, research design, and unforeseen challenges encountered in the process of conducting the study.

However, discussion of findings should only include limitations that are relevant to the objectives of your research. Discuss how it limits the chances of achieving the set objectives for the research.

Take for example, problems of data collection, sample size challenges, and difficult variables that cannot be controlled are few limitations that can be included in the discussion of findings.

· GIVE RECOMMENDATION

To conclude your discussion of findings, make suggestions based on the three elements stated, which are interpretation, implication, and limitations. Mention explicitly what your research could not do that requires the attention of subsequent research work in that area.

Your recommendation should centered on the findings from the analysis. Avoid including unverified claims and things that are not part of your findings.

In conclusion, being conversant with the elements listed above plays an important role in terms of writing a good discussion of findings that is easy to understand by supervisors and readers. The steps identified above give you an idea to tell accurate story from the findings of your research.