Interpreting your results:
The Discussion Section of an APA Paper
The purpose of the discussion section is to evaluate and interpret the results, especially with respect to the original research question. Here’s what should be included:
- Start off with a brief summary of your research question and your major findings. Tell the reader about the main findings without using statistical terminology.
- Explain what you think your results mean. Explain how the results relate to the literature you cited in the introduction. Were you able to answer the research questions raised in your introduction? Did your findings support past research or contradict past research. If the latter, explain why that might have happened. (e.g., were there differences in operational definitions, were there possible biases, were there possible confounding variables, did the size or composition of the sample differ from previous research). Where possible, support your speculation with references. Consider known theories in this area. Do your findings fit with these theories?
- All studies have some weaknesses. You want to explain any limitations of your study. Were there problems with internal validity (might there have been alternative explanations of your findings, a confounding variable that could account for your findings)? Were there problems with external validity? How might these be improved? You must BE SPECIFIC when discussing limitations. For example, if you claim that there was a confounding variable, be sure to explain what it was, and why it would have effect one group differently than the other. If you think that the fact that the use of a convenience sample (and thus, a non-representative/random sample) is a limitation, you must explain what segment of the population might respond differently than did the participants in your sample and why.
- Include suggestions for future research. This might relate back to any weaknesses you have mentioned above (or reasons why the results did not turn out as you expected). Future directions may also include interesting next steps in the research.
- Finally, you need an ending paragraph in which you make a final summary statement of the conclusions you have drawn and expand on the broader significance of your findings. How are your findings related to the big picture? What do they imply about human nature or some aspect of it? Are there any practical applications for your findings?
- Leave the reader feeling like this is an important topic.
