APA Writing Style III Discussion Section

Parts of the Discussion Restate findings Narrow implications Broad implications Future directions Closing Specific General

Discussion: Restate findings Remind reader of: Main question or topic hypothesis whether hypothesis was supported or not

Discussion: Narrow implications Link theory and research from literature review to your findings Do your results support past research? Contradict it? What do your results mean in relation to past studies? If findings significant: Why your theory is useful in explaining results If not significant: What does this mean for the theory? Possible explanations for ns results Strengths and limitations of your study

Discussion: Broad implications How might your results effect the world People’s lives How we think Therapy or treatment Intervention strategies

Discussion: Future directions For your research, given the results of your study What other studies would you do if you were to continue in this area What changes might you make in your next study, given what you learned from this one

Discussion: Closing End your paper with one or a few general thoughts, like those of the opening of the introduction Main point learned How study can impact behavior and human life

Discussion: What not to include Anything numeric (e.g., more results) Statements of certainty You know why something occurred The causal relationship between variables Your hypothesis/theory is correct Statements that are not supported by your results Statements that are not explained