Writing a comprehensive research paper is not an easy task. It requires complete focus and grip on presenting arguments with supporting references from credible research sources like journal articles, books, conference papers, and so on.
The discussion part of a research paper improves the reader’s understanding because it contains the analysis of the information presented in the literature review, introduction, results, and findings sections. It should include:
- A summary of key findings
- Comparisons with previous research
- Theoretical or practical implications
- Study limitations
- Future research directions
Importance Of The Discussion Section
Here is why the discussion section in a research paper is important:
- Explains the meaning and implications of your findings.
- Connects your results to existing research and theories.
- Demonstrates your critical thinking and understanding of the topic.
- Highlights the significance and contribution of your study to the field.
- Strengthens the logical flow between results and conclusions.
- Shows transparency by acknowledging limitations and alternative interpretations.
Looking for research paper help?
Research Prospect to the rescue then!
We have expert writers on our team who are skilled at helping students with dissertations across a variety of disciplines. Guaranteeing 100% satisfaction!
Example Of Discussion Section In Research Papers
Let us show a discussion section sample that will help you better understand how to write one.
Research Topic: The Impact of Online Learning on University Students’ Academic Performance During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Discussion
The findings of this study revealed that online learning had both positive and negative effects on students’ academic performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most participants reported improved flexibility and time management as major advantages of online education. These results align with the work of Ali (2021), who found that students appreciated the ability to learn at their own pace through digital platforms.
However, the study also found that many students struggled with maintaining motivation and engagement in online classes. This finding supports previous research by Singh and Thurman (2020), which highlighted that the lack of face-to-face interaction can reduce students’ academic engagement. Technical issues, such as poor internet connectivity and lack of access to reliable devices, were also cited as key challenges, particularly among students from rural areas.
An unexpected finding was that students from technical disciplines, such as engineering and computer science, adapted more effectively to online learning than students from the social sciences. This may be due to their greater familiarity with digital tools and virtual learning environments. Future research could explore how discipline-specific factors influence the effectiveness of online education.
Despite these insights, the study has some limitations. The sample size was limited to one university, and the results may not be generalisable to all higher education institutions. Additionally, the study relied on self-reported data, which may be influenced by personal bias. Future research should include a larger and more diverse sample and consider objective performance metrics.
Overall, this study contributes to understanding how online learning influences academic outcomes in higher education. It highlights the need for universities to improve digital infrastructure and offer psychological and academic support to help students adapt to virtual learning environments effectively.
How To Write A Research Paper Discussion
The most common question that we have received at ResearchProspect from students of all study levels, undergraduate, master’s, and PhD, is how to write a discussion in a research paper. It seems that students associated with the different fields of research studies lack the skill of putting their arguments in a structured way to convince their readers.
That is why, after consulting the top researchers of the whole world, we have devised some chronological steps that are easy to follow for every student. Make sure to use the steps below while writing the discussion section of a research paper.
Step 1: Concisely Present Key Findings
Start your research paper discussion section by presenting your research problems and major findings concisely in your paper. Try not to just repeat the data presented above. Instead, aim for a clear statement that directly answers your main research questions.
Don’t write more than one paragraph, and precisely evaluate the findings and discussions to avoid blending elements of the conclusion and discussions section.
Step 2: Present Interpretations of Findings in Context
It is obvious that the results you are trying to derive from your research study may seem quite clear to you, but the case is not for all the readers. That’s why, try to present your interpretations based on the type of research methodology you have used.
You can use this section to base your whole idea around the key findings in relation to the literature review to show the larger image of your research study to the audience, who are new to this concept or field of study.
Step 3: Discuss Future Implications of Research
After discussing the key findings, you can jump into the future implications present in your study. Highlight the ideas that readers can use for conducting further studies based on your research paper.
You need to ask yourself some questions, like what new information has been deduced from the results or findings section. Ensure to discuss the results or findings in line with your research questions so as not to open the door for non-relevant studies.
Step 4: Highlight Limitations
It has been observed that every research study contains some limitations, either in the research gaps being addressed or in the research questions left out from being discussed. It helps you to strengthen the credibility of your research study.
Remember that limitations are not simply a list of mistakes or errors present in the paper. Instead, it helps the readers to view the content in a wider picture. Make sure to only list down the limitations directly related to your topic of discussion or research aims that you want to achieve.
Step 5: Highlight Areas of Potential Research (Recommendations)
Present concrete ideas for future work and pinpoint the areas where there is a need to conduct further research studies. Make sure to provide a stepping stone to the coming researchers to enable them to build arguments on areas that your own research paper was unable to address.
How Long Should A Discussion Section Be
The ideal length of a discussion section depends on the type and complexity of your research. Generally, it should be long enough to interpret and explain your results clearly but concise enough to avoid unnecessary repetition.
- For short research papers, the discussion section typically ranges from 500 to 800 words.
- For longer academic papers or theses, it can extend up to 1,500-2,000 words or about 25-30% of the total paper length.
Things To Avoid While Writing The Discussion Portion Of A Research Paper
Students, while writing dissertations or SCI papers, usually make some mistakes when writing the discussion section of the study.
Make sure to consider the points below to avoid making errors in your research study.
| Mistake | How to Avoid It |
|---|---|
| Rewriting the Results Section | Avoid repeating results. Instead, analyse and interpret what they mean in relation to your research objectives, focusing on significance and implications. |
| Drawing Conclusions without References | Support conclusions with evidence from your literature review or data. Stay within the boundaries of your research and ensure claims are backed by credible sources. |
| Adding New Information | Do not introduce new findings in the discussion. Only interpret data already presented in the results. Add new information to the results section if necessary. |
| Selective Addition of Results | Do not exclude results that contradict your hypotheses. Discuss unexpected findings and explain them with logical reasoning and evidence. |
| Avoid Undermining Your Research | Present limitations honestly but constructively. Avoid overemphasising weaknesses and show how they inform recommendations for future research. |
Research Paper Discussion Vs Conclusion
| Conclusion Section | Discussion Section |
|---|---|
| Contains a precise summary of the arguments or data presented in the whole paper to provide a recap of the whole journey in a few paragraphs. | Contains a thorough examination of results being interpreted to discuss how or why they are the way they are. |
How Can The Main Points Of The Discussion Section Be Constructed?
Generally, the discussion section of the research paper should not be more than 6 to 7 paragraphs in accordance with the length of the introduction, literature review, results, and methodology sections. Make sure to divide the portion into three separate paragraphs: introductory, intermediate, and concluding paragraphs.
The introduction paragraph must contain the reason behind conducting the research studies, and the intermediate paragraph must present the issue with solutions being addressed, implications of future research, recommendations for future studies, and how the paper under observation solves specific issues to be discussed in the conclusion portion.
Frequently Asked Questions
The ideal length of a discussion section written in the research paper is 6 to 7 paragraphs in accordance with the above sections written in the study. Remember there is no defined length for the researchers to follow the above formula is general to follow.
To get a discussion template for a research paper, make sure to contact us and get a perfectly crafted structure from our expert research paper writers for absolutely free.
Yes, there is a minor difference between the discussion and results section of the research paper as one presents the precise summary of the whole data being presented and the other presents the thorough examination of the results being analysed and interpreted.
The discussion section is where researchers interpret their findings, explain their significance, and relate them to existing studies. It helps readers understand how the results contribute to the broader field of knowledge.
Start by summarising your main findings, then explain how they answer your research questions. Avoid repeating results, focus on interpretation, implications, and connections to past studies.
- A summary of key findings
- Comparisons with previous research
- Theoretical or practical implications
- Study limitations
- Future research directions
