Research Methods - APA Style 7th Ed Pt5 - Discussion Section

Discussion Section in Empirical Peer Review Articles

Overview of the Discussion Section

• The discussion section is a critical part of an empirical peer review journal article, summarizing and interpreting results while connecting them to existing research.

• It follows the main body of the article and precedes supplementary materials like references and appendices. The abstract, although written last, appears at the beginning as a summary.

Purpose and Structure

• The primary purpose is to interpret results within context, acknowledging both strengths and limitations of the study.

• In APA style, it continues on the same page as the results section with a centered bold heading titled "Discussion."

Key Components of a Discussion Section

Summary and Interpretation of Results

• Begin by summarizing findings in plain language without repeating statistical data; clarify what results indicate regarding hypotheses.

• For example, if caffeine affects memory negatively, explain this clearly without overemphasizing statistical terms.

Relating Results to Past Research

• Compare findings with previous studies; discuss whether they support or contradict existing theories or methodologies.

• Highlight any new insights gained from studying different populations or addressing previously unexplored questions.

Addressing Limitations

• Critically evaluate limitations such as sample size or demographic constraints; acknowledge that no single study can prove anything definitively.

• Discuss potential biases (e.g., volunteer bias), external validity issues, and how these factors may affect generalizability.

Discussion on Study Limitations and Ethical Considerations

Potential Long-Term Effects

• The study may only reflect short-term effects; long-term impacts could differ, similar to how cancer symptoms manifest over time in humans versus laboratory animals.

Participant Compliance and Interpretation

• Questions arise about whether participants adhered to dietary instructions or interpreted them differently, potentially skewing results.

• Behavioral biases from the researcher could influence participant responses, especially in face-to-face studies where pressure or embarrassment might affect honesty.

Research Design and Measurement Issues

• The setting of the study (formal vs. informal) and the researcher's awareness of group assignments can introduce bias; double-blind methods are crucial for minimizing this risk.

• Survey question wording may lead participants toward expected answers, highlighting the importance of clear operational definitions for variables.

Ethical Considerations and Operational Definitions

• Ethical issues should be addressed in the discussion section, including any measures taken to mitigate them during study design.

• Researchers must consider if their operational definitions accurately capture complex constructs rather than relying on convenient measurements.

Confounding Variables and Causation Language

• Acknowledge potential confounds that could explain results; factors like participant dropout rates can threaten validity.

• Emphasize caution with causation language when presenting correlational data; it’s essential to clarify that correlation does not imply causation.

Implications for Future Research

Addressing Limitations

• Discussing limitations openly allows future researchers to build upon findings by addressing identified weaknesses or testing alternative explanations.

Real World Applications

• Highlight real-world implications of findings, such as suggesting higher intensity exercise as a treatment for depression based on observed improvements in scores among different exercise groups.

Suggestions for Future Studies

• Propose follow-up studies that explore unresolved questions or test limitations noted in current research, paving the way for deeper understanding of the topic.

Discussion Section Structure in Research Papers

Importance of Future Research Directions

• The speaker emphasizes the need for researchers to explore additional variables related to their study, suggesting that as experts, they should propose future research avenues.

Example of APA Style Discussion Section

• An example is provided where the first paragraph reiterates the hypothesis and testing focus, followed by a plain language summary of results indicating no significant differences among groups.

Connecting Results with Previous Research

• The discussion includes a comparison with prior literature, highlighting contradictions and introducing new citations to support claims made in the introduction.

Addressing Limitations

• A major limitation discussed is the small sample size due to COVID-19. Additional limitations include participant stress affecting results, supported by relevant citations.

Structuring Discussion Sections Effectively

• Another example shows how subheadings can organize discussions effectively. It begins with a clear summary of findings and theoretical implications related to ongoing debates in literature.

Limitations and Future Directions

Combining Limitations with Future Work Suggestions

• The section discusses promising methods for future research while addressing current study limitations, emphasizing how these can be mitigated in subsequent studies.

Consistency Across Fields

• Despite variations in writing styles across disciplines, empirical articles share fundamental components within their discussion sections, such as summarizing findings and relating them to past research.

Writing Tips for Discussion Sections

Clarity Over Complexity

• The speaker advises against filler sentences; clarity and precision are paramount. Each sentence should serve a purpose without unnecessary complexity or length.

Proofreading Importance

• Emphasizes proofreading for typos and grammatical accuracy. Reading aloud can help identify awkward phrasing that may confuse readers. Seeking feedback from peers is also recommended.

Abstract Writing in APA Style

Understanding the Abstract

• The abstract is a concise summary of the entire paper, typically written last after completing the full article. It distills essential points into a single paragraph.

• When browsing academic papers, readers often only see the abstract, making it crucial to craft it carefully to capture key elements without unnecessary details.

• In APA style, abstracts are generally between 150 to 250 words and appear on their own page following the title page. The word "Abstract" should be bolded and centered at the top.

Structure of an Abstract

• The abstract begins with a non-indented paragraph that summarizes key sections: introduction, methodology, results, and discussion.

• It starts by introducing the topic (similar to an introduction), followed by essential methodological details such as participant information and analysis methods used.

• Results are summarized without statistical numbers but highlight significant findings. A brief takeaway or discussion point concludes this section.

Keywords and Formatting

• After summarizing content, include keywords in italics indented below the abstract text. This aids in classification within databases.

• An example shows how to structure an abstract: starting with a broad topic overview before detailing methodology and results succinctly while maintaining clarity.

Key Components of an Effective Abstract

• An effective abstract encapsulates major components: introductory context, hypothesis statement, method overview in one or two sentences, key results without detailed statistics, and implications for broader understanding.

• Each part should be concise; aim for clarity while ensuring all critical aspects of your research are represented effectively within limited space.

Final Notes on Abstract Writing

• The goal is to provide a quick yet comprehensive summary that allows readers to grasp your paper's essence quickly before diving into detailed sections like introduction or methodology.

• Following the abstract will be structured sections including introduction, methods, results discussions, references for citations, and any appendices or additional materials not included in the main body.