The Discussion Section

The discussion section is one of the most crucial sections of a research paper. It gives a detailed interpretation of the findings in four main sections (Creek, n.d.). The first one is the conclusion, which is usually one paragraph, which answers the study’s main findings. The second section is the discussion part. For this part, a critically analyzed discussion of how the findings relate to previous studies and how they link with the theories is given. Next is the recommendations part, in which advice on how other parties can use the information based on findings is given. Lastly, the application section discusses in which areas of real-life the information can be used. This is usually 3 to 5 paragraphs in length. The final thing is to state whether the research has contributed to the field’s knowledge (psychology) or not.

I have chosen to exemplify with Gifford-Smith & Brownell (2003), a study on childhood peer relationships: social acceptance, friendships, and peer networks. The article does not discuss the conclusion of the study. It does not interpret the findings but goes straight to discussing the ‘discussion part,” which involves analyzing the literature review. Not interpreting the findings may show bias towards readers who understand quantitative results while leaving those who do not understand in confusion. The literature has been effectively analyzed because they have discussed each objective in detail on its own.  For example, they analyzed the literature over the last three decades (Gifford-Smith & Brownell, 2003).Furthermore, they discussed what the study discovered as new knowledge that absent in previous studies.  The recommendation section is not well articulated and not precise. Though they have given some recommendations, they have mixed them in between the literature review. This could make it hard for readers to identify them. The authors did not indicate how and where the findings can be applied in real life; however, they stated what the research contributed to the psychology field.

References

Creek. (n.d.). Discussion section research paper help. Retrieved from https://www.papermasters.com/discussion-section.html

Gifford-Smith, M. E., & Brownell, C. A. (2003). Childhood peer relationships: Social acceptance, friendships, and peer networks. Journal of School Psychology, 41(4), 235-284. doi:10.1016/s0022-4405(03)00048-7