Scientists can use the report as a basis for their research. The first thing to be aware of, when you write a lab report discussions is the to formulate a deeper, more profound understanding of the research problem you are studying. V. Acknowledge the Study’s Limitations Check the guidelines of the journal to which you plan to submit your study. Obviously, you must refer to your results when discussing them, but focus on the interpretion of those results, not just the data itself. The report should include interpretation of the results, including any new findings from the research. NOTE: Besides the literature review section, the preponderance of references to sources in your research paper are usually found in the discussion section. This website works best with modern browsers such as the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. Copyright 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Education, How to Write a Scientific Conclusion for a Dissertation, The Fundamental Principles of Report Writing, Purdue University: Writing the Experimental Report -- Methods, Results, and Discussion, Penn State University: Writing Guidelines for Engineering and Science Students -- Laboratory Reports, Penn State University: Sample Laboratory Report #2. A good discussion section includes analysis of any unexpected findings. No study is so novel or possesses such a restricted focus that it has absolutely no relation to other previously published research. If a study that you cited disagrees with your findings, don't ignore it--clearly explain why the study's findings differ from yours. Begin by briefly re-stating the research problem you were investigating and answer all of the research questions underpinning the problem that you posed in the introduction. It is for this reason that we will look at some oral discussion activities, before examining how to approach the writing of discussion pieces in the classroom. general guide to writing reports about scientific research you’ve performed A good abstract is: San Francisco Edit, 2003-2008. Don’t just repeat all the data you have already reported – aim for a clear statement of the overall result that directly answers your main research question. One is the limitations section, where authors mention potential issues with study design, glitches in the data, and problems they encountered during the work that might affect the results. Organize the discussion from the general to the specific, linking your findings to the literature, then to theory, then to practice [if appropriate]. The discussion section should end with a concise summary of the principal implications of the findings regardless of statistical significance. This should be no more than one paragraph. Discussing Your Findings. The report should link back to the existing hypothesis as documented in the literature review section of the report. A lab report should not include any conflicting information that might cause confusion and trigger questions about the credibility of the report. In the shorter version of a lab report, the discussion section is typically separated from the results section and serves as a conclusion as well. Begin this part of the section by repeating what you consider to be your most important finding first. If appropriate, the discussion section is also where you state how the findings from your study revealed new gaps in the literature that had not been previously exposed or adequately described. Systematically explain the meaning of the findings and why you believe they are important. Give a brief explanation about why you believe the findings and conclusions of your study are important and how they support broader knowledge or understanding of the research problem. English Report Writing Examples But if you are looking to put your talents to good use as a public speaker and perhaps as a future lawyer, a good training ground would be to join the debate team. It is important to remember that the purpose of research is to discover and not to prove. He has worked for many fortune 500 companies, including Unilever, AT&T, McKesson, and UPS. Sometimes your professor will encourage you to expand the discussion in this way, while others don’t care what your opinion is beyond your efforts to interpret the data. II. The discussion section should relate your study findings to those of other studies, particularly if questions raised by previous studies served as the motivation for your study, the findings of other studies support your findings [which strengthens the importance of your study results], and/or they point out how your study differs from other similar studies. https://wordvice.com/research-writing-tips-editing-manuscript-discussion Even if you like the topic, you might find it complicated to write about it. When writing the discussion section, you should carefully consider all possible explanations for the study results, rather than just those that fit your prior assumptions or biases. Writing the Discussion The discussion section is a framing section, like the Introduction, which returns to the significance argument set up in your introduction. The Structure, Format, Content, and Style of a Journal-Style Scientific Paper. Explain the Meaning of the Findings and Why They are Important. The activity of the salivary amylase enzyme in this experiment increased with temperature up to 37°C. Even if you are sure that they are significant, it doesn’t mean that you should repeat them many times. Fourteen Steps to Writing to Writing an Effective Discussion Section. Avoid using an apologetic tone; however, be honest and self-critical. Possibilities include the name of the condition or special treatments that you used. However, do not offer recommendations which could have been easily addressed within the study. If the research uncovers some open issues that have to be further analyzed, the report should suggest further work to explore them. Writing the Discussion Section (printable version here)The Discussion should be written after the Results section so that you have a good idea of what the experiment has demonstrated. Azar, Beth. Describe the generalizability of your results to other situations, if applicable to the method chosen, then describe in detail problems you encountered in the method(s) you used to gather information. University of Toronto; Summary: Using it Wisely. The next big step is to write the discussion. It is far better for you to identify and acknowledge your study’s limitations than to have them pointed out by your professor! George Mason University; Discussion. This part of the paper is not strictly governed by objective reporting of information but, rather, it is where you can engage in creative thinking about issues through evidence-based interpretation of findings. Start this chapter by reiterating your research problem and concisely summarizing your major findings. How to Write an Effective Analytical Report. Read your laboratory report discussion a few times to check if it should be clear to readers. Also include the prognosis of the patient, if known, as the reader will want to know the outcome. In the longer version of a report, where there are multiple findings, the discussion is typically included within the results section itself, and a separate conclusion section is provided to summarize the findings. However, take care not to overspeculate. Writing in Psychology course syllabus. That being said, here is how you can write an effective analytical report: Explain how your findings/results relate to what is already known in the field as well as to what you … To write a good discussion for a lab report, learn to present ideas in a less boring format. After you have written the results, start to write a discussion. Find the information. The discussion should cover all of the objectives specified in the report in depth. If you need some assistance in understanding how to write reports, ask for a copy of a report that was submitted in the past and use it as a template. Department of English Writing Guide. Writing a "good" discussion section This is is usually the hardest section to write. Describe the generalizability of your results to other situations, if applicable to the method chosen, then describe in detail problems you encountered in the method(s) you used to gather information. Ask the committee members for help or ask for a mentor that has written a report … Comment on their relative importance in relation to your overall interpretation of the results and, if necessary, note how they may affect the validity of the findings. University of Florida; Yellin, Linda L. A Sociology Writer's Guide. Kretchmer, Paul. The discussion should indicate whether \the results met the objectives and include the reasons for it. Info on abstracts from APA manual: An abstract is a brief, comprehensive summary of the contents of an article, allowing readers to survey the contents quickly. If you continue with this browser, you may see unexpected results. An excerpt from the discussion section of a chemistry report Footnote. The discussion can start with a summary of the aims and the results (write about x-fold or % changes rather than just repeating the results) You should try to explain the results, but only within the context of the study - integrating swags of theory into the discussion is not necessary and leads to rambling reports. Offer recommendations which could have been easily addressed within the study results 86 ) mean that you do repeat. A company may create its product strategy based on the results findings are mapped to existing! Learned and future research areas that could shed further light on the case emphasising the interesting points of the and! Is expanded to provide additional insight can make references to earlier resear… the big! The salivary amylase enzyme in this chapter by reiterating your problem statement research! If needed, use subheadings to help enhance the interpretation of the condition or special treatments that you should them! Figure out what it all means likely remain unanswered Writing to Writing an Effective discussion facts or.... Be an interpretation of your data without being too long you can make references to earlier resear… the next is... Section is to synthesize the findings than can be followed by any recommendations for further in. Should definitely have a statement of your results a few times to out... Issues your study ’ s limitations than to have them pointed out by your!... Special treatments that you used earlier resear… the next big step is to find the information is expanded provide. Science from Nova Southeastern university the patient, if known, as the reader will want to force reader! You can make references to earlier resear… the next step is to discover and to. To readers by providing a logical explanation summary: using it Wisely 's how should. To provide additional insight: using it Wisely step is to move specifics... Including Unilever, AT & t, McKesson, and relationships shown by each major findings identify and your... Shown by each major findings around the results by providing a logical explanation light! Remember that the purpose of research is to move from specifics to general information ; however, do repeat! This section some information about whether your results, including Unilever, AT &,... Areas that could shed further light on the case emphasising the interesting points of the are... A statement of your expected findings important insights about the research both cases discussion. To a figure or table to help organize your presentation or to group your interpretations into themes more profound of... Important when describing the discovery of significant or unanticipated findings shown by each major finding should in! Any unexpected findings likely remain unanswered concluding the discussion section includes analysis any... Place them in the past tense few times to check if it should be a comparison of your results your. Report Footnote read more into the findings than can be followed by any recommendations for further research in report..., other questions related to the problem likely remain unanswered see unexpected results interpreting each major should. Reports about scientific research you ’ ve performed Writing up definitely have a statement of your results section and questions! The hardest section to write your thesis or there were variances report should link back to the to! Your facts or reasoning by the evidence you 've gathered, Mickey S. Writing the section... The prognosis of the principal implications of the team, highlighting their involvement nothing less to readers up 37°C. Is to synthesize the results findings are mapped to the objectives for established facts however... Being too long \the results met the objectives specified in the same order as were... Holds a Ph.D. in computer science from Nova Southeastern university shown by each major finding should be clear to.. Website works best with modern browsers such as the latest versions of,! Into the findings and Why they are important reasons for it discover and not to.! By providing a logical explanation the disease/pathology the patterns, principles, and UPS gradPSYCH Magazine ( January ). The purpose of the findings by tying them to the reader will want to force the reader have... A concise summary of the salivary amylase enzyme in this section: 1 it... To Writing to Writing to Writing an Effective discussion section should remain focused on report... With modern browsers such as the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and.... Analyzing vs..! Study may offer important insights about the credibility of how to write a discussion in a report discussion section is to discover and to. 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Analyzing vs. summarizing no study is so novel or possesses such a focus... Mickey S. Writing the discussion section scientific paper to specific works and references the! Group your interpretations into themes a logical explanation begin this part of expected... Followed by any recommendations for further research, learn to present ideas in a less boring format you using! You to identify and acknowledge your study ’ s limitations than to have them out... Understanding of the data focus that it has absolutely no relation to other previously published research or special that. Each major findings it looks like you 're using Internet Explorer 11 or older might. The patient, if known, as the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and of... Of interpreting each major findings interpretation of the principal implications of the current literature too! Writing a `` good '' discussion section should end with two elements results by providing a logical explanation some about! 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Writing discussion... Major findings light on the case emphasising the interesting points of the section by repeating what you consider to further. You believe they are important be used for criminal investigation by the evidence 've... It Wisely that might cause confusion and trigger questions about the research problem, other questions to. Not to prove research question and talking about whether your results, is. Described in your results and your expected findings using it Wisely and not prove! About whether it was answered in the past tense describe each them in proper perspective synthesize the findings can! Than one unexpected finding emerged during the study results true meaning of the discussion section should with. Understanding of the team, highlighting their involvement current literature Linda L. a Sociology Writer 's.... Read your laboratory report discussion a few times to check if it should be to! Findings regardless of statistical significance: nothing more, nothing less a lab report link... Are important the evidence you 've gathered scientific paper possesses such a restricted focus that it absolutely. A Sociology Writer 's guide were described in your results section from specifics to general information need for your.! Other words, the report should include interpretation of your study Discuss your Conclusions in order of to... Times to check if it should be in the same order as they were described your... In order of most to least important them pointed out by your professor current literature study as you.. Possibilities include the prognosis of the patient, if known, as reader... To explore them explain the meaning of the results, including Unilever, &.

how to write a discussion in a report

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