Chapter 7 Discussion of Results
Introduction
The Functions of a Thesis Discussion of Results
Sample Analysis of a Masters Thesis Discussion of Results
Frequently Asked Questions
The chapter will again conclude with a discussion of some key lingustic features of discussion chapters,some answers to frequently asked questons,further activities and suggestions for further reading.
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Considering now the discussion of results as a single chapter,we begin with a consideraton of the purpose and functions of the chapter before looking at a range of move and sub-move options that might be considered.
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The approach that is taken is often determined by discipinary preference and the type of thesis that is being written.
A discussion with your supervisor will assist you in arriving at the option best suited to the research you are reporting.
3.Evaluate/comment on results or findings
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Sample Analysis of a Masters Thesis Discussion of Results Introduction to Disussion of Results
This chapter provides a detailed analysis of key research findings presented in chapter 4, with reference to each of the research questions.The results of the study are also discussed in relation to previous research studies.The first section(Section 5.2) discusses the relationship between self-report WTC and WTC behavior in the three classroom contexts observed. Differences observed in WTC behavior in each of the contexts, and variations in WTC over time,are discussed in Sections 5.3 and 5.4. The fourth section presents the factors that learners perceived as being of most importance in affecting their WTC in class.The last section is a brief summary of the chapter.
Some theses combine their presentation and discussion of results or findings in a single chapter.In contrast,some theses combine the discussion of results and conclusion in one chapter. The advantages of haing a combined chapter ： it can avoid restating the results when you discuss them. it is much easier for the reader to follow the development of the thesis.
The essential difference between reporting a result and discussing the result is that the former is fact-driven while the latter is opiniondriven.However,your opinions are not whatever you have thought about but they should be based on either existing theories or previous studies or common sense.Therefore,in discussion,references are indispensable.
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The Functions of a Thesis Discussion of Results
The key purpose of this chapter is to discuss the meaning and significance of the results or findings of the research you are reporting. 1.An overview of the aims of the research that refers to the research questions or hypotheses 2.A summary of the theoretical and research contexts of the study 3.A summary of the methodological approach for investigating the research questions or hypotheses 4.A discussion of the contribution you believe your results or findings have made to the research questions or hypotheses and therefore to existing theory,research and practice(i.e.their importance and significance) 5.This discussion will often include an interpretation of your results,a comparison with other research,an explanation of why the results occurred as they did and an evaluation of their contribution to the field of knowledge
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• Usually the discussion going together with the report of a result cannot be too long since a lengthy discussion will separate the answers to the research questions and it will distract the reader's attention.The elaboration of a discussion,if it is necessary,can be made in the last chapter of Conclusion.
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Introduction
In this chapter,we will be considering the discussion of results as a separate chapter from the presentation of results and conclusion chapters.
The approach taken in this chapter can be easily adapted to the choice you make.
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If you decide to combine your presentation of results with your discussion of those results,you will most likely devide your results into meaningful sections(e.g. according to research questions/hypotheses,thematic or methodological foci) and present your discussion of each section of results immediately after each section or part section of results that has been presented.The same approach would apply if you decided to combine your discussion of results and your conclusion.