#4 – How to Write Discussion Section of your Research Paper?

Struggling with Your Discussion Section? Here’s How to nail it in 6 Simple Steps

Writing a PhD paper often feels like an ever-evolving process. One moment you’re in the flow, the next you’re stuck, especially when it comes to writing the trickiest part of your research paper: the discussion section.

I remember staring at my screen for hours when I first sat down to write mine. The results were clear, but putting them into meaningful words? That felt like an entirely different challenge. But here’s the thing: the discussion section isn’t just the hardest part to write; it’s also the most exciting section to read. It’s where you get to showcase your critical thinking and position your work in the broader academic conversation.

To make the process easier, I’ve written down the discussion section into six essential questions. Answer these, and you’ll not only write a solid discussion but also make your readers want to engage with your findings.

Let’s dive in.

1. What’s Different in Your Findings Compared to Previous Research?

This is the first question to tackle. Think about what’s new or different in your results compared to the existing body of research. Maybe your findings contradict a widely accepted theory, or perhaps they add an unexpected twist to a known phenomenon. Highlighting these differences shows how your research advances the field.

Pro Tip: Create a comparison table. Line up your results next to key studies in the field to visually demonstrate how your findings diverge or complement previous work. It’s an easy way to showcase your novelty!

2. What’s Similar in Your Findings Compared to Previous Research?

Don’t forget to discuss where your findings align with the literature. Reinforcing established ideas isn’t a bad thing—it shows that your work is grounded in reliable methodology. Plus, by drawing parallels, you strengthen the credibility of your results.

For example, if your study on remote work productivity matches previous findings on flexible work hours, make sure to mention that. It helps place your research in a broader, established context.

3. How Do Different Sections of Your Results Correlate, and What Can You Learn from It?

This is where you get to dig a little deeper. Look at how the different variables or sections of your results relate to each other. Are there any unexpected patterns or correlations? Maybe your analysis uncovered relationships that weren’t immediately obvious in the results section.

Practical Example: If you’re studying the effects of leadership styles on team productivity, and you find that team cohesion and leadership quality are highly correlated, this is something to explore. What does this correlation mean for organizations looking to improve team performance?

4. What Are the Implications of Your Findings for Practitioners?

Let’s talk about real-world impact. Who’s going to use your research, and how can it help them? Whether it’s educators, healthcare professionals, or business leaders, this is your chance to highlight the practical value of your work.

If you’ve just discovered a new way to improve workplace productivity, spell out how managers can implement these strategies. Show your readers the actionable outcomes of your research, so they can put it to good use.

5. What Are the Implications of Your Findings for Researchers?

Your work isn’t just for practitioners; it’s also for the academic community. How do your findings contribute to ongoing research in your field? Does your study open up new avenues for investigation or challenge existing theories?

Pro Tip: End this section by proposing future research questions. Not only does this show the relevance of your work, but it also positions you as someone who’s shaping the future of your field.

6. What Are the Limitations and/or Threats to the Validity of the Findings?

No research is perfect, and that’s okay. What’s important is acknowledging the limitations of your study. Did you have a small sample size? Was there a variable you couldn’t control? Be transparent about these limitations, but also explain what steps you took to mitigate them.

Practical Example: Let’s say your study on remote work productivity was limited to employees in the tech industry. Acknowledge that this may not generalize to other industries but also point out that your sample allowed for in-depth analysis of a specific workforce.

Before we wrap up, I want to hear from you! What’s the biggest challenge you face when writing the discussion section?

Is it connecting your results to the literature, or maybe figuring out the practical implications?

Drop your thoughts below—I’d love to hear your experiences and questions.

Final Thoughts

Writing the discussion section may seem daunting at first, but it’s also the place where you get to show off your expertise and contribute to the academic conversation.

You’ve done the hard work of collecting data and analyzing results—now it’s time to share what it all means.

Remember, your discussion section is where your research becomes more than just numbers and results. It’s where you get to make sense of your findings and guide others through the process.

Now go write that discussion section!

P.S. Want more tips on writing and navigating your PhD journey? Next week, I’ll be sharing actionable strategies to structure a killer literature review. Make sure you don’t miss it—subscribe to my newsletter today!