copyright © allyn & bacon 2008 this multimedia product and its contents are protected under...
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Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008
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Discussions and Conclusions
Chapter 12
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Discussion Topics
Purpose and structure of these sections of a report
Interpretation of the results Conclusions Criteria for evaluating discussion and
conclusions sections of a report
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Purpose and Structure
The purpose of the discussion section is to present an interpretation of the results, the conclusions, and recommendations for further study
– An evaluation of the methodology and results to help readers understand what the results mean and how they can be used
– Integrates the research problem, review of the literature, and results
– Speculates about the implications of the results through a synthesis of the study reflecting the professional judgment of the researcher
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Purpose and Structure
Loosely structured into two sections– Interpretation of the results– Conclusions
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Interpretation of the Results
An analysis of the results focusing on factors that might help explain them
Interpretations related to the problem and/or hypothesis
– Restatement of the research question– Interpretation of how well the data answers the question– Importance of the reader’s critical analysis of these
interpretations Interpretations based on theory
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Interpretation of the Results
Interpretations related to methodology– Selection of participants– Measurement of variables– Experimental interventions– Statistical procedures
Errors in reporting statistical results Violation of assumptions of the statistical procedures Use of appropriate statistical procedures, particularly in
multivariate studies Statistical and practical significance
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Conclusions
Summary statements of the results as they pertain to the research problem– Can be found in various locations in the
discussion section– Should include indications of why the conclusions
are supported– See Trochim’s discussion of conclusion validity
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Conclusions
Limitations– Seven factors or variables that need to be considered in
using the conclusions– Subject characteristics
Population validity - generalizability to other individuals– Comparison of the sample, sampling frame, and target population– Comparisons across subjects within the sample
– Situational characteristics Ecological validity - generalization to other settings, times,
treatments, or measures
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Conclusions
– Seven factors (continued) Methodology
– Non-experimental designs drawing causal conclusions– Experimental studies drawing causal conclusions when
internal validity is weak Time Interventions
– Explication of the intervention– Hawthorne Effect - the effects of individual’s realizing they
are participating in a study
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Conclusions
– Seven factors (continued) Measures
– Validity– Reliability
Concerns related to overly strict analysis of limitations
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Conclusions
Recommendations and implications– Statements suggesting future action as a result of
the study Focus on methodological issues Focus on practice
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Evaluation Criteria
The results should be adequately interpreted The conclusions should answer the research questions The conclusions should be limited by subject
characteristics and selection, the nature of the interventions, and measures
Statistical and practical significance are discussed separately
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Evaluation Criteria
Failure to show statistical significance does not mean there is not relationship or difference
Limitations should be reasonable Recommendations and implications should be
specific