Writing Results and Discussion for Qualitative Research

Qualitative research is a method used to understand people's experiences and generate insights through open-ended questions and interviews. Writing the results and discussion section of a qualitative paper involves interpreting the results for your audience and discussing their implications.

Writing the Results Section

The results section of a qualitative research paper should describe the data collection process and present the findings. It should include a detailed description of the participants, sample size, and any statistical methods used, if applicable. The results section should also include the findings from the qualitative data analysis. This may involve identifying patterns, themes, or categories in the data.

Writing the Discussion Section

The discussion section is where you interpret your results and explain what they mean in the context of your research question. It should include:

1. Research Question: Start by discussing whether your research question was answered by your results.

2. Unexpected Findings: Highlight any results that were unexpected or surprising and explain how they relate to your research question.

3. Comparison with Previous Studies: Compare your results with those of other studies to highlight differences or similarities.

4. Limitations and Weaknesses: Discuss any limitations or weaknesses of your study and how they may have affected your results.

5. Implications: Recommend how your study can be used to further knowledge in your field.

Remember, the Discussion section is not a summary of the Results section. It is an interpretation of the results and their implications.

Writing a Discussion Guide

A discussion guide is a script or set of questions used to guide participants through a conversation for research purposes. It should be flexible enough to allow participants to veer from the script when necessary, but it should also keep the conversation focused on the research goals. The guide should include a variety of questions and elements, such as polls, open-ended questions, and images, to engage participants and gather valuable insights.

In conclusion, writing the results and discussion sections of a qualitative research paper requires careful interpretation and explanation of the findings. The discussion guide is a tool to help guide the conversation during qualitative research interviews or focus groups, ensuring all relevant topics are covered and valuable insights are gathered.