Chapter 13

Question 1

The purpose of the discussion is ________________.

Answer 1

to present an interpretation of the results, the conclusions, and recommendations for further study

Question 2

A discussion is more than a _________________.

Answer 2

restatement of the results

Question 3

The discussion interprets _____________________.

Answer 3

the results and puts them in perspective, noting any weaknesses or cautions that the reader should consider

Question 4

Discussions tell the reader:

Answer 4

Why the results were obtained

What the results mean

Question 5

The discussion includes answers to the following sorts of questions:

Answer 5

Why did the results turn out as they did?
What may have affected the results?
Are there any limitations that should be noted?
To what extent were hypotheses supported?
What is the meaning of the findings?
How do the results relate to previous research findings?

Question 6

Interpretation Related to the Problem and/or Hypotheses

Answer 6

Usually there is a restatement of the problem or hypothesis

Followed by some indication of the answer to the problem, or degree of support for the hypothesis

Unexpected results may be cited here, and reasons given for their appearance

You must consider the extent to which researcher bias may have influenced the opinions expressed here

Question 7

Interpretations Related to Methodology

Quantitative Studies

Answer 7

Quantitative Studies
To what degree does the study have sound internal validity?
For non-experimental studies, what affects did subject selection and measurement (e.g., instrument reliability and validity) play?

Question 8

Interpretations Based on Theory

Answer 8

When the study is based on theory, the results should be discussed in light of that theory

Are there competing theories, and to what extent can they account for the results found?

Question 9

Interpretations Related to Methodology

Qualitative Studies

Answer 9

————–Qualitative Studies————-

What affect did the researcher’s role in gathering and analyzing the data play in the results found

Question 10

Interpretations Related to Methodology

Selection of Participants

Answer 10

————Selection of Participants————

Volunteer and convenience samples do not represent their populations well

Question 11

Interpretations Related to Methodology

Quantitative and Mixed-Methods Studies

Answer 11

Quantitative and Mixed-Methods Studies
-------------Measuring Variables------
Validity and reliability of instruments
Procedures for administering instruments
Biases in observers or interviewers
Participant response set or faking in non-cognitive measures
Inappropriate norms used in scoring

————-Intervention———
Was the intervention carried our as planned (treatment integrity)?
Were those who presented the intervention sufficiently trained and motivated to carry it out as planned (implementation effects)?

Question 12

Conclusions

Answer 12

are summary statements of the results as they pertain to the research problem

Question 13

Remember, without additional analyses one cannot __________________________________.

Answer 13

generalize results from the entire sample to every sub-group the sample contains

Question 14

Limitation examples

Answer 14

subject characteristics
features of the design
the particular setting in which the research was carried out
Contextual Characteristics
Methodology
When the Research Is Conducted
Interventions
Measures

Question 15

Ecological Validity

Answer 15

How well will the results of the study generalize to new settings, particularly the real world if the study was conducted in a laboratory setting

Question 16

Research journals further research recommendations tend to be ______________.

Answer 16

methodological

Question 17

Practitioner journals further research recommendations tend to be ______________.

Answer 17

practice related

Question 18

Criteria for Evaluating Discussion and Conclusion Sections

Answer 18

The results should be interpreted
Conclusions should answer research problems

Conclusions should be limited by participant characteristics and selection

Conclusions should be limited by the nature of interventions and measures

Statistical significance should not be confused with practical significance

Failure to show statistical significance does not necessarily mean that there is no relationship or difference

Limitations of findings should be reasonable
Recommendations and implications should be specific