Introductory Guide to
Reading Research Articles - A Self-Paced Learning Module

Introduction
Peer Reviewed Journals
Types of Published Articles
Authors
Abstract
Introduction
Literature Review
Rationale & Purpose
Methods
Results
Discussion
References

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Introduction > Literature Review > Rationale > Methods > Results > Discussion

Discussion

The discussion section is an opportunity for the authors to evaluate and interpret the implications of the results. It is the place within a research article for authors to review, interpret, and describe any inferences from the outcomes and analyses. This is also the place where authors should discuss any limitations regarding the outcomes.

Ask yourself

• Do the authors provide a general statement regarding the study results’ support or lack of support for the original hypothesis or hypotheses?
• Do the authors review similarities and differences between their outcomes and the outcomes of other, similar research?
• Do the authors directly review limitations of the study, such as potential biases, problems encountered during the study?
• Do the authors directly review alternative explanations for the results, such as threats to external and internal validity?
• Do the authors discuss if this study should be replicated or modified and then replicated?
• Do the authors review if this study supports, refutes, or serves to update a general theory under investigation?

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