A suggested workflow for preparing the Discussion.
Step 1: List your research questions
- List each result that’s relevant to that question
Tip
Ensure that the research questions are properly defined (see research questions).
Step 2: Brainstorming interpretations
This is a creative stage. There are no wrong answers (that’s for step 4).
- For each result, answer this question
If results x is true not just for your study population, but for all … (e.g. tidal flats) worldwide, how does this result answer the research question?
- Rule: Use only your results. No citations, no ‘Smith et al. found… (that’s for step 3)
Step 3: Support your interpretations
For each interpretation from step 2:
- List literature that supports this interpretation
Step 4: Conflicting evidence
For each interpretation from step 2, list statements that don’t support this interpretation:
- Contradictory results
- Conflicting literature
- Assumptions you made about the data
- Potential study limitations
Ultimately, interpreting the results should be within reason (see also: Discussion arguments). What that means, is subjective and depends on how skeptical your reviewers are. If they are more skeptical, you need to work harder to support your conclusions.
Tip
You don’t have to do these steps in sequential order. If you find that while you’re brainstorming, you keep coming up with reasons why your conclusion is wrong, you can already list those reasons in step 4.