1、Week 9 Findings and DiscussionWeek 9 Findings and DiscussionZHENCONG LIUContentspFindings pDiscussionpTables and FiguresFindings The function of this section is to summarize general trends in the data without comment,bias,or interpretation.Chapter Patterns of Findings and Discussion General Specific
2、s Summary Question-oriented:quantitative and/or qualitative studies Theme-oriented:qualitative studiesQualitative Report Format Case-oriented organization Theme-oriented organization Findings Example Interpretation Possible Problems:Greater variability Organizational challenges for Non-native speake
3、rs Linguistic proficiencyStructure of Findings Move 1 presenting metatextual information:referring to the overall structure of the thesis or chapter itself,it sets the scene for the presentation of the results to follow.It is advisable to alert second-language students to the need to utilize Move 1
4、as an organizing and signposting device to assist their reader(examiner)in locating the Results within the broader context of the research.Structure of Findings Move 2 presenting results This move is included in all Results/Findings chapters.It is essential to ensure that tables and figures are numb
5、ered sequentially throughout the thesis e.g.Figure 3.1,Figure 3.2,etc.Tables and figures must have legends that are self-explanatory and which define any abbreviations and symbols used in the table or figure.All columns in tables must have headings and units stated.All figures should be clearly labe
6、led.Structure of Findings Move 3 then begins to provide a commentary on or an interpre-tation of the results.In Move 3,the writer begins to interpret their results and make claims about their meaning and significance.The writer may also make comparisons with previous studies in order to justify meth
7、ods or procedures followed and may comment on the strengths,limitations or generalizability of their results.Hedging“Hedging allows writers to suggest explanations,make interpretations of their data and draw tentative conclusions.In essence,the writer seeks through the use of hedging devices to mode
8、rate their claims by anticipating and/or rebutting any potential challenges to their methodology and the interpretation of their data.”Cautious and appropriately humble language Hedging is“notoriously problematic”for second-language speakers(Hyland 1996:253).Examples of HedgingFindingsThe main findi
9、ngs of the research DO Use figures and tables to summarize data Show the results of statistical analysis Compare“like with like”DONT Duplicate data among tables,figures and text Use graphics to illustrate data that can easily be summarized with textDiscussion The function of this section is to analy
10、ze the data and relate them to other studies.v Principles:The Discussion should contain at least:-the relationship between the results and the original hypothesis-an integration of your results with those of previous studies-possible explanations for unexpected results and observations Trends that a
11、re not statistically significant can still be discussed if they are suggestive or interesting,but cannot be made the basis for conclusions as if they were significant.Avoid redundancy between the Results and the Discussion section.End the Discussion with a summary of the principal points you want th
12、e reader to remember.Functions of Discussion Rudestam and Newton(2001)point out that the Discussion chapter is where the student should move beyond their data and integrate the results of their study with existing theory and research.In the Discussion chapter,the students study is the primary focus
13、and previous research the secondary focus.Here,previous research is used for confirmation,comparison or contradistinction(Swales 2004).Organization of Discussions:Swales and Feak(1994)Move 1 Points to consolidate the research space i.e.interpretive points rather than descriptive facts or results.Mov
14、e 2 Points to indicate the limitations of the study;what cannot be concluded from the research;Move 3 Points to identify useful areas of further research.(Swales and Feak 1994)Move 1 Points to consolidate the research space a reminder of the original purpose of the study;statement of results followe
15、d by a follow-up such as:statement of the importance(or otherwise)of the results examples from the data which illustrate the results comparison with other work/previous research review of the methodology reference to the theory underpinning the study conclusions that might be drawn the strengths of
16、the study whether the results were expected or unexpected.Organization of Discussions:Hopkins and Dudley-Evans(1988)1 background information;2 statement of results;3(un)expected outcome i.e.whether the result is expected or not;4 reference to previous research comparison of results with previous res
17、earch reported in the literature;5 explanation of unexpected outcome i.e.suggesting reasons for an unexpected result(if this is the case)or one different from those found in previous studies;6 exemplification providing examples to support the explanation given in Step 5;7 deduction or claim making a
18、 more general claim arising from the results of the study,e.g.drawing a conclusion,stating an hypothesis;8 support from previous research quoting previous research to support the claim/s being made;9 recommendation making suggestions for future research;10 justification for future research arguing w
19、hy the future research is recommended.Organization of Discussions:Samraj(2005)1 background information;2 report on results;3 commentary on results interpretation of results comparison with other research explanation for results evaluation of results 4 summary of results;5 evaluation of the study;lim
20、itations significance/advantage of the study evaluation of the methods 6 evaluation of the field;7 deductions from the results;research deductions applied deductions.Organization of Discussions:Rudestam and Newton(2001)l An overview of the significant findings of the study 2 A consideration of the f
21、indings in the light of existing research studies 3 Implications of the study for current theory(except in purely applied studies)4 A careful examination of findings that fail to support or only partly support the hypotheses outlined in the study 5 Limitations of the study that may affect the validi
22、ty or the generalisability of the results 6 Recommendations for further research 7 Implications of the study for professional practice or applied settings(optional)(Rudestam and Newton 2001:121)Strategies for Writing Discussion 1.Students write down all the things they know now in a single sentence
23、for each item.2.Sort these sentences into some sort of grouping,give headings to each of these groups of sentences.These will form the basis for the section headings of the Discussion chapter.3.The sentences in each group should be given headings which will form the basis for sub-headings for each o
24、f the sections of the chapter.All of this can then be used to provide a tentative framework for the writing of this chapter.Problems for Discussion 1.Students are often not aware of the need to show the relationship between the results of their study and the results of similar studies and related ar
25、guments in the published literature.2.Students tend to overstate their claims,partly perhaps because of their inability to“hedge”in their writing.3.The tendency of students to mix the Results and Discussion sections of their thesis.4.Uncertainty about what content should be included in the Discussio
26、n section and how it should be organized.Problems Making“grand statements”that are not supported by the data Example:“This novel treatment will massively reduce the cost of azeotropic distillation.”Introducing new results or terms.Tables Some widely observed guidelines for the use of tables are:The
27、table should be self-contained.A table is usually placed in a position near its relevant description Provide each table with a number(Table 1,Table 2,etc.)and a title.The title should be clear,concise,complete and accurate.Try to use descriptive words,not abbreviated forms.There should be no punctua
28、tion at the end of the title.The title of a table or diagram most commonly follows the same three methods as given above for the paper title.Tables The format of the column title.The first letter of the first word and proper nouns are capitalized,other words are in lowercase.There is no punctuation
29、in column titles.If you use abbreviations,use common acronyms.Notes of table.To explain the column title,abbreviations,symbols and data,add notes or footnotes at the bottom of the table.Do not repeat information in a table that you are depicting in a graph or histogram;include a table only if it pre
30、sents new information.It is easier to compare numbers by reading down a column rather than across a row.Use cross-references,e.g.(Table 5.4)Figuresv Figures refer to explanatory materials:maps,photos,drawings,figures,images,graphs,histograms and illustrations.v Guidelines for Figures Self-contained.
31、Number each figure(Fig.1,Fig.2,etc.)and give a caption that explains what the figure shows.Illustrations or note.Use different names in a series to distinguish different types of figures.Figures submitted for publication must be“photo ready,”Proportions must be the same as those on the page of the p
32、aper.Assignment 1.Findings and Discussion Writing:Suppose you have finished writing your Methodology part of your paper and enter the stage of Findings and Discussion writing.Please examine the steps and strategies for Findings and Discussion writing.Then write the Findings and Discussion section of
33、 your own paper in a clear manner.Assignment 2.Findings and Discussion Evaluation:Select a classroom-based study from a recent journal such as Language Learning,TESOL Quarterly,or the Modern Language Journal.Summarize the Findings and Discussion section by providing the following data:a.the typical
34、moves b.the main findings c.the discussion d.Critique ReferencesPaltridge,B.,&Starfield,S.(2007).Thesis and Dissertation Writing in a Second Language:A handbook for supervisors.Oxford:Routledge.Pyrczak,F.,&Bruce,R.R.(2005).A Basic Guide for Students of the Social and Behavioral Sciences,5th edn.Glen
35、dale,CA:Pyrczak Publishing.Lunenburg,F.C.,&Irby,B.J.(2008).Writing a successful thesis or dissertation:tips and strategies for students in the social and behavioral sciences.Thousand Oaks,California:Corwin Press,Inc.*American Psychological Association.2010.Publication manual of the American Psycholo
36、gical Association,6th edition.Washington,D.C.:American Psychological Association,Chapter 5,pp.125-168.*Turabian,K.(1996).A manual for writers of research papers,theses,and dissertations,6th edition.Chicago and London:The University of Chicago Press,Chapter 8.*Wallace,S.(2015).How to write and submit
37、 an academic paper in 18 weeks.Beijing:Peking University Press.如何成为学术论文写作高手。北京：北大出版社。*Day,R.，Gastel,B.(1998).How to write and publish a scientific paper(5th edn).Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,Chapter 9,How to Write the Results,pp.42-44;Chapter 10,How to Write the Discussion,pp.45-48.Thank YouThank You
