How to write a brilliant discussion section: A 10-step guide for researchers and postgraduate students

You've spent months collecting data, your results section is polished to perfection, and now you're staring at a blank page, wondering how on earth you're going to write a discussion that does justice to your hard work.

The discussion section is often the most challenging part of any research paper or dissertation to write, yet it's arguably the most important. It's where you transform raw findings into meaningful insights that advance your field.

The discussion section is your opportunity to showcase your research skills. It's where you interpret what you found, but more importantly, why it matters. Think of it as the bridge between your specific findings and the broader scientific conversation in your field. Yet many researchers struggle with this crucial section, often because they've never been explicitly taught how to approach it systematically.

You can write an excellent discussion section by following a structured approach and understanding what your readers need to know. Whether you need to write a discussion chapter for your dissertation or a discussion section for a paper, the principles are the same. We’ll use the term discussion section in this blog post to refer to either of the above.

This guide will walk you through ten practical steps that will transform your discussion writing from daunting to doable, and these two videos turn the theory into practice (find them here and here). Also, download the Step-by-Step Discussion Guide here as a quick and easy reminder of the steps to take when tackling your discussion.

Understanding the discussion section: Your research's moment to shine

Before diving into the how-to, let's clarify what makes a discussion section truly effective. The discussion serves multiple critical purposes in your research paper or dissertation. It's where you interpret your study's results in the context of your research question or hypothesis, compare your findings with existing research, and explore the broader implications of your work.

A well-crafted discussion section also acknowledges study limitations honestly, whilst suggesting meaningful directions for future research. In research papers, it often includes a conclusion that summarises the main takeaways and ties them back to your original research question. Think of it as your opportunity to have a scholarly conversation with your readers about what your research really means.

The discussion section is where you get to be the expert guide, helping readers understand not only what you discovered but also why it matters in the broader context of your field. It's your chance to demonstrate deep thinking and scholarly maturity.

Step 1: Know what you are in for

 

Understand the landscape before you start writing

The first step in writing an excellent discussion section is understanding exactly what you're aiming to create. Don’t dive straight into writing – do your homework first.

Start by finding examples of discussion chapters or sections similar to what you're aiming for. If you're writing a discussion chapter for a dissertation, seek out dissertations in your field of study. Don't just pick any dissertation; look for ones that are well-regarded, recent, and address similar research questions to yours.

Here's how to approach this research phase effectively:

• Read the aims and objectives of your example dissertation carefully
• Scan through the literature review, methods, and results chapters (there's no need to read entire dissertations in depth - time is precious)
• When you reach the discussion chapter, read it thoroughly and make detailed notes about the types of issues they discussed
• Repeat this process with several examples to identify patterns and approaches

For research papers, the process is similar but more streamlined. Read through several high-quality papers in your field, focusing particularly on their discussion sections. Pay attention not just to content, but also to length – how many paragraphs do they dedicate to different aspects of their findings? You don’t have to do the same as others, but it will give you a good idea of what gets published.

Pro tip

Create a simple template based on your research. Note common themes like "comparison with existing literature," "implications for practice," "study limitations," “study strengths” and "future research directions." This will become your roadmap.

 

Step 2: Don't regret not doing this earlier

 

Start your discussion notes early (but don't panic if you haven't)

Ideally, you should start making notes for your discussion section from the moment you conceptualise your research proposal. Keep a dedicated notebook – digital or physical – where you can jot down thoughts as you progress through your research journey.

As you're planning your methods, you might think, "I wonder if this approach might limit my ability to generalise my findings." Note it down. When you're collecting data and notice an unexpected pattern, make a note. When you're analysing results and spot something intriguing, capture that thought.

However, the reality is that many first-time researchers don't think about the discussion until they're faced with writing it. If that's you, don't worry – you're in good company. Most researchers learn this lesson the hard way, and it's never too late to start developing good habits for your next project.

Practical advice

Even if you're reading this at the discussion-writing stage, spend a few minutes reflecting on your research journey. What surprised you? What challenges did you encounter? What would you do differently? These reflections often provide valuable material for your discussion.

Step 3: Finish the introduction, literature review, methods and results first

 

Build your foundation before constructing the roof

This might seem obvious, but it's worth emphasising: complete your introduction, literature review (if you are doing a dissertation), methods, and results sections before tackling the discussion. Each of these sections provides essential building blocks for your discussion.

Your introduction and literature review will have familiarised you with the existing research landscape. You'll likely need to revisit some of the papers you referenced earlier, but you'll also need to find additional sources that specifically relate to your findings. Your methods section will help you identify potential limitations or strengths worth discussing. Most importantly, you need your results section completed so you can properly interpret and contextualise your findings.

Why this order matters

Trying to write a discussion before completing these sections is like trying to have a conversation about a film you haven't finished watching. You might have some insights, but you're missing crucial information that could change your entire perspective.

Step 4: Jot down your key discussion points

 

Extract the gold from your research

Once your foundation sections are complete, it's time to mine them for discussion-worthy material. Read through each section with your discussion in mind, asking yourself: "What here is worth discussing?"

Pay particular attention to your results section. If it's well-written, your data will be presented in tables and graphs, each accompanied by a few sentences highlighting the main findings. These highlighted findings in the text are most likely to be what you'll discuss in your discussion section.

Take a systematic approach:

• Go through each table and graph in your results (sometimes you need to stare at them for a while before the light goes on)
• For each one, write down the key finding in your own words
• Note any unexpected results or patterns
• Identify findings that confirm or contradict existing research
• Flag any results that raise new questions

Example

If you found that your intervention worked better for older participants than younger ones, note this down. If your response rate was lower than expected, make a note. If participants dropped out for reasons you hadn't anticipated, capture this insight.

Step 5: Keep your objectives in mind

 

Stay focused on your research purpose

Here's a crucial tip that will save you from a common pitfall: write your research objectives on a sticky note and keep it visible while you write. The discussion section is where many researchers go off-track, starting to discuss fascinating tangents that are only loosely related to their original research purpose.

It's easy to get excited about unexpected findings or interesting patterns, but remember that your discussion should primarily address your research questions and objectives. Think of your objectives as the North Star guiding your discussion – they should influence what you emphasise, what you spend time on, and what you mention only briefly.

Staying on track

For each point you plan to discuss, ask yourself: "How does this relate back to my research objectives?" If the connection is weak, consider whether it belongs in your discussion or might be better suited to a brief mention in your limitations or future research sections.

Step 6: Lay your key discussion points out on paper

 

Create your discussion skeleton

Transform each key point you've identified into a temporary heading. Use italics and your word processor's heading styles to create a clear structure. This approach helps you visualise the flow of your discussion and ensures you don't miss important points.

Here are some essential elements to include:

• Key findings and their interpretation
• Comparison with existing research
• Implications of your findings
• Study limitations
• Recommendations for future research

Some researchers prefer to include future research recommendations in their conclusion, but the discussion section is equally appropriate for this content. Whatever approach you choose, you can’t go wrong.

Pro tip

 

Don't worry about the order yet. Just get all your key points down as headings. You'll reorganise them in step 8.

Step 7: Fill the gaps

 

Let your expertise shine through

Now comes the exciting part – filling in the content under each heading. This is where you get to demonstrate your deep understanding of your research area. For each temporary heading, engage in free writing. Don't worry about perfection at this stage; just get your thoughts down.

Here’s a suggested structure for discussing specific findings from your study:

1. At the beginning of the paragraph, state the finding clearly (without simply repeating results – this is a common rookie error)
2. Then, compare with existing research (don't just state whether it's similar or different, explain why you think this is the case)
3. Follow with the implications (what does this finding mean for theory, practice, or future research?). You can also leave the implications for now and add them all into a paragraph closer to the end of the discussion.

Example approach

When writing a paragraph where you’ll be interpreting your study’s findings, it’s a good idea to remind the reader of your findings, but you are also at great risk of sounding like you are repeating the results, something we should avoid.

So, instead of writing "Our study found that 65% of participants improved," try "The substantial improvement rate observed in our study (65%) exceeds the 40-50% rates typically reported in similar interventions.” Follow with an explanation as to why this may have been the case, such as in “This difference may reflect our study's focus on personalised treatment approaches, suggesting that tailoring interventions to individual needs enhances effectiveness." Follow this up with more detail on how your approaches differ from other research and cite the studies in question.

Remember, you're the expert on your research. This is your opportunity to share insights that only you can provide, having lived and breathed this project for months or years.

Step 8: Reorder your discussion points

 

Create a logical flow

Use your word processor's navigation pane to reorder your discussion points logically. The best flow will depend on your specific research, but consider these common organisational approaches:

• Order of importance: most significant findings first
• Order of objectives: following the sequence of your research questions
• Thematic organisation: grouping related findings together

Create a narrative that feels natural to your readers. Each paragraph should connect logically to the next, building a coherent argument about what your research means.

Transition tip

Pay attention to how you move from one point to another. Use transition phrases like "Furthermore," "In contrast," or "Building on this finding" to help readers follow your reasoning.

Step 9: Review the discussion

 

Polish your masterpiece

Step back and review your discussion with fresh eyes. This is where you refine your argument, strengthen weak points, and ensure clarity throughout.

Here are some key questions to ask yourself:

• Does each paragraph clearly relate to your research objectives?
• Have you adequately compared your findings with existing literature?
• Are your interpretations well-supported by your data?
• Have you highlighted the strengths of your study?
• Have you acknowledged important limitations without undermining your work?
• Do your recommendations for future research follow logically from your findings?

Common pitfalls to avoid

• Simply restating results without interpretation
• Over-claiming what your data can support
• Ignoring contradictory findings
• Failing to acknowledge study limitations
• Making recommendations that don't follow from your findings

Step 10: Graphically pulling it together

 

Consider visual synthesis of your insights

Create a visual representation of your most important insights. This is an optional step. Not every study will benefit from this approach, but when appropriate, it can be extremely effective.

Here’s when to consider graphics:

• When you have complex relationships between variables
• When your findings challenge existing models or theories
• When you're proposing a new framework based on your results
• When visual representation would help readers understand your key message

Examples of effective visual synthesis

• Conceptual models showing relationships between variables
• Modified versions of existing theoretical frameworks
• Process diagrams illustrating your proposed mechanisms
• Comparison charts highlighting key differences from previous research

Any graphic should enhance understanding, not complicate it. If you can't explain why the visual is necessary, it probably isn't.

Tools to try when putting your graphic together

 

Napkin.ai is a superb tool that can help you create an infographic. Lucidchart is another option. However, there are always the tried-and-true manual methods. Here’s an example: have a look at Table 4 in this article pre-print where we created a visual presentation of the implications of our study. This table does not present the results of our study and, therefore, is not included in the results section. It synthesises the implications of our study in light of the findings from other research, and therefore, we’ve included it in the discussion section.

Additional considerations for excellence

 

Building on the foundation

While the ten steps above provide a solid framework, consider these additional elements that can elevate your discussion section:

 

Acknowledge uncertainties honestly

Strong researchers acknowledge what they don't know. Phrases like "These findings suggest..." or "One possible explanation is..." demonstrate scholarly humility.

Consider alternative explanations

For your key findings, briefly consider alternative interpretations. This shows sophisticated thinking and strengthens your argument by addressing potential counterarguments.

Connect to broader contexts

How do your findings fit into current debates in your field? What do they mean for policy, practice, or theory development?

Frequently asked questions

 

How long should my discussion section be?

The length depends on your type of publication and field, but generally, discussion sections are substantial for a publication and are often 1,000-2,000 words for research papers and 3,000-5,000 words for dissertation chapters. Look at examples in your field for guidance.

Can I include references not used in my introduction or literature review, in my discussion?

Absolutely. While you'll refer back to studies from your introduction, you'll need additional sources to contextualise your specific findings. Ensure that new references are relevant and of high quality.

How do I discuss non-significant results?

Non-significant results also deserve discussion, especially if they contradict your hypotheses or existing research. Consider why the effect might not have been detected – was it a power issue, methodological limitation, or genuine absence of effect?

What if my findings contradict established research?

This is exciting, not problematic. Carefully consider possible explanations – methodological differences, population characteristics, or genuine new insights. Present your findings confidently whilst acknowledging the apparent contradiction.

How honest should I be about limitations?

Very honest, but strategic. Acknowledge genuine limitations that could affect the interpretation of your findings, but don't undermine your entire study. Focus on limitations that are relevant to your specific research questions.

Your next steps

Writing an excellent discussion section is both an art and a science. It requires systematic thinking, deep knowledge of your field, and the confidence to share your expert insights. The ten-step approach outlined here provides a roadmap, but remember that each research project is unique.

Start by implementing these steps in your current work. If you're between projects, use this framework to evaluate discussion sections in papers you're reading. Notice how accomplished researchers structure their arguments and present their insights.

Most importantly, remember that your discussion section is where you get to demonstrate why your research matters. Don't undersell your contributions – if you've conducted rigorous research, you have valuable insights to share with your field.

The academic world needs researchers who can conduct excellent studies and effectively communicate their significance. Your discussion section is where you make that crucial contribution to the ongoing conversation in your field.

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Thank you for the cover photo by cottonbro studio.

This blog post was created through a collaborative process. I provided the initial ideas, draft content and related research, and AI (Claude.ai) assisted in restructuring and refining the material. Final edits and insights are entirely my own.