The Discussion section is where the author(s) explain the results. They will talk about how the research answered, or failed to answer, the research question. They will address how the outcomes filled gaps in the research, how they might be applied more broadly, how the study's results may have limitations, and discuss new questions that came up in the course of the research.
What Criteria to Look For
The Discussion is where the authors will most likely discuss how to generalize from their research to other samples and situations.
Finding the Criteria
The Discussion section will have a "Discussion" heading fairly consistently. However, many articles may also have additional headings or subheadings in the Discussion section. Where the information on generalization is located may vary based on which headings the author(s) decide to use.
What Headings to Look Under
- Discussion
- General heading for the section. If this is the only heading, there should be discussion of generalization here.
- If there are additional headings, the discussion of generalization may be in those headings or spread across multiple headings including the general discussion heading.
- Conclusion or Summary
- Final overview of the research.
- Likely some mention of how to generalize from the results.
- Implications or Applications
- Where the author(s) will discuss how the research results affects the understanding of the topic or how it could be used in practice.
- If this section exists, there is likely discussion of generalization here.
- Limitations
- Will explain any weaknesses in the study's design or sample that would make the research results less usable.
- The author(s) will likely discuss how to not generalize the results in this section.
- Future Research or Future Directions
- The author(s) will identify possible research projects to follow up with this research.
- May discuss how to address issues from Limitations that would improve generalization.
