The discussion section of your Capstone project is where you interpret the results of your research in the context of existing literature and theory. This is the section where you demonstrate your ability to critically analyze your findings and link them back to the broader body of knowledge in your field.
3.1 Linking Findings to Literature
- Compare with Existing Research: Discuss how your findings align or contrast with previous studies. If your findings confirm existing theories, explain how they contribute to further validating those theories. If your findings differ, explain why they may diverge and what implications this has.
- Contributions to the Field: Highlight how your findings fill gaps in existing research or contribute new insights. This is especially important if your research addresses an underexplored issue.
3.2 Addressing Limitations
- Methodological Limitations: Acknowledge any limitations in your research design, such as small sample sizes or potential biases in data collection. Discuss how these limitations may have influenced your findings.
- Implications for Future Research: Based on your findings, suggest areas for further investigation. What questions remain unanswered? What could be explored in future studies?
3.3 Best Practices for the Discussion Section
- Critical Thinking: Avoid simply restating your findings. Instead, interpret them, analyze their significance, and relate them to the existing body of research.
- Objectivity: Be objective in your analysis. Acknowledge both the strengths and weaknesses of your findings, and avoid overstating the implications of your results.
- Structure: Organize the discussion logically, starting with a brief summary of your key findings, followed by their implications in relation to existing literature.