The 2-5 page Discussion section should begin with a paragraph about why the study is important to conduct, what the research question was, what the literature suggested about this research question, and what the hypothesis/hypotheses were. This paragraph should be followed by a paragraph summarizing the methods used in this study, including the sample, materials and equipment, procedures, and other relevant information. After the methods summary, succinctly discuss how each hypothesis was tested, whether or not each was supported by the data, and why you think it was or was not supported. When giving reasons why, connect to prior literature and or suggest study limitations that may have resulted in null findings. It is OK to bring those limitations in here. However, for this assignment, be sure to refer to them again in the strengths and weaknesses section. The explanation must be supported by psychological literature and/or research limitations. This should be followed by a paragraph describing the strengths and limitations of the study from the perspective of the four validities Morling focuses on. You must address each of the four validities in your strengths and weaknesses paragraph. Ideally, you will have one strength and one weakness for each validity, but I only require one strength or weakness for each validity. Lastly, you should include a paragraph discussing what future research should investigate based on these findings. This can include suggestions for ways to address our study’s weaknesses and/or future research questions that our results suggest researchers should be asking.
Here is a suggested outline for your discussion section:
Summary/reminder of study background
Summary/reminder of purpose
Summary/reminder of literature review
Summary/reminder of hypothesis
Summary/reminder of study methods
Summary of research design
Summary/reminder of sample
Summary/reminder of materials and/or equipment
Summary/reminder of procedures
Summary and explanation of results
First hypothesis
How hypothesis was tested
What results were
Whether results supported hypothesis
Why you think the hypothesis was or was not supported, using Morling’s explanations for null effects or prior literature to support your argument.
Second hypothesis
How hypothesis was tested
What results were
Whether results supported hypothesis
Why you think the hypothesis was or was not supported, using Morling’s explanations for null effects or prior literature to support your argument.
Third hypothesis
How hypothesis was tested
What results were
Whether results supported hypothesis
Why you think the hypothesis was or was not supported, using Morling’s explanations for null effects or prior literature to support your argument.
Discussion of strengths & weaknesses
Construct validity (discuss at least two aspects of construct validity)
External validity (discuss at least two aspects of external validity)
Internal validity (discuss at least two aspects of internal validity)
Discussion of future directions
Addressing limitations
Construct validity
External validity
Internal validity
Extending findings with new research questions
Use of findings in real-world settings
