Your Results Are NOT Your Discussion: 5 Things Reviewers Expect
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Research results and discussion section comparison on a laptop |
Every academic writer has experienced this moment: you spend months conducting research, analysing data, or synthesising qualitative evidence. You prepare your tables and figures, write your findings, complete the manuscript—and finally click Submit.
Then, months later, the decision letter arrives:
“The manuscript presents clear data, but the Discussion section largely restates the Results. The authors should contextualise their findings and articulate their broader implications.”
This is a common type of criticism in academic publishing. One reason is that researchers sometimes treat the Discussion as another opportunity to report their findings rather than as a space to interpret and contextualise those findings.
The distinction is simple but important:
RESULTS = What did you find?
DISCUSSION = What do your findings mean?
Results vs. Discussion: The Core Distinction
Although the exact structure varies across disciplines and journals, the Results and Discussion sections generally serve different purposes.
The Results Section
The Results section primarily reports what the study found. It presents the relevant statistical results, observed patterns, tables, figures, themes or other empirical evidence in a clear and organised manner.
It answers:
“What did you find?”
The Discussion Section
The Discussion interprets the findings and places them within the context of existing knowledge. It considers why the findings may have occurred, how they compare with previous research, and what they mean for theory, practice and future research.
It answers:
“What do these findings mean?”
A Quick Comparison
| Dimension | Results | Discussion |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Report findings | Interpreting findings |
| Main focus | What the study found | What the findings mean |
| Typical content | Tables, figures, statistics, themes and observed patterns | Interpretation, comparison, explanation and implications |
| Key questions | What happened? | Why does it matter? |
5 Critical Elements Reviewers Expect in Your Discussion
1. Explain the “Why” Behind Your Findings
Reporting that Variable A is significantly associated with Variable B is only the beginning. Your Discussion should help readers understand why that relationship may have occurred.
“Variable A had a significant positive relationship with Variable B.”
Go further:
Explain the theoretical, contextual, behavioural, social or operational factors that could plausibly account for the observed relationship.
The explanation must remain consistent with your research design and evidence. Avoid presenting speculation as established fact.
2. Engage Honestly with Existing Literature
Your findings should be connected to the research discussed in your Introduction and literature review. The purpose is not simply to demonstrate that you have cited previous studies. It is to show how your findings fit into the existing body of knowledge.
If your findings are consistent with previous research, explain how and why your study reinforces existing evidence.
If your findings differ from previous research, do not hide the contradiction. Consider whether differences in the sample, context, methodology, measurement, theory, or research setting might explain the divergent findings.
3. Discuss Limitations Without Undermining Your Study
A credible discussion acknowledges the boundaries of the research. However, the purpose of a limitations section is not to suggest that your entire study is invalid.
- Identify the limitations clearly.
- Explain its context. Why did the limitation exist?
- Explain its potential effect. What does it mean for interpretation or generalisability?
- Suggest how future research can address it.
For example, a study conducted within one geographical location may provide valuable context-specific evidence while still having limited generalisability to other settings.
Being transparent about that boundary demonstrates research maturity.
4. Answer Your Research Questions Directly
Do not make readers search through several paragraphs to determine whether your research questions or hypotheses were addressed.
The Discussion should clearly connect your findings back to the questions or hypotheses established in the Introduction.
Read the final paragraph of your Introduction and then read the opening paragraph of your Discussion. The reader should be able to see a clear connection between the questions you posed and the answers your study provides.
5. Explain the Theoretical, Practical and Policy Implications
A strong Discussion should answer an important question:
Theoretical Contribution
Explain whether your findings support, extend, refine or challenge an existing theory or conceptual framework.
Practical Contribution
Explain how practitioners, organisations and professionals can use the findings.
Policy Contributions
Where appropriate, explain what the findings could mean for policymakers, institutions, regulators or other decision-makers.
How to Structure Your Discussion Section
One useful approach is to move from your specific findings toward their broader meaning. The exact structure should always follow the requirements of your target journal.
Briefly identify the most important findings and answer the research questions.
Explain what the findings mean and, where appropriate, why they may have occurred.
Explain how your findings agree with, differ from, or extend previous research.
Acknowledge important limitations and explain their implications.
Explain the contribution to theory, practice, policy and future research.
Quick Discussion Checklist Before Submitting
Before submitting your manuscript, ask yourself:
- ☐ Have I avoided simply repeating my entire Results section?
- ☐ Have I explained what my major findings mean?
- ☐ Have I compared important findings with relevant previous research?
- ☐ Have I addressed findings that contradict previous studies?
- ☐ Have I answered every research question or hypothesis?
- ☐ Are my interpretations supported by the evidence?
- ☐ Have I acknowledged important limitations?
- ☐ Have I explained the theoretical or conceptual contribution?
- ☐ Have I identified relevant practical or policy implications?
- ☐ Have I avoided making claims that go beyond my study design?
The Key Takeaway
Results tell readers what you found.
Discussion explains what these findings mean and why they matter.
Don't use your Discussion simply to repeat your Results. Use it to build the scholarly argument around your findings.
Ready to Strengthen Your Next Manuscript?
Before you submit your next research paper, go back to your Discussion and ask one simple question:
“Have I explained what my findings mean—or have I simply repeated what I found?”
If this article helped you rethink your Discussion section, share it with a fellow researcher or postgraduate student who may need it.
What is the most difficult part of writing your Discussion section? Tell me in the comments. Your question may inspire a future Research Tips article.
Follow Research Tips with Dr. Juliana for practical, evidence-informed guidance on research, data analysis and academic publishing.
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