Discussion and Conclusion

  • Summarize the meaning of the results
  • Answer the questions and address the hypothesis stated in the Introduction
  • Discuss relevant studies from existing research and explain how the current study adds to the existing knowledge
    • Highlight any unexpected findings
  • Note strengths and weaknesses of the study design
  • Propose directions for future research and how they can be achieved

Other information

  • References
    • A list of scholarly references used throughout the article, often corresponding to the numbered citations in the text
    • Readers can examine the references for clarification on topics mentioned throughout the text
  • Funding sources
    • Organizations, governments, companies, or individuals who funded the research study
    • Pay attention to Conflict of Interest
      • The entity funding the research can potentially bias the research
  • Supplemental materials
    • Some studies have additional tables or figures that could not fit into the main article
    • Reasons include journal limits to the number of tables/figures or data perceived to be less important (but potentially useful) with respect to the main hypothesis

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