Deck 14: The Discussion Section

Question 1

Studies with non-significant statistical results are clinically meaningless.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

Authors should provide as many recommendations as possible to guide future researchers.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

The conclusion is generally the longest subsection of a research report.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Authors should present an apologetic tone when describing limitations or study design weaknesses.

Question 5

A major pitfall of the discussion section is the formulation of implications that cannot be clearly supported by the research findings.

Question 6

The conclusions subsection should provide a complete, but concise, overview of the research study while bringing the Discussion section to a close.

Question 7

Any implication for a study that proposes no change and to continue with the current best knowledge for clinical practice is a red flag for poorly designed study.

Question 8

A meta-analysis, which is the integration and evaluation of several or many independent research studies, is now considered one of the highest levels of research analysis for evidence-based practice.

Question 9

A well-designed and sound methodology allows a strong support for the implications.

Question 10

Recognizing and stating the limitations of a study ultimately weakens the research and its impact.

Question 11

The limitations subsection should discuss the randomness of the sample and the potential for error in the sampling.

Question 12

The overall purpose of the conclusions subsection is to alert the reader that additional questions need to be asked and answered.

Question 13

A key criteria for the discussion section must be include a description of how the findings fit into the present body of knowledge.

Question 14

Which section of a manuscript is where the author/investigator's opinions, views, and meaning are presented?

A) Introduction
B) Literature Review
C) Methodology
D) Discussion

Question 15

In which subsection should the author/investigator discuss how the results of a study could affect healthcare and society?

A) Implications
B) Recommendations
C) Limitations
D) None of these

Question 16

Which statement is true regarding the discussion section?

A) An implication subsection is not always needed in a clinical manuscript.
B) Implications should not be influenced by the results of the study.
C) The author must make sense of the statistical analysis and the results of the study.
D) All of the sentences above are true.

Question 17

Which subsection would discuss future research requirements?

A) Implications
B) Limitations
C) Recommendations
D) Conclusions

Question 18

Where should an author present subjective thoughts and insights resulting from the study?

A) In implications
B) In discussion
C) In limitations
D) In recommendations

Question 19

What is the purpose of the conclusion subsection?

A) To allow the author to present a personal opinion about the study results
B) To contrast and compare the results with the prior literature
C) To explore the meaning of the research results
D) To allow the author to state reservations about the study's findings

Question 20

Which is the last section of the paper and typically brief?

A) Implications
B) Discussion
C) Limitations
D) Conclusion