Deck 15: Evaluating the Discussion Section

Question 1

The discussion section is designed to ______.

A) provide an overview of the relevant literature
B) provide an overview of the participants
C) summarize the intent of the research project
D) provide an overview of the instrumentation

Answer 1

C

Question 2

As consumers of research, practitioners are particularly interested in the discussion because ______.

A) it provides an overview of the participants
B) it provides an overview of instrumentation
C) it delineates the variables used
D) it provides what worked and how it may be applied

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Ideally, the researchers will restate the purpose of the study ______.

A) at the beginning of the discussion section
B) at the end of the discussion section
C) in the middle of the discussion section
D) throughout the paper

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Restating the purpose is done to ______.

A) remind the reader of the purpose
B) determine if the hypotheses or research questions are answered
C) determine if the dependent variable has been identified
D) determine if the independent variable has been identified

Question 5

The researchers should summarize the results by ______.

A) not using any numbers or statistics
B) relating results to previous research
C) relating results to theories and practice
D) all of the above

Question 6

In the discussion section, it is important that the researchers address ______.

A) how the independent variable was chosen
B) how the dependent variable was chosen
C) how the research questions or hypotheses relate to the findings
D) what themes were used in the study

Question 7

Researchers need to relate the results to theory or practice in a ______.

A) format utilized by the type of data collected
B) clear and understandable manner
C) format which delineates the type of statistical methods used
D) manner which explains the tactics or strategies for coding used

Question 8

The researchers will want to relate the results to ______.

A) format utilized by the type of data collected
B) format which delineates the type of statistical methods used
C) manner which explains the tactics or strategies for coding used
D) previous research that either supports or refutes prior findings

Question 9

In the discussion section, researchers may need to propose ______.

A) concrete links to the data
B) alternative explanations when the results do not meet expected outcomes or are not consistent with the theories addressed
C) the type of statistics the reader should use
D) to what extent the instruments were standardized

Question 10

It is important that the researchers systematically address ______.

A) any results in which there is some discrepancy from what was expected
B) the reason for the type of statistical method used
C) internal validity
D) external validity

Question 11

The researchers specifically review the research methods employed and the method of selecting participants to determine if ______.

A) the instruments used in the study were adequate
B) the study is reliable
C) there are potential limitations of the study
D) tactics or strategies for interpreting the data are provided

Question 12

In evaluating this section of the discussion, it is necessary to review the potential threats to validity based on ______.

A) the research design used
B) the methods of selecting participants
C) the tactics used for coding
D) both the research design used and the methods of selecting participants

Question 13

The researchers' acknowledgement of possible limitations demonstrates ______.

A) honesty
B) integrity
C) an understanding of the cautions that should be taken when interpreting results
D) weakness

Question 14

Generally, the last point for the researchers to address in the discussion section is to ______.

A) suggest further issues to study
B) discuss weaknesses of the study
C) discuss strengths of the study
D) discuss limitations of the study

Question 15

In this section, the researchers specifically review the research methods employed and the method of selecting participants.

A) limitations
B) future research
C) the introduction
D) the summary

Question 16

The discussion section is designed to summarize the intent of the research project and present implications for actual practice.

Question 17

Ideally, the researchers will restate the purpose of the study at the beginning of the discussion section.

Question 18

In the discussion section, researchers should summarize the results and use numbers or statistics and relate them to previous research, theories, and practice.

Question 19

In summarizing the results, the researchers need to be succinct and note the significant points of the findings.

Question 20

The discussion section should address the practical significance of the results.

Question 21

The last point for the researchers to address in the discussion section is to suggest further issues to study.

Question 22

As consumers of research, we are not interested in the discussion section because a discussion of future areas of investigation does not provide insight into what else needs to be accomplished.

Question 23

Almost every study has limitations.

Question 24

The researchers must go beyond the numbers and statistics reported in the results section and interpret the findings so that they may be of practical application.

Question 25

Stating the purpose of the study theoretically ensures that the purpose and the hypotheses or research questions are answered.

Question 26

List three of the five guidelines for evaluating the discussion section.

Question 27

Why should researchers restate the purpose of the study at the beginning of the discussion section?

Question 28

In the discussion section, how should researchers summarize results?

Question 29

What were two weaknesses of the Henderson et al. study?

Question 30

What was the hypothesis of the Storlie (2012) study?

Question 31

List the IV and DV of the Storlie (2012) study.

Question 32

What are some limitations of the Fry (2007) qualitative study?

Question 33

What were areas of future research listed in the Fry (2007) study?

Question 34

Why are practitioners interested in the discussion section?

Question 35

How should numbers and statistics be presented in the discussion section?

Question 36

List and describe the various components of the discussion section.

Question 37

How should researchers proceed when results do not meet expected outcomes or are not consistent with the theories addressed? Give an example.

Question 38

What is included in the limitations section?

Question 39

What is addressed in the future research section? Give an example from a case in the chapter.

Question 40

After reviewing the Henderson et al. study, suggest some areas of future research that could be included in the discussion section.