Results:
1. Writing up Research: Results
This site was very helpful to me before starting this section of my paper because it gave me pointers on things to do and things to look for when putting everything together. For instance, this section should include information that is easily accessible and understandable to your reader. If you are to include charts or graphs, make sure you thoroughly explain these charts so your readers will understand why you put your information in this format and how to read it, and that any raw data you collect is usually found in the appendix and NOT in this section. It also gave examples of two ways to compose this section- 1. all results then a discussion or 2. part of the results with a discussion, another part of your results and discussion, ect.
2. APA Style Guide: Psychology With Style
This was a very interesting site for me to be able to reference. What I liked the most about it was that unlike the previous site, this one included a bunch of information about what NOT to do when writing this section along with some good things to do. For example, the language you use hinders on who your audience is- if they are scholars, there is no need to define specifics because they will more than likely have a grasp on it already, but if it is the general public you are geared toward, some defining might be necessary. Also, they were very clear, like Marlen in class, that you are to not include any discussion what so ever- just lay out the facts. period. Another helpful fact that I will be implementing when writing this section is to first think about how I want to arrange and organize my results so this section flows well.
http://www.uwsp.edu/PSYCH/apa4b.htm#IIE
Discussion:
1. The Structure, Format, Content, and Style of a Journal-Style Scientific Paper
This was a helpful site because it broke how to write this section into three sections. The first one is function: you interpret your results and explain your new understanding of your problem, always connect it to your introduction and state how your study moved the reader further than where they had started based on the subject or your paper. The second section is style: always use effective voice throughout the section, be as clear and concise as possible so your readers can easily understand what you are interpreting. Finally, they discussed your approach: you should discuss each result in the same order you originally outlined it in the results section because it allows your reader to connect these two sections, and you should relate your work to that of past studies to see its effect. One big no no, is that you should never add new results that were not already included.
2. How to Write and Effective Discussion
This is by far my favorite article thus far. What I liked about it was that it was formatted exactly the same way as our paper should be and it gave me clear advice on the elements that this section should include as well as big things to avoid. Some examples of elements are to state your findings, explain your findings meanings, consider alternative explanations of your findings, discuss their clinical relevance, acknowledge your studies limitations, and give suggestions for further research. Some important things to avoid are overinterpretation, unwarranted speculation, inflating the importance of your findings, tangential issues, criticism of past studies, and unsupported conclusions.
http://www.rcjournal.com/contents/10.04/10.04.1238.pdf
Conclusion:
1. Conclusion- UNC
Conclusions along with your introduction basically frame your thoughts and bridge your ideas for your readers. It also helps your reader see how even after putting down your paper, the information they gathered through out the paper is still important to them and their lives. You should also leave your reader with a good taste in their mouth… basically you should be able to leave your reader with a good feeling once they are done. Some strategies they suggest is to play the “so what” game- you can use a friend or even play by your self, but it helps you get through times when you are stuck. By saying so what you make yourself think about what you are putting into your conclusion and if it is important or relevant. This site also gave me an insight as to what to avoid and one that stuck out that I hope I will not have a problem with is to not include evidence because that should be in the body of your paper already.
2. How to Write a Research Paper?- Part VI
This site pretty much said a lot of what the previous site did, but it gave me a better understanding of the importance of your conclusion. It is by far the most valuable single part of your paper- nothing you have presented up to this point means anything until you present the conclusion to your research. Other things that I learned that the other article did not state was that you can restate your thesis statement and show how everything adds up in the end and well as summarize everything and relate it back to the beginning or your paper… you should be able to make a complete circle and tie everything you have done together to make a well understandable piece or research.
http://www.tailoredessays.com/how-write/research-paper/introduction-conclusion.htm
