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How to Write an “Implications of Research” Section

4-minute read

• 24th October 2022

When writing research papers , theses, journal articles, or dissertations, one cannot ignore the importance of research. You’re not only the writer of your paper but also the researcher ! Moreover, it’s not just about researching your topic, filling your paper with abundant citations, and topping it off with a reference list. You need to dig deep into your research and provide related literature on your topic. You must also discuss the implications of your research.

Interested in learning more about implications of research? Read on! This post will define these implications, why they’re essential, and most importantly, how to write them. If you’re a visual learner, you might enjoy this video .

What Are Implications of Research?

Implications are potential questions from your research that justify further exploration. They state how your research findings could affect policies, theories, and/or practices.

Implications can either be practical or theoretical. The former is the direct impact of your findings on related practices, whereas the latter is the impact on the theories you have chosen in your study.

Example of a practical implication: If you’re researching a teaching method, the implication would be how teachers can use that method based on your findings.

Example of a theoretical implication: You added a new variable to Theory A so that it could cover a broader perspective.

Finally, implications aren’t the same as recommendations, and it’s important to know the difference between them .

Questions you should consider when developing the implications section:

●  What is the significance of your findings?

●  How do the findings of your study fit with or contradict existing research on this topic?

●  Do your results support or challenge existing theories? If they support them, what new information do they contribute? If they challenge them, why do you think that is?

Why Are Implications Important?

You need implications for the following reasons:

● To reflect on what you set out to accomplish in the first place

● To see if there’s a change to the initial perspective, now that you’ve collected the data

● To inform your audience, who might be curious about the impact of your research

How to Write an Implications Section

Usually, you write your research implications in the discussion section of your paper. This is the section before the conclusion when you discuss all the hard work you did. Additionally, you’ll write the implications section before making recommendations for future research.

Implications should begin with what you discovered in your study, which differs from what previous studies found, and then you can discuss the implications of your findings.

Your implications need to be specific, meaning you should show the exact contributions of your research and why they’re essential. They should also begin with a specific sentence structure.

Examples of starting implication sentences:

●  These results build on existing evidence of…

●  These findings suggest that…

●  These results should be considered when…

●  While previous research has focused on x , these results show that y …

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You should write your implications after you’ve stated the results of your research. In other words, summarize your findings and put them into context.

The result : One study found that young learners enjoy short activities when learning a foreign language.

The implications : This result suggests that foreign language teachers use short activities when teaching young learners, as they positively affect learning.

 Example 2

The result : One study found that people who listen to calming music just before going to bed sleep better than those who watch TV.

The implications : These findings suggest that listening to calming music aids sleep quality, whereas watching TV does not.

To summarize, remember these key pointers:

●  Implications are the impact of your findings on the field of study.

●  They serve as a reflection of the research you’ve conducted.              

●  They show the specific contributions of your findings and why the audience should care.

●  They can be practical or theoretical.

●  They aren’t the same as recommendations.

●  You write them in the discussion section of the paper.

●  State the results first, and then state their implications.

Are you currently working on a thesis or dissertation? Once you’ve finished your paper (implications included), our proofreading team can help ensure that your spelling, punctuation, and grammar are perfect. Consider submitting a 500-word document for free.

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Research Implications & Recommendations

A Plain-Language Explainer With Examples + FREE Template

By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Reviewers: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | May 2024

The research implications and recommendations are closely related but distinctly different concepts that often trip students up. Here, we’ll unpack them using plain language and loads of examples , so that you can approach your project with confidence.

Overview: Implications & Recommendations

• What are research implications ?
• What are research recommendations ?
• Examples of implications and recommendations
• The “ Big 3 ” categories
• How to write the implications and recommendations
• Template sentences for both sections
• Key takeaways

Implications & Recommendations 101

Let’s start with the basics and define our terms.

At the simplest level, research implications refer to the possible effects or outcomes of a study’s findings. More specifically, they answer the question, “ What do these findings mean?” . In other words, the implications section is where you discuss the broader impact of your study’s findings on theory, practice and future research.

This discussion leads us to the recommendations section , which is where you’ll propose specific actions based on your study’s findings and answer the question, “ What should be done next?” . In other words, the recommendations are practical steps that stakeholders can take to address the key issues identified by your study.

In a nutshell, then, the research implications discuss the broader impact and significance of a study’s findings, while recommendations provide specific actions to take, based on those findings. So, while both of these components are deeply rooted in the findings of the study, they serve different functions within the write up.

Need a helping hand?

Examples: Implications & Recommendations

The distinction between research implications and research recommendations might still feel a bit conceptual, so let’s look at one or two practical examples:

Let’s assume that your study finds that interactive learning methods significantly improve student engagement compared to traditional lectures. In this case, one of your recommendations could be that schools incorporate more interactive learning techniques into their curriculums to enhance student engagement.

Let’s imagine that your study finds that patients who receive personalised care plans have better health outcomes than those with standard care plans. One of your recommendations might be that healthcare providers develop and implement personalised care plans for their patients.

Now, these are admittedly quite simplistic examples, but they demonstrate the difference (and connection ) between the research implications and the recommendations. Simply put, the implications are about the impact of the findings, while the recommendations are about proposed actions, based on the findings.

The “Big 3” Categories

Now that we’ve defined our terms, let’s dig a little deeper into the implications – specifically, the different types or categories of research implications that exist.

Broadly speaking, implications can be divided into three categories – theoretical implications, practical implications and implications for future research .

Theoretical implications relate to how your study’s findings contribute to or challenge existing theories. For example, if a study on social behaviour uncovers new patterns, it might suggest that modifications to current psychological theories are necessary.

Practical implications , on the other hand, focus on how your study’s findings can be applied in real-world settings. For example, if your study demonstrated the effectiveness of a new teaching method, this would imply that educators should consider adopting this method to improve learning outcomes.

Practical implications can also involve policy reconsiderations . For example, if a study reveals significant health benefits from a particular diet, an implication might be that public health guidelines be re-evaluated.

Last but not least, there are the implications for future research . As the name suggests, this category of implications highlights the research gaps or new questions raised by your study. For example, if your study finds mixed results regarding a relationship between two variables, it might imply the need for further investigation to clarify these findings.

To recap then, the three types of implications are the theoretical, the practical and the implications on future research. Regardless of the category, these implications feed into and shape the recommendations , laying the foundation for the actions you’ll propose.

How To Write The  Sections

Now that we’ve laid the foundations, it’s time to explore how to write up the implications and recommendations sections respectively.

Let’s start with the “ where ” before digging into the “ how ”. Typically, the implications will feature in the discussion section of your document, while the recommendations will be located in the conclusion . That said, layouts can vary between disciplines and institutions, so be sure to check with your university what their preferences are.

For the implications section, a common approach is to structure the write-up based on the three categories we looked at earlier – theoretical, practical and future research implications. In practical terms, this discussion will usually follow a fairly formulaic sentence structure – for example:

This research provides new insights into [theoretical aspect], indicating that…

The study’s outcomes highlight the potential benefits of adopting [specific practice] in..

This study raises several questions that warrant further investigation, such as…

Moving onto the recommendations section, you could again structure your recommendations using the three categories. Alternatively, you could structure the discussion per stakeholder group – for example, policymakers, organisations, researchers, etc.

Again, you’ll likely use a fairly formulaic sentence structure for this section. Here are some examples for your inspiration: 

Based on the findings, [specific group] should consider adopting [new method] to improve…

To address the issues identified, it is recommended that legislation should be introduced to…

Researchers should consider examining [specific variable] to build on the current study’s findings.

Remember, you can grab a copy of our tried and tested templates for both the discussion and conclusion sections over on the Grad Coach blog. You can find the links to those, as well as loads of other free resources, in the description 🙂

FAQs: Implications & Recommendations

How do i determine the implications of my study.

To do this, you’ll need to consider how your findings address gaps in the existing literature, how they could influence theory, practice, or policy, and the potential societal or economic impacts.

When thinking about your findings, it’s also a good idea to revisit your introduction chapter, where you would have discussed the potential significance of your study more broadly. This section can help spark some additional ideas about what your findings mean in relation to your original research aims. 

Should I discuss both positive and negative implications?

Absolutely. You’ll need to discuss both the positive and negative implications to provide a balanced view of how your findings affect the field and any limitations or potential downsides.

Can my research implications be speculative?

Yes and no. While implications are somewhat more speculative than recommendations and can suggest potential future outcomes, they should be grounded in your data and analysis. So, be careful to avoid overly speculative claims.

How do I formulate recommendations?

Ideally, you should base your recommendations on the limitations and implications of your study’s findings. So, consider what further research is needed, how policies could be adapted, or how practices could be improved – and make proposals in this respect.

How specific should my recommendations be?

Your recommendations should be as specific as possible, providing clear guidance on what actions or research should be taken next. As mentioned earlier, the implications can be relatively broad, but the recommendations should be very specific and actionable. Ideally, you should apply the SMART framework to your recommendations.

Can I recommend future research in my recommendations?

Absolutely. Highlighting areas where further research is needed is a key aspect of the recommendations section. Naturally, these recommendations should link to the respective section of your implications (i.e., implications for future research).

Wrapping Up: Key Takeaways

We’ve covered quite a bit of ground here, so let’s quickly recap.

• Research implications refer to the possible effects or outcomes of a study’s findings.
• The recommendations section, on the other hand, is where you’ll propose specific actions based on those findings.
• You can structure your implications section based on the three overarching categories – theoretical, practical and future research implications.
• You can carry this structure through to the recommendations as well, or you can group your recommendations by stakeholder.

Remember to grab a copy of our tried and tested free dissertation template, which covers both the implications and recommendations sections. If you’d like 1:1 help with your research project, be sure to check out our private coaching service, where we hold your hand throughout the research journey, step by step.

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Home » Implications in Research – Types, Examples and Writing Guide

Implications in Research – Types, Examples and Writing Guide

Table of Contents

Implications in Research

Implications in research refer to the potential consequences, applications, or outcomes of the findings and conclusions of a research study. These can include both theoretical and practical implications that extend beyond the immediate scope of the study and may impact various stakeholders, such as policymakers, practitioners, researchers , or the general public.

Structure of Implications

The format of implications in research typically follows the structure below:

• Restate the main findings: Begin by restating the main findings of the study in a brief summary .
• Link to the research question/hypothesis : Clearly articulate how the findings are related to the research question /hypothesis.
• Discuss the practical implications: Discuss the practical implications of the findings, including their potential impact on the field or industry.
• Discuss the theoretical implications : Discuss the theoretical implications of the findings, including their potential impact on existing theories or the development of new ones.
• Identify limitations: Identify the limitations of the study and how they may affect the generalizability of the findings.
• Suggest directions for future research: Suggest areas for future research that could build on the current study’s findings and address any limitations.

Types of Implications in Research

Types of Implications in Research are as follows:

Theoretical Implications

These are the implications that a study has for advancing theoretical understanding in a particular field. For example, a study that finds a new relationship between two variables can have implications for the development of theories and models in that field.

Practical Implications

These are the implications that a study has for solving practical problems or improving real-world outcomes. For example, a study that finds a new treatment for a disease can have implications for improving the health of patients.

Methodological Implications

These are the implications that a study has for advancing research methods and techniques. For example, a study that introduces a new method for data analysis can have implications for how future research in that field is conducted.

Ethical Implications

These are the implications that a study has for ethical considerations in research. For example, a study that involves human participants must consider the ethical implications of the research on the participants and take steps to protect their rights and welfare.

Policy Implications

These are the implications that a study has for informing policy decisions. For example, a study that examines the effectiveness of a particular policy can have implications for policymakers who are considering whether to implement or change that policy.

Societal Implications

These are the implications that a study has for society as a whole. For example, a study that examines the impact of a social issue such as poverty or inequality can have implications for how society addresses that issue.

Forms of Implications In Research

Forms of Implications are as follows:

Positive Implications

These refer to the positive outcomes or benefits that may result from a study’s findings. For example, a study that finds a new treatment for a disease can have positive implications for patients, healthcare providers, and the wider society.

Negative Implications

These refer to the negative outcomes or risks that may result from a study’s findings. For example, a study that finds a harmful side effect of a medication can have negative implications for patients, healthcare providers, and the wider society.

Direct Implications

These refer to the immediate consequences of a study’s findings. For example, a study that finds a new method for reducing greenhouse gas emissions can have direct implications for policymakers and businesses.

Indirect Implications

These refer to the broader or long-term consequences of a study’s findings. For example, a study that finds a link between childhood trauma and mental health issues can have indirect implications for social welfare policies, education, and public health.

Importance of Implications in Research

The following are some of the reasons why implications are important in research:

• To inform policy and practice: Research implications can inform policy and practice decisions by providing evidence-based recommendations for actions that can be taken to address the issues identified in the research. This can lead to more effective policies and practices that are grounded in empirical evidence.
• To guide future research: Implications can also guide future research by identifying areas that need further investigation, highlighting gaps in current knowledge, and suggesting new directions for research.
• To increase the impact of research : By communicating the practical and theoretical implications of their research, researchers can increase the impact of their work by demonstrating its relevance and importance to a wider audience.
• To enhance the credibility of research : Implications can help to enhance the credibility of research by demonstrating that the findings have practical and theoretical significance and are not just abstract or academic exercises.
• To foster collaboration and engagement : Implications can also foster collaboration and engagement between researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and other stakeholders by providing a common language and understanding of the practical and theoretical implications of the research.

Example of Implications in Research

Here are some examples of implications in research:

• Medical research: A study on the efficacy of a new drug for a specific disease can have significant implications for medical practitioners, patients, and pharmaceutical companies. If the drug is found to be effective, it can be used to treat patients with the disease, improve their health outcomes, and generate revenue for the pharmaceutical company.
• Educational research: A study on the impact of technology on student learning can have implications for educators and policymakers. If the study finds that technology improves student learning outcomes, educators can incorporate technology into their teaching methods, and policymakers can allocate more resources to technology in schools.
• Social work research: A study on the effectiveness of a new intervention program for individuals with mental health issues can have implications for social workers, mental health professionals, and policymakers. If the program is found to be effective, social workers and mental health professionals can incorporate it into their practice, and policymakers can allocate more resources to the program.
• Environmental research: A study on the impact of climate change on a particular ecosystem can have implications for environmentalists, policymakers, and industries. If the study finds that the ecosystem is at risk, environmentalists can advocate for policy changes to protect the ecosystem, policymakers can allocate resources to mitigate the impact of climate change, and industries can adjust their practices to reduce their carbon footprint.
• Economic research: A study on the impact of minimum wage on employment can have implications for policymakers and businesses. If the study finds that increasing the minimum wage does not lead to job losses, policymakers can implement policies to increase the minimum wage, and businesses can adjust their payroll practices.

How to Write Implications in Research

Writing implications in research involves discussing the potential outcomes or consequences of your findings and the practical applications of your study’s results. Here are some steps to follow when writing implications in research:

• Summarize your key findings: Before discussing the implications of your research, briefly summarize your key findings. This will provide context for your implications and help readers understand how your research relates to your conclusions.
• Identify the implications: Identify the potential implications of your research based on your key findings. Consider how your results might be applied in the real world, what further research might be necessary, and what other areas of study could be impacted by your research.
• Connect implications to research question: Make sure that your implications are directly related to your research question or hypotheses. This will help to ensure that your implications are relevant and meaningful.
• Consider limitations : Acknowledge any limitations or weaknesses of your research, and discuss how these might impact the implications of your research. This will help to provide a more balanced view of your findings.
• Discuss practical applications : Discuss the practical applications of your research and how your findings could be used in real-world situations. This might include recommendations for policy or practice changes, or suggestions for future research.
• Be clear and concise : When writing implications in research, be clear and concise. Use simple language and avoid jargon or technical terms that might be confusing to readers.
• Provide a strong conclusion: Provide a strong conclusion that summarizes your key implications and leaves readers with a clear understanding of the significance of your research.

Purpose of Implications in Research

The purposes of implications in research include:

• Informing practice: The implications of research can provide guidance for practitioners, policymakers, and other stakeholders about how to apply research findings in practical settings.
• Generating new research questions: Implications can also inspire new research questions that build upon the findings of the original study.
• Identifying gaps in knowledge: Implications can help to identify areas where more research is needed to fully understand a phenomenon.
• Promoting scientific literacy: Implications can also help to promote scientific literacy by communicating research findings in accessible and relevant ways.
• Facilitating decision-making : The implications of research can assist decision-makers in making informed decisions based on scientific evidence.
• Contributing to theory development : Implications can also contribute to the development of theories by expanding upon or challenging existing theories.

When to Write Implications in Research

Here are some specific situations of when to write implications in research:

• Research proposal : When writing a research proposal, it is important to include a section on the potential implications of the research. This section should discuss the potential impact of the research on the field and its potential applications.
• Literature review : The literature review is an important section of the research paper where the researcher summarizes existing knowledge on the topic. This is also a good place to discuss the potential implications of the research. The researcher can identify gaps in the literature and suggest areas for further research.
• Conclusion or discussion section : The conclusion or discussion section is where the researcher summarizes the findings of the study and interprets their meaning. This is a good place to discuss the implications of the research and its potential impact on the field.

Advantages of Implications in Research

Implications are an important part of research that can provide a range of advantages. Here are some of the key advantages of implications in research:

• Practical applications: Implications can help researchers to identify practical applications of their research findings, which can be useful for practitioners and policymakers who are interested in applying the research in real-world contexts.
• Improved decision-making: Implications can also help decision-makers to make more informed decisions based on the research findings. By clearly identifying the implications of the research, decision-makers can understand the potential outcomes of their decisions and make better choices.
• Future research directions : Implications can also guide future research directions by highlighting areas that require further investigation or by suggesting new research questions. This can help to build on existing knowledge and fill gaps in the current understanding of a topic.
• Increased relevance: By highlighting the implications of their research, researchers can increase the relevance of their work to real-world problems and challenges. This can help to increase the impact of their research and make it more meaningful to stakeholders.
• Enhanced communication : Implications can also help researchers to communicate their findings more effectively to a wider audience. By highlighting the practical applications and potential benefits of their research, researchers can engage with stakeholders and communicate the value of their work more clearly.

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What are Implications in Research?

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Table of Contents

Manuscripts that do not mention the implications of the study are often desk-rejected by journals. What constitutes the ‘implications’ of research, and why is it important to include research implications in your manuscript?

Research implications: An overview

Once you have laid out the key findings in your paper, you have to discuss how they will likely impact the world. What is the significance of your study to policymakers, the lay person, or other researchers? This speculation, made in good faith, constitutes your study’ implications.

A research paper that does not explain the study’s importance in light of its findings exists in a vacuum. The paper may be relevant to you, the author, and some of your co-workers. But it is unclear how others will benefit from reading it.

How can the findings of your study help create a better world? What can we infer from your conclusion about the current state of research in your field or the quality of methods you employed? These are all important implications of your study.

You cannot predict how your study will influence the world or research in the future. You can only make reasonable speculations. In order to ensure that the implications are reasonable, you have to be mindful of the limitations of your study.

In the research context, only speculations supported by data count as valid implications. If the implications you draw do not logically follow the key findings of your study, they may sound overblown or outright preposterous.

Suppose your study evaluated the effects of a new drug in the adult population. In that case, you could not honestly speculate on how the drug will impact paediatric care. Thus, the implications you draw from your study cannot exceed its scope.

Practical implications

Imagine that your study found a popular type of cognitive therapy to be ineffective in treating insomnia. Your findings imply that psychologists using this type of therapy were not seeing actual results but an expectancy effect. Studies that can potentially impact real-world problems by prompting policy change or change in treatments have practical implications.

It can be helpful to understand the difference between an implication of your study and a recommendation. Suppose your study compares two or more types of therapy, ranks them in the order of effectiveness, and explicitly asks clinicians to follow the most effective type. The suggestion made in the end constitutes a ‘recommendation’ and not an ‘implication’.

Theoretical implications

Are your findings in line with previous research? Did your results validate the methods used in previous research or invalidate them? Has your study discovered a new and helpful way to do experiments? Speculations on how your findings can potentially impact research in your field of study are theoretical implications.

The main difference between practical and theoretical implications is that theoretical implications may not be readily helpful to policymakers or the public.

How to Write Implications in Research

Implications usually form an essential part of the conclusion section of a research paper. As we have mentioned in a previous article, this section starts by summarising your work, but this time emphasises your work’s significance .

While writing the implications, it is helpful to ask, “who will benefit the most from reading my paper?”—policymakers, physicians, the public, or other researchers. Once you know your target population, explain how your findings can help them.

Think about how the findings in your study are similar or dissimilar to the findings of previous studies. Your study may reaffirm or disprove the results of other studies. This is an important implication.

Suggest future directions for research in the subject area in light of your findings or further research to confirm your findings. These are also crucial implications.

Do not try to exaggerate your results, and make sure your tone reflects the strength of your findings. If the implications mentioned in your paper are convincing, it can improve visibility for your work and spur similar studies in your field.

For more information on the importance of implications in research, and guidance on how to include them in your manuscript, visit Elsevier Author Services now!

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• A Research Guide
• Research Paper Guide

How to Write Implications in Research

• Implications definition
• Recommendations vs implications
• Types of implications in research
• Step-by-step implications writing guide

Research implications examples

What the implications of the research definition?

• Theoretical implications stand for all the new additions to theories that have already been presented in the past. At the same time, one can use a totally new theory that provides a background and a framework for a study.
• Practical implications are about potential consequences that show the practical side of things.

Recommendations VS Implications

• Implied content versus proposed writing. It means that an implication should provide an outcome from your study. The recommendation is always based on the outcome, along with your words as a personal opinion.
• Potential impact a study may have versus a specific act. When you are composing your research paper, your implications have the purpose of discussing how the findings of the study matter. They should tell how your research has an impact on the subject that you address. Now, unlike the implications section of the research paper, recommendations refer to peculiar actions or steps you must take. They should be based on your opinion precisely and talk about what must be done since your research findings confirm that.

What are the types of implications in research?

• Political implications. These are mostly common for Law and Political Sciences students basing implications on a certain study, a speech, or legislative standards. It is a case when implications and recommendations can also be used to achieve an efficient result.
• Technological implications. When dealing with a technological implication, it serves as special implications for future research manuals where you discuss the study with several examples. Do not use a methodology in this section, as it can only be mentioned briefly.
• Findings related to policies. When you have implemented a special policy or you are dealing with a medical or legal finding, you should add it to your policy. Adding an implications section is necessary when it must be highlighted in your research.
• Topical (subject) implications. These are based on your subject and serve as a way to clarify things or as a method to narrow things down by supporting the finding before it is linked to a thesis statement or your main scientific argument.

Step-by-step implications in research writing guide

Step 1: talk about what has been discovered in your research., step 2: name the differences compared to what previous studies have found., step 3: discuss the implications of your findings., step 4: add specific information to showcase your contributions., step 5: match it with your discussion and thesis statement..

Green energy can benefit from the use of vertical turbines versus horizontal turbines due to construction methods and saving costs. 

The use of AI-based apps that contain repetition and grammar-checking will help ESL students and learners with special needs. 

Most studies provide more research on the social emphasis that influences the problem of bullying in the village area. It points out that most people have different cultural behavior where the problem of bullying is approached differently.

If you encounter challenges in terms of precise replication, you can use a CR genetic code to follow the policies used in 1994. Considering the theoretical limitations, it is necessary to provide exact theories and practical steps. It will help to resolve the challenge and compare what has been available back then. It will help to trace the temporal backline. 

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What Are Implications in Research? | Examples & Tips

As a researcher, you know you need to provide a background for your study and a clear rationale and to formulate the statement of the problem in a way that leaves no doubt that your work is relevant and important. You also need to guide the reader carefully through your story from beginning to end without leaving any methodological questions unanswered. 

But many authors, when arriving at the end of their paper, run out of steam or lose the thread a bit and struggle with finding an ending for their work. Something can then appear missing, even if the discussion section summarizes the findings clearly, relates them back to the questions raised in the introduction section , and discusses them in the context of earlier works. A tired author who just made it to the end can often not see these missing elements and may finish off their paper with a conclusion section that is more or less a repetition of what has already been stated. After all, what more is there to be said? 

But as sure as the sun will rise again the day after you finally submitted, you will get your paper back from your supervisor or the reviewers with a comment that says, “implications are missing.” For a reader who is not as invested in every little detail of your design and analyses, the main questions that a paper has to answer are “why was this study necessary?” and “why are the findings of this study significant, and for whom, and what are we supposed to do with them now?” The latter are the implications of your work. 

Didn’t I explain the implications in my introduction section?

You will hopefully have already explained why and for whom your study is important. But you now also need to clearly state how you think your actual findings (which might differ from what you expected to find at the beginning) may be relevant and/or can be used in practical or theoretical ways, for future research, or by policymakers. These implications need to be based on your study’s parameters and results, and potential limitations of your methodology or sample should be taken into account to avoid overgeneralization. 

If you make the reader guess what the significance of your work might be or let them assume you don’t think that your work will be important for anyone except yourself and your colleagues who share your enthusiasm because they are working on the same topic, then an editor or reviewer might easily see that as a reason for a desk-reject. To avoid this, in the following, we will give you an overview of the different types of implications that research findings can have, provide some examples for your inspiration, and clarify where your implications should go in your paper. 

Table of Contents:

• Types of Implications in Research

Recommendations Versus Implications 

• Research Implications Examples 
• Where Do the Implications Go in Your paper?

Types of Implications in Research 

Depending on the type of research you are doing (clinical, philosophical, political…) the implications of your findings can likewise be clinical, philosophical, political, social, ethical—you name it. The most important distinction, however, is the one between practical implications and theoretical implications, and what many reviewers immediately notice and flag as an issue is when there is no mention of any kind of practical contribution of the work described in a paper. 

Of course, if you study a mathematical theory, then your findings might simply lead to the debunking of another theory as false, and you might need to do some mental gymnastics if you really wanted to apply that to a real-world problem. But chances are, in that case, your reviewers and readers won’t ask for a real-world implication. In most other cases, however, if you really want to convince your audience that your work deserves attention, publication, prizes, and whatnot, then you need to link whatever you did in the lab or found in the library to real life and highlight how your findings might have a lasting effect on your field (for example, methodologically), common practices (e.g., patient treatment or teaching standards), society at large (maybe the way we communicate), or ethical standards (e.g., in animal research). 

The question is not whether your findings will change the world, but whether they could if they were publicized and implemented—according to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary , the essential meaning of implication is a “possible future effect or result”. This possible result is what you have to identify and describe. And while being creative is certainly allowed, make sure your assumptions stay within realistic expectations, and don’t forget to take the limitations of your methodology or your sample into account. 

If you studied the genetic basis of a disease in some animal model, then make sure you have good reason to draw conclusions about the treatment of the same disease in humans if you don’t want to put off the editor who decides whether to even send your manuscript out for review. Likewise, if you explored the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on higher education institutions in your country, then make sure the conclusions you draw hold in the context of other countries’ pandemic situations and restrictions and differences across education systems before you claim that they are relevant in a global context. 

Implications, as we already explored, state the importance of your study and how your findings may be relevant for the fine-tuning of certain practices, theoretical models, policymaking, or future research studies. As stated earlier, that does not necessarily mean that you believe your findings will change the world tomorrow, but that you have reason to believe they could have an impact in a specific way. Recommendations, on the other hand, are specific suggestions regarding the best course of action in a certain situation based on your findings. If, for example, you used three different established methods in your field to tackle the same problem, compared the outcomes, and concluded that one of these methods is, in fact, insufficient and should not be used anymore, then that is a recommendation for future research. 

Or if you analyzed how a monetary “Corona support program” in your country affected the local economy and found that most of the money the government provided went to Amazon and not to local businesses, then you can recommend that your government come up with a better plan next time. Such specific recommendations should usually follow the implications, not the other way around, because you always need to identify the implications of your work, but not every study allows the author to make practical suggestions or real-world recommendations.

Research Implications Examples

Clinical implications  .

Let’s say you discovered a new antibiotic that could eliminate a specific pathogen effectively without generating resistance (the main problem with antibiotics). The clinical implications of your findings would then be that infections with this pathogen could be more rapidly treated than before (without you predicting or suggesting any specific action to happen as a result of your findings). A recommendation would be that doctors should start using this new antibiotic, that it should be included in the official treatment guidelines, that it should be covered by the national health insurance of your country, etc.—but depending on how conclusive your findings are or how much more research or development might be needed to get from your findings to the actual medication, such recommendations might be a big stretch. The implications, however, since they state the potential of your findings, are valid in any case and should not be missing from your discussion section, even if your findings are just one small step along the way.

Social implications 

The social implications of the study are defined as the ability or potential of research to impact society in visible ways. One of the obvious fields of research that strives for a social impact through the implementation of evidence that increases the overall quality of people’s lives is psychology. Whether your research explores the new work-life-balance movement and its effect on mental well-being, psychological interventions at schools to compensate for the stress many children are experiencing since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, or how work from home is changing family dynamics, you can most likely draw conclusions that go beyond just your study sample and describe potential (theoretical or practical) effects of your findings in the real world. Be careful, however, that you don’t overgeneralize from your sample or your data to the general population without having solid reasons to do so (and explain those reasons).

Implications for future research

Even if your findings are not going to lead to societal changes, new educational policies, or an overhaul of the national pension system, they might have important implications for future research studies. Maybe you used a new technique that is more precise or more efficient or way cheaper than existing methods and this could enable more labs around the world to study a specific problem. Or maybe you found that a gene that is known to be involved in one disease might also be involved in another disease, which opens up new avenues for research and treatment options. As stated earlier, make sure you don’t confuse recommendations (which you might not be able to make, based on your findings, and don’t necessarily have to) with implications, which are the potential effect that your findings could have—independently of whether you have any influence on that. 

Where Do the Implications Go in Your Paper? 

The implications are part of your discussion section, where you summarize your findings and then put them into context—this context being earlier research but also the potential effect your findings could have in the real world, in whatever scenario you think might be relevant. There is no “implication section” and no rule as to where in the discussion section you need to include these details because the order of information depends on how you structured your methods and your results section and how your findings turned out to prove or disprove your hypotheses. You simply need to work the potential effects of your findings into your discussion section in a logical way.

But the order of information is relevant when it comes to your conclusion at the very end of your discussion section: Here, you start with a very short summary of your study and results, then provide the (theoretical, practical, ethical, social, technological…) implications of your work, and end with a specific recommendation if (and only if) your findings call for that. If you have not paid attention to the importance of your implications while writing your discussion section, then this is your chance to fix that before you finalize and submit your paper and let an editor and reviewers judge the relevance of your work. 

Make sure you do not suddenly come up with practical ideas that look like they were plucked out of the air because someone reminded you to “add some implications” at the last minute. If you don’t know where to start, then go back to your introduction section, look at your rationale and research questions, look at how your findings answered those questions, and ask yourself who else could benefit from knowing what you know now.

Consider Using English Editing Services 

And before you submit your manuscript to your target journal’s editor, be sure to get professional English editing services from Wordvice, including academic editing and manuscript editing , which are tailored to the needs of your paper’s subject area. If you need instant proofreading or paraphrasing while drafting your work, check out our online AI text editor , Wordvice AI, which is trained on millions of words of academic writing data and tailored for research writers.

For more advice on how to write all the different parts of your research paper , on how to make a research paper outline if you are struggling with putting everything you did together, or on how to write the best cover letter that will convince an editor to send your manuscript out for review, head over to the Wordvice academic resources pages, where we have dozens of helpful articles and videos on research writing and publications.

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How to Write Implications in a Research Paper

March 4, 2024

In the vast landscape of academic research, the implications section of a research paper stands as a critical juncture where detailed study findings are translated into broad, actionable insights with the power to influence beyond the confines of academic discourse. This integral component of your scholarly work serves not just to extend the reach of your conclusions, but also to underscore their importance across a myriad of domains—ranging from influencing policy decisions and enhancing educational practices to sparking additional research questions and investigations. Developing proficiency in articulating this section is indispensable for scholars dedicated to making a substantial impact within their fields of study.

This guide is meticulously designed to shed light on this process, offering a comprehensive pathway for integrating meaningful implications into your research. It highlights the essential role of this section in amplifying the resonance of your work, aiming to equip researchers with the skills needed to ensure their findings contribute significantly to both academic debates and real-world applications. Through this exploration, authors are encouraged to refine their approach to writing implications, thereby enriching their research endeavors’ academic and practical value.

Unraveling the Mystery: What Are Implications in Academic Studies?

The discourse on implications within academic studies serves as a vital link, enabling the extension of research findings beyond the confines of theoretical exploration to practical application and societal advancement. This discourse broadens the applicability and understanding of your research, fostering a dialogue that stretches beyond academic boundaries. Whether influencing policy decisions, guiding directions for future research, or suggesting innovations within industry practices, this section is where the transformative potential of your study comes to fruition. Here, abstract concepts are distilled into tangible insights, catalyzing real-world change and innovation.

For instance, investigations into renewable energy sources do more than expand our knowledge of alternative fuels; they directly impact environmental policies and practices toward sustainable development. In this context, learning how to write implications in a research paper involves more than narrating the outcomes; it’s about demonstrating how these outcomes can address pivotal global issues, such as climate change, and lead to actionable solutions. This part of the paper is an opportunity for authors to illustrate the expansive influence of their work, highlighting its capacity to inform decisions and inspire future innovations.

The Importance of Writing Implications

The articulation of implications is central to disseminating and applying research findings. Through this narrative, the research transcends the confines of academia and enters the realm of societal contribution. Writing implications demands a profound understanding of your research and its potential intersections with the world at large. It is an exercise in foresight, envisioning the ripple effects of your findings across various domains. For researchers, this is an opportunity to advocate for the significance of their work, drawing connections between their findings and broader societal or disciplinary advancements. This section of your research paper is where you argue for the relevance of your study, convincing stakeholders of the necessity to act upon or consider your findings. For example, research implications in educational psychology might inform teacher training programs, curriculum development, and learning interventions, directly impacting educational practices and student outcomes. By effectively communicating these implications, researchers contribute to their field’s body of knowledge and engage in a larger conversation about progress, innovation, and societal betterment.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting Implications

The process to write implications in a research paper is pivotal, offering a pathway from empirical findings to broader scholarly and societal contributions. This guide is dedicated to unraveling the complexity of this task, ensuring researchers can communicate the significance of their work with clarity and impact. Starting with the identification of key findings, it’s crucial to isolate those insights that fundamentally advance understanding within the field. This distinction between primary and secondary outcomes lays the groundwork for significant implications and is directly tied to the study’s core inquiries. Researchers can articulate their work’s broader effects by learning the data and situating findings within the existing body of knowledge. This comprehensive approach ensures that the implications section of a research paper not only highlights the study’s contributions but also charts a course for future inquiry and application.

Step 1: Identify the Key Findings

The initial step in establishing a foundation for meaningful implications involves a discerning review of your study’s outcomes to highlight the key findings. This task transcends simple result summarization, requiring a discerning evaluation to identify insights with a profound potential to impact the field. These findings must squarely address the research question, providing clear, significant insights that lay the groundwork for in-depth exploration and further studies. This critical separation between primary and secondary outcomes anchors the implications in the most consequential elements of the study. Scholars concentrate on these pivotal findings and ensure their work’s implications possess the necessary depth and specificity to enrich the field substantially. This precision in identifying key findings underpins the relevance of the implications. It sets the stage for impactful contributions that resonate well beyond the confines of academic discourse, enhancing the study’s overall significance and utility.

Step 2: Analyze the Findings

The subsequent phase involves an exhaustive analysis to illuminate the deeper meaning and wider scope of the key findings. This step significantly broadens the comprehension of the outcomes by delving into the data against the backdrop of existing literature and theoretical underpinnings. Such a thorough analysis does more than position the study within the scholarly debate; it uncovers ways the research either adds new insights or contests established beliefs. Researchers can utilize diverse analytical techniques to delve into their data’s subtleties, constructing a solid base for drawing out implications that affirm the study’s relevance and value beyond academic circles. This meticulous approach to analysis ensures that the identified implications are deeply rooted in a comprehensive understanding of the research findings and poised to make a lasting impact.

Step 3: Identify the Implications

In this phase, researchers are tasked with conceptualizing the broader effects of their findings on various domains such as practice, policy, theoretical development, and subsequent inquiries. This requires expansive thinking about how the study’s outcomes could be applied or what new questions they raise. It’s a matter of pondering the potential influence on policy formulation, suggesting enhancements in professional practices, or filling gaps in theoretical knowledge. Addressing implications comprehensively guarantees the study’s resonance extends beyond scholarly limits, illustrating its capacity to instigate change and motivate further exploration. When researchers articulate these implications, they not only shed light on the practical and academic importance of their findings but also on the transformative power inherent in their work.

Step 4: Connect the Implications to the Research Question

Ensuring the implications are directly linked to the research question is critical for maintaining the study’s coherence and relevance. This alignment affirms that the implications emerge naturally from the investigation’s efforts to address its core question, reinforcing the findings’ significance. By establishing this connection, the clarity of the study’s contributions is enhanced, firmly to write implications in a research paper itself. This pivotal step acts as a bridge, merging a detailed analysis of the findings with their broader impact and application, thereby solidifying the study’s importance in both academic and practical realms. It demonstrates how meticulously drawn implications can inform, influence, and inspire, underlining the study’s contribution to advancing knowledge and practice.

Step 5: Provide Recommendations

The process culminates in translating the identified implications into actionable recommendations, transforming theoretical insights into pragmatic suggestions for future endeavors, policy formation, and professional practice. This crucial step makes the study actionable, offering specific, research-based recommendations to direct practical application or guide subsequent research. By converting implications into clear recommendations, the study’s influence is magnified, serving as a guidepost for forthcoming work, policy refinement, or alterations in practice. This transformation of implications into recommendations not only extends the research’s reach but also ensures its findings make a concrete contribution to the field and society at large, embodying the study’s ultimate goal of fostering tangible progress and understanding.

Recommendations in Research: Examples to Guide You

Providing examples of recommendations in research helps to illustrate how to transform theoretical implications into practical, actionable steps. For instance, a study on the effects of digital learning tools in elementary education might lead to recommendations for integrating specific types of technology in the classroom. These recommendations could include developing training programs for teachers to effectively implement these tools, underscoring the study’s direct applicability to educational practices.

Similarly, research findings in environmental science regarding the impact of urban green spaces on mental health can lead to recommendations for city planning and public health policy. Such a study might suggest that municipalities increase their investment in urban parks and green corridors, providing a clear link between the research findings and policy implications. These examples demonstrate how researchers can articulate their study’s implications in ways that prompt real-world change, showcasing the potential for research to inform policy, influence practice, and guide future investigations. By providing clear, evidence-based recommendations, researchers can ensure that their findings contribute meaningfully to their field and society.

Pro Tips for Writing Impactful Implications

To write implications in a research paper requires precision, foresight, and a deep understanding of your research’s potential effects on the field and beyond. To achieve this, start by ensuring that each implication is directly tied to your findings, avoiding broad or unfounded claims. Each statement should be grounded in your research data, providing a clear and credible link between your study’s results and the suggested implications.

Moreover, it’s vital to consider the audience of your research paper. Tailor your implications to speak directly to the concerns and interests of your readers, whether they are fellow researchers, practitioners, or policymakers. This targeted approach increases the relevance of your work and enhances its potential impact. Additionally, integrating your implications seamlessly into the narrative of your research paper helps maintain the reader’s engagement, leading them naturally from your findings to the broader significance of your work. This narrative cohesion ensures that your research is informative and compelling, encouraging readers to consider the practical applications of your study and its contributions to advancing knowledge and practice in your field.

By adhering to these guidelines, you can ensure that your efforts to write implications in a research paper are both effective and impactful, bridging the gap between academic research and tangible societal benefits.

The implications section is pivotal as the conduit between scholarly insights and their wider application. Here, the depth and breadth of your findings resonate, reaching beyond academic circles into policy development, professional practices, and the genesis of new inquiries. The ability of cogent implications to elevate a paper is profound; they underscore the significance of your conclusions and chart paths for application and further inquiry. In crafting your paper, accord the implications section the focus and thoroughness it warrants. Developing the knack for presenting implications is an evolving process enriched by deep reflection and careful effort. This stage invites you to consider the far-reaching effects of your work, fostering a dialogue that extends your contribution beyond theoretical bounds.

Embrace this task with an eagerness for discovery and a zeal for contributing meaningfully. Engaging in this endeavor ensures your work transcends scholarly boundaries, providing insights ripe for practical use and future exploration. Let crafting implications illuminate the vast potential of your study, underscoring its role in shaping understanding, influencing policy, and steering professional practice.

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General Research Paper Guidelines: Discussion

Discussion section.

The overall purpose of a research paper’s discussion section is to evaluate and interpret results, while explaining both the implications and limitations of your findings. Per APA (2020) guidelines, this section requires you to “examine, interpret, and qualify the results and draw inferences and conclusions from them” (p. 89). Discussion sections also require you to detail any new insights, think through areas for future research, highlight the work that still needs to be done to further your topic, and provide a clear conclusion to your research paper. In a good discussion section, you should do the following:

• Clearly connect the discussion of your results to your introduction, including your central argument, thesis, or problem statement.
• Provide readers with a critical thinking through of your results, answering the “so what?” question about each of your findings. In other words, why is this finding important?
• Detail how your research findings might address critical gaps or problems in your field
• Compare your results to similar studies’ findings
• Provide the possibility of alternative interpretations, as your goal as a researcher is to “discover” and “examine” and not to “prove” or “disprove.” Instead of trying to fit your results into your hypothesis, critically engage with alternative interpretations to your results.

For more specific details on your Discussion section, be sure to review Sections 3.8 (pp. 89-90) and 3.16 (pp. 103-104) of your 7 th edition APA manual

*Box content adapted from:

University of Southern California (n.d.). Organizing your social sciences research paper: 8 the discussion . https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/discussion

Limitations

Limitations of generalizability or utility of findings, often over which the researcher has no control, should be detailed in your Discussion section. Including limitations for your reader allows you to demonstrate you have thought critically about your given topic, understood relevant literature addressing your topic, and chosen the methodology most appropriate for your research. It also allows you an opportunity to suggest avenues for future research on your topic. An effective limitations section will include the following:

• Detail (a) sources of potential bias, (b) possible imprecision of measures, (c) other limitations or weaknesses of the study, including any methodological or researcher limitations.
• Sample size: In quantitative research, if a sample size is too small, it is more difficult to generalize results.
• Lack of available/reliable data : In some cases, data might not be available or reliable, which will ultimately affect the overall scope of your research. Use this as an opportunity to explain areas for future study.
• Lack of prior research on your study topic: In some cases, you might find that there is very little or no similar research on your study topic, which hinders the credibility and scope of your own research. If this is the case, use this limitation as an opportunity to call for future research. However, make sure you have done a thorough search of the available literature before making this claim.
• Flaws in measurement of data: Hindsight is 20/20, and you might realize after you have completed your research that the data tool you used actually limited the scope or results of your study in some way. Again, acknowledge the weakness and use it as an opportunity to highlight areas for future study.
• Limits of self-reported data: In your research, you are assuming that any participants will be honest and forthcoming with responses or information they provide to you. Simply acknowledging this assumption as a possible limitation is important in your research.
• Access: Most research requires that you have access to people, documents, organizations, etc.. However, for various reasons, access is sometimes limited or denied altogether. If this is the case, you will want to acknowledge access as a limitation to your research.
• Time: Choosing a research focus that is narrow enough in scope to finish in a given time period is important. If such limitations of time prevent you from certain forms of research, access, or study designs, acknowledging this time restraint is important. Acknowledging such limitations is important, as they can point other researchers to areas that require future study.
• Potential Bias: All researchers have some biases, so when reading and revising your draft, pay special attention to the possibilities for bias in your own work. Such bias could be in the form you organized people, places, participants, or events. They might also exist in the method you selected or the interpretation of your results. Acknowledging such bias is an important part of the research process.
• Language Fluency: On occasion, researchers or research participants might have language fluency issues, which could potentially hinder results or how effectively you interpret results. If this is an issue in your research, make sure to acknowledge it in your limitations section.

University of Southern California (n.d.). Organizing your social sciences research paper: Limitations of the study . https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/limitations

In many research papers, the conclusion, like the limitations section, is folded into the larger discussion section. If you are unsure whether to include the conclusion as part of your discussion or as a separate section, be sure to defer to the assignment instructions or ask your instructor.

The conclusion is important, as it is specifically designed to highlight your research’s larger importance outside of the specific results of your study. Your conclusion section allows you to reiterate the main findings of your study, highlight their importance, and point out areas for future research. Based on the scope of your paper, your conclusion could be anywhere from one to three paragraphs long. An effective conclusion section should include the following:

• Describe the possibilities for continued research on your topic, including what might be improved, adapted, or added to ensure useful and informed future research.
• Provide a detailed account of the importance of your findings
• Reiterate why your problem is important, detail how your interpretation of results impacts the subfield of study, and what larger issues both within and outside of your field might be affected from such results

University of Southern California (n.d.). Organizing your social sciences research paper: 9. the conclusion . https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/conclusion

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Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper

• 8. The Discussion
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The purpose of the discussion section is to interpret and describe the significance of your findings in relation to what was already known about the research problem being investigated and to explain any new understanding or insights that emerged as a result of your research. The discussion will always connect to the introduction by way of the research questions or hypotheses you posed and the literature you reviewed, but the discussion does not simply repeat or rearrange the first parts of your paper; the discussion clearly explains how your study advanced the reader's understanding of the research problem from where you left them at the end of your review of prior research.

Annesley, Thomas M. “The Discussion Section: Your Closing Argument.” Clinical Chemistry 56 (November 2010): 1671-1674; Peacock, Matthew. “Communicative Moves in the Discussion Section of Research Articles.” System 30 (December 2002): 479-497.

Importance of a Good Discussion

The discussion section is often considered the most important part of your research paper because it:

• Most effectively demonstrates your ability as a researcher to think critically about an issue, to develop creative solutions to problems based upon a logical synthesis of the findings, and to formulate a deeper, more profound understanding of the research problem under investigation;
• Presents the underlying meaning of your research, notes possible implications in other areas of study, and explores possible improvements that can be made in order to further develop the concerns of your research;
• Highlights the importance of your study and how it can contribute to understanding the research problem within the field of study;
• Presents how the findings from your study revealed and helped fill gaps in the literature that had not been previously exposed or adequately described; and,
• Engages the reader in thinking critically about issues based on an evidence-based interpretation of findings; it is not governed strictly by objective reporting of information.

Annesley Thomas M. “The Discussion Section: Your Closing Argument.” Clinical Chemistry 56 (November 2010): 1671-1674; Bitchener, John and Helen Basturkmen. “Perceptions of the Difficulties of Postgraduate L2 Thesis Students Writing the Discussion Section.” Journal of English for Academic Purposes 5 (January 2006): 4-18; Kretchmer, Paul. Fourteen Steps to Writing an Effective Discussion Section. San Francisco Edit, 2003-2008.

Structure and Writing Style

I.  General Rules

These are the general rules you should adopt when composing your discussion of the results :

• Do not be verbose or repetitive; be concise and make your points clearly
• Avoid the use of jargon or undefined technical language
• Follow a logical stream of thought; in general, interpret and discuss the significance of your findings in the same sequence you described them in your results section [a notable exception is to begin by highlighting an unexpected result or a finding that can grab the reader's attention]
• Use the present verb tense, especially for established facts; however, refer to specific works or prior studies in the past tense
• If needed, use subheadings to help organize your discussion or to categorize your interpretations into themes

II.  The Content

The content of the discussion section of your paper most often includes :

• Explanation of results : Comment on whether or not the results were expected for each set of findings; go into greater depth to explain findings that were unexpected or especially profound. If appropriate, note any unusual or unanticipated patterns or trends that emerged from your results and explain their meaning in relation to the research problem.
• References to previous research : Either compare your results with the findings from other studies or use the studies to support a claim. This can include re-visiting key sources already cited in your literature review section, or, save them to cite later in the discussion section if they are more important to compare with your results instead of being a part of the general literature review of prior research used to provide context and background information. Note that you can make this decision to highlight specific studies after you have begun writing the discussion section.
• Deduction : A claim for how the results can be applied more generally. For example, describing lessons learned, proposing recommendations that can help improve a situation, or highlighting best practices.
• Hypothesis : A more general claim or possible conclusion arising from the results [which may be proved or disproved in subsequent research]. This can be framed as new research questions that emerged as a consequence of your analysis.

III.  Organization and Structure

Keep the following sequential points in mind as you organize and write the discussion section of your paper:

• Think of your discussion as an inverted pyramid. Organize the discussion from the general to the specific, linking your findings to the literature, then to theory, then to practice [if appropriate].
• Use the same key terms, narrative style, and verb tense [present] that you used when describing the research problem in your introduction.
• Begin by briefly re-stating the research problem you were investigating and answer all of the research questions underpinning the problem that you posed in the introduction.
• Describe the patterns, principles, and relationships shown by each major findings and place them in proper perspective. The sequence of this information is important; first state the answer, then the relevant results, then cite the work of others. If appropriate, refer the reader to a figure or table to help enhance the interpretation of the data [either within the text or as an appendix].
• Regardless of where it's mentioned, a good discussion section includes analysis of any unexpected findings. This part of the discussion should begin with a description of the unanticipated finding, followed by a brief interpretation as to why you believe it appeared and, if necessary, its possible significance in relation to the overall study. If more than one unexpected finding emerged during the study, describe each of them in the order they appeared as you gathered or analyzed the data. As noted, the exception to discussing findings in the same order you described them in the results section would be to begin by highlighting the implications of a particularly unexpected or significant finding that emerged from the study, followed by a discussion of the remaining findings.
• Before concluding the discussion, identify potential limitations and weaknesses if you do not plan to do so in the conclusion of the paper. Comment on their relative importance in relation to your overall interpretation of the results and, if necessary, note how they may affect the validity of your findings. Avoid using an apologetic tone; however, be honest and self-critical [e.g., in retrospect, had you included a particular question in a survey instrument, additional data could have been revealed].
• The discussion section should end with a concise summary of the principal implications of the findings regardless of their significance. Give a brief explanation about why you believe the findings and conclusions of your study are important and how they support broader knowledge or understanding of the research problem. This can be followed by any recommendations for further research. However, do not offer recommendations which could have been easily addressed within the study. This would demonstrate to the reader that you have inadequately examined and interpreted the data.

IV.  Overall Objectives

The objectives of your discussion section should include the following: I.  Reiterate the Research Problem/State the Major Findings

Briefly reiterate the research problem or problems you are investigating and the methods you used to investigate them, then move quickly to describe the major findings of the study. You should write a direct, declarative, and succinct proclamation of the study results, usually in one paragraph.

II.  Explain the Meaning of the Findings and Why They are Important

No one has thought as long and hard about your study as you have. Systematically explain the underlying meaning of your findings and state why you believe they are significant. After reading the discussion section, you want the reader to think critically about the results and why they are important. You don’t want to force the reader to go through the paper multiple times to figure out what it all means. If applicable, begin this part of the section by repeating what you consider to be your most significant or unanticipated finding first, then systematically review each finding. Otherwise, follow the general order you reported the findings presented in the results section.

III.  Relate the Findings to Similar Studies

No study in the social sciences is so novel or possesses such a restricted focus that it has absolutely no relation to previously published research. The discussion section should relate your results to those found in other studies, particularly if questions raised from prior studies served as the motivation for your research. This is important because comparing and contrasting the findings of other studies helps to support the overall importance of your results and it highlights how and in what ways your study differs from other research about the topic. Note that any significant or unanticipated finding is often because there was no prior research to indicate the finding could occur. If there is prior research to indicate this, you need to explain why it was significant or unanticipated. IV.  Consider Alternative Explanations of the Findings

It is important to remember that the purpose of research in the social sciences is to discover and not to prove . When writing the discussion section, you should carefully consider all possible explanations for the study results, rather than just those that fit your hypothesis or prior assumptions and biases. This is especially important when describing the discovery of significant or unanticipated findings.

V.  Acknowledge the Study’s Limitations

It is far better for you to identify and acknowledge your study’s limitations than to have them pointed out by your professor! Note any unanswered questions or issues your study could not address and describe the generalizability of your results to other situations. If a limitation is applicable to the method chosen to gather information, then describe in detail the problems you encountered and why. VI.  Make Suggestions for Further Research

You may choose to conclude the discussion section by making suggestions for further research [as opposed to offering suggestions in the conclusion of your paper]. Although your study can offer important insights about the research problem, this is where you can address other questions related to the problem that remain unanswered or highlight hidden issues that were revealed as a result of conducting your research. You should frame your suggestions by linking the need for further research to the limitations of your study [e.g., in future studies, the survey instrument should include more questions that ask..."] or linking to critical issues revealed from the data that were not considered initially in your research.

NOTE: Besides the literature review section, the preponderance of references to sources is usually found in the discussion section . A few historical references may be helpful for perspective, but most of the references should be relatively recent and included to aid in the interpretation of your results, to support the significance of a finding, and/or to place a finding within a particular context. If a study that you cited does not support your findings, don't ignore it--clearly explain why your research findings differ from theirs.

V.  Problems to Avoid

• Do not waste time restating your results . Should you need to remind the reader of a finding to be discussed, use "bridge sentences" that relate the result to the interpretation. An example would be: “In the case of determining available housing to single women with children in rural areas of Texas, the findings suggest that access to good schools is important...," then move on to further explaining this finding and its implications.
• As noted, recommendations for further research can be included in either the discussion or conclusion of your paper, but do not repeat your recommendations in the both sections. Think about the overall narrative flow of your paper to determine where best to locate this information. However, if your findings raise a lot of new questions or issues, consider including suggestions for further research in the discussion section.
• Do not introduce new results in the discussion section. Be wary of mistaking the reiteration of a specific finding for an interpretation because it may confuse the reader. The description of findings [results section] and the interpretation of their significance [discussion section] should be distinct parts of your paper. If you choose to combine the results section and the discussion section into a single narrative, you must be clear in how you report the information discovered and your own interpretation of each finding. This approach is not recommended if you lack experience writing college-level research papers.
• Use of the first person pronoun is generally acceptable. Using first person singular pronouns can help emphasize a point or illustrate a contrasting finding. However, keep in mind that too much use of the first person can actually distract the reader from the main points [i.e., I know you're telling me this--just tell me!].

Analyzing vs. Summarizing. Department of English Writing Guide. George Mason University; Discussion. The Structure, Format, Content, and Style of a Journal-Style Scientific Paper. Department of Biology. Bates College; Hess, Dean R. "How to Write an Effective Discussion." Respiratory Care 49 (October 2004); Kretchmer, Paul. Fourteen Steps to Writing to Writing an Effective Discussion Section. San Francisco Edit, 2003-2008; The Lab Report. University College Writing Centre. University of Toronto; Sauaia, A. et al. "The Anatomy of an Article: The Discussion Section: "How Does the Article I Read Today Change What I Will Recommend to my Patients Tomorrow?” The Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery 74 (June 2013): 1599-1602; Research Limitations & Future Research . Lund Research Ltd., 2012; Summary: Using it Wisely. The Writing Center. University of North Carolina; Schafer, Mickey S. Writing the Discussion. Writing in Psychology course syllabus. University of Florida; Yellin, Linda L. A Sociology Writer's Guide . Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon, 2009.

Writing Tip

Don’t Over-Interpret the Results!

Interpretation is a subjective exercise. As such, you should always approach the selection and interpretation of your findings introspectively and to think critically about the possibility of judgmental biases unintentionally entering into discussions about the significance of your work. With this in mind, be careful that you do not read more into the findings than can be supported by the evidence you have gathered. Remember that the data are the data: nothing more, nothing less.

MacCoun, Robert J. "Biases in the Interpretation and Use of Research Results." Annual Review of Psychology 49 (February 1998): 259-287; Ward, Paulet al, editors. The Oxford Handbook of Expertise . Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 2018.

Another Writing Tip

Don't Write Two Results Sections!

One of the most common mistakes that you can make when discussing the results of your study is to present a superficial interpretation of the findings that more or less re-states the results section of your paper. Obviously, you must refer to your results when discussing them, but focus on the interpretation of those results and their significance in relation to the research problem, not the data itself.

Azar, Beth. "Discussing Your Findings."  American Psychological Association gradPSYCH Magazine (January 2006).

Yet Another Writing Tip

Avoid Unwarranted Speculation!

The discussion section should remain focused on the findings of your study. For example, if the purpose of your research was to measure the impact of foreign aid on increasing access to education among disadvantaged children in Bangladesh, it would not be appropriate to speculate about how your findings might apply to populations in other countries without drawing from existing studies to support your claim or if analysis of other countries was not a part of your original research design. If you feel compelled to speculate, do so in the form of describing possible implications or explaining possible impacts. Be certain that you clearly identify your comments as speculation or as a suggestion for where further research is needed. Sometimes your professor will encourage you to expand your discussion of the results in this way, while others don’t care what your opinion is beyond your effort to interpret the data in relation to the research problem.

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• How to Write Discussions and Conclusions

The discussion section contains the results and outcomes of a study. An effective discussion informs readers what can be learned from your experiment and provides context for the results.

What makes an effective discussion?

When you’re ready to write your discussion, you’ve already introduced the purpose of your study and provided an in-depth description of the methodology. The discussion informs readers about the larger implications of your study based on the results. Highlighting these implications while not overstating the findings can be challenging, especially when you’re submitting to a journal that selects articles based on novelty or potential impact. Regardless of what journal you are submitting to, the discussion section always serves the same purpose: concluding what your study results actually mean.

A successful discussion section puts your findings in context. It should include:

• the results of your research,
• a discussion of related research, and
• a comparison between your results and initial hypothesis.

Tip: Not all journals share the same naming conventions.

You can apply the advice in this article to the conclusion, results or discussion sections of your manuscript.

Our Early Career Researcher community tells us that the conclusion is often considered the most difficult aspect of a manuscript to write. To help, this guide provides questions to ask yourself, a basic structure to model your discussion off of and examples from published manuscripts. 

Questions to ask yourself:

• Was my hypothesis correct?
• If my hypothesis is partially correct or entirely different, what can be learned from the results? 
• How do the conclusions reshape or add onto the existing knowledge in the field? What does previous research say about the topic? 
• Why are the results important or relevant to your audience? Do they add further evidence to a scientific consensus or disprove prior studies? 
• How can future research build on these observations? What are the key experiments that must be done? 
• What is the “take-home” message you want your reader to leave with?

How to structure a discussion

Trying to fit a complete discussion into a single paragraph can add unnecessary stress to the writing process. If possible, you’ll want to give yourself two or three paragraphs to give the reader a comprehensive understanding of your study as a whole. Here’s one way to structure an effective discussion:

Writing Tips

While the above sections can help you brainstorm and structure your discussion, there are many common mistakes that writers revert to when having difficulties with their paper. Writing a discussion can be a delicate balance between summarizing your results, providing proper context for your research and avoiding introducing new information. Remember that your paper should be both confident and honest about the results! 

• Read the journal’s guidelines on the discussion and conclusion sections. If possible, learn about the guidelines before writing the discussion to ensure you’re writing to meet their expectations. 
• Begin with a clear statement of the principal findings. This will reinforce the main take-away for the reader and set up the rest of the discussion. 
• Explain why the outcomes of your study are important to the reader. Discuss the implications of your findings realistically based on previous literature, highlighting both the strengths and limitations of the research. 
• State whether the results prove or disprove your hypothesis. If your hypothesis was disproved, what might be the reasons? 
• Introduce new or expanded ways to think about the research question. Indicate what next steps can be taken to further pursue any unresolved questions. 
• If dealing with a contemporary or ongoing problem, such as climate change, discuss possible consequences if the problem is avoided. 
• Be concise. Adding unnecessary detail can distract from the main findings. 

Don’t

• Rewrite your abstract. Statements with “we investigated” or “we studied” generally do not belong in the discussion. 
• Include new arguments or evidence not previously discussed. Necessary information and evidence should be introduced in the main body of the paper. 
• Apologize. Even if your research contains significant limitations, don’t undermine your authority by including statements that doubt your methodology or execution. 
• Shy away from speaking on limitations or negative results. Including limitations and negative results will give readers a complete understanding of the presented research. Potential limitations include sources of potential bias, threats to internal or external validity, barriers to implementing an intervention and other issues inherent to the study design. 
• Overstate the importance of your findings. Making grand statements about how a study will fully resolve large questions can lead readers to doubt the success of the research. 

Snippets of Effective Discussions:

Consumer-based actions to reduce plastic pollution in rivers: A multi-criteria decision analysis approach

Identifying reliable indicators of fitness in polar bears

• How to Write a Great Title
• How to Write an Abstract
• How to Write Your Methods
• How to Report Statistics
• How to Edit Your Work

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How to Write the Discussion Section of a Research Paper

The discussion section of a research paper analyzes and interprets the findings, provides context, compares them with previous studies, identifies limitations, and suggests future research directions.

Updated on September 15, 2023

Structure your discussion section right, and you’ll be cited more often while doing a greater service to the scientific community. So, what actually goes into the discussion section? And how do you write it?

The discussion section of your research paper is where you let the reader know how your study is positioned in the literature, what to take away from your paper, and how your work helps them. It can also include your conclusions and suggestions for future studies.

First, we’ll define all the parts of your discussion paper, and then look into how to write a strong, effective discussion section for your paper or manuscript.

Discussion section: what is it, what it does

The discussion section comes later in your paper, following the introduction, methods, and results. The discussion sets up your study’s conclusions. Its main goals are to present, interpret, and provide a context for your results.

What is it?

The discussion section provides an analysis and interpretation of the findings, compares them with previous studies, identifies limitations, and suggests future directions for research.

This section combines information from the preceding parts of your paper into a coherent story. By this point, the reader already knows why you did your study (introduction), how you did it (methods), and what happened (results). In the discussion, you’ll help the reader connect the ideas from these sections.

Why is it necessary?

The discussion provides context and interpretations for the results. It also answers the questions posed in the introduction. While the results section describes your findings, the discussion explains what they say. This is also where you can describe the impact or implications of your research.

Adds context for your results

Most research studies aim to answer a question, replicate a finding, or address limitations in the literature. These goals are first described in the introduction. However, in the discussion section, the author can refer back to them to explain how the study's objective was achieved. 

Shows what your results actually mean and real-world implications

The discussion can also describe the effect of your findings on research or practice. How are your results significant for readers, other researchers, or policymakers?

What to include in your discussion (in the correct order)

A complete and effective discussion section should at least touch on the points described below.

Summary of key findings

The discussion should begin with a brief factual summary of the results. Concisely overview the main results you obtained.

Begin with key findings with supporting evidence

Your results section described a list of findings, but what message do they send when you look at them all together?

Your findings were detailed in the results section, so there’s no need to repeat them here, but do provide at least a few highlights. This will help refresh the reader’s memory and help them focus on the big picture.

Read the first paragraph of the discussion section in this article (PDF) for an example of how to start this part of your paper. Notice how the authors break down their results and follow each description sentence with an explanation of why each finding is relevant. 

State clearly and concisely

Following a clear and direct writing style is especially important in the discussion section. After all, this is where you will make some of the most impactful points in your paper. While the results section often contains technical vocabulary, such as statistical terms, the discussion section lets you describe your findings more clearly. 

Interpretation of results

Once you’ve given your reader an overview of your results, you need to interpret those results. In other words, what do your results mean? Discuss the findings’ implications and significance in relation to your research question or hypothesis.

Analyze and interpret your findings

Look into your findings and explore what’s behind them or what may have caused them. If your introduction cited theories or studies that could explain your findings, use these sources as a basis to discuss your results.

For example, look at the second paragraph in the discussion section of this article on waggling honey bees. Here, the authors explore their results based on information from the literature.

Unexpected or contradictory results

Sometimes, your findings are not what you expect. Here’s where you describe this and try to find a reason for it. Could it be because of the method you used? Does it have something to do with the variables analyzed? Comparing your methods with those of other similar studies can help with this task.

Context and comparison with previous work

Refer to related studies to place your research in a larger context and the literature. Compare and contrast your findings with existing literature, highlighting similarities, differences, and/or contradictions.

How your work compares or contrasts with previous work

Studies with similar findings to yours can be cited to show the strength of your findings. Information from these studies can also be used to help explain your results. Differences between your findings and others in the literature can also be discussed here. 

How to divide this section into subsections

If you have more than one objective in your study or many key findings, you can dedicate a separate section to each of these. Here’s an example of this approach. You can see that the discussion section is divided into topics and even has a separate heading for each of them. 

Limitations

Many journals require you to include the limitations of your study in the discussion. Even if they don’t, there are good reasons to mention these in your paper.

Why limitations don’t have a negative connotation

A study’s limitations are points to be improved upon in future research. While some of these may be flaws in your method, many may be due to factors you couldn’t predict.

Examples include time constraints or small sample sizes. Pointing this out will help future researchers avoid or address these issues. This part of the discussion can also include any attempts you have made to reduce the impact of these limitations, as in this study .

How limitations add to a researcher's credibility

Pointing out the limitations of your study demonstrates transparency. It also shows that you know your methods well and can conduct a critical assessment of them.  

Implications and significance

The final paragraph of the discussion section should contain the take-home messages for your study. It can also cite the “strong points” of your study, to contrast with the limitations section.

Restate your hypothesis

Remind the reader what your hypothesis was before you conducted the study. 

How was it proven or disproven?

Identify your main findings and describe how they relate to your hypothesis.

How your results contribute to the literature

Were you able to answer your research question? Or address a gap in the literature?

Future implications of your research

Describe the impact that your results may have on the topic of study. Your results may show, for instance, that there are still limitations in the literature for future studies to address. There may be a need for studies that extend your findings in a specific way. You also may need additional research to corroborate your findings. 

Sample discussion section

This fictitious example covers all the aspects discussed above. Your actual discussion section will probably be much longer, but you can read this to get an idea of everything your discussion should cover.

Our results showed that the presence of cats in a household is associated with higher levels of perceived happiness by its human occupants. These findings support our hypothesis and demonstrate the association between pet ownership and well-being. 

The present findings align with those of Bao and Schreer (2016) and Hardie et al. (2023), who observed greater life satisfaction in pet owners relative to non-owners. Although the present study did not directly evaluate life satisfaction, this factor may explain the association between happiness and cat ownership observed in our sample.

Our findings must be interpreted in light of some limitations, such as the focus on cat ownership only rather than pets as a whole. This may limit the generalizability of our results.

Nevertheless, this study had several strengths. These include its strict exclusion criteria and use of a standardized assessment instrument to investigate the relationships between pets and owners. These attributes bolster the accuracy of our results and reduce the influence of confounding factors, increasing the strength of our conclusions. Future studies may examine the factors that mediate the association between pet ownership and happiness to better comprehend this phenomenon.

This brief discussion begins with a quick summary of the results and hypothesis. The next paragraph cites previous research and compares its findings to those of this study. Information from previous studies is also used to help interpret the findings. After discussing the results of the study, some limitations are pointed out. The paper also explains why these limitations may influence the interpretation of results. Then, final conclusions are drawn based on the study, and directions for future research are suggested.

How to make your discussion flow naturally

If you find writing in scientific English challenging, the discussion and conclusions are often the hardest parts of the paper to write. That’s because you’re not just listing up studies, methods, and outcomes. You’re actually expressing your thoughts and interpretations in words.

• How formal should it be?
• What words should you use, or not use?
• How do you meet strict word limits, or make it longer and more informative?

Always give it your best, but sometimes a helping hand can, well, help. Getting a professional edit can help clarify your work’s importance while improving the English used to explain it. When readers know the value of your work, they’ll cite it. We’ll assign your study to an expert editor knowledgeable in your area of research. Their work will clarify your discussion, helping it to tell your story. Find out more about AJE Editing.

Adam Goulston, PsyD, MS, MBA, MISD, ELS

Science Marketing Consultant

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Research Paper Writing Guides

Scientific Research Paper

Last updated on: May 13, 2024

Scientific Research Paper: Types, Formats, Structure & Writing Process

By: Barbara P.

10 min read

Reviewed By:

Published on: May 4, 2024

Are you on the lookout for some guidance on scientific research papers? You have come to the right place. Research papers can be difficult to understand, whether they're about science or other topics. With so many subjects and formats, writing your own paper can be challenging.In this blog, we'll explore the different types of scientific research papers. We’ll guide you with formats, as well as the structure and the writing process involved. In the end, we have handpicked a number of interesting scientific research topics as well. Let’s get started!

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What is a Scientific Research Paper? 

A scientific research paper is a formal document that presents the results of scientific investigations or experiments conducted by researchers. These papers aim to communicate new findings, theories, methodologies, or interpretations of data to the scientific community.

Other than that, they seek to reach a broader audience that is interested in the subject matter.

Scientific research papers are typically published in academic journals after undergoing a rigorous peer-review process to ensure their quality, validity, and integrity.

Parts of a Scientific Research Paper 

Just like other types of research papers , the main parts of a scientific research paper typically include:

• Introduction: This section provides background information on the research topic, outlines the research question or hypothesis, and presents the objectives of the study.
• Methods: Here, researchers describe the experimental design, materials used, and procedures followed in the study. 
• Results: The results section presents the findings of the study, often through tables, figures, or textual descriptions. Researchers report their observations, data analyses, and any statistical outcomes.
• Discussion: In the discussion section , authors interpret the results in the context of existing literature and discuss the implications of their findings.
• Conclusion: The conclusion summarizes the main findings of the research and highlights their significance.

The Major Types of Scientific Research Papers 

Scientific research papers can be divided into subtypes. Here's a brief explanation of each major type of scientific research paper:

• Original Research Articles: These papers present new findings from research conducted by the authors. 
• Review Articles: Review articles summarize and analyze existing research on a topic, identifying trends and gaps in the literature.
• Meta-analyses and Systematic Reviews: These papers statistically analyze data from multiple studies to provide a comprehensive summary of findings or evaluate the effectiveness of interventions.
• Perspective or Opinion Articles: These papers express the author's viewpoint on a topic and offer insights or commentary based on personal experience.
• Case Studies: Case studies provide detailed examinations of specific cases, often focusing on rare or unusual phenomena.
• Short Communications: These are concise and brief papers reporting preliminary or concise findings that do not require a full-length research article.
• Editorials: Editorials are opinion pieces written by journal editors or invited experts, and they discuss recent developments or important issues in the field.
• Letters to the Editor: These are brief communications from readers offering additional insights or criticisms related to published articles.

What are Some Common Scientific Research Paper Citation Formats? 

Here are some popular and widely used scientific research paper formats: 

• APA Style (American Psychological Association)
• MLA Style (Modern Language Association)
• Chicago Style
• IEEE Style (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)
• AMA Style (American Medical Association)
• Harvard Style
• Vancouver Style

How to Structure Your Scientific Research Paper? 

The specific structure of your scientific research paper may vary depending on your field of study and the requirements of the target journal. Having said that, here's a general scientific research paper outline you can follow to structure your paper: 

Scientific Research Paper Writing Process

Let's break down the process step by step to help you understand how scientific research papers are crafted. 

Step 1. Choose a Research Topic 

Start by identifying areas of interest or gaps in existing knowledge. Ask yourself: What questions intrigue me? What issues do I want to address? Consider the relevance and significance of your chosen topic to both the scientific community and society at large.

Step 2. Conduct Literature Review

Before jumping to your own research, it's necessary to survey the existing literature. In the literature review , explore academic journals, books, and online databases to familiarize yourself with relevant studies and theories. 

Take notes, identify key findings, and pinpoint areas where your research can contribute new insights or perspectives.

Step 3. Formulate Your Hypotheses or Research Questions

Based on your literature review, formulate clear and testable hypotheses or research questions. These hypotheses or questions should serve as the guiding principles of your study, outlining the specific aims and objectives you aim to achieve. 

Make sure that they are precise, measurable, and aligned with the scope of your research.

Step 4. Designing and Conducting Experiments or Studies

With your hypotheses or research questions in hand, it's time to design your study or experiments. Consider the appropriate research methodology, sampling techniques, and data collection methods that best address your research objectives. 

Pay attention to experimental controls, ethical considerations, and potential confounding variables to verify the validity and reliability of your results.

Step 5. Data Analysis

Once you've collected your data, it's time to analyze it rigorously. Choose appropriate statistical methods or qualitative analysis techniques, depending on the nature of your data and research questions. 

Interpret your findings objectively by drawing meaningful conclusions that are supported by evidence. Remember to acknowledge any limitations or uncertainties in your data analysis.

Step 6. Writing and Drafting

Now comes the challenging yet rewarding task of translating your research findings into a coherent scientific research paper. Start by outlining your paper and organize your thoughts logically into sections such as Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion. 

Write with clarity, and precision, and stick to the style and formatting guidelines of your target journal.

Step 7. Peer Review and Revision

Before submitting your paper for publication, seek feedback from colleagues, mentors, or peer reviewers. Peer review is a significant step in the scientific writing process and provides valuable insights and constructive criticism to improve the quality of your manuscript. 

Be open to feedback, address any concerns or suggestions raised, and revise your paper accordingly.

Scientific Research Paper Examples

Here are some sample scientific research paper PDF examples for you to get inspired.

Scientific Research Paper Template

Sample Scientific Research Paper Introduction Example 

Interesting Scientific Research Paper Topics 

Below is a list of some great and trending scientific research paper ideas that you can get guidance from.

• The Role of Specific Gut Microbiota Strains in Modulating Immune Response in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients
• Predictive Modeling of Patient Outcomes using Machine Learning Algorithms in Cardiovascular Disease Management
• Additive Manufacturing of Bioactive Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering Applications
• Quantifying the Impact of Climate Change on Species Distribution and Habitat Loss in Tropical Rainforests
• Integrative Analysis of Multi-Omics Data for Biomarker Discovery in Complex Diseases
• Investigating Quantum Error Correction Schemes for Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computing Architectures
• CRISPR-Cas9 Editing of Disease-Associated Genetic Variants in Human Embryonic Stem Cells
• Design and Characterization of Targeted Nanoparticle Delivery Systems for Cancer Therapy
• Epigenetic Modifications in Histone Methylation Patterns and Cancer Risk Assessment

To sum it up, scientific research papers are extremely important for learning new things in a range of different research areas. This blog breaks down how research papers are structured, with a step-by-step approach to every section of the paper. 

We discussed how picking the right topic, reviewing past research, conducting careful experiments, and understanding your results can make your research paper valuable. Each step is vital because it helps you complete your research paper.

However, if you need assistance with your scientific research papers, SharkPapers.com should be your obvious choice. We are a paper writing service online that will write your research papers at the most affordable rates.

Get in touch with us to buy research paper , tell us about what you need, and our professional academic experts will handle the rest!

Barbara has a Ph.D. in public health from an Ivy League university and extensive experience working in the medical field. With her practical experience conducting research on various health issues, she is skilled in writing innovative papers on healthcare. Her many works have been published in multiple publications.

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Writing each section of a paper

• First Online: 24 May 2024

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Wallwork, A. (2024). Writing each section of a paper. In: English for Academic Research: Writing Exercises. English for Academic Research. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-53174-3_10

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Limitations of Research Study: Everything You Need to Know

Table of contents

• 1 Defining Limitations in Qualitative Research
• 2.1 Limitations may lead to potentially biased observational studies
• 2.2 How to address limitations in research?
• 3 Impact of Study Limitations on Research Outcomes: How to Find Limitations of a Study
• 4.1 Limited Access to Outstanding Future Study

Research for academic purposes is always challenging and requires much prep. This includes careful research design and an understanding of experiment limitations. Even though you have analyzed and prepared things, the results may still differ.

There are many reasons for this, and one of the main reasons is limitations in research. Unfortunately, a study can’t consider all options or circumstances at once. For example, you are studying how nutrition affects student performance. But you are not considering each student’s traits, routines, relationships, weather, age, and so on.

The study must include confounding factors in its conclusions and results, which can distort the final result. This article will help you understand the strengths and limitations of research and guide you on how to consider them. This is when you reach valid conclusions and plan future investigations.

Defining Limitations in Qualitative Research

What are limitations in research? Many factors confound the study, including its reliability, validity, and generalizability. These can limit the research problem. Internal limitations are constraints within the researcher’s control, including sample bias or method flaws. But external research limits come from factors like population or environmental factors. They are beyond the researcher’s control.

The limitations of research studies are significant in defining the scope of research inquiry. It outlines the results’ extent and meaning. It finds areas where the outcome might be less reliable or relevant.

Acknowledging and writing limits fosters honesty. It reminds researchers and readers of science’s complexity and uncertainties. Researchers can improve methods. They do this by understanding and fixing limitations in a research paper. It helps to interpret research findings more. This advances knowledge in their fields and literature review.

If you need help with writing a research paper , our writing service is ready to assist you.

Common Limitations of Research Studies

In general, there are four types of limitations in a research study:

Limitations may lead to potentially biased observational studies

Many things can become limitations in a dissertation. They affect the study’s reliability, internal and external validity, and generalizability. However, the research method impacts the whole study.

The dissertation has methodological limitations. These include problems in the study’s design and execution and constraints. Simple limitation examples: a small sample size can weaken statistical power. Flaws in prior research design can also hurt the study’s validity.

Collecting precise and complete data in the scientific literature is hard. These challenges are known as data collection limitations in research. The study’s limitations can come from measurement errors. These errors are caused by imperfect tools or human error. They lead to inaccuracies in the data. Also, response bias comes from participants’ tendency to answer in socially desirable ways.  It can distort results and hurt the study’s credibility.

A study’s limited resources can be a big obstacle for research. For instance, time constraints may require shorter periods, which can curtail the breadth and depth of the study’s findings. When funds are limited, researchers may lack resources for good methods or thorough analyses. This further hinders research.

External validity limits research. It refers to how well a study’s conclusions apply to contexts beyond where it was conducted. Factors like the study population or setting have distinct characteristics. They can make extending the findings to other groups or places hard.

How to address limitations in research?

It is essential for researchers to be aware of common research limitations and to plan their research process. They need to know their topic and know the limitations in research examples. Identifying limits in their research paper helps researchers. It can cut flaws, improve data collection, and save resources. They can also judge how their findings apply. Acknowledging these limits can help researchers. It can increase the credibility and impact of their results. This fosters more confidence in their findings. It is in the scientific community and in future research. If you struggle with the limitation, ask for help with research paper .

Impact of Study Limitations on Research Outcomes: How to Find Limitations of a Study

Methodological limitations can compromise research results. These include small sample sizes and flawed research designs. These possible limitations of the study increase the likelihood of chance findings or bias. Similarly, limits on data collection cause inaccuracies. They come from things like response bias or measurement errors and can distort data. These problems harm the validity of the findings.

Unsolved limitations and a lack of research examples greatly affect how we interpret and use study results. Without mitigation, researchers risk drawing wrong conclusions and overgeneralizing findings. For instance, a scientific study may have limited external validity. Its findings may not represent the broader population or apply to different contexts, leading to misguided information in the existing literature or interventions.

Case studies provide valuable insights into the real-world effects of those examples of limitations of a study. For instance, a study may aim to test a new medication. But, it may face limits on resources. These limits could lead to a small sample size and low statistical power. As a result, the study may fail to detect the drug’s subtle, yet clinically significant effects. This could lead to wrong conclusions about its effectiveness. Presenting limitations and alternative approaches is part of the methods section and discussion.

Consider another scenario where a survey aims to investigate public opinion on a social issue. However, the research topic itself may lead to response bias, potentially creating limitations in a study. Ignoring such limits could lead to distorted findings. It would misrepresent the beliefs and attitudes of the surveyed people. This would damage the study’s credibility. So, admitting research’s limits is crucial. The impact of these limits on results is clear. It shows the importance of careful methods and clear reporting. Researchers can improve their findings’ trustworthiness.

They can do this by finding and fixing limitations. In doing so, they can ensure that their research contributes greatly to advancing knowledge. It also informs evidence-based decision-making in future research. If you need help, our writing service specialists will gladly assist you.

Strategies for Addressing and Presenting Studies Limitations

We must acknowledge the limits of the research if we want to keep academic papers authentic and reliable. Below are a few tactics to accomplish this:

• Transparent Reporting : Researchers should openly acknowledge and describe limitations in their academic publications. Transparently reported findings let readers evaluate their credibility and accuracy, which promotes further investigations.
• Sensitivity analyses are essential in research writing. They examine the potential limitations of a study. By changing key parameters or assumptions, researchers can check the strength of their findings. They can also find any sources of bias or uncertainty.
• We recommend using various methods or data sources . This will improve the trust and accuracy of research conclusions. By using all the results, researchers can avoid relying on one method. This helps lessen the impact of method problems on study outcomes.
• Working with teams of people from different disciplines can beat resource limits . It also expands the toolkit available to researchers. By sharing expertise and resources across fields, researchers can do better research. They can also fix limitations.
• Considering alternatives will lessen the impact of limits on study conclusions . Researchers should carefully assess and analyze other explanations or interpretations of results. Considering other ideas is crucial. It ensures the findings are robust. They won’t depend only on specific methods or assumptions.

In the future, researchers can use strategies to find limits. They can then fix and cut them in qualitative research. This will ensure their findings are reliable, valid, and credible. It involves a clear understanding of limitations vs implications. Also, being clear about limitations in writing fosters trust. It makes the scientific community more confident. Researchers should communicate any limitations in the discussion section and research limitations section. So, the importance of limitations in research is hard to overestimate.

Limited Access to Outstanding Future Study

Accepting and addressing limits is not a sign of weakness. It is a testament to the difficulty and honesty of science. They can do this by reporting limits in past studies. They can also do this by doing sensitivity analyses and working with other fields. They should also consider alternative explanations. Over these efforts, we can create a culture of humility, transparency, and confidence. This will ensure that research findings add to our understanding. They will do so in a meaningful way. Embracing limits when you write becomes a pathway to better integrity and knowledge.

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FRA Rigorously Examines Safety and Quality of Life Implications of Long Trains

Agency finalizes three new research reports, building on previous safety warnings to Class I railroads and efforts to gather more information on long trains

WASHINGTON, D.C. – With train length and the number of long trains increasing, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) finalized three reports on the safety and performance of long trains. FRA recently sent these reports to the National Academy of Sciences ( NAS ) to inform an ongoing NAS study mandated by Congress in President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to look at the impact of trains longer than 7,500 feet.

FRA’s reports include findings from tests conducted on air brake racks and the air brake system of a stationary train to examine how the length of long trains affects air brake system behavior and performance. FRA’s research team also conducted tests on a moving train to better understand the dynamic performance of long trains and collect data on train dynamics and brake system performance.

The FRA reports, titled Phase II , Phase III , and Phase IV , are available online. The research found air brake systems performed largely as expected when testing was performed under ideal circumstances and in a controlled environment. However, the reports identified negative impacts on safety and performance. Key findings include:

• Phase II of testing, using only head-end power, found that the likelihood of unintended brake releases was higher with longer trains and that increased train lengths led to slightly slower brake response times.
• Phase III of testing found that distributed power train configurations achieve better braking capability than only head-end power on long train operations.
• Phase IV of testing found when long trains climbed a grade, certain sections of the train consist experienced elevated buff forces and coupler forces, which can influence how a train behaves and impact the safe handling of trains with distributed power.
• Phase IV of testing concluded that further testing is needed to identify potential safety gaps when operating long trains in non-ideal operating conditions.
• The research team also made clear in Phase IV, the final phase of testing, that additional research, testing and analysis is recommended to provide a better understanding of how long trains impact the durability of rolling stock mechanical components.

“As the length of freight trains increases, the need and demand for accurate, actionable data on long trains – some of which can stretch up to three miles – has never been greater,” said FRA Administrator Amit Bose . “FRA is leading the push for more transparency and data in this area, and through our collaboration with stakeholders in labor and the rail industry, we are ensuring that freight rail operations can operate safely and efficiently without putting rail workers and communities in potentially harmful situations.”

FRA has previously expressed growing concern related to train makeup and the complexities associated with operating longer trains. In April 2023, FRA issued a Safety Advisory to railroads and their employees following a series of derailments that were found to be caused by improper train makeup. These included Union Pacific Railroad (UP) derailments in Hampton, Iowa; Sibley, Iowa; and Rupert, Idaho; as well as a Norfolk Southern Railway (NS) derailment in Albers, Illinois.

FRA also issued a Safety Advisory in May 2023 on long trains in response to NS derailments in Springfield and Ravenna, Ohio; and a UP derailment in Rockwell, Iowa. The advisory highlighted the potential safety risks of long trains blocking rail crossings, especially the impacts that blocked crossings in communities can have on first responders as they work to address emergencies and reach people in need.

While there is no federal statute regarding restricting train length nor one on how long trains may block crossings, FRA has and will continue to pay close attention to long trains impacting safety and quality of life. For the first time, FRA-led efforts are underway to gather more information on long trains at the federal level and improve incident data collection on train length. USDOT and FRA are also deploying funding in President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to improve safety and quality of life around grade crossings, notably through the Railroad Crossing Elimination Program, which announced grants set to improve over 400 at-grade crossings around the country.