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Section 4: Data Analysis and Discussion

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Some questions to keep in mind when reporting on data analysis include:

·Was transcription of the entire dataset necessary for coding, or was partial transcription acceptable? Is this clearly reported?

·Were reliability checks performed on transcriptions (and results reported)?

·Is it useful for the target readers if detailed information is provided on how many transcriptions and/or hours of data were used?

·Is information about transcription conventions necessary for the audience? If so, is this information provided in an appendix or notes to any examples used?

Discussion section can begin with a concise summary of the findings that were detailed in the results section and then move on to a more detailed discussion of each research question. It is also the provision of possible explanation for the results found in the study. Comparing the results of the present study with the results found in earlier studies is also a common element in discussion section. Comparisons of results have the effects of helping the reader understand how the findings relate to previous work. The findings may provide evidence, which supports and extends earlier findings, or they may indicate that existing frameworks need to be reconsidered and revised. Discussion sections also provide comments about the significance of the results or their implications for either pedagogy or theory, which can make it easier for readers to incorporate the findings into a framework they already know.

Once research projects have been concluded, the provision of a full set of limitation of a study is possible. This also may be included in the discussion section.

These sorts of comments help generate ideas for further research, point to areas that need to be addressed in order to advance the field, and, in general, serve as useful pointers for both novice and experienced researchers.

In sum, discussion sections delineated several common elements in the final sections.