Clear presentation of results in quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method studies.

Presenting results is essential in ensuring your study’s insights are understood and valued. For mixed-methods studies, it is common to present the qualitative findings first. These findings should explain how new constructs were identified and highlight the quality control measures, such as inter-rater reliability. The quantitative results should test the hypotheses developed through the literature review and qualitative insights.

The results should be presented systematically, whether the study is qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods. Explain the findings and how they relate to your hypotheses, and discuss their implications for academic theory and practical applications. Summary tables can be beneficial in this section to clarify the contributions and findings of the study.

In sum:

• Mixed methods: Present qualitative findings first, explaining how you uncovered new constructs and handled quality controls, such as inter-rater reliability. Follow with quantitative results that test your hypotheses.
• Hypothesis focus: Present results systematically, focusing on whether the hypotheses are supported.
• Practical implications: Discuss what the results mean for academics and practitioners.
• Tables are helpful: Use summary tables in methodology and discussion sections to clarify contributions and findings.

Structuring the discussion to logically follow the results and reinforce the paper’s central narrative.

The discussion section is where you interpret your results and tie them back to the rationale and objectives established in the introduction. This section should logically follow the results, reinforcing the main narrative of the paper. It is crucial to explain how the testing of your hypotheses either supported your contentions or did not and what these findings mean for scholars and practitioners. Addressing the limitations of your study and suggesting avenues for future research can also enhance the discussion, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the study’s implications and areas for further exploration.

In sum:

• Narrative consistency: Link the results to the hypotheses and the study’s original goals.
• Implications for theory and practice: Explain the significance of the findings for both academic knowledge and practical applications.
• Limitations and future research: Acknowledge any limitations and suggest directions for future studies.

Avoiding common pitfalls when writing the theoretical implications of a paper.

Theoretical implications are often one of the most overlooked aspects of an academic paper. Many authors handle this section too briefly, needing an opportunity to underscore the significance of their findings. To avoid this, revisit the gaps in your introduction and literature review, and explain how your conclusions contribute to theoretical understanding. Articulate how the tested relationships modify, negate, or add to existing theories. Remember to discuss how your findings can influence practice, providing actionable insights for professionals in your field. A thoughtful and detailed discussion of theoretical implications strengthens your paper and underscores its relevance and impact.

In sum:

• Lack of depth: Dive deeply into how your findings modify, negate, or add to existing theoretical frameworks.
• Being too brief: Revisit the identified gaps and explain how your findings contribute to theoretical understanding.
• Overlooking practice: Address how theory and practice are affected by your results.

Copertina: Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay