How to write an effective Chapter 5

Summary of the findings

A well written Chapter 5 should include information about the following:
• Summary of the findings
o Begin with a summary of finding with little to no jargon or statistics
o Did the findings support or not support the hypotheses or research question?
o This section addresses the meaning of your findings
o If you found what you expected, then state that. If you did not find what you expected, then explain why this was the case (or why you think it was the case). Possible areas to address are sampling, measurement, procedural issues, or other issues.
• Context of the findings
o Link your study back to the pervious literature (Chapter 2)
o How do the findings fit the literature review in terms of population characteristics, assessment instruments, independent variables, research design, and procedures?
o Do your findings agree with the literature? Do they contradict it? Do they extend previous findings? Do they solve or clarify and questions or contractions in the literature?
• Implications of the findings
o This section addresses the issue of whether research findings improve or change our understanding of what was being studied.
o Are findings consistent with current knowledge in the field?
o Does the study help advance methodology? For example, a new understanding of variables, issues of measurement, issues of design, et cetera?
o Who might be interested in the findings in the professional field? Why should
they pay attention to the findings? Could the findings lead to changes in the way professionals do things?
• Discussion of the Limitations of the study
o Limitations typically originate in one of two sources (or both): the study’s design and the study’s problems during implementation (you might address this in the rewritten Chapter 3).
o Design – sampling, assessment, procedures, and choice of research design.
o Implementation – for example, low sample, measurement issues, heterogeneous group, et cetera
• Discussion on Future Research
o Discuss the findings in light of questions or issues that suggest future research
directions
o Extend the study to other populations
o Thing of other variables that ought to be explored (and how)
o What other questions should be asked?
Additional Details:
a. Your summary may include the following: (1) objectives of the study; (2) statement of the problem; (3) respondents; (4) sampling procedures; (5) method(s) of research employed; (6) analysis; (7); and results.
b. If you notice, all the parts mentioned above are already included in your Chapters
1- 4. So, the challenge is on how you are going to briefly write and present it.

c. First, you must go direct to the point in highlighting the main points. There is no need to thoroughly explain the details. You must avoid copying and pasting what you have written in the previous chapters. Keep it short and simple.
2. Conclusions
a. Once you have written the summary, draw out a conclusion from each finding or result. It can be done per question or you may arrange the questions per topic or sub-topic, if there is any.
b. If your research is quantitative in nature, answer directly the research question
and tell if the hypothesis is rejected or not rejected based on the findings.
3. Recommendations
a. The recommendations must contain practical suggestions that will improve the situation or solve the problem investigated in the study.
b. They must be logical, specific, attainable, and relevant.
c. They should be addressed to persons, organizations, or agencies directly concerned with the issues or to those who can immediately implement the recommended solutions.
d. Present research ideas that are relevant to the present study that can be further investigated by future researchers.
e. Never recommend anything that is not part of your study or not being mentioned in your findings.
Chapter 5 - Discussion
• Develop a logical argument about what your results mean
o Answer the “what does all this mean?” question
• Relevance of results
o How does it fit with other research
o You must relate your findings back to the literature review you conducted for
o Is what you found consistent or inconsistent (may be a combination)? Why do you think there were inconsistencies?
• Your results provide evidence to illustrate and support your argument
• Identify potential errors
o What might invalidate your results?
o How might you improve the research design?
o Shortcomings of the research
• Recommendations based on what you found (for managers, industry, government, or in general – it will depend on the nature of your study)