I appreciate that the agreement (or otherwise) between findings/results in a study and other published literature, is usually found in a discussion chapter. However, are there circumstances in which you could include comparisons with other published literature alongside the study findings?
I am asking about a qualitative study
Thanks in advance
Generally not because it usually detracts from a cogent reading of the findings/results. Such comparisons are best left to the discussion section, although I can imagine some cases in which one would very briefly cite other literature in the findings/results section.
Yes, it is possible to include comparisons with literature in a findings section of a qualitative study. However, it is important to do so in a way that is relevant and does not detract from the presentation of the study's findings.
When including comparisons, it is essential to ensure that they are directly related to the study's research question and objective. You should also consider whether it is more appropriate to include these comparisons in the discussion section, as is commonly done. It might be helpful to consult your supervisor or relevant published literature to consider the best way to structure the report.
While it might be challenging to include comparisons in a findings section of a qualitative study, it is essential to ensure that your writing remains clear and easy to understand without becoming too technical. As always, it is crucial to avoid plagiarizing any literature you reference and provide proper citation.
Including comparisons in the Findings section would require developing the relevant alternative theories in the Introduction section, along with a Literature Review section. Further, such a comparison would be most appropriate if your study was designed to be comparative. This would be unusual for qualitative research, but could be quite effective if it were well done.
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