Hi guys,
I wanted to ask a question about my dissertation. It is an IPA study and I am wondering if I should combine the analysis and discussion section or leave them separate. Most journals I read keep the sections separate however I have heard it is easier for readability to combine them. I have also done this before but recieved the feedback that I needed more theory. Anyway, any help is appreciated.
Thanks in advance, Ruby
It is common to keep the analysis and discussion sections separate in academic writing, including IPA studies. However, there is no hard and fast rule, and ultimately it depends on what works best for your study and your intended audience.
If you do decide to combine the analysis and discussion sections, make sure that your readers can easily follow your thought process and understand how your analysis leads to your conclusions. This may require you to provide more background and contextual information at the beginning of the combined section to help readers understand the rationale behind your analysis and the significance of your findings.
Combining the analysis and discussion sections in a dissertation is not recommended. These sections serve different purposes, with the analysis section presenting the research findings, while the discussion section interprets and discusses the significance of the findings in the context of the research questions or hypotheses. Merging the two sections can blur the line between presenting the results and interpreting those results, making it difficult for readers to follow the argument and understand the significance of the research. Therefore, it is better to keep these sections separate and clearly distinguish between them in a dissertation.
Here is a helpful read.
Haynes, S. N., & Hunsley, J. (2021). Writing dissertations and theses in psychology: A student’s guide for success. Routledge. https://www.routledge.com/Writing-Dissertations-and-Theses-in-Psychology-A-Students-Guide-for/Haynes-Hunsley/p/book/9780367855949#
Good luck,
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