Technical Reports: Discussion Section

The Discussion section of your report is generally broken into two major sections, in this order:

  • A discussion of the problem or issue you are exploring.
  • A discussion of the possible solutions to that problem or responses to that issue.

Remember that for this section, you can use the Project Overview and Rationale section of your Research Proposal as the basis for the discussion.

How the Research Proposal Overview & Rationale Can Be Re-Used in the Report

This Section of Proposal

Becomes This Section of Report

Project Overview & Rationale

  • Used to prove that the problem you want to research is legitimate and worthy of being studied.
  • Begins overview of the research project, discussing it in detail, providing data where needed, and being as specific as possible in an attempt to prove that it really does exist
  • In the proposal, can include one or more images (photos, charts, graphs).
  • 3+ well-developed paragraphs

Problem Discussion

  • Follow the structure for Causal Analysis, Comparative Analysis, or Feasibility Analysis.
  • Used to prove that the problem or issue you have brought up to the reader in the intro is legitimate and needs the reader's attention as soon as possible.
  • Begins in-depth discussion of the problem or issue, discussing it in detail, providing data, and being as specific as possible in an attempt to prove that it really does exist
  • You will need more data in this section than you needed in the project overview section of the proposal, so be prepared to research!
  • Can and should include any data you discover from original research like surveys and interviews.
  • Should include as many images as needed to make any assertions or claims stick in the reader's mind.
  • 4+ well-developed paragraphs
  • Obviously, you will need to expand this content, but reusing your project overview section will at least get you started!
  • Remember that this takes care of only half of your discussion! You will need to discuss your potential solution(s) or responses.

 

Sample Discussions

Discussion sections are pretty lengthy, so the two samples -- which link to the sample introductions shown on the Technical Reports: Introduction Section page -- are found on their own pages.

Improving Accessibility in Selected Residence Halls: A Recommendation Report

Safe Construction on Campus: The Need for Better Signage and a Notification System

 

Final Notes

Remember these concepts when you work on this section.

Research

  • Any research you conducted for this report -- articles you found, field studies, laboratory work, interviews, and more should be included in this section. 
  • However, do not isolate this information in separate sections, like "Research on X." Instead, embed your findings in the discussion as whole where it is needed. For example, if you are discussing how students find accessibility difficult in certain areas of campus, as you are doing so you should mention the results of a survey about that: 22% of student reported having some difficulty on a daily basis, 14% indicated that they have been late for class due to bypassing construction sites.
  • Move from facts to analysis of them. Present the facts, but also tell your readers what the facts mean for them. Analyze what you have learned so the reader does not have to do it on their own.

Linking Sections

  • Remember to introduce and wrap up each section. This means having
    • a topic sentence for each paragraph in section,
    • forecast sentences for any section that has sub-sections or discussions, and
    • a conclusion that finishes the discussion before moving on to the next one.

Headings

  • Use frequent headings and subheadings to help the reader move through the text and locate material easily.
  • Remember to follow a heading hierarchy: the title of the report is the largest the first-level body heading, the next largest; and so on.
  • Remember that between 2 headings -- as in a section that has sub-sections, each with its own heading -- you must include an introductory sentence. 
  • Never separate a heading from its body (due to a page break)!

Lists

  • Use lists when necessary to break up long paragraphs
    • Use bullets when the order of entries doesn’t matter
    • Use numbers when it does
  • Use only rounded or square bullets. Do not use hyphens or dashes.

Illustrations

  • See the Visual Aids module for more information.
  • Use illustrations for clarification and persuasion. No clip art and no "junk" visuals.
  • Refer to illustration in the text first, then show the illustration (not vice versa).
  • Try to keep illustrations on the same page as reference.
  • Try to ensure that illustrations don’t take up an entire page, as this visually breaks up your text.
  • Give each illustration a designation and a title: Figure 1: The duck pond in early spring; Table 1: Results of Student Survey.
  • Always remember to discuss or provide an analysis of each illustration. Do not force your reader to analyze it on their own.