Discussion Post
1) Re-state your research question (including the variables you are using) and hypothesis/es.
2) Mention what is new/different about this study and how it adds to existing research, if relevant
3) Explain the findings you identified in your Results section and whether they support or do not support your hypothesis (remember - hypotheses are not proven!).
4) Discuss the similarity (or lack thereof) of results to previous research. You will likely be referring to studies you reviewed in your Introduction. You may introduce a new study or two only if it helps to explain an unexpected finding. Don't forget to cite these studies again.
5) If your findings do not support your hypothesis and are inconsistent with previous research, provide possible reasons (may be related to limitations; if so, make that point very clear; however, you really should focus on describing differences between your study and previous studies that may account of your insignificant findings).
6) You do not have to discuss your secondary/exploratory analysis unless you want to do so.
7) Discuss at least 2 limitations of your study - clearly describe why they are a problem for this particular study and offer possible solutions, which may be related to future directions (you do not need to mention strengths of the study).
8) Conclude the Discussion with 2-3 sentences that succinctly summarize the study, offer implications (i.e., meaning of the findings) for practices, theories, knowledge, and suggest future directions for this research topic.
The response must include a reference list. Using one-inch margins, double-space, Times New Roman 12 pnt font and APA style of writing and citations.