By DalatTESOL
“I’ve read so many sample theses… but I still don’t get how to write Chapter 4 and 5.”
“What counts as ‘discussion’? And how do I write about my findings without just repeating the tables?”
If this sounds like you, you’re not alone. Nearly every novice researcher hits a wall when it comes to writing up Findings and Discussion. These chapters are where your hard work—data collection, analysis, and interpretation—finally turns into your academic voice. This guide walks you through how to approach them with clarity and confidence.
🎯 First, What’s the Difference Between Chapter 4 and Chapter 5?
Let’s simplify it.
| Chapter | Focus | Key Question |
|---|---|---|
| 4. Findings / Results | What did you find from your data? | “What does the data show?” |
| 5. Discussion | What does it mean? How does it relate to your research questions and literature? | “Why does it matter?” |
🧩 Chapter 4: Presenting Your Findings
This chapter is about reporting, not interpreting (yet).
💡 Think of it as:
“Here’s what I found after analyzing the interviews/questionnaires/tests.”
🔹 Structure:
- Restate the research question or objective at the start of each section.
- Present the findings using organized headings.
- Use tables, quotes, or figures where necessary—but always describe what they show.
- Avoid interpretation—save that for Chapter 5.
✍️ Sample Headings (Quantitative):
- 4.1 Descriptive Statistics of Participants
- 4.2 Students’ Motivation Levels
- 4.3 Correlation Between AI Use and Writing Self-Efficacy
✍️ Sample Headings (Qualitative):
- 4.1 Theme 1: Struggling with English Grammar
- 4.2 Theme 2: ChatGPT as a Feedback Tool
- 4.3 Theme 3: Ethical Concerns in AI Writing
📌 Writing Tips for Chapter 4:
- Use neutral and precise language.
- Use data excerpts (e.g., quotes or numerical tables), then explain briefly.
- Avoid long introductions or discussions—just report clearly.
✅ Example: Qualitative (Interview)
“When asked about how they use ChatGPT to support writing, five out of six students mentioned using it to revise grammar. For example, one participant said, ‘I usually paste my writing in and ask ChatGPT to make it more academic.’”
🔍 Chapter 5: Discussing and Interpreting the Findings
Now you interpret what the results mean and show how they connect to previous studies and theory.
💡 Think of it as:
“So what? Why does this matter? What does it mean for teachers, students, or researchers?”
🔹 Structure:
- Overview: Summarize key findings again very briefly.
- Compare with literature: What aligns or contrasts with previous research?
- Explain the “why”: Why might this be happening?
- Connect to theory or concepts (if applicable).
- Implications: What does this mean in real life?
- Limitations: What are the limitations of your findings?
✍️ Sample Headings:
- 5.1 Summary of Key Findings
- 5.2 Interpretation and Comparison with Literature
- 5.3 Pedagogical Implications for EFL Writing Classes
- 5.4 Limitations of the Study
- 5.5 Suggestions for Future Research
📘 Example: From Finding to Discussion
Finding (Ch. 4):
“Most students used ChatGPT for grammar correction, not for content development.”
Discussion (Ch. 5):
“This finding suggests that students may view AI tools as surface-level support, rather than as tools for idea generation or deeper writing development. This aligns with Dizon et al. (2024), who found that EFL learners tend to underutilize generative AI’s ideational functions. One explanation could be limited AI literacy or fear of plagiarism.”
🛠️ Common Struggles and How to Overcome Them
| Problem | What to Do |
|---|---|
| “I’m just repeating myself.” | Add interpretation in Chapter 5. Chapter 4 is for reporting only. |
| “I don’t know how to link to theory.” | Revisit your literature review. Pull in relevant authors to explain why your finding might have occurred. |
| “It’s too much data!” | Organize by themes or research questions. Use subheadings. |
| “I don’t know if this is ‘significant’ enough.” | All findings are useful. Focus on what they say about your topic—even if they don’t support your hypothesis. |
🧭 Final Advice from DalatTESOL
- Don’t write Chapters 4 and 5 all at once. Write in stages—1 research question at a time.
- Use clear structure and student-friendly language.
- Show your voice in the Discussion: be confident, but also critical.
- Ask for feedback from peers or your supervisor.
✨ Writing your Findings and Discussion is not just a technical task—it’s where you make your unique contribution to the academic conversation.