Summary: Frame Principle Findings

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Let us review the strategies for Frame Principal Findings. This Goal is used to comment on and frame the results, and establish their meaning in the context of the study and possibly in relation to existing knowledge in the field. The results are discussed through comparisons, explanations, interpretations, and relevant deliberations that go just beyond the ‘‘objective’’ results. You may achieve this Goal using any of the following strategies:

• Compare Results with literature is used to relate the results with reported empirical findings, theoretical beliefs, and/or previously made assumptions or predictions.
• Explain Results alludes to why the results occur, what the results seem to mean, or how the results relate to expectations. The Sub-strategies are Account for the Results, Explicate the Results, and Relate to Expectations.
• Acknowledge Limitations notifies readers of any limitations or shortcomings that the study might have.

Taken together, it is important that results are not over-interpreted, meaning that the recommendations or meaning does not stretch beyond the data. Conclusions should not contradict the data presented in the Results. To avoid this, consider highlighting the principal findings that support conclusions prior to or while discussing the meaning of the findings within the field.