Benjamin L. Stewart

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subjectThesis Seminar

7 min read

Thesis Seminar Module 15: Results & Discussion III

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See Developing Body Paragraphs in Results and Discussion Section and Thesis Seminar-Module 14: Results & Discussion II where I discuss how to add tables and figures (visuals) to your results and discussion section.

Thesis Seminar: Recap for Week 15Thesis Seminar: Recap for Week 15 - Notes

What constitutes a completed first draft?

  1. Completed introductory pages from the template provided the first day of class: title page, approval page (no signatures), Abstract, table of contents, list of tables (if any), and list of figures (if any). You should have some tables and/or figures in your list(s), and each of the listed items above go on a separate page.

  2. The title of your paper should begin the next page (with a page break) after your tables and/or figures, followed by a 250-word Introduction Paragraph and 2,250-word literature review. The last paragraph of your literature review should include a Transitional Paragraph.

  3. After your literature review, include a 500-word method section (with no page break).

  4. After the method section, include a 2,250-word results and discussion section (with no page break).

  5. After the results and discussion section, include a 250-word Conclusion Paragraph (with no page break and no heading).

  6. After the conclusion, include the references page (with a page break).

  7. After the list of references, include each appendix on a separate page (with a page break for each appendix).

  8. Each citation should have a reference and each reference should have at least one citation. You should have citations to support your evidence sentences in the literature review and a few citations to compare your results and/or discussion.

Whole-Group Session May 22, 2026 11:00 AM

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Complete View assignment: “Weekly Reflection 15” today during this session.

Complete Thesis Paper Titles.xlsx.

  • Preparing for the mock presentation (and oral defense)

    📌 I will provide mock presentaiton recorded feedback and notes in Thesis Seminar-Module 16: Mock Presentations (Feedback).

    Watch video on your own.

    Watch video on your own.

    • For the mock presentation, have one classmate provide a computer that connects to the screen so that all presentations are up and ready to go. Check beforehand that everything is in working order. During the oral defense, each one of you are responsible for bringing their own computer.

    • Include a title slide to begin your presentation.

    • Introduce the problem and purpose of your study (include a citation to support the problem you mention in your introduction paragraph). (Time: 30 seconds to one minute)

    • Continue by reviewing your literature review. (Time: about eight minutes)

      • Evidence sentences with citations in your slides.

      • Comment (analyze, synthesize, compare and contrast, etc.) verbally and with slides as necessary.

      • Make sure each slide as a heading

    • Conclude your literature review by reminding the audience of the researchable problem and then introducing your research questions.

    • Explain your method section (Time: about two minutes)

      • Try to limit your method section to one slide. Use a graph, chart, or timeline that visually presents your procedure (the way you collected your data).

      • Only include what you need to prompt you do explain your method: participants, instruments, and research design and analysis.

    • Present your results and discussion (Time: about 9 minutes minutes)

      • Included visuals that come from your thesis paper. You may adapt any figures and/or tables as you need to.

      • Show your results and discuss your interpretation, analysis, explanation, etc. verbally to your audience.

    • Offer a conclusion (Time: about 30 seconds).

    • Include a references slide and include only those needed to support citations you included in your presentation. Do not include all of the references from your thesis paper if you are not citing all of the sources.

    • Include a final slide, thanking the audience.

    • You are free to use any app for presenting your talk (PowerPoint, Prezi, Canva, etc.), but I suggest that you do not rely on the internet when you are presenting.

    • You may use note cards if they do not distract from your delivery.

    • Practice before your present.

    • Record your presentation.

    • Keep track of the time.

    • Maintain proper eye contact and voice projection.

    • The sides of your presentation are meant to support what you are saying; the slides should not be a distraction.

    • Mix text with visuals throughout your presentation.

  • General Notes

    • When completing your final draft, review How to format Word for academic paper APA style and https://youtu.be/_WtkXyAIgTg?si=3b_D2p530aRpcXkK.

      • Review word counts per section according to Thesis Seminar Course Guidelines 2026.pdf.

      • Remove any extra space throughout entire thesis paper.

      • Be consistent with your fonts - Acceptable fonts (APA).

      • All paragraphs should have a 0.5 inch indentation except for the Abstract.

      • Make sure to include at least one citation to support the context of the problem in your Introduction Paragraph.

      • Your thesis statement should be stated three times throughout your thesis paper: 1) at the end of the introduction paragraph, 2) at the beginning of the transitional paragraph, and 3) at the beginning of the Conclusion Paragraph.

      • Running head is not required, but if you do include one, limit it to 50 characters that include spaces and punctuation in all uppercase. https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/paper-format/page-header.

      • I would print on only one side of the paper.

      • Turn in your completed thesis paper at least one week before you are scheduled to present your oral defense: three printed copies, bound, with a transparent cover, and an exact copy sent to me as a Word document.

    • Bring a computer and test equipment before you present.

  • Final Oral Defense

    Oral Defense Schedule 2026.docx.pdf

    1. Everyone is entitled to present an oral defense.

    2. As a common courtesy, it is suggested that you bring a refreshment and snack, sandwich, etc. for the examiner (not your tutor). Your examiner will be assessing five talks each day with a break after the third talk. This is when I would have available their snack, etc. It is up to you whether or not you stick around during the break.

    3. One examiner will assess your oral defense and written thesis paper.

    4. The examiner and your assignment tutor will be assessing your oral defense.

    5. The other tutors for thesis seminar may or may not be attending your talk.

    6. Make sure you and any guests arrive 30 minutes before you are scheduled to present. Anticipate traffic and parking issues.

    7. Formal attire is expected.

    8. Bring your computer with cable and make sure you deactivate any OS updates.

    9. Bring a water bottle and note cards as you deem necessary.

    10. Come fully rested!

    11. Final grades will be posted to ESIIMA by the required date set my the UAA calendar.

🎯 Understanding

Instructors will understand that…

Students can strengthen the clarity and credibility of a Results & Discussion chapter by:

  • selecting the most relevant findings (not all findings) and organizing them around clear themes/patterns

  • interpreting results with appropriate caution (what the data suggests vs. what it proves)

  • connecting evidence (tables/quotes/codes) to claims using the M.E.A.L. structure

  • relating findings back to research questions and prior literature to show contribution and meaning

🎯 Language Objective

Students will be able to…

  • use results-reporting language to describe patterns, frequencies, and trends (e.g., The data indicate…; A majority of participants…; This suggests…)

  • write discussion moves that (1) interpret findings, (2) compare with literature, and (3) acknowledge limitations

  • produce one revised “Results + mini-discussion” paragraph that includes: a claim, specific evidence, interpretation, and a link back to a research question

🎯 Vocabulary

Key terms (Module 15)

  • finding / result (a key outcome from your data)

  • evidence (data that supports a claim: quotes, counts, excerpts, tables)

  • theme / pattern (a repeated idea or trend in the data)

  • interpretation (your explanation of what the results mean)

  • implication (why the finding matters; what it suggests for practice/theory)

  • limitation (a constraint that may affect conclusions)

  • generalizability (how far results can be applied beyond the sample/context)

  • consistency / discrepancy (alignment or mismatch with prior studies)

  • significance (importance/meaning; not necessarily statistical)

  • claim (your main point about what the evidence shows)

🎯 Video Archive

Thesis Seminar Recap for Week 15Thesis Seminar Recap for Week 15 - Notes

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