Commenting on results in published research articles and masters dissertations in Language Teaching

This study investigates the ways writers comment on the results of their research. Making claims in the form of Commenting on Results is a key move in discussion of results sections. Using data drawn from published journal articles and master dissertations in Language Teaching, the study investigates how published academics and students writing their MA dissertations present claims based on the results of their research. Drawing on a genre-based description of moves and steps in final sections of research reports (Yang & Allison, 2003), the present study was an intensive investigation of the Commenting on Results move in discussion of results sections. The aims were to develop the description of this move and to explore possible differences in the writing of the authors of published research articles (experts) and master's dissertations (relative novices).