Social Implications of Research

Placement Within a Research Report

Writing a research report or article follows a particular format that begins with the works’ title, author names, and abstract. This is followed by an introduction and literature review, results, and discussion. The discussion section, the final section of a research article, is where authors argue or explain the meaning of the research. Implications are toward the end of the discussion section because implications put the research that was just completed into context. Implications should not claim that the research has solved the world’s problems (a grand solution), nor should the writer diminish the value of the work’s originality (belittle the contribution). The implications should follow the logic or flow of the rest of the report and should not veer off into areas that are not relevant to or support the current research evidence. As an example, if the study is about intimate relationships and self-disclosure, then the implications should not claim that the research has implications for work relationships between bosses and subordinates, unless the study took place in the workplace. Although much can be written to help audiences to make the most of the research, implications are intended to create possibilities or new directions for readers. As such, implications are typically a paragraph or two in length, which is typically followed by concluding remarks or summary paragraphs. These concluding thoughts can include implications for future research. Implications most often give the reader ideas for implementation—practical implications.

Practical Implications

Communication research demystifies what works in different communication contexts, without relying on our personal unproven or unscientific viewpoints. Communication research, therefore, helps to improve our understanding of ourselves, our relationships, work lives, communities, and society as a whole. The social implications of research help to point out to readers the practicality of the research that was completed, but also the value of doing systematic and professional inquiry. For example, it could help readers to be better observers of the world by learning to construct better surveys, consume statistics in a more orderly and informed fashion, or interview others with less bias.

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