Kasetsart Journal of Social Sciences 40 (2019) 389–394

Kasetsart Journal of Social Sciences

journal homepage: http://kjss.kasetsart.org

The textual organization of the discussion sections of

accounting research articles
Wirada Amnuai
Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand

Article Infoa r t i c Keywords:Keywords: accounting, discussion sections, move

analysis, research articles
leinfo
a b s t r a c tAbstract
Article history:
Received 18 May There has been a growing interest in the study of genre-based analysis, with
2017 Revised 19 particular focus on the research article (RA). Each section of an RA displays
September 2017 different conventional formats and styles. Discussion sections are of interest
Accepted 27 October 2017 since they include not only research findings but also the authors' points of
Available online 23 view. Furthermore, discussion sections are of importance because they are
November 2017 one of the most demanding sections for writers, especially for novice
researchers who are non-native English speakers. For these reasons, analyzing
discussion sections in terms of move structures was the main objective of the
present study. Twenty English RA discussion sections in the field of
accounting were analyzed using Yang and Allison's (2003) move model. Four
dominant rhetorical moves were found which were both similar and different
from the framework. The findings should be invaluable for inexperienced
research writers in this particular field to use for guidance when writing RA
discussion sections.
© 2017 Kasetsart University. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V.
Introduction E-mail address: [email protected].
Peer review under responsibility of Kasetsart University.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.kjss.2017.10.007
The analysis of RA sections has received applied linguistics. The results of these studies
extensive attention in genre analysis (e.g. Amnuai shed some light on the schematic structural
& Wannaruk, 2013; Brett, 1994; Fallahi & Erzi, organization of RAs, which provide practical
2003; Holmes, 1997; Lim, 2006; Peacock, 2011; guidelines or templates for inexperienced
writers. As Hyland (2003) noted, rhetorical
Samraj, 2002; Swales, 1990, 2004; Yang &
practice should enable non-native English
Allison, 2003). Different sections and fields of
speakers to recognize the role of language in
RAs have been analyzed using different sizes of
written communication.
corpora in order to find their characteristics,
Several studies (e.g., Duszak, 1994;
linguistic features, and other aspects employed in
Martínez, 2003; Ozturk, 2007; Swales & Feak,
RAs. For example, Zang, Thuc, and Pramoolsook
2004) have shown that different sections and
(2012) focused on 20 agricultural abstracts;
fields have their own conventional written forms
Ozturk (2007) analyzed 20 introduction sections
or patterns. This may be one of the causes of the
in the field of applied linguistics, Lim (2006)
difficulties when writing RAs. As we know, one
investigated 20 management method sections,
of the most daunting and frustrating tasks for
Williams (1999) examined 8 medical results
graduate students is writing RAs for
sections, while Peacock (2002) focused on 252
publication. As demonstrated by Yang and
discussion sections in 7 different fields, and
Allison (2003), the organization patterns of
Amnuai and Wannaruk (2013) studied 40
empirical RAs tend to be more flexible toward
conclusion sections in
the end. Therefore, it can be said that ignoring
the existence of the discourse norms might

2452-3151/© 2017 Kasetsart University. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V.

390 W. Amnuai / Kasetsart Journal of Social Sciences 40 (2019) 389–394
cause unskilled writers to face serious problems this field is established, which is very important
when writing RAs for publication because for nearly all business sectors. Therefore,
writers of academic papers, whatever their analyzing RAs in this field should be invaluable
discourse communities, should not only for writers who wish to know the conventional,
conform to linguistic conventions, but rhetorical structures used in RA discussion
presentation of their work should also be sections. Also, the findings from such an
acceptable to their respective academic analysis can be used as a practical guide to
communities (Bhatia, 1993). To this end, assist non-native and inexperienced writers in
understanding the rhetorical structures of each the field of accounting to write their discussion
section of RAs should be useful for developing sections correctly and more effectively.
the effective writing of RAs.
One of the approaches used to analyze the Method
rhetorical organization of RAs is move-based
analysis. The framework developed by Swales Data Collection
(1990) has been widely applied for the analysis
of genre-based studies. It is considered as a
The corpus of this study was 20 discussion
topdown approach and is used to analyze the
sections in English RAs in the field of
internal organization of texts from a genre
accounting which were selected from two
(Biber, Connor, & Upton, 2007). Thus, it can be
international journals, namely ‘Accounting,
said that a move analysis is a study of how
Organizations and Society’ and ‘Management
language is used by the writer to form a
Accounting Research’. Each journal had to meet
meaningful unit. Corpus-based genre analysis is,
therefore an appropriate way of establishing a the criteria of representativeness, reputation, and
clear picture of the research article genre. accessibility. The selection of the journals was
based on their ranking in the Journal Citation
Because of the importance of the discussion
Reports (2015) published by the Institute for
section, researchers have focused on its
Scientific Information (ISI). Thus, using the
significant role in research articles in all fields
Journal Citation Reports ensures that the
(for example, Basturkmen, 2012; Peacock,
selected journals are from the world's leading
2002; Yang & Allison, 2003). The discussion
scholarly journals. In order to have a clear
section is where authors place their ideas about
picture on how discussion sections are
their research findings and consolidate,
rhetorically constructed, only the RAs with
generalize, and interpret their research outcomes
separate discussion sections were selected for
for the benefit of those in their field or for other
the analysis. Those articles which combined the
communities (Basturkmen, 2012; Weissberg & discussion sections with any other section were
Buker, 1990). Some researchers (Flowerdew, excluded.
1999, 2001; Pojanapunya & Todd, 2011; It is a rather idealistic concept that the larger
Swales, 1990; Swales & Feak, 2004) pointed out the size of the corpus the greater the yield of
that writing the discussion section was a significant results. However, the results of the
challenging task for both native and non-native corpus of the 20 discussion sections should
authors as it contains both results and the nonetheless provide useful insights into the
authors' comments on their work (Lim, 2010). discussion sections of English RAs in the
Undeniably, advanced writing skills as well as accounting field. The findings from 20 discussion
an argumentative style of writing are always sections in Yang and Allison (2003) provide a
used in this particular section. clear picture of the structures of discussion
In practice, although writers may have good sections in this field. In Amirian, Kassaian, and
skills in general English, a lack of rhetorical
Tavakoli's (2008) study, the findings from 20
knowledge to coherently communicate in the
discussion sections can be generalized for use in
form that the members of the fields traditionally
the accounting field. Moyetta (2016) also
follow will still lead to difficulties in RAwriting.
analyzed 20 discussion sections and his results
Furthermore, it is much more difficult for provided useful insights into the structure of the
novice non-native writers who have to write in discussion section. Therefore, the corpus size in
English (Ren & Li, 2011). To my knowledge, the present study should be an adequate
although the discussion sections of various representation of accounting discussion sections
fields have been analyzed in terms of their and can be regarded as sufficiently large to allow
structural organizations as mentioned above, no one to make reasonable generalizations.
such analysis has been conducted in the
accounting field. Therefore, the present study Data Analysis
tried to focus on the discussion sections of
English RAs in the field of accounting in order All discussion sections selected were codified
to examine how they were constructed
separately as D1eD20. The analysis was carried
according to a move-based analysis. The
out in accordance with Yang and Allison's (2003)
accounting field was selected due to the fact that
move model. The reason for choosing this move
 W. Amnuai / Kasetsart Journal of Social Sciences 40 (2019) 389–394
model was that it contains seven main moves significant move, the purpose of which was to
covering the rhetorical structure of the sections establish the meaning and significance of the
analyzed. Also, this move framework accounts research results in relation to the relevant field
for the typical communicative purposes of the and it was realized by four different
discussion sections analyzed, and it was cited and choicesdinterpreting results, comparing results
applied in previous studies (Amirian et al., 2008; with the
Amnuai & Wannaruk, 2013; Basturkmen, 2009; 391
Khorramdel & Farnia, 2017), which underpinned
the reliability of their models. Table 1
Frequency of Moves and their percentage distribution
The identification of moves and steps based
Move Frequency Percentage
on function can be criticized for its subjectivity.
Thus, inter-rater reliability was manipulated. M1: Background information 13 65
Therefore, another coder, who has expertise in M2: Reporting results 20 100a
move-based analysis, in addition to the original M3: Summarizing results 6 30
M4: Commenting on results 20 100a
researcher was invited to code 25 percent of the
S1: Interpreting results 7 35
RA discussion sections in the corpus. Discussion S2: Comparing results with the literature 18 90
between the invited coder and researcher took
place when there were any disagreements. The S3: Accounting for results 8 40
sentence was the basic text unit for move analysis S4: Evaluating results 0 0
in the present study. The frequency of move M5: Summarizing the study 3 15
M6: Evaluating the study 11 55
occurrence and the move ordering patterns or
S1: Indicating limitations 3 15
move cyclicity were the focus of the analysis. The S2: Indicating significance/advantages 11 55
linguistic feature of tense usage was closely S3: Evaluating methodology 3 15
examined and considered for later discussion. The M7: Deductions from the research 13 65
cut-off point for move classification was based on S1: Making suggestions 6 30
Kanoksilapatham (2005)'s criterion, which use S2: Recommending further research 10 50
S3: Drawing pedagogic implications 2 10
frequency of occurrence to classify each move in
a
terms of obligatory, conventional, or optional. Obligatory moves

This means that they occur in 100 percent, 60e99

percent, and in less than 60 percent of the corpus,
respectively. The model used for analysis is
shown in Figure 1.

Results

This section includes the results of the move

analysis according to their frequency of
occurrence. Examples of realizations and tense
usage of the salient moves have been closely
examined.
As shown in Table 1, the obligatory moves
were Move 2 (Reporting results) and Move 4
(Commenting on results), while Move 1
(Background information) and Move 7
(Deductions from the research) were conventional
moves. The remaining three moves were optional.
The occurrence of each move was similar to that
of the framework applied, that is, Moves 1, 2, and
4 showed high frequencies. However, only move
7 was obviously different from Yang and
Allison's (2003) study.
Based on the findings, there were two
obligatory moves (Move 2 and 4). Move 2
(Reporting results) is to announce the main
research finding to the readers. It is considered to
be one of the most important parts in the writing
of RAs. The realization of Move 2 (Reporting
results) is demonstrated by Example 1. This move
was dominated by the present simple tense,
however, the past tense was also found, but to a
lesser degree as shown in Example 2. Similarly,
Move 4 (Commenting on results) was another
 392 W. Amnuai / Kasetsart Journal of Social Sciences 40 (2019) 389–394
literature, accounting for the results, and by the results of the study. From the ndings,
evaluating the results. In the present study, authors preferred to give some background
comparing results with the literature was the information using the present simple tense. The
most frequent step used to realize this move. As realization of Move 1 is shown in Example 4.
confirmed by Yang and Allison (2003), Move 4 Next, Move 7 (Deductions from the research)
was an obligatory move which may occur was used to draw inferences about the results by
repeatedly in the discussion section. Based on suggesting what can be done to solve the
these findings, it is recommended that Move 2 problems identi ed by the research (Move 7 Step
and Move 4 should be stated in the writing of 1), pointing out the line of further study (Move
discussion sections. As shown in Table 1, Move 7 Step 2) or drawing pedagogical implications
4 was mostly realized by Step 2 (Comparing (Move 7 Step 3). Move 1 and Move 7 occurred
results with the literature). The frequency of this moderately with a frequency of occurrence of
step was twice as high as the other two 65 percent. The present simple tense was used
counterparts of this move. The present simple predominantly. Based on their frequency of
tense was used repeatedly. The realization of occurrence, they were crucial moves which
Move 4 Step 2 is displayed in Example 3. should not be neglected when writing discussion
sections. The realizations of Move 7 ranging
Example 1. Regarding the ex ante design from steps 1 to 3 are demonstrated in Examples
characteristics, we find a nonlinear, inverted U- 5e7.
shaped relationship between
aims and purposes of a study, the theoretical Example4. This paper reports the results of a
backgroundfi fi fi… (D18) study designed to provide additional evidence
Example 2. As creators, the COSO group on individuals' compensation contract choices.
engaged in various forms of institutional work. (D11)
(D7) Example 5. Our findings suggest that if
Example 3. As Callon (2007) argues, markets do management wants to attract high achievers,
not fail. They merely constantly produce matters next to adequate contract design including
of concern. (D1) performance incentives, management should
regard control aspects. (D11)
Two moves fell into the conventional group.
The rst one was Move 1 (Background Example 6. Future research might illuminate
information), which was used by authors to whether MA practice is in need of improvement
prepare readers for the report or discussion of of control systems or (D3)
the results that follow. It therefore contained Example 7. The implication of our study is that
some important statements such as research
when determining bonus payouts, supervisors
questions, the
who care about

or established knowledge, and the study's

research methodology. It was used to begin the
discussion sections, which were then followed
Move 1: Background information
Move 2: Reporting results
Move 3: Summarizing results
Move 4: Commenting on results
Step 1: Interpreting results
Step 2: Comparing results with the literature
Step 3: Accounting for results
Step 4: Evaluating results
Move 5: Summarizing the study
Move 6: Evaluating the study
Step 1: Indicating limitations
Step 2: Indicating significance/advantage
Step 3: Evaluating methodology
Move 7: Deductions from the research
Step 1: Making suggestions
Step 2: Recommending further research
Step 3: Drawing pedagogic implication
Figure 1 Yang and Allison's (2003) model for the discussion section of research articles
 W. Amnuai / Kasetsart Journal of Social Sciences 40 (2019) 389–394
(D18) fi d …… most authors try to give reasons for some
interesting or unexpected results in their studies.
The high use of these two moves infers that Move
2 and Move 4 are substantial rhetorical moves in
the RA discussion sections of accounting RAs.
The high frequency of these two moves should be
a signal to raise the awareness of writers in the
writing of discussion sections in accounting.
Second, two other steps deserve mention: Move 6
Step 2
(Indicating significance/advantages) and Move 7
Step 2 (Recommending further research).
Although it is an optional step, Move 6 Step 2
had a frequency of occurrence of 55 percent. This
means the authors tried to claim that to some
extent their research findings were of importance
or contributory to the field, as shown in Example
8. Move 7 Step 2 (Recommending further
Three moves were classi ed as optional research) is also interesting. The authors tried to
moves Move 3 (Summarizing results), Move 5 encourage other researchers to further investigate
(Summarizing the study), and Move 6 or study closely particular areas.
(Evaluating the study). Their frequencies were It was found that there were 15 percent of
less than 60 percent. This means that they can move cooccurrences between Move 6 Step 2
be excluded from the discussion sections. Some (Indicating significance/advantages) and Move 7
previous research studies (Amnuai & Wannaruk, Step 1 (Making suggestions). Also, the co-
2013; Atai & Falah, 2004; Khorramdel & Farnia, existence of Move 6 Step 1(Indicating
2017) also pointed out that these moves were limitations) and Move 7 Step 2 (Recommending
less frequent. However, although the frequency further research) was found. They co-occurred
of occurrence of Move 6 (Evaluating the study) point by point, showing 10 percent of
was considered optional, 55 percent to some occurrences, as shown in Example 9. However,
extent implies a trend in usage. Based on its the use of Move 7 Step 2 in previous research
function, the purpose of Move 6 is to evaluate studies varied in its frequency. For example, in
the overall study by pointing out its limitations, the hard sciences, it was found that there was 53
indicating the contributions and evaluating the percent frequency of occurrence in a corpus of
methodology. Move 6 step 2 (Indicating biochemistry discussion sections conducted by
significance/advantages) had the highest Kanoksilapatham (2005). In a medical corpus
frequency of occurrence of the three steps. This investigated by El Malik and Nesis (2008), this
means that authors tended to state that their step showed 40 percent of frequency of
research findings were noteworthy to the field occurrence, and 46 percent was found in
for a number of reasons. Khorramdel and Farnia's (2017) study.
Conversely, in the soft sciences, for example in
Discussion the applied linguistics field, each of these studies
(Amirian et al., 2008; Amnuai & Wannaruk,
This section contains the discussion on the 2013) showed 70 percent of frequency of
significant points found in the study. First, by occurrence in their corpora. Also, it was found
focusing on the frequency of occurrence, Move that there was 73 percent frequency of occurrence
2's frequency was not only in line with Yang and in the soft science corpus (Business, Language
Allison's (2003) study, but was also similar to and Linguistics, Public and Social, and Law)
some other research studies (Amirian et al., 2008; conducted by Peacock (2002). The different
Holmes, 1997; Peacock, 2002; Swales, 1990). frequencies reported in these previous research
These studies confirm that Move 2 is a common studies indicate that authors in the social sciences
and important move in discussion sections. In or soft sciences are more likely to recommend
addition, Move 2 always co-occurs with Move 4. potential research directions than those in the
This indicates that the results are likely to be hard sciences. This reflects the existence of
interpreted or clarified. As noted by Yang and disciplinary variations. As the present study is
Allison (2003), the main function of the under the umbrella of the soft sciences, the
discussion section is to comment on the results by frequency of this step shows striking similarities
interpreting, explaining, and comparing them to those found in the previous literature.
with previous work. It can be said that it is a floor Example 8. Accordingly, our findings may help
for the authors to share their opinions on their redirect the discussion surrounding the risk
findings. They try to situate and/or claim their associated with auditors' lack of (D8)
research findings in the field. On the other hand,
394 W. Amnuai / Kasetsart Journal of Social Sciences 40 (2019) 389–394
are organized. There was no linearity structure results) and Move 4 (Commenting on the
results) which showed 100 percent frequency of
(Move 1… fi fi fi e2 Example 9. (Move 6
occurrence, while the second highest (65
Step 1) Like every study, our study is subject to a percent) ones were Move 1 (Background
number of limitations that offer opportunities for information) and Move 7 (Deduction from the
future research. First, due to the relatively small research). The remaining three moves were
sample size of our study, we were only able to optional. Compared to the framework of Yang
investigate the direct effects of target and Allison (2003), the most significant
achievement and subjectivity emphasis on difference was the frequency of occurrence of
fairness perceptions. (Move 7 Step 2) Future Move 7 (Deduction from the research). This was
research might investigate potential interactions an optional move in their study, but it was a
between the two variables as well as interactions conventional move in the present study. It can
with the organization's internal policies or be inferred from the results that in the
external environmental characteristics. (D18) accounting field authors prefer to relate their
The last point to discuss here is the pattern in findings to the field by making particular
ordering moves. This characteristic shows how mention of the unsolved areas for research in
moves in the corpus future studies. This new specific rhetorical move
structure of the corpus in the present study
e3e4e5e6e7) in the corpus. Nearly all moves re- should raise the awareness of the authors in the
occurred in their move sequences. In 14 out of 20 accounting field when writing RA discussion
discussion sections the structure began with sections. The ordering patterns and tense usage
Move 1. Four discussion sections started with are other factors embedded in the rhetorical
Move 2 and two other sections opened with Move structure, which will shed light on the structures
4. Most of the structures that began with Move 1 used for the discussion sections in the
were followed by Move 2 and Move 4; that is to accounting field.
say, authors tended to provide the research Specifically, the findings of the present study
background before presenting their research offer some important advantages for use in
ndings and then consolidated their findings for the pedagogy. For example, integrating the RA
eld by using Move 4. The pattern of Move genre in the English for Academic Purposes
ordering arrangement. Accordingly, it can be curriculum would be a practical option for
inferred that1e2e4e2e4 þ other Moves was the second language curriculum planners. Learners
most frequent authors from this eld prefer to need to be made aware of the conventions set by
extend their results point by point. However, this the discourse community and they should be
style of presentation differs from the structure of instructed in the structural complexities and
a corpus of computer science in Posteguillo's relationships between functions and language
(1999) study. He found that the cyclical pattern of usage. Furthermore, the findings will be of
results alternating with ‘generalization’ or benefit to novice writers who face difficulties in
‘recommendations’ was frequently used. These the writing of RA discussion sections. Having a
differences may depend on the particular field of clear picture of how this section is
study. For example, accounting is considered as a conventionally constructed will encourage
well-established discipline with numerous novice writers or graduate students to feel more
research studies conducted and shared in the field. confident in writing their RA discussion sections
To obtain credibility for their findings, authors for publication.
need to discuss or relate their findings to the Although the findings provide some insights
previous literature. Therefore, Move 4 is into the discussion section structures of RAs in
employed extensively, especially Move 4 Step 2 the accounting field, the small corpus size was a
(Comparing results with the literature). On the limitation of the present study. In order to be
other hand, in computer science, which is a able to generalize to a wider disciplinary
relatively young and dynamic field, the authors context, a larger corpus would give a clearer
tend to make some recommendations when picture on how RA discussion sections are
ending the discussion sections. This is one of the organized. Also, analyzing all conventional
aspects that novice writers in the accounting field sections of RAs (abstract, introduction, method,
should consider when writing RAs for results, and discussion) using a large number of
publication. corpora would provide a stronger conceptual
393 framework or model for the field. Therefore,
further research on this particular topic should
Conclusion and Recommendations take these limitations into account.

This study examined 20 rhetorical structures Conflict of Interest

of English discussion sections in RAs in
accounting from indexed journals using Yang
No conflict of interest.
and Allison's (2003) framework. The most
frequent moves were Move 2 (Reporting the
 W. Amnuai / Kasetsart Journal of Social Sciences 40 (2019) 389–394
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