1. Discussion Section of a Scientific Paper
Professor Ario Santini
MD,BDS,DDS,PhD,FDS,FFGDP,DGDP(UK),DipFMed,FADM.
The University of Medicine & Pharmacy, Tg-Mures, Rm.
Hon Fellow. The University of Edinburgh

2. Discussion Section of a Scientific Paper
The purpose of the Discussion Section of a Scientific Paper is to:
state our interpretations and opinions
explain the implications of our findings
make suggestions for future research

3. Discussion Section of a Scientific Paper
An overview of function of the Discussion Section of a Scientific Paper
A Checklist List to writing a Discussion Section of a Scientific Paper

4. Discussion Section of a Scientific Paper
A. An overview of function of the Discussion Section of a Scientific Paper.
The main function of the Discussion Section of a Scientific Paper is to:
answer the questions posed in the Introduction,
explain how the Results support the answers
how the answers fit in with existing knowledge on the topic
The Discussion is considered the heart of the paper and usually requires several writing attempts

5. Discussion Section of a Scientific Paper
The organization of the Discussion Section is important.
Develop an outline to aid in producing a logical format.
Use a cluster map, an issue tree, numbering, or some other organizational structure.

6. Discussion Section of a Scientific Paper
To make the message clear :
Keep the section short and concise
Do not simply restate the results
Comprehensively support, explain and defending the results
Provide a commentary.
Do not be included Side issues. They will confuse the message.
Avoid Speculation

7. Discussion Section of a Scientific Paper
1. Organize the Discussion from the specific to the general:
The current findings = the literature =to theory to practice.
2. Use the same key terms, the same verb tense (present tense), and the same point of view used in the questions in the Introduction.
3. START by re-stating the hypothesis and answering the questions presented in the introduction.

8. Discussion Section of a Scientific Paper
4. Support the answers with the results.
5. Explain how the results relate to expectations and to the literature.
6. State clearly:
Why they are acceptable ?
How they are consistent with previously published knowledge?
7. Address all the results relating to the questions, irrespective of their being statistically significant or not.

9. Discussion Section of a Scientific Paper
7. Discuss and evaluate conflicting explanations of the results. This is the sign of a good discussion. 9. Discuss any unexpected findings. Begin the paragraph with the finding and then describe it. 10. Identify potential limitations and weaknesses and comment on the relative importance of these to the interpretation of the results and how they may affect the validity of the findings.

10. Discussion Section of a Scientific Paper
11. When identifying limitations and weaknesses, avoid using an apologetic tone. 13. Clinical significance v Statistical significance. Are the results clinically significant? They may not be even if they are statistical significance

11. Discussion Section of a Scientific Paper
Explain:
How the results and conclusions of this study are important.
How they influence current knowledge or understanding of the problem being studied.
13. Be concise, brief, and concise and specific.

12. Discussion Section of a Scientific Paper
14. It is acceptable to make recommendations for further research.
However do not offer suggestions which could have been easily addressed within the study, as this shows there has been inadequate examination and interpretation of the data.

13. Discussion Section of a Scientific Paper
B. Checklist List to writing a Discussion Section of a Scientific Paper
An aid to writing the Discussion Section is to:
Divide the process into several subsections or paragraphs.
Progress by completing each section or paragraphs.

14. Discussion Section of a Scientific Paper
Paragraph 1.
Summarize:
The purpose of the study
What was undertaken
No more than one or two phrases. One Sentence !!

15. Discussion Section of a Scientific Paper
Paragraph 2.
Explain the KEY findings one by one
(No more than 3 or 4 key findings)
For each key finding, summarize what was found.
Explain how it complies with or contradicts the views expressed in the current literature.

16. Discussion Section of a Scientific Paper
Paragraph 3.
Focus on the principal outcomes.
Start with those with the smallest degree of importance and explain what the results can mean.
Progress to the most important.
Check that each statement is referenced to the correctpublished article.

17. Discussion Section of a Scientific Paper
Paragraph 4.
Close with a conclusion which expresses
The main finding of the study
The clinical applications of the discovery
Future studies that may be appropriate

18. If you have been, thanks for listening