1. DISCUSSION
3rd AMDI Scientific Writing
Noorsuzana Mohd Shariff

2. Specially Crafted by | TAQI’UDDIN HAMZAH

4. It main functions are…
To answer the questions posed in the introduction.
To explain how the results support the answers.
To explain how the answers fit in with the existing knowledge on the topic.

5. COMMON ERRORS IN WRITING DISCUSSION…
Repetition of data presented in the Results section.
Incorrect interpretation of the findings.
Importance of results inadequately discussed or omitted.
Irrelevant and faulty discussion points
Obscure interpretation.
Failure to identify any weaknesses.
Omission of key and relevant references.
Preferential quoting of references.
Explanations are too long or verbose.

6. Components of discussion

7. Components Of The Discussion Section
Highlighting the findings
Interpreting and elaborating the results
Corroborating with previous work
Summarizing the implications of current work
Identifying contradicting and unexpected findings
Stating the limitations of the methods used
Providing concise conclusion

8. Highlighting new and important findings
Stress on the newness of the data obtained (original and have not been conducted in other studies)
Explore possible mechanisms or explanation for the new findings
Be careful- do not repeat in detail data or other material that has been presented in the Introduction or Results sections.

9. Presenting the principles, relationships and generalisations derived from the results
Describe the principles and relationships drawn from each major finding.
Discussion of each finding should be logically organised.
First stating the answer
Relevant results
Citing the works of others with similar findings
Cite studies in agreement and then any that might be in disagreement. Give priority to papers with same methodology (same system, model, organ, or cell) then other systems, model, organs or cells.

10. Corroborating with previous work
Conduct thorough literature search.
Compare and contrast your results and interpretations with previous major and relevant work of others.
Highlight conflicting findings and possible reasons for the differences.
A text paragraph without references is not discussion!
Cite studies in agreement and then any that might be in disagreement. Give priority to papers with same methodology (same system, model, organ, or cell) then other systems, model, organs or cells.

11. Summarizing the implications of the current work
Summarize the main implications of the findings regardless of statistical significance.
Discuss any possible clinical and scientific applications for the findings and their implications.
By all means speculate but let the reader know that you are speculating !- weight of evidence determines the level of certainty
Cite studies in agreement and then any that might be in disagreement. Give priority to papers with same methodology (same system, model, organ, or cell) then other systems, model, organs or cells.

12. Identifying contradicting and unexpected findings
Discuss and evaluate any contradicting and unexpected findings.
Explain the discrepancies.
Cite studies in agreement and then any that might be in disagreement. Give priority to papers with same methodology (same system, model, organ, or cell) then other systems, model, organs or cells.

13. Stating the limitations of the methods used
It is important to identify the potential limitations and weaknesses of the study methodology.
Comment on how they affected the accuracy in the interpretation of the results.
State honestly how these limitations may have influenced the validity of the findings and their interpretations.
Cite studies in agreement and then any that might be in disagreement. Give priority to papers with same methodology (same system, model, organ, or cell) then other systems, model, organs or cells.

14. Providing a concise conclusion
Summarizing the main points and linking them to the objectives of the study
Should be carefully written as many readers will read this part first.
Readers would more likely to read if the ‘take home message’ is clear and interesting.
Cite studies in agreement and then any that might be in disagreement. Give priority to papers with same methodology (same system, model, organ, or cell) then other systems, model, organs or cells.

15. Typical ‘discussion’ flow chart
1st paragraph
Synopsis of the new findings
2nd paragraph
General findings
Fit/non-fit with the literature
3rd /4th… paragraph
Specific findings
Final paragraph
Overall conclusion

16. Take home message…
Do thorough literature search prior to your discussion.
Give a lot of attention and effort to writing this section well.
Use same key terms, same verb tense, and the same point of view that was used when posing the questions and hypotheses in the Introduction.
Avoid any redundancy between Results and the Discussion.
Keep it brief and clearly written.
Your message should be clear and your sentences unambiguously and concisely constructed to state, support, explain and defend the results provided as well as to discuss other important and relevant issues.
Specially Crafted by | TAQI’UDDIN HAMZAH