Step-by-Step Guide to Writing the Discussion

of a Scientific Paper
The discussion can seem very difficult to write at first, but I figured that
like almost everything in life, the key is to divide the process step-by-
step and to prepare a detailed plan of the overall section. Once you
have dissected it into 5 or 6 paragraphs, youll see that filling each one
of them is actually quite easy. Here is an example you can use to write
your own discussion.
1. In the first paragraph, summarize what was the goal of the study
and what you did. You should do it in one or two phrases maximum. For
example: In an effort to elucidate the identity of the genetic factors
implicated in stroke, we performed a case-control study and
genotyped 200 SNPs in 1000 cases and 1000 controls of stroke.
2. Then explain your findings one by one (there shouldnt be more
than 3 to 4 key findings). For each one, summarize what was found and
explain how it confirms or refutes whats described in the literature. If
there are methodological differences with other articles or limitations
in your study, you can explain them here.
3. Now focus on your main outcome. Start with the smaller degree
of importance you can imagine and explain what you results can mean.
For example, if you discovered a new mutation associated with
myocardial infarction, you can describe here the mutation, what it
does, where its located, if its associated with functional properties of
the resulting protein, whats its frequency in the population, whats its
effect on the disease, etc. Make sure to reference each statement to
the proper published article.
4. Following the same example as above, you can now enlarge a bit
the field by explaining for example in which gene is the mutation
located, what is known about the gene, which diseases its been
related to, etc. Try to relate information that is especially relevant to
your study. For instance, if you are studying a certain kind of cancer, it
might be interesting to mention what is know about this gene in
association to other types of cancer, but not to vascular diseases.
5. Now that you described the gene, go one step further and explain
things about the protein or about the disease, etc. For example, which
other genes have been associated to the disease, what kind of
genes/proteins, what kind of genetic studies have been performed
concerning this disease. Is your study the first one in any particular
aspect?
6. Finish by giving a conclusion, with a phrase on the main finding of
the study and a phrase on the clinical applications of the discovery or
future studies that should be performed. For example: In summary,
the present study suggests that the KCNK17 gene might contribute to
the elucidation of the complex mechanisms of neurovascular diseases
and their genetic components. Additional functional studies around
this potassium channel gene and protein might help to understand the
exact contribution of the described variant to the susceptibility of the
disease and permit diagnostic and therapeutic advances in the area of
stroke.

Finally, make sure to add in any place possible the positive aspects or
attributes of your study (first one, bigger one, only one, etc) and if
you are still unsure about how to divide your discussion into
paragraphs, check out other papers that have similar findings and
create a plan based on their discussions structure.