Hints to Scientific Writing: 'Discussion' Section

   The Discussion section is where the author has the opportunity to discussion the meaning of the results.  Think of an upright triangle when you are writing this section.  Begin with the specifics of your findings and then move to a more broad scale discussion of how your results relate to the findings of others.  Although a retrospective look at the project and possible improvements is certainly valid, do not spend a significant portion of the discussion reviewing everything that you would do in the future to improve the study.  Discuss the meaning, major findings, and significance of the results.

        Do--Make frequent reference to published literature.
        Do not-- refer the reader back to tables and figures (you should have already pointed out the
                            important points in the Results section--if not then rewrite the results section)

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