RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 How to Write an Effective Discussion JF Respiratory Care FD American Association for Respiratory Care SP 1238 OP 1241 VO 49 IS 10 A1 Dean R Hess YR 2004 UL http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/49/10/1238.abstract AB Explaining the meaning of the results to the reader is the purpose of the discussion section of a research paper. There are elements of the discussion that should be included and other things that should be avoided. Always write the discussion for the reader; remember that the focus should be to help the reader understand the study and that the highlight should be on the study data.