Hi!

I am just coming to the end of my PhD, and am starting to write my final discussion chapter, so far I've spent about 3 weeks looking at a blank screen trying to figure out what to put on there! Currently in my thesis I have an introduction chapter and 4 data chapters (each data chapter is written as an introduction, methods, result, and discussion).

I am now starting on my discussion, so far I have a very short paragraph outlining the key findings in the PhD. Then a lot of blank space, then a section at the end looking at future directions! Its the bit in the middle I am stuck on! I used a lot of very novel techniques and there is very little in the literature on my topic. I have used all the key references in my other sections, and I am concerned my discussion is going to be repetitive from my data chapter discussions.

What is the best way to tackle this? Any advice would be massively appreciated
Thanks!

My science PhD thesis comprised 7 chapters,
Introduction, methodology and design, exp 1 leading to exp 2 leading into exp 3
and then finally to exp 4. Lastly, I had my discussion chapter. I found that in
each experimental chapter I came to a discussion and potential conclusion but
with the result leading into the next experimental chapter. The discussion was
shorter in each chapter and very specific to the finding but expanded upon in
the final discussion. The final discussion chapter was structured as follows:
what I found, what exp 1 meant, what exp 2 meant, what exp 3 meant, what exp 4
meant and then a final relating this to the initial hypothesis including
potential further work. In each discussion section on the individual
experiments, I included any weaknesses/justifications in the findings, how it
relates to others work, so really putting the findings into context.  Hope this
helps, but probably not explained that well due to a long 13 hr day at work
lol!

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