How to write a research paper conclusion
It can be challenging to write a conclusion for a research paper. But we’ve got you covered. The importance of writing a great conclusion paragraph, how to write one, and some recommendations to help you are all covered in this how-to guide.
Conclusion examples
Psychology Research Paper Conclusion
This study’s findings reveal some intriguing details about the cognitive and physiological repercussions of missing meals. Restatement: Identify your subject once again in the conclusion. Contrary to our expectations, a person who has not eaten in a long time may be able to concentrate extremely well. When taking a long exam or spending long hours at a tiresome activity that needs persistence, however, not eating for a short period of time might be detrimental, as seen by the 12-hour group’s performance on the perseverance assignment. Many people—students, working mothers, and the people who fast, to name a few—have to deal with inadvertent or purposeful short-term food restriction. Summary: Since this is a research paper, you need to summarize your findings. This study, as well as future studies, will add to our understanding of the drawbacks — and potential benefits — of missing meals. The study’s mixed findings imply that we still have a lot to learn about short-term food deprivation. Importance: You need to emphasize the importance of your research to make your reader remember your work.
Biography Research Paper Conclusion
All of these ideas and viewpoints are combined to form a unified message. Sagan exemplified the qualities of a scientist and thinker. Restatement: Identify your subject once again in the conclusion. He was a logical, skeptical, and inquisitive person whose voice is greatly neglected in today’s society and existence. His efforts to promote scientific literacy have had a long-term impact and made significant contributions to human understanding. Summary: Since this is a research paper, you need to summarize your findings. He will be remembered as a scientist and human being who was both brilliant and thoughtful. Importance: You need to emphasize the importance of your research to make your reader remember your work.
Importance of a great conclusion
A well-written conclusion paragraph gives you multiple opportunities to convey to the reader your general comprehension of the research subject. These are some of them:
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Giving your final thoughts on the issues you raised in your paper.
The conclusion, like the introduction, provides an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the reader. This can be done by highlighting essential points in your analysis or findings.
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Summarizing your thoughts and conveying the paper’s larger implications.
The conclusion is an opportunity to address the “so what?” question quickly by situating the paper in the context of previous research on the issue you’ve looked at.
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Demonstrating the value of your findings.
Don’t be afraid to speak up. The conclusion is an opportunity for you to expand on the relevance of your findings.
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Introducing fresh or enlarged ways of thinking about the research topic.
This does not mean that you should introduce fresh material (which you should avoid!) but rather that you should provide new insight and innovative techniques for contextualizing the research topic based on your findings.
Different types of research paper conclusions
Summarizing conclusion
- A summarizing conclusion is often used to provide a clear outline of your topic and thesis’ important elements.
- Although some research papers may require a different kind of conclusion, this is considered the most typical.
- Persuasive papers, problem and solution research, argumentative papers, and scientific and historical subjects are all examples of research papers that require this type of conclusion.
Summarizing conclusion
- An externalizing conclusion offers points or ideas that were not directly mentioned or were not important to the manner your study and thesis were presented.
- These conclusions can be successful because they present new ideas that expand on the subject you first discussed in your research.
- In fact, it’s sometimes viewed as a new introduction with a different topic, allowing for further development into another possible paper.
- Externalizing conclusions encourage readers to consider the implications of your subject in new ways.
Editorial conclusion
- You give your own ending thoughts or commentary in an editorial conclusion.
- This form of conclusion ties together your ideas and the research you’ve presented.
- You could express your feelings on the outcomes, the results, or the topic in general.
- In research papers that give perspectives, take a humanistic approach to a topic, or present disputed findings, the editorial conclusion can be extremely useful.
The steps outlined below will show you how to write a strong conclusion for any research paper.
Steps on how to write a conclusion
Step 1: Restate your research topic
- When writing your conclusion, the first thing you should do is restate your research topic.
- One sentence should usually do to summarize the issue concisely, and you should also explain why your topic is essential.
- Only the most significant facts should be stated in this section of your conclusion.
If you’re restating a topic you’ve already addressed, avoid expressing it exactly the same way you did in the introduction. Preferably, you’ll come up with a new method to connect the more complex ideas addressed in the body to the problem.
- Avoid using phrases (see transition words) like “In conclusion” or “To conclude” to begin your conclusion since they might come off as too apparent and make your writing appear unprofessional. Your conclusion’s content and placement should make its purpose apparent without the need for further signposting.
Example
Since 2010, increased water pollution has resulted in a decline in aquatic fauna as well as an increase in hazardous drinking water.Step 2: Write a summary of your paper’s major ideas
After that, you might summarize your research paper’s major ideas.
- It’s a good idea to go over your paper again to pick out the most important facts and arguments.
- You don’t need to (and shouldn’t) provide any additional material outside the primary points or facts you offered in your paper.
- The goal of summarizing the important points is to remind the reader of the research topic’s relevance.
Example
More and more contaminants are entering our freshwater supplies as sugar growing expands. This increase in pollution has resulted in significant declines in marine life, fish extinction, increasing respiratory disease in local communities, and a scarcity of clean drinking water.Step 3: Link the key points’ importance or outcomes
You might highlight the relevance of these ideas after outlining the key points of your argument.
- After establishing your major arguments in your argument, you could describe how the effects of your issue influence a certain conclusion.
- Similarly, you might share the conclusions of another research or other discoveries that can assist you to emphasize the importance of your knowledge.
Example
Ecologists and marine biologists are continuing to monitor water quality as researchers look for strategies to prevent pollution run-off from commercial farms. The EPA believes that this research will lead to a reduction in pollution concentrations in our freshwater systems in the future.Step 4: Conclude your ideas
You can include a call to action or a suggestion in your conclusion to encourage your readers to think about your argument further. This section can also be used to address any unresolved questions from your paper’s body paragraphs.
Example
Our freshwater ecologies and drinking water supplies will inevitably deteriorate if we are unable to fight the negative impacts of industrial farming on our clean water. More research and innovation are needed to keep our water pure while also serving our economy’s agricultural requirements.Things to avoid in conclusion
Here are some techniques to avoid while writing the conclusion of your research paper (see common mistakes and tips).
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Opening statements that are generic and apparent
Don’t begin your conclusion with terms like “In conclusion,” “In summary,” “In closing,” and so on. While this may be a successful transition during an oral presentation, it does not work as well on paper since your readers will be able to determine which section of your article they are reading.
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New information
The body paragraphs should contain all the important information. The conclusion is not the place to provide new information since it is where you should explain the importance of your research topic to your audience.
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Lengthy and in-depth discussion
The conclusion of your research paper should be brief and simple. Avoid spending too much time on descriptions that should have been included in the body paragraphs of your paper, such as describing your research’s methodology and findings in depth.
Important
While your conclusion should provide a brief overview of your study, the focus should be on the insights, assessments, implications, and other findings.-
Appealing to the emotions of your readers
The purpose of your conclusion, like the rest of your research paper, is to be analytical rather than emotional. Avoid using emotional phrases to appeal to the emotions of your readers since this will detract from what should be a rational and scientific research study.
Frequently Asked Questions
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