Research Paper Conclusions Overview

Conclusions in Research

• The "Conclusions" section of a research paper explains significant points, insights, and understanding, drawing validity from collected evidence.
• This section also assesses the significance of the results, determining if they answer research questions or support/refute hypotheses.
• It provides a space to compare the findings to those of previous research studies.

Importance of Conclusions

• Crucial for the examination process as it often serves as the last piece of text read by examiners or readers.
• Important for a longer-term research career as a good conclusion can provide the motivation to publish a thesis after recapping findings.

Basic Functions of Conclusions

• Summarize: The research topic, main arguments, research methods, discoveries, and challenged pre-existing views.
• Provide an overview of: New knowledge or information discovered, the significance of the research and where it's unique, limitations of the thesis (concepts and data), speculation on the implications of these limitations, and areas for further development/research (alternative data sets, links to other fields, different methods applied to the same data).

Steps in Writing Conclusions

• Answer the question "So What?": Explain the paper's importance and demonstrate its meaningfulness and usefulness.
• Synthesize, don't summarize: Show how the points made, support, and examples are interconnected rather than randomly presented.
• Redirect your readers: Provide a thought-provoking takeaway, perhaps a way to apply the research in the "real" world. Transition from specific to general (if the introduction went from general to specific).
• Create a new meaning: By interconnecting ideas and demonstrating how they work together, create a holistic understanding that is greater than the sum of its parts.
• Close with logic: If the paper presents multiple sides of an issue, use the conclusion to state a logical opinion formed by the evidence with sufficient backing.

Sample Conclusion Structure

• One paragraph stating the topic researched and the original contribution to the field, followed by section breakdowns.
• A section on the research topic and methods.
• A section on the main findings, demonstrating connections between chapters.
• A section on possible areas for future research.
• A final section reiterating the original contribution and significance of the research to the field.

Strategies for Writing Conclusions

• Echoing the introduction: This can be effective if it's meant to bring the reader full circle. If the introduction describes a scenario, end with the same scenario to demonstrate the research's value in creating a new understanding.
• Challenging the reader: Issuing a challenge helps readers redirect the information and potentially apply it to their own lives.
• Looking to the future: Highlighting future implications emphasizes the paper's importance and redirects the reader's thought process. It can help them apply the new information to their lives or see things on a larger scale.

Explore the significance of the 'Conclusions' section in research papers. This quiz highlights how conclusions summarize findings, assess significance, and compare previous studies. Understand the impact of conclusions on examination processes and future research careers.