How to Write Chapter 5: Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations PDF

# How to Write Chapter 5: Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations This chapter is the most important part of the thesis, as it summarizes the findings and the entire thesis. Here, the author makes generalizations in the form of conclusions and suggests recommendations for addressing problems disco...

# How to Write Chapter 5: Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations This chapter is the most important part of the thesis, as it summarizes the findings and the entire thesis. Here, the author makes generalizations in the form of conclusions and suggests recommendations for addressing problems discovered during the study. ## Summary of Findings The summary of findings should: 1. **Briefly state the purpose of the study.** This should include the population or respondents, the period covered, the research method used, the research instrument and the sampling design. No explanations are necessary at this point in the thesis. * **Example:** *(using the hypothetical case of teaching science in the high schools of Province A)* "This study aimed to determine the status of teaching science in the high schools of Province A. The descriptive method of research was utilized with the normative survey technique for gathering data and a questionnaire serving as the instrument for collecting information. All teachers handling science and 20% of the student population were respondents. This research was conducted during the 1989-90 school year." 2. **Present findings in a comprehensive way.** This should include a synthesis of the results, including textual generalizations, text, numbers, and statistical measures. Avoid drawing inferences or interpretations as these will be repeated in the conclusion. * **Example:** "Of the 59 teachers, 31 or 53.54 percent were BSE graduates, and 3 or 5.08 percent were MA degree holders. The remaining 25, or 42.37 percent, held non-BSE baccalaureate degrees with at least 18 education units. Less than half of all teachers, only 27 or 45.76 percent, were science majors and the majority, 32 or 54.24 percent, were non-science majors." 3. **Highlight only the most important findings.** These are the key takeaways that will support the conclusions. 4. **Keep findings concise and avoid elaboration.** They should be presented as clearly and succinctly as possible. 5. **Avoid introducing new data in this section.** This should be a summary of the findings, not a new analysis. ## Conclusions Conclusions should be: 1. **Inferences, deductions, abstractions, implications, and generalizations based on the findings.** They should be logical and valid, emerging naturally from the data. Avoid using numbers as they can limit the impact and scope of generalizations. * **Example:** If the summary of findings showed that all teachers were qualified to teach in the high school, but the majority were not qualified to teach science, then a conclusion could be: "All teachers were qualified to teach in the high school, but not all were qualified to teach science." 2. **Direct answers to the specific questions posed at the beginning of the study.** This ensures that the research is focused and the conclusions are meaningful. 3. **Factual statements based on the study's findings.** This is a summary of what the research has shown. Avoid drawing conclusions from implied or indirect effects of the findings. * **Example:** If the findings show that most teachers were non-science majors and the facilities were inadequate, then a conclusion might be: "The majority of teachers were not qualified to teach science and the facilities were not adequate." 4. **Concise, clear, and well-supported by the findings.** They should provide a clear and concise summary of the study's results. 5. **Stated categorically.** This indicates that the researcher is confident in the validity and reliability of the findings. Avoid using qualifiers like "probably" or "perhaps." 6. **Limited to the population, area, or subject of the study.** Avoid making generalizations that go beyond the scope of the research. 7. **Not repetitions of earlier statements.** Conclusions should convey the same information as previous statements but worded differently. ## Some Dangers to Avoid When Drawing Conclusions Based on Quantitative Data It is important to be critical when analyzing quantitative data as it can be inaccurate, misleading, or used to support a specific agenda. Some common pitfalls to avoid include: 1. **Bias.** Ensure that the data is not skewed by a particular business, agency, or organization. Be aware of the potential for bias in advertising or when individuals are asked to provide self-reported information about their own performance. * **Example:** A science teacher might claim their facilities are adequate to protect their school's reputation, even if this is not true. 2. **Incorrect generalization.** Avoid making generalizations based on a limited body of information, or a sample that does not represent the target population. * **Example:** A study might conclude that alumni of a large university earn a high income based on a survey that only captures a small percentage of alumni who happen to be in high-earning professions. 3. **Incorrect deduction.** Don't apply a general rule to a specific case. * **Example:** If a study finds that science facilities in a province are inadequate, it would be an incorrect deduction to conclude that all science equipment in that province is also inadequate. 4. **Incorrect comparison.** Be careful about comparing things that are not truly comparable, such as the number of microscopes in two schools without considering the size of each school. 5. **Abuse of Correlation Data.** Avoid assuming that a correlation indicates causation. Remember that correlation does not imply causation, and other factors may be at play. 6. **Limited Information Furnished by Any One Ratio.** Avoid making conclusions based on a single ratio, as it may not tell the whole story. Ensure you have a complete picture of the situation before drawing conclusions. 7. **Misleading Impression Concerning Magnitude of Base Variable.** Avoid presenting ratios that could be misleading. Take into account the magnitude of the variables being compared, especially when working with small numbers. ## Recommendations Recommendations should: 1. **Aim to solve or help solve the problems identified in the study.** They should provide practical and achievable solutions. 2. **Address the specific problems discussed in the study.** Avoid recommending solutions for issues that were not addressed or analyzed in the research. 3. **Be logical and valid.** The recommendations should directly address the problems identified. 4. **Be feasible, practical, and attainable.** The recommendations should be achievable and not unrealistic. 5. **Target the specific persons, entities, agencies, or offices who are in a position to implement them.** This will ensure that the recommendations have a real chance of being acted upon. 6. **Include a recommendation for further research.** Encourage further inquiry into the topic to verify, expand, or refute the study's findings. ## Evaluating a Thesis or Dissertation A thesis or dissertation should be evaluated using the following criteria: 1. **Subject and Problems** * Is the subject significant, relevant, and current? * Is it clearly delimited but broad enough to allow for valid generalizations? * Is the title appropriate for the subject? * Are the sub-problems clearly stated and specific? 2. **Design of the Study** * Is the research methodology appropriate? * Is the design clear and follows the scientific method? * Is the report prepared following acceptable format and mechanics? * Is the documentation adequate and accurate? 3. **Data** * Are the data adequate, valid, and reliable? * Have they been analyzed correctly and treated statistically? * Have they been interpreted correctly? 4. **Conclusions** * Are the conclusions based on the findings? * Do they answer the specific questions raised in the study? * Are they logical and valid? * Are they stated concisely and clearly? 5. **Recommendations** * Are the recommendations based on the findings and conclusions? * Are they feasible, practical, and attainable? * Do they recommend action to solve the problems identified in the study? * Are they focused on the specific problem and not too broad? Remember: A well-written thesis or dissertation should use the information gathered in Chapter 5 to provide a clear and convincing argument for the study's findings and recommendations.