How to Write a Research Paper Conclusion

A research paper conclusion comes up at the end of your paper. It focuses on helping the reader to understand why your research should matter to them after they have finished reading your research paper. It is not a summary of your work, as many people think it is, but it is a synthesis of key points in your work. The ability to give a concise explanation of your research work in the conclusion will make your work outstanding. It is as vital as the introduction. In writing the ending, you need to restate the main argument, but avoid being repetitive. Your conclusion must not be difficult to understand. Having complexity in your conclusion might leave the reader confused. Even if you use a sophisticated statement, break it down in the next sentence. If you did not include the significance of your results in the preceding chapters, this is the right point to include it. Here are some useful ideas to consider when writing a research conclusion:

  • Do not introduce a new context in your conclusion. Your conclusion is not where you add new context. Instead, it is an emphasis on the previous work done. You can as well include your perspective about the evidence presented in your work. 
  • Write in clear, simple terms. Do not expound unnecessarily; the body of your research should be explanatory enough. Your conclusion is not where you introduce new findings. There is no need to complicate your conclusive statement. It is very vital because the reader gets a solid idea of what you have been writing from the beginning, in other words, it is a type of landing for your reader; either soft or hard. 
  • Write your conclusion in a structured manner; do not flaunt words all over your conclusion, ensure it has a definite structure and planned to give a clear cut meaning in the mind of the reader. Just as you cannot put a cart before a horse, your conclusion also needs to be appropriately structured.
  • The outline of your research conclusion should comprise the thesis statement, your observations, summary of arguments and a showcase for further findings. Also, recommend a course of action. If it is problem-related research, explain the consequences of the problem if attention is not paid to it as soon as possible.
  • Quote notable researchers and their opinions to make your work convincing and authoritative. The citing of famous researchers will give your work much credibility and respect.  
  • End your conclusion with an inspiring and thought-provoking statement that will make the readers remember your research work always and make you stand out among other researchers in the same field. Do not use: ‘in summary’, ‘in conclusion’, ‘conclusively’, etc., that suggests you are about to round off your work. It makes your work look too formal and stiff. You can also introduce a question in the introduction and answer it in your conclusion. This move will make your research work a problem-solving project and will always be relevant.

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