The Right Research Paper Conclusion

Ending Your Research Paper the Right Way: Conclusion

As in many other tasks in this world, a great beginning is useless if you do not end well. This is very true, especially in a research paper.

The conclusion of a research paper is just as important as any of the other sections that come before it. The problem, however, is that many students are already tired of the whole research process by the time they reach this section, so they end up doing a terrible job. Sadly, messing up at the end is like stumbling before you reach the finish line.

If you are worried about your paper’s ending, read on to learn what to do.

Present your thesis statement again

The conclusion is supposed to wrap things up neatly. This means bringing an end to what you began in the introduction. For the reader, this means restating your thesis – but in different words – to show that your paper was focused on confirming if your position was correct.

After the many chapters in between the introduction and conclusion, it is highly possible that your reader forgot what you had set out to prove or disprove. So it is good to start this last chapter with the focus of your paper.

Summarize the key findings

Although all your findings are in the main body, it is still necessary to summarize everything that has occurred. This allows the reader to recall what happened while highlighting the most important areas to think about.

Be careful, however, not to list again all the figures and data your body presented, and do not just cut and paste what you had written earlier. You must still find a way to rephrase anything to show the reader you understand what had happened.

Re-emphasize the relevance of your study

The introduction includes an area where you emphasize the significance of your research. The conclusion should do something similar. Even if your thesis was not “correct,” there is still much for your targeted parties to learn. So you need to point out how your findings are of help to your target audience.

Suggestions for the future

Many research papers end with suggestions for the affected parties. This is to give concrete things that can be done. Recommendations are also given to future researchers who may wish to continue what you have done or analyze the problem from a different angle.

The call to action

Good conclusions usually end with a motivating statement that makes the reader feel like getting up and doing something with the new information. Much creativity is often needed to produce something like this, so do your best to give some time to it.

Just like the introduction’s hook, the conclusion’s call to action might be a strong statement or a famous quote. Regardless, it should stir the person’s heart and mind – if possible.

Summary

If you want to ensure your paper receives the grade it deserves, make sure you end it well. So remember the pointers above when it is time to create your paper’s ending.

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