If you are about to finish your research work, you need to know how to conclude a research paper. To write an excellent conclusion, ensure that you restate the thesis and topic, summarize main points, call for readers’ action, and answer the ‘So what’ question. Also, keep the objectives and tone consistent and do not apologize or fail to discuss negative results.
Starting to write a research paper is the hard part. However, things get easier once you complete the research and establish your findings. What remains is to conclude your essay. The conclusion aims to enable the reader to understand why your research is essential. It is not just a repetition of your main points but a synthesis of all critical aspects. If you are struggling to write your conclusion, there are experienced research paper writers who can get it done for you.
The conclusion of a research paper is where you summarize your ideas and leave the reader with a strong final impression. However, concluding a research paper can be difficult. Therefore, In this article, you will learn how to conclude a research paper.
Most essays demand that a conclusion be a single paragraph. However, some allow for two or three paragraphs. You need to ensure that you wrap things up correctly so that you do not ruin your essay. If your conclusions do not match the content of your article, you will score poorly.
Importance of a Good Conclusion
Provide Closure for the Reader
It convinces the reader that the research problems have been resolved. This can be done by linking the opening and closing statement, perhaps by restating a statement you used in the introduction.
Reminding the Reader of the Content and Importance of the Paper
It elaborates on the impact and the significance of your findings in the paper. It also draws main points together and relates them to one another so that your reader can apply the information given in the essay.
Reminding the Reader of the Main Argument
It provides context for your main argument. Your reader may fail to understand why your argument is essential, so you have to remind them. For example, if the essay is about hunger, end with a statistic about the number of deaths it causes.
Suggest Possible Future Ideas
It introduces new ways of thinking about the research problem. However, this does not refer to presenting any new ideas. It only offers new and creative insights for framing the research problem based on the results of your paper.
Different Formats of Research Conclusion
There are different ways on how to conclude a research paper. They include:
Summarization
It usually focuses on bringing your paper together by providing a summary of points made throughout, and it is also considered the most common form of conclusion. It is suitable for solution-based research, persuasive writing, history and science studies, and argument structuring.
Ideally, you have to remind your audience what you told them in the article’s body. You should state every significant point in your research paper conclusion and avoid giving the body details. At the same time, avoid including new information. Remember that your deductions must match your findings and arguments.
Reflective
It usually reflects the facts written in the research paper, and it intends to convince the readers that the arguments presented in the paper are binding. It is suitable for persuasive essays, speeches, and English and Political studies.
You need to reiterate the research topic and give reasons for its importance. One sentence should be enough because the study’s significance should come out from the beginning of the paper. Do not use the exact statement used in the introduction to avoid monotony. Repeating the same things also reflects that you do not have a structured thought process. Re-phrase the wording while still maintaining the exact meaning of the original thesis.
Projective
It is suitable for an expository essay and narrative works. It usually focuses on future outcomes of circumstances described in the paper and can state the need for further research. For example, if your research paper is on drought, the conclusion should suggest possible solutions for drought.
The conclusion allows you to explain to your readers why your research and ideas matter. The significance of your research topic might not be evident, and you need to disclose your case to the readers.
Strategies to Help Summarize the Key Points of Your Research Paper
Point to Broader Implications
For example, if your research is about global warming, you could point out its impact on climate change. This is to warn readers of future effects if the issue is not addressed.
Propose a Course of Action
This is done to redirect the reader’s thought process and help them see the broader implications. For example, you can suggest food aid to people living in hunger-stricken areas.
Provide an Expert Opinion
Readers want to know that the facts you are stating are actual. To validate what you are writing, you can cite relevant quotations and statistics. They can also use those sources to read more about your research topic.
Link the Introduction to the Conclusion
This strategy brings the reader in a full circle. For example, You can use the same concepts in your introduction and in your conclusion.
Create a Basis Synthesis of Information
You must aim to synthesize the information rather than summarize it. You can do it by providing results or a resolution to your arguments.
What To Avoid When Writing Your Research Paper Conclusion
Failure To Point Our Challenges Or Negative Results
As a researcher, you must not ignore the negative aspects of your research. It is essential to mention any challenges experienced because they can be used as a basis for future research.
Failure To Match Your Objectives To Your Research
Your objectives must be set at the beginning of your research. However, things might change as the study progresses. Perhaps, your methodology might vary due to some unforeseen reasons shifting your objectives. You need to go back and change the goals to be in line with your research. That’s how; even your research paper conclusion will be on the right track.
Making Apologies
It would help if you sounded as authoritative as possible when concluding your research paper to convince other scholars that your findings are credible. Avoid statements that undermine you, such as ‘I might not be an expert.’ More so, research papers are formal, and you must avoid using the first person as it is considered informal.
Changing The Tone Of The Paper
The tone in your academic paper should be consistent throughout. Stick to a scholarly tone even if your study is of personal significance to you.
Conclusion
Finally, that is about everything you need to know about how to conclude a research paper. It is also important to note that a conclusion is more than just the last paragraph of your paper.
Examples Of How To Conclude A Research Paper In Various Fields
Conclusion in a Literature Paper
An Example Of A Conclusion In A Science Paper
Concluding a research paper is easy when you follow the steps and avoid the mistakes discussed herein.
