How to Write a Conclusion for a Research Paper: Steps & More
The conclusion of a research paper is often the most dreaded section for many writers, but it’s also one of the most important.
A strong conclusion does more than just summarize your findings. It ties everything together, revisiting the research questions and showing how your findings answer or address them.
This guide will walk you through the steps of crafting a clear and impactful conclusion, helping you wrap up your research paper with clarity and purpose.
What Is the Conclusion in a research paper？
The conclusion is the final section of a research paper that summarizes the main points, reinforces the thesis, and provides closure to the reader. It synthesizes the information presented, reflects on the research findings, and often suggests further areas of study or implications of the research. The conclusion is your opportunity to leave a lasting impression and to remind the reader of the significance of your work.
Key Elements of a Conclusion:
Restate Your Thesis: Briefly remind the reader of your main argument or research question.
Summarize Key Findings: Highlight the most important results or discoveries from your research.
Discuss the Implications: Explain why your findings matter. How do they contribute to your field or the broader topic?
Suggestions for Future Research: Mention any unanswered questions or areas that could be explored in more detail.
The conclusion should be clear and concise, wrapping up your paper without introducing new information. It reinforces the main points and leaves the reader with a strong final impression.
Types of Conclusions for Research Papers
1. Summary Conclusion
A summary conclusion restates the key points of the paper without introducing new insights. It is often used for shorter papers to provide a final recap of the research.
Example: In conclusion, this study highlighted the major causes of air pollution, including industrial emissions and deforestation, and reviewed potential solutions like renewable energy adoption and stricter regulations.
2. Reflective Conclusion
A reflective conclusion connects the research findings to real-world applications or personal reflections. It is common in humanities and social sciences papers.
Example: The findings of this study show that while technology can improve education, it also raises concerns about equity. These insights encourage educators to consider how technology is implemented in diverse classrooms.
3. Call-to-Action Conclusion
This conclusion urges the reader to take specific action based on the research findings. It is commonly used in persuasive or argumentative papers.
Example: Given the growing evidence of climate change, it is essential for governments to adopt carbon taxes and invest in green technologies to combat global warming and protect future generations.
4. Open-Ended Conclusion
An open-ended conclusion leaves the reader with a thought-provoking question or unresolved issue, encouraging further discussion or research. It is often used for debate-oriented papers.
Example: While this study examined the short-term benefits of plant-based diets, one question remains: how might a global shift to plant-based eating impact the future of agriculture and food security?
5. Future Research Conclusion
This conclusion suggests areas for future research, often pointing out gaps or new questions that emerged during the study. It is common in scientific and academic papers.
Example: While this study offers insights into the effects of sleep on academic performance, further research is needed to explore how sleep quality interacts with mental health and overall well-being.
How to Write a Conclusion for a Research Paper
1. Restate the Thesis
Begin your conclusion by restating your thesis in a new way, different from the way you addressed it in your introduction. This reminds the reader of your main argument and emphasizes its importance.
Example: This study investigates how social media usage affects the academic performance of college students, highlighting both negative influences and potential benefits.
2. Summarize Key Points
Briefly summarize the main points from your research, highlighting the evidence and arguments that contribute to your thesis. Avoid introducing new information or arguments in the conclusion. This section should remind readers of the supporting points that validate your research findings.
Example: Throughout the paper, we examined various studies showing that high social media usage correlates with lower grades due to time displacement and increased distraction. However, platforms like LinkedIn and educational forums are shown to enhance learning when they facilitate professional networking and access to academic resources.
3. Discuss Implications
Discuss the broader implications of your findings. Explain how your research contributes to the field, addresses existing gaps, or raises new questions. This helps the reader understand the significance of your work beyond the scope of your paper.
Example: These findings suggest that educators should be aware of the dual-edged nature of social media use among students. By integrating social media literacy programs into the curriculum, colleges can help students maximize the academic benefits while minimizing its potential drawbacks.
4. Offer Recommendations
Depending on the nature of your research, you might suggest practical applications, policy changes, or areas for future study. Recommendations can add value by showing how your findings could be used to effect positive change or to guide further research.
Example: It is recommended that universities provide workshops teaching effective time management and digital literacy skills. Additionally, developing online study groups and collaborating with educational influencers on social platforms could promote positive engagement among students.
5. End with a Strong Closing Sentence
End your conclusion with a strong closing statement that leaves a lasting impression. This could be a thought-provoking quote, a call to action, or a final reflection on the larger significance of your topic.
Example: By embracing the constructive use of social media, colleges can not only mitigate its negative impacts but also harness its potential to enrich the academic experiences of students, fostering a more connected and resourceful academic community.
This example assumes an academic paper context, with each part of the conclusion logically connecting back to the main body of the research, reinforcing your thesis, and leaving room for future exploration or action.
Research Paper Conclusion Examples
Here are 5 concise and clear examples of research paper conclusions:
Topic 1: Climate Change
In conclusion, the evidence presented highlights that human activities, particularly fossil fuel consumption and deforestation, are the primary drivers of climate change. The research suggests that immediate global action is needed, including policy changes and the adoption of renewable energy sources, to mitigate future environmental damage.
Topic 2: Mental Health and Social Media
This study shows a significant correlation between heavy social media use and increased levels of anxiety and depression in teenagers. These findings underscore the need for more effective digital well-being programs and a balanced approach to social media use among young people.
Topic 3: Renewable Energy Adoption
In conclusion, transitioning to renewable energy sources offers both environmental and economic benefits. However, challenges such as high initial costs and infrastructure limitations remain. Future research should focus on the long-term financial impacts and technological advancements needed to make renewable energy more accessible.
Topic 4: The Impact of Exercise on Academic Performance
Overall, this research supports the hypothesis that regular physical exercise improves cognitive function and academic performance in students. Schools should consider incorporating physical activity into daily routines to enhance students' academic outcomes and overall health.
Topic 5: Online Learning Effectiveness
This paper concludes that online learning can be as effective as traditional classroom learning when implemented with proper resources and engagement strategies. However, future studies should examine the long-term effects of online education on student motivation and retention rates.
Problems to Avoid When Writing a Research Paper Conclusion
Here are some common mistakes to watch out for when writing your conclusion:
Introducing new information – Your conclusion should only summarize and interpret existing content.
Repeating the introduction – Avoid restating your introduction verbatim.
Being too vague – Provide clear and specific takeaways.
Ending abruptly – Give your paper a sense of closure rather than stopping suddenly.
Making unsupported claims – Stick to what you have proven in your research.
FAQs
1. What is the first sentence of a conclusion?
The first sentence should restate the research problem or question in a fresh way, summarizing the main focus of your paper.
2. How do you write a conclusion for a research paper?
Follow three steps: restate the problem, summarize key findings, and discuss the implications of your research.
3. What is a good example of a conclusion?
A good conclusion ties everything together, reinforces the significance of the research, and suggests future directions. See the example above.
4. Can I present new arguments in the conclusion of my research paper?
No, new arguments should not be introduced in the conclusion. Stick to summarizing and interpreting existing points.
5. What should I include in a research paper conclusion?
Your conclusion should include a restatement of the problem, a summary of key points, the study’s significance, and possible future research.
Conclusion
In writing a good research paper conclusion, there are a few essential components to include: a restatement of the problem, a summary of key findings, and the implications for practice, policy, or research. These components help ensure that your paper ends on a meaningful note, reinforcing the importance of your research while leaving a lasting impression on the reader. Keep your conclusion clear, concise, and impactful for maximum effect.