How to Write a Conclusion for a Research Paper: Best Tips

Aug. 25, 2024

A strong conclusion to your research paper will leave your audience with something to remember. It is the last chance to summarize your findings, restate your main arguments, and leave your readers with something to think about. Writing a research paper conclusion is an important skill that will add more potency to your entire work.

As you work your way through these pages to wrap up your research paper, you will learn some important ways to bring your paper to a powerful close. You will know how to compare the major parts of your paper, synopsize your information concisely, and construct an appealing closing statement. Thus, you can comfortably seal your research paper in confidence, leaving your readers to remember it long after they are done reading it.

Analyze Your Research Paper's Key Components

To write a strong conclusion for your research paper, you need to start by analyzing its key components. This process involves identifying the main arguments and extracting essential findings. Let's explore these crucial steps to help you craft a compelling conclusion.

Identifying main arguments

To succeed in your academic endeavors, you need to be able to identify arguments effectively. An argument is any statement or claim supported by reasons, ranging from simple to complex. You'll find arguments everywhere, especially in academic settings where scholars present their positions or central claims.

To identify the main argument in a research paper:

1. Look for the central claim the author makes and supports with evidence and reasoning.

2. Check the introduction and conclusion, as the main argument is usually stated in these   sections.

3. Be aware that the main argument may sometimes be implied or hidden within the body of the paper.

Remember, identifying arguments is a crucial part of critical thinking. It allows you to understand how people structure their thinking and prepares you to analyze and evaluate information. This skill is essential for formulating your own arguments and engaging with scholarly work effectively.

Extracting essential findings

Once you've identified the main arguments, the next step is to extract the essential findings from your research paper. This process is crucial for summarizing your work and preparing to write a strong conclusion.

To extract essential findings effectively:

1. Establish a regimented approach to data extraction.

2. Use a form or table to capture the data you'll summarize or analyze.

3. Choose appropriate extraction tools based on your project's size and complexity.

For smaller or straightforward projects, programs like Excel or Google Spreadsheets may be sufficient. However, for larger or more complicated data sets, consider using systematic review software platforms that provide more robust support.

It's recommended to pilot your data extraction tool, especially if you plan to code your data. This step helps you determine if you need to add or clarify fields, or if your review team needs guidance in collecting and coding data.

When extracting essential findings, focus on:

1. Key results that directly address your research questions.

2. Unexpected or surprising outcomes.

3. Patterns or trends in your data.

4. Limitations of your study and their implications.

By thoroughly analyzing your research paper's key components, you'll be well-prepared to write a conclusion that effectively summarizes your work and leaves a lasting impression on your readers. Remember, your conclusion should provide a brief overview of your paper and address whether it answers your research questions. It's your final opportunity to leave a good impression on the reader and help them understand why your topic matters.

As you move forward with writing your conclusion, keep in mind that it should help readers reflect on what they've just read, draw connections to existing knowledge, and spark their desire to further explore the subject. By carefully analyzing your paper's key components and extracting essential findings, you'll have the foundation needed to create a powerful and memorable conclusion for your research paper.

Synthesize Information for the Conclusion

Synthesizing information is a crucial step in writing a powerful conclusion for your research paper. It involves connecting ideas from various sources and creating a cohesive summary that reinforces your main points. This process allows you to demonstrate your understanding of the topic and provide new insights to your readers.

Connecting ideas

To connect ideas effectively, you need to look for relationships between your sources and draw broader conclusions about your topic. This process goes beyond simply summarizing individual sources; it requires you to bring them together to offer a fresh perspective or insight.

When synthesizing information, consider the following approaches:

1. Group your sources by topic and look for connections between them.

2. Identify areas where your sources agree or disagree.

3. Draw broader conclusions based on what your sources say.

Remember that synthesis is not the same as summarizing. While a summary restates information from one or more sources, synthesis draws on multiple sources to reach a broader conclusion. This distinction is crucial in creating a compelling conclusion for your research paper.

There are two types of syntheses you can use in your conclusion:

1. Explanatory syntheses: These bring sources together to explain a perspective and the reasoning behind it.

2. Argumentative syntheses: These combine sources to make an argument.

Both types involve examining relationships between sources and drawing conclusions. Choose the approach that best suits your research paper's goals and the nature of your findings.

Creating a cohesive summary

To create a cohesive summary in your conclusion, you need to blend assertions, evidence, and commentary. This process helps your paper flow better and connect more effectively.

Here's how to achieve this:

1. Restate the problem statement addressed in your paper but avoid using identical phrasing from the introduction.

2. Summarize your overall arguments or findings.

3. Highlight the key takeaways from your paper.

When summarizing your research, consider the following points:

• For argumentative papers: Restate your thesis and show how it has been developed through the body of the paper. Briefly summarize the key arguments made in the body, demonstrating how each contributes to proving your thesis.

• For empirical papers: Summarize your key findings, even if they weren't what you expected. Clearly express the answers to the research questions you investigated and explain the overall conclusion they led you to.

To enhance the cohesiveness of your summary, use synthesis to integrate information from multiple sources. This approach demonstrates that you've done the necessary research to engage with the topic more fully. It also prevents your conclusion from looking like a list of copied and pasted sources from various authors.

As you create your cohesive summary, keep these tips in mind:

1. Don't force relationships between sources if they don't exist.

2. Highlight the relationships between sources in clear ways.

3. Don't ignore outliers in your research; acknowledge every perspective, even those that disagree with your broader conclusions.

Remember, synthesis is a higher-order process in writing—it's your opportunity to shine and show your audience your reasoning. By effectively connecting ideas and creating a cohesive summary, you'll leave a strong final impression on your readers and reinforce the significance of your research.

To conclude your research paper effectively, consider the broader implications of your work and its potential contributions to the field. Discuss how your findings might impact future research, applications, or understanding of the subject matter.

This approach demonstrates the significance of your work and places it within a larger context, leaving your readers with a lasting impression that emphasizes the importance of your research.

End with a Powerful Closing Statement

To leave a lasting impression on your readers, you need to end your research paper with a powerful closing statement. This final part of your conclusion serves to emphasize the significance of your work and, in some cases, call your audience to action. Let's explore how to craft an impactful ending that resonates with your readers.

Emphasizing significance

To highlight the importance of your research, you can use several strategies:

1. Reflect on the broader implications: Take your readers beyond the specific ideas within your essay. Consider how your findings might impact future research, applications, or understanding of the subject matter.

2. Redefine key terms: Conclude by reframing one of the key terms of your argument in light of your findings. This can offer a fresh perspective on your topic.

3. Set your discussion in a larger context: Show how your research fits into the bigger picture of your field or related areas of study.

4. Consider the implications: Discuss what your argument implies, involves, or suggests. This helps readers understand the broader significance of your work.

5. Use simple language for dramatic effect: Conclude with a sentence composed mainly of one-syllable words. This can create a sense of understated drama that leaves a strong impression.

To create a sense of closure while emphasizing significance, you can:

• Link the last paragraph to the first by reiterating a word or phrase you used at the beginning.
• Use a compound or parallel sentence structure to establish a sense of balance or order.
• Include a relevant quotation that amplifies your main point or puts it in a different perspective.

Remember, your conclusion should be proportional to your paper's length. For a 3-page paper, aim for 5 to 7 sentences in your conclusion. Avoid introducing new topics or repeating sentences verbatim. Instead, sum up the main points or reflect on the topic in a way that reinforces your thesis.

Call to action

A call to action (CTA) in your conclusion can be an effective way to encourage your audience to take specific steps based on your research. Here's how to craft a compelling CTA:

1. Be clear and direct: Clearly state what you want your audience to do. Avoid vague language and use action verbs to inspire action.

2. Create a sense of urgency: Encourage immediate action by highlighting time sensitivity or limited availability. This motivates readers to act quickly.

3. Focus on benefits: Emphasize what the audience will gain by taking action. Frame your CTA in the audience's best interest.

4. Keep it relevant: Ensure that your CTA aligns with the content of your paper and the interests of your audience.

5. Lower barriers to action: Eliminate as many trivial or non-trivial barriers as possible to help your audience act quickly.

For example, if your research paper discusses sustainable living, your CTA might look like this: "Join our movement—subscribe to our newsletter for tips on sustainable living and exclusive access to our community events!"

If your topic is more theoretical and unsuitable for a direct call to action, focus on expressing the significance of your argument. For instance, you could propose a new understanding of the topic or lay the groundwork for future research.

In the case of a practical argument, make a strong closing statement that calls for action. For example: "Farmers, policymakers, and consumers must focus on the future, not just on their own short-term interests, and work to implement this transition now."

By crafting a powerful closing statement that emphasizes the significance of your research and includes a relevant call to action, you'll leave your readers with a memorable final impression. This approach not only reinforces the importance of your work but also encourages engagement with your ideas beyond the confines of your paper.

Conclusion

Writing a great conclusion to your research paper is a skill that can enhance the power of your whole work. By distilling key components, synthesizing information, and developing more significant closing statements, you are most likely to leave your lasting impression with your readers. Such techniques help a paper come to its close confidently, so that the hard work you put in reverberates after the last page.

To sum up, mastering the art of conclusion writing has a significant influence on the overall quality of your research paper. It provides an opportunity to reinforce your main points and highlight the broader implications of your work.

As you refine your skills to create compelling conclusions, remember to sign up for a free plagiarism checker trial by Article Tool to ensure the originality of your work. With practice and attention to detail, you'll be well-equipped to craft conclusions that effectively summarize your research and leave your audience with food for thought.

FAQs

What are the steps to writing a compelling conclusion for a research paper?

To craft an effective conclusion for a research paper, begin by restating the thesis or problem statement to remind readers of the core focus of your research. Summarize the main arguments or findings, emphasizing the key takeaways. Ensure the conclusion ties back to the introduction and provides a sense of closure on the topic.

Can you provide an example of a well-written conclusion in a research paper?

Certainly! An example of a strong conclusion in a research paper might read: "In summary, this study highlights the critical role of community engagement in sustainable urban development. Through innovative planning and active participation, urban areas can achieve greater sustainability and enhanced quality of life for residents."

What is the most typical method for concluding a research paper?

The most common method for concluding a research paper is a summarizing conclusion. This involves briefly recapitulating the main points discussed, reiterating the initial research question, and underscoring the significance of the findings. This approach helps reinforce the research's contributions to the field.

What does an impactful conclusion look like?

An impactful conclusion effectively synthesizes the research insights, leaving the reader with a lasting impression. It might end with a strong, decisive sentence that piques further interest in the topic. For example, a conclusion could highlight the broader implications of the research, suggesting new areas for future exploration and emphasizing the study's importance.