How to Write a Conclusion for Research Papers (with Examples)

The conclusion of a research paper typically receives less attention compared to a research paper introduction and the body of the paper. However, a research paper conclusion serves to provide a concise summary of the key findings, their significance, their implications, and a sense of closure to the study. 

A research paper conclusion provides researchers with clear insights which act as a foundation to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field. It restates how your results contribute to the existing body of knowledge and whether they confirm or challenge existing theories or hypotheses. Also, by identifying unanswered questions through a research paper conclusion, your awareness of the broader research landscape can be demonstrated.

In this article, we will discuss how to tailor your research paper conclusion to the specific needs and interests of your intended audience, and how Paperpal can help you write an effortless research paper conclusion.  

What is a conclusion in a research paper?

A conclusion in a research paper is the final section where you summarize and wrap up your research, presenting the key findings and insights derived from your study. The research paper conclusion is not the place to introduce new information or data that was not discussed in the main body of the paper. When working on how to conclude a research paper, remember to stick to summarizing and interpreting existing content. The research paper conclusion serves the following purposes:¹

• Warn readers of the possible consequences of not attending to the problem.
• Recommend specific course(s) of action.
• Restate key ideas to drive home the ultimate point of your research paper.
• Provide a “take-home” message that you want the readers to remember about your study.

Types of conclusions for research papers

In research papers, the conclusion provides closure to the reader. The type of research paper conclusion you choose depends on the nature of your study, your goals, and your target audience. I provide you with three common types of conclusions:

Summarizing Conclusion

A summarizing conclusion is the most common type of conclusion in research papers. It involves summarizing the main points, reiterating the research question, and restating the significance of the findings. This common type of research paper conclusion is used across different disciplines.

Editorial Conclusion

An editorial conclusion is less common but can be used in research papers that are focused on proposing or advocating for a particular viewpoint or policy. It involves presenting a strong editorial or opinion based on the research findings and offering recommendations or calls to action.

Externalizing Conclusion

An externalizing conclusion is a type of conclusion that extends the research beyond the scope of the paper by suggesting potential future research directions or discussing the broader implications of the findings. This type of conclusion is often used in more theoretical or exploratory research papers.

How to write a conclusion for your research paper with Paperpal?

Writing a strong conclusion for your research paper is essential to leave a lasting impression on your readers. Here’s a step-by-step process to help you create and know what to put in the conclusion of a research paper:² 

Step 1: Research Statement

Begin your research paper conclusion by restating your research statement. This reminds the reader of the main point you’ve been trying to prove throughout your paper. Keep it concise and clear. Don’t just copy and paste your original research statement. Instead, rephrase it in light of the evidence you’ve presented with the help of Paperpal.. 

Step 2: Key Points

Summarize the main arguments and key points you’ve made in your paper. Avoid introducing new information in the research paper conclusion. Instead, provide a concise overview of what you’ve discussed in the body of your paper. Summarize the most important results and their implications with Paperpal and emphasize the evidence that supports your conclusions.

Based on the key points summary draft created by Paperpal, connect the dots and show how your findings relate to each other and contribute to the broader understanding of your research topic. Synthesize the information and present a clear research paper conclusion.

Step 3: Address the Research Questions

If your research paper is based on specific research questions or hypotheses, briefly address whether you’ve answered them or achieved your research goals. Discuss the significance of your findings in this context. Highlight the importance of your research and its relevance in the broader context. Explain why your findings matter and how they contribute to the existing knowledge in your field.

Step 4: Implications

Explore the practical or theoretical implications of your research. How might your findings impact future research, policy, or real-world applications? Consider the “so what?” question. Use Paperpal Write to create a first draft of the practical and theoretical implications of your research and personalize as you want to get tailored results. 

Step 5: Future Research

Offer suggestions for future research in your area. What questions or aspects remain unanswered or warrant further investigation? This shows that your work opens the door for future exploration.

Step 6: Closing Thought

Conclude your research paper conclusion with a thought-provoking or memorable statement. This can leave a lasting impression on your readers and wrap up your paper effectively. Avoid introducing new information or arguments here.

Final Step: Proofread and Revise

Carefully proofread your conclusion for grammar, spelling, and clarity with Paperpal’s free online grammar checker. Unlike other grammar checkers and proofreaders online, Paperpal identifies domain-specific terminology, scientific jargon, and uses patient-first language for better writing, helping you fix the common grammar errors, leaving the domain-specific terminology intact in your research paper conclusion. 

Finally, run your research paper through Paperpal’s plagiarism checker that allows you to scan up to 7,000 words for free and identifies top sources of similarity in your documents. Ensure that your ideas flow smoothly and that your conclusion is coherent and well-structured.

Remember that a well-crafted research paper conclusion is a reflection of the strength of your research and your ability to communicate its significance effectively. It should leave a lasting impression on your readers and tie together all the threads of your paper. Now you know how to start the conclusion of a research paper and what elements to include to make it impactful, let’s look at a research paper conclusion sample.

Research paper conclusion examples written with Paperpal

Importance of a good research paper conclusion

The conclusion in a research paper serves several important purposes:

1. Offers Implications and Recommendations: Your research paper conclusion is an excellent place to discuss the broader implications of your research and suggest potential areas for further study. It’s also an opportunity to offer practical recommendations based on your findings.
2. Provides Closure: A good research paper conclusion provides a sense of closure to your paper. It should leave the reader with a feeling that they have reached the end of a well-structured and thought-provoking research project.
3. Leaves a Lasting Impression: Writing a well-crafted research paper conclusion leaves a lasting impression on your readers. It’s your final opportunity to leave them with a new idea, a call to action, or a memorable quote.

A research paper conclusion is not just a summary of your study, but a synthesis of the key findings that ties the research together and places it in a broader context. Remember that the primary purpose of the research paper conclusion is to leave a lasting impression on the reader, reinforcing the key points and providing closure to your research. It’s often the last part of the paper that the reader will see, so it should be strong and well-crafted.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What should I include in my research paper conclusion?

The research paper conclusion is a crucial part of your paper as it provides the final opportunity to leave a strong impression on your readers. In the research paper conclusion, summarize the main points of your research paper by restating your research statement, highlighting the most important findings, addressing the research questions or objectives, explaining the broader context of the study, discussing the significance of your findings, providing recommendations if applicable, and emphasizing the takeaway message.

The main purpose of the conclusion is to remind the reader of the main point or argument of your paper and to provide a clear and concise summary of the key findings and their implications. All these elements should feature on your list of what to put in the conclusion of a research paper to create a strong final statement for your work.

2. What are the key elements of a strong research paper conclusion?

A strong conclusion is a critical component of a research paper, as it provides an opportunity to wrap up your arguments, reiterate your main points, and leave a lasting impression on your readers. Here are the key elements of a strong research paper conclusion:

• Conciseness: A research paper conclusion should be concise and to the point. It should not introduce new information or ideas that were not discussed in the body of the paper.
• Summarization: The research paper conclusion should be comprehensive enough to give the reader a clear understanding of the research’s main contributions.
• Relevance: Ensure that the information included in the research paper conclusion is directly relevant to the research paper’s main topic and objectives; avoid unnecessary details.
• Connection to the Introduction: A well-structured research paper conclusion often revisits the key points made in the introduction and shows how the research has addressed the initial questions or objectives.
• Emphasis: Highlight the significance and implications of your research. Why is your study important? What are the broader implications or applications of your findings?
• Call to Action: Include a call to action or a recommendation for future research or action based on your findings.

3. How long should a research paper conclusion be?

The length of a research paper conclusion can vary depending on several factors, including the overall length of the paper, the complexity of the research, and the specific journal requirements. While there is no strict rule for the length of a conclusion, but it’s generally advisable to keep it relatively short. A typical research paper conclusion might be around 5-10% of the paper’s total length. For example, if your paper is 10 pages long, the conclusion might be roughly half a page to one page in length.

4. Should I include citations in the conclusion?

In general, you do not need to include citations in the research paper conclusion. Citations are typically reserved for the body of the paper to support your arguments and provide evidence for your claims. However, there may be some exceptions to this rule:

• If you are drawing a direct quote or paraphrasing a specific source in your research paper conclusion, you should include a citation to give proper credit to the original author.
• If your conclusion refers to or discusses specific research, data, or sources that are crucial to the overall argument, citations can be included to reinforce your conclusion’s validity.

5. What is the purpose of a research paper conclusion?

The conclusion of a research paper serves several important purposes:

• Summarize the Key Points
• Reinforce the Main Argument
• Provide Closure
• Offer Insights or Implications
• Engage the Reader.
• Reflect on Limitations

References

Makar, G., Foltz, C., Lendner, M., & Vaccaro, A. R. (2018). How to write effective discussion and conclusion sections. Clinical spine surgery, 31(8), 345-346.

Bunton, D. (2005). The structure of PhD conclusion chapters. Journal of English for academic purposes, 4(3), 207-224.

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