Summarize and reflect on the research The conclusion is an opportunity to remind the reader why you took the approach you did, what you expected to find, and how well the results matched your expectations.
To avoid repetition, instead of just writing a summary of each chapter, you can write more reflectively here. You might consider how effective your methodology was in answering your research questions, and whether any new questions or unexpected insights arose in the process.
You can also mention any limitations of your research if you haven’t already included these in the discussion. Don’t dwell on them at length, though – focus on the positives of your work.
Examples
This research clearly illustrates X, but it also raises the question of Y.
Make recommendations You might already have made recommendations for future research in the discussion, but the conclusion is a good place to elaborate and look ahead, considering the implications of your findings for theory and practice.
Examples
To better understand the implications of these results, future studies could address…
Further research is needed to determine the causes of/effects of/relationship between…
Avoid exaggerating the applicability of your research. If you’re making recommendations for policy, business or other practical implementation, it’s generally best to frame them as suggestions rather than imperatives – the purpose of academic research is to inform, explain and explore, not to instruct.
If you’re making recommendations for further research, be sure not to undermine your own work. Future studies might confirm, build on or enrich your conclusions, but they shouldn’t be required to complete them.