How to Write a Conclusion for a Research Paper: Effective Tips and Strategies for 2025

by Imed Bouchrika, Phd

Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist

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Writing a research paper is both deemed an essential and dreaded part of academics. The writing process can actually be a fruitful experience, although many students see it as a daunting task. A research paper has lots of pivotal facets, each calling for knowledge-gathering, understanding the subject, and effort to put the pieces together. However, in this article, we will only pay attention to the conclusion and how to construct one that leaves a lasting impact on the readers.

According to Faryadi (2012), writing a conclusion is as difficult as writing the introduction; meanwhile, Holewa states that writing the conclusion is the hardest part of the writing process. As the last part of a research paper format, the conclusion is the point where the writer has already exhausted his or her intellectual resources. Conclusion, however, is what readers often remember the most and, therefore, must also be the best part of your written research (Holewa, 2004).

Unlike what others may have come to believe, the conclusion is not a mere summarization of an article, an essay, or a research paper. Simply put, the conclusion goes beyond restating the introduction and body of your research. In this article, we walk you through the process of formulating an effective research paper conclusion by understanding its purpose, the strategies you can use, and what you should avoid doing when writing a conclusion in a research paper.

What Is a Research Paper Conclusion?

So, what is conclusion in research? The conclusion is the part of the research paper that brings everything together in a logical manner. As the last part of a research paper, a conclusion provides a clear interpretation of the results of your research in a way that stresses the significance of your study. A conclusion must be more extensive and encompassing compared to a particular finding and, in the same vein, various findings may be integrated into a single conclusion (Baron, 2008).

Unlike the introduction where you open a dialogue with your readers about the problem and/or present research questions, arguments, and what knowledge gaps you aim to bridge, the conclusion provides a clear and concise picture of how you are able to accomplish all of these. The conclusion is where you describe the consequences of your arguments by justifying to your readers why your arguments matter (Hamilton College, 2014).

Derntl (2014) also describes conclusion as the counterpart of the introduction. Using the Hourglass Model (Swales, 1993) as a visual reference, Derntl describes conclusion as the part of the research paper that leads the readers from narrow or specific results to broader and more general conclusion.

While it is deeply interlinked with how to make conclusion in research, conclusion writing is another craft on its own. Good conclusion writing oftentimes has a mix of logical presentation and a good deal of rhetoric. So, one of the best ways to actually become better at it is to emulate the way your favorite researchers write or how conclusions are presented in similar papers.

Why Is Conclusion Necessary in a Research Paper?

Just like the final chord in a song, a conclusion is necessary to make a research paper complete and well done (CRLS Research Guide, 2018). While your introduction sets the expectations and the body of your research paper presents your methodology and detailed analyses, the conclusion is where you demonstrate the significance of your findings, insights, and observations. The conclusion creates a bigger picture of your research work that helps your readers view the subject of your study as a whole and in a new light.

As the author of your research paper, the conclusion plays an important role in giving you the opportunity to have the final word, create a good impression, and end your paper on a positive note. In order to achieve this, your conclusion must possess the key characteristics of an effective concluding section. And when someone asks what are the characteristics of research, an effective concluding section is one of the most important characteristics of a good research work.

In terms of length, the conclusions of professional empirical research articles usually have five to six paragraphs, while student/novice papers typically have two- to three-paragraph conclusions (Powner, 2017).

How Does Your Conclusion Impact the Perceived Authority of Your Study?

A well-crafted conclusion not only encapsulates your research findings but also reinforces the scholarly credibility of your work. By succinctly reaffirming the rigor and relevance of your methodology, a strong conclusion creates a final impression that underlines the authority of your study. This approach helps in positioning your research as a credible contribution to academic discussions and encourages further inquiry. Significantly, a conclusion with clear implications can foster trust among peers and academic institutions, similar to those research practitioners who guide students toward online colleges that accept FAFSA and other reputable educational resources.

How Can Your Conclusion Inspire Future Research and Career Opportunities?

A well-crafted conclusion can delineate pathways for further academic inquiry and professional growth by explicitly addressing potential future research directions and real-world implications. It should signal opportunities for additional investigations, propose emerging questions, or suggest the application of findings in practical contexts. Emphasizing prospective developments not only reinforces your study's relevance but also highlights the broader impact of your work, inviting peers to explore and build upon your research. This proactive stance can guide readers toward continuous learning and skill enhancement, as seen in resources like our post on affordable online graduate certificate programs.

How Can Your Conclusion Open Doors to Further Academic Opportunities?

A well-crafted conclusion serves not only to summarize findings but also to signal future academic and professional directions. It can highlight emerging research avenues and invite readers to consider the broader implications of your work, thereby positioning you as a forward-thinking scholar. By suggesting potential areas for follow-up studies or advanced education, your conclusion reinforces your research’s impact and encourages continuous inquiry. For instance, a conclusion that points to further opportunities may guide readers toward exploring options such as easy PhD programs to get into, underscoring a strategic bridge between current findings and long-term academic growth.

Effective Strategies in Writing a Conclusion

Your research paper conclusion is the opposite of the introduction not just in placement but also in structure. The introduction generally follows the inverted triangle format with the general statement element on top, narrowing down to the main point of research. The conclusion, on the other hand, follows the inverted introduction structure by opening with the highlights of your research and ending with a general but relevant statement that encourages readers to think, as well as challenges them to take action based on the new pieces of knowledge they have gained from your research paper (Purdue Global Campus, n.d.).

Several studies that analyzed how conclusions are framed (see for instance Bunton, 2005 and Lewkowicz, 2012) found that most authors either restate and consolidate a research problem or synthesize the research work. When consolidating the problem, authors either present the solutions, products, or results of a research problem and/or assumptions (Soler-Monreal, C. 2019). Nonetheless, in general, here are general tips on how to write conclusion in research better:

Synthesizing instead of summarizing

As mentioned previously, the research conclusion is not a summary of your research paper. While a summary can be an element of this section, the conclusion goes beyond simply restating your ideas and analyses. Instead of repeating what you already said in the abstract, introduction, and body of your study, demonstrate to your reader how the essential elements in your research paper coherently fit together (The Writing Center UNC, n.d.).

Echoing the introduction

This approach to writing the conclusion brings your reader to a full circle by using or referring to the same elements you used in your introduction or by drawing parallels. An example of this would be retelling a scenario you described in your introduction, but this time while creating a new understanding of the subject based on the results of your study that further reinforces your arguments and/or hypotheses.

Redirecting the reader

Your conclusion plays the role of being your readers’ bridge back to the real world after welcoming them into your study through your introduction and immersing them in your methodologies, analyses, and results. Redirecting your readers is a way of challenging them to take the information they get from your research study and apply them in real life. This strategy can also be approached by proposing a course of action for further studies or solutions to an existing issue.

Challenging your own conclusion

Also called the “so what" game, this strategy requires challenging your own ideas by asking yourself “So what?" while you are in the process of developing your conclusion. Once you are done putting your conclusion to paper, go through it with someone who will challenge what you wrote (The Writing Center UNC, n.d.). You can ask a friend to read your conclusion with you and have them ask “So what?" after every statement. This strategy can help you find loopholes in your conclusion and refine it in the process.

Addressing limitations

This strategy implores you, the researcher, to identify the weak points in your research paper, which include the aspects where your argument is lacking, or if there are instances where your conclusion might be incorrect. This strategy is useful in writing a conclusion of research for scientific papers as well as experiments (Writing Tutorial Services, Indiana University, n.d.).

Demonstrating ideas to create a new picture or meaning

All relevant data must be interpreted in appropriate depth. Explain how the methodologies or mechanisms used as well as your observations that help arrive at your study’s results. There are times when your study may not yield the results you expected. In cases such as this, explain to your readers why this may have happened. If the results are in line with your expectations, proceed to describe your theory supported by your evidence (Caprette, 1995).

Posing questions

Research studies are motivated by questions. Posing research questions, either to your readers or in general, may help your readers gain a new perspective on the topic, which they may not have held before reading your conclusion. It may also bring your main points together to create or develop a new idea from your research study.

How Do You Ensure Ethical Standards in Your Research Conclusion?

Maintaining ethical rigor in your conclusion reinforces the overall credibility of your research. Clearly acknowledge the study’s limitations without overstating the impact of your findings and avoid embellishing data interpretations. This honest appraisal supports academic integrity while guiding future research directions. Referencing established guidelines and institutional standards—such as those found from the top online universities—can further validate your commitment to responsible research practices.

What Strategies Ensure the Credibility of Your Research Conclusion?

Enhance your conclusion’s trustworthiness by anchoring your insights in verifiable evidence and ethical rigor. Emphasize data-driven validation while critically appraising limitations without undermining your findings. Maintain discipline by integrating recognized methodologies and avoiding speculative statements that could distort your research's integrity. Consider external endorsements and evidence comparisons to solidify your study's impact, much like how professionals benefit from pursuing programs such as the top 6 month associate degree.

What to Avoid Including in Your Conclusion

Coming up with an effective conclusion includes avoiding approaches that can hinder you from developing a compelling concluding section of your research paper. Here are some of the strategies to avoid when you are writing your research paper conclusion:

Generic and obvious opening phrases

Do not start your conclusion with generic phrases, such as “In conclusion," “In summary," “In closing," etc. While this may be an effective transition during an oral presentation, it does not work the same way on actual paper where your readers can tell exactly which part of your paper they are reading.

Adding new information

The conclusion part of your research paper should have room for any information relevant to your study but is not referenced anywhere else in your research paper. All significant information should be in the body. Conclusion is not the appropriate section to introduce new information as it is where you are supposed to communicate with your readers the value of your research study.

Long and elaborate discussion

Your research paper’s conclusion must be concise and straightforward. Avoid dwelling on descriptions and interpretations that should have been in the body of your paper, including discussing methodologies and results of your studies in detail. While a brief summary of your study is included in your conclusion, the focus should be more about the insights, evaluations, implications, etc., drawn from your study (Sacred Heart University Library, n.d.).

Apologizing

As you reach the concluding part of your research paper, you may have doubts regarding your research paper. You may question yourself if you have done enough work and may feel compelled to apologize. Do not undermine your authority over your research by expressing doubts regarding your approach and apologizing for not being able to include other methodologies that you may deem to be better than yours. You are aware that you have immersed yourself in your research and have covered all the bases to produce a sound and well-backed research study.

Appealing to your readers’ emotions

Your conclusion, just like the rest of your research paper, is meant to be analytical, not emotional. Avoid making sentimental statements to appeal to your readers’ emotions as this has the tendency to fall out of character with what should be a logical and scientific research study (The Writing Center UNC, n.d.).

How to Tailor a Conclusion for Different Types of Research Papers

Every research paper serves a distinct purpose, requiring a conclusion that aligns with its specific objectives and structure. Here’s how you can customize your conclusion based on the type of research paper you are writing:

1. Analytical Research Papers

• Purpose: Analyze a topic or issue by breaking it into components and presenting a critical evaluation.
• Conclusion Strategy:
  • Summarize the key findings from your analysis, emphasizing the most critical insights.
  • Discuss the implications of your analysis in the context of the research question.
  • Highlight areas for further exploration to provide a roadmap for future researchers.
• Example: “By dissecting the societal impact of renewable energy adoption, this study identifies key challenges and opportunities. These findings underscore the importance of policy reforms to address adoption barriers and encourage further exploration into cost-reduction strategies for widespread implementation.”

2. Argumentative Research Papers

• Purpose: Persuade readers to adopt a specific viewpoint or take action.
• Conclusion Strategy:
  • Reinforce your main argument with a concise synthesis of supporting evidence.
  • Appeal to the reader’s emotions or logic, depending on the tone of your paper.
  • Propose actionable steps or a call to action to inspire change or further discussion.
• Example: “This research demonstrates that implementing stricter data privacy regulations is not only feasible but imperative for safeguarding individual freedoms. Policymakers must act swiftly to address these concerns, ensuring that technological progress does not come at the cost of personal security.”

3. Experimental Research Papers

• Purpose: Present findings from experiments and discuss their significance in the broader scientific context.
• Conclusion Strategy:
  • Recap the key results of your experiment and their alignment with your hypothesis.
  • Acknowledge any limitations and suggest ways to refine the experimental design.
  • Explain the broader implications of your findings for the field or real-world applications.
• Example: “The results confirm the hypothesis that increased enzyme concentration accelerates reaction rates under optimal conditions. However, the variability observed in higher concentrations warrants further investigation. Future studies could explore the interaction effects of pH levels and temperature to optimize industrial enzyme applications.”

4. Literature Review Papers

• Purpose: Summarize and synthesize existing research on a specific topic.
• Conclusion Strategy:
  • Summarize the overarching trends and gaps identified in the literature.
  • Propose areas for future research to address these gaps.
  • Discuss the significance of these insights in advancing the field.
• Example: “This review highlights the scarcity of longitudinal studies on the psychological effects of social media. Addressing this gap through comprehensive research could provide deeper insights into the long-term impacts on mental health and inform evidence-based policy recommendations.”

5. Case Study Papers

• Purpose: Examine a specific instance or event to draw broader conclusions.
• Conclusion Strategy:
  • Recap the case's relevance and key takeaways.
  • Link the findings to broader trends or theories.
  • Suggest how similar cases might be studied in the future to validate or challenge your conclusions.
• Example: “This case study demonstrates how agile methodologies improved project outcomes in a complex organizational setting. Future research could explore how these methodologies perform in industries with rigid regulatory frameworks.”

6. Comparative Research Papers

• Purpose: Compare and contrast two or more subjects, highlighting similarities and differences.
• Conclusion Strategy:
  • Recap the primary points of comparison and their implications.
  • Highlight which approach or subject is superior or more applicable under specific conditions.
  • Discuss broader implications of the comparison for the field or practice.
• Example: “While both renewable energy sources offer significant environmental benefits, solar power emerges as a more cost-effective solution in regions with high sunlight exposure. These findings can guide policymakers in tailoring energy strategies to regional needs.”

How Can You Revise and Refine Your Conclusion Effectively?

To achieve a compelling research paper conclusion, revising and refining your draft is essential. Focus on clarity, conciseness, and coherence. Review your conclusion by reading it aloud, checking for logical flow and eliminating redundant language. Incorporate feedback from peers and utilize writing tools to enhance grammar, style, and punctuation. Ensure that your conclusion reinforces your research findings without introducing new information, thereby retaining its analytical edge.

Consider iterative editing sessions that assess the tone and impact of your conclusive remarks. A clear, well-polished conclusion signals professionalism and commitment to quality. For further inspiration and structured writing guidance, explore online creative writing programs that offer courses in crafting persuasive academic narratives.

How Does a Strong Conclusion Influence Research Visibility and Citations?

A compelling conclusion not only encapsulates your research findings but also plays a critical role in enhancing the paper’s discoverability and overall scholarly impact. By clearly presenting your study’s outcomes and linking them to broader research questions, you can boost the perceived authority of your work, potentially increasing citation rates and academic engagement. Moreover, a well-crafted conclusion assists indexing algorithms in recognizing the relevance of your research, which may improve search rankings in academic databases. For example, professionals looking for practical career growth might benefit from exploring trade certificate programs that complement scholarly expertise with industry-ready skills.

Key Takeaway: Adapting Your Conclusion to Your Paper’s Purpose

Tailoring your conclusion to your research paper type ensures it resonates with your audience and aligns with your paper’s goals. By addressing the unique requirements of different paper types, you not only create a stronger conclusion but also leave a lasting impression on your readers.

References

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