How to write a conclusion for a research paper

A conclusion for a research paper is deceptively easy to write. Many writers feel awkward repeating major points again or struggle to change the phrasing in a meaningful way that remains accurate. Don’t worry, you aren’t alone, and you can get better at writing!

A conclusion for a research paper has all of the basic elements common to other conclusions plus a few extra. Like other conclusions, avoid using phrases like “to conclude” or “in conclusion” and don’t include new data, research, or findings.

In addition to those at the link above, below are a couple of key points to hold onto if you want to know how to write a conclusion for a research paper.

• Include speculation about related issues
• Suggest further research related to your topic

What do I mean by include speculation?

Say your research is on whether cat ownership improves quality of life, and you found a correlation between cat ownership and increased life satisfaction. This is where you might include speculation about whether cats make people more content, or whether more content people are more likely to develop a longing to share or extend that contentment.

What do I mean suggest further research?

Continuing with the same example, you might suggest longitudinal research that investigates people who do not have a cat but want one. Then you could compare their contentment before and after. If they are not more content after having a cat, it could be that more content people do choose to adopt cats. If they become happier after getting a cat, then it could be that a feline companion increases happiness.

If however you are just ready to throw in the towel, we can help. If you have most of a paper written, we are more than capable of finishing the paper, including the conclusion, for you.