Arguably, after the abstract and introduction, the conclusion is the most critical part of an academic paper. This section of the manuscript explains to the reader the significance of the research and the conclusions drawn. However, it is more than merely a summary of the main points. Indeed, it acts as a synthesis, bringing together the paper’s essential ideas into an easily consumable paragraph (or two or three if necessary). Here, we will discuss what goes into making an excellent conclusion.

Anatomy of a Conclusion

A conclusion must do three things:

1. Highlight Key Findings in the Paper

Present the most significant results from your research, and give the reader a final impression of the work done and its importance. Again, this isn’t directly quoting the data but giving an overarching description of what that data means.

2. Demonstrate the Larger Importance of the Ideas

Briefly contextualize your research in the larger body of scientific knowledge. Explain the gaps your work filled in previous academic literature and what still needs to be researched. This leads to…

3. Describe Opportunities for Further Research

Acknowledge the limits of the research, be it available data, subjects that exceed the project’s scope, or further questions arising from the study itself. This acts as a jumping-off point for further research, continuing the path of scientific investigation.

Rules of Thumb

The three main jobs of a conclusion seem simple enough, but applying them can be a difficult task. These are some general guidelines to keep in mind when writing a conclusion for a scientific manuscript.

Keep it Simple

The conclusion should be written in simple, concise language (or as simple as the subject allows). If the main argument or point of the research is complicated or challenging to explain, use this section to give as summarized a version of it as possible without leaving out crucial details.

Don’t Say Something New

A cardinal sin of writing conclusions is including data. The reader already saw the data and has it available if necessary. Additionally, don’t repeat the findings of the analysis section. The purpose of the conclusion is to provide a new perspective based on the data and analysis and explain the research’s significance as a new addition to the scientific canon. The greater cardinal sin is drawing conclusions that are not supported by your data. Leave speculation for your discussion. If a fact or concept does not follow your findings, it does not belong in the conclusion!

Be Flexible

All research is different and, therefore, will need to be explained in different ways. If most or all of the tasks of the conclusion have been thoroughly covered, give a cursory summary of the necessary points. Here are some possible options to help provide the conclusion the desired impact for the reader:

• If the research deals with a material issue, either human or mechanical, recommend some courses of action to help counter the problem.
• Alternatively, warn about the risks of not addressing the implications of the research. This could be anything from monetary loss, to mechanical failure, to the spread of disease.
• If it was a research paper, include a relevant quote from the literature review to increase the credibility of your insights.
• Provide a single important idea or impact that the reader should take from the study to remember the work.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Don’t be Verbose

It’s tempting to make the research sound impressive by using a long detailed description, but as mentioned before, this will only slow the reader down and lessen the impact of the conclusion. Even for a summary, the conclusion should be brief. Only provide necessary, unique information as simply as possible. This also means to exclude unnecessary terms like ‘in conclusion’, ‘in summary’, or ‘in closing’. When used in this part of the manuscript, they are redundant and add unnecessarily to the word count.

Remember to Contextualize

If the purpose of the introduction is to move from the general field of study to the specific, the conclusion is meant to zoom back out. As the researcher, the data’s significance in context might be evident to you, but make sure the reader knows too. This isn’t just an inverse repetition of the introduction but an acknowledgment of how your research alters understanding a topic.

Ensure Objectives Match

Especially in research papers, it is common for the objective to change as more information is discovered. This means that both the introduction and the conclusion must be adjusted to fit the new context of the manuscript. Failure to do so will mean a confusing, disconnected paper.

Acknowledge Negative Results

Finding that the initial expectations were not met can be a disappointing situation, but it is all the more important to include them in the conclusion. Drawbacks and challenges qualify the overall conclusion and provide valuable information about the direction future research should follow. Failure to adequately address these issues is a disservice to your readers and your peers.

To learn more about the mechanics of creating a high-quality scientific manuscript, contact me.