An important aspect of any dissertation is the conclusion chapter. This is where you tie up all the loose ends of your research and provide a final summary of your findings. It’s important to make sure that your conclusion is well-written and free of any errors, as this can make or break the overall quality of your work.
Contents
What is the conclusion chapter in a dissertation?
The conclusion chapter is the last chapter of a research paper. In this chapter, the author ties together the loose ends of the paper and draws conclusions based on the findings. This chapter should include a discussion of the implications of the findings and any limitations of the study. The conclusion chapter is an important part of the paper, as it allows the author to summarize the findings and provide readers with a final take-away message.
Goals of the conclusion chapter
The conclusion chapter of a dissertation is where you tie all of your research together and answer any remaining questions. The goals of the conclusion chapter are to:
- Briefly summarize your findings.
- Interpret your findings in light of your research questions.
- Discuss the implications of your findings.
- Make recommendations for future research.
- Reflect on the strengths and limitations of your study.
- Conclude your thesis.
- Thank your readers for their time and attention.
What should be included:
The conclusion chapter of a dissertation is often considered the most important part. After all, this is where you will summarize your findings and provide your final thoughts on the subject. Here are seven things that should be included in your conclusion chapter:
- A brief overview of your research methods and results.
- A discussion of the implications of your findings.
- A review of the literature you consulted during your research.
- An explanation of how your work contributes to the existing body of knowledge on the topic.
- A discussion of the limitations of your study and suggestions for future research.
- Acknowledgements of funding sources and other contributors to your research.
How to write a conclusion in a dissertation
A conclusion is not merely a summary of what you have already written. It is your chance to have the last word on the subject. The conclusion allows you to have the final say on the issues you have raised in your paper, to synthesize your thoughts, to demonstrate the importance of your ideas, and to propel your reader to a new view of the subject. It is also your opportunity to make a good final impression and to end on a positive note.
Here are 4 main steps for writing a strong conclusion for your thesis or dissertation:
1. Answer the research question
The first step in writing the conclusion chapter is to answer the research question. This is done by synthesizing the data and findings from the study and discussing what they mean in relation to the research question. The researcher must also evaluate the data and findings in order to determine if they support or refute the hypothesis. Once the research question have been answered and the hypothesis have been supported or refuted, the researcher can then begin to write the conclusion chapter. In this chapter, the researcher(s) will summarize their findings and discuss their implications. They will also offer recommendations for future research.
2. Write a summary of your research and reflect on it.
After conducting extensive research and writing a detailed report on your findings, it’s important to take a step back and reflect on the work as a whole. In the conclusion chapter of your dissertation, you will need to summarize your research and discuss its implications. What did you learn from your study? What surprised you? What are the implications of your findings? Answering these questions will help you to write a reflective and thought-provoking conclusion chapter that ties all of your work together. With careful reflection, you can ensure that your dissertation makes a valuable contribution to the field and leaves a lasting impression on your readers.
3. Make recommendations.
The conclusion chapter of a dissertation is where the researcher can make recommendations for further study. This could be for future research projects or for policy changes. In order to make recommendations, the researcher must first do an analysis of the findings to see what could be improved or changed. The recommendations should be based on this analysis and should aim to improve the situation that was investigated in the dissertation. The researcher should also justify why these recommendations would be beneficial. While making recommendations, it is important to be realistic and achievable so that they can actually be implemented.
4. Stress on the importance of your contribution.
It is important to stress the importance of your contribution to the field in this chapter. By highlighting the significance of your work, you can emphasize its value to scholars and practitioners in the field. You can also use this opportunity to reflect on what you have learned through your research and how it has changed your understanding of the topic. In addition, by stressing the importance of your contribution, you can help to ensure that your work will be given due consideration by reviewers and editors. As such, taking the time to stress the importance of your contribution in the conclusion chapter can be well worth the effort.
Tips on writing a wining conclusion
Here are a few tips to help you write a winning conclusion:
- Restate your thesis.
- Summarize your main points.
- Provide a final comment or analysis.
- End with a strong closing statement.
What to avoid when writing the conclusion chapter of a dissertation
Conclusions are often the most difficult part of a paper to write, and many writers feel that they have nothing left to say after having written the paper. However, a strong conclusion can be a valuable asset to a paper, providing a sense of closure and helping to tie up loose ends. To that end, here are things to avoid when writing the conclusion chapter of a dissertation:
- Don’t simply restate the thesis. A conclusion should provide new insights or perspectives, not simply reiterate what has already been said.
- Avoid introducing new arguments or evidence. The conclusion is not the place to introduce new data; rather, it should synthesize and summarize the main points of the paper.
- Be focused. A conclusion should be concise and focused, not an exhaustive review of everything that has been said in the paper.
- Avoid Simply repeating your research question or hypothesis. Again, the conclusion should offer new insights, not simply reiterate what has already been stated.
- Don’t make grandiose statements or predictions without support. Conclusions should be based on evidence, not unsubstantiated claims.
- Don’t include information that is not directly relevant to the paper’s main points. Every element of a paper should serve a purpose; superfluous information should be avoided.
- Don’t introduce new terminology without defining it. Jargon and technical terms can be helpful in conveying complex ideas, but they should be used sparingly and only when absolutely necessary.
- Don’t make excuses for the limitations of your research. Acknowledging the limitations of your study is not weakness; admitting that you did not have time or resources to do everything you would have liked is perfectly acceptable.
- Don’t apologize for your point of view. A paper should be confident in its argument, even if it is controversial.
- Avoid ending with a obvious words or statements. A strong conclusion will leave the reader with a lasting impression; ending with a hackneyed phrase like “in conclusion” or “the bottom line” is sure to disappoint.
Final thoughts
One of the final steps in writing a dissertation is the conclusion chapter. This typically includes a summary of your main findings, as well as any implications or applications of your research. It is important to write this chapter in a clear and concise manner, as it will be the last thing that your reader will read. Keep the following tips in mind when writing your conclusion thesis chapter:
- Restate your main thesis and objectives.
- Summarize your main findings.
- Discuss the implications or applications of your research.
- Make sure to proofread and edit your work carefully.
With these tips in mind, you will be well on your way to writing a strong conclusion dissertation chapter.