How to write a conclusion for argumentative and empirical research papers

Outline of Conclusion Paragraphs  

Once your problem statement or objective is stated, proceed to explain the major arguments or the most important findings of your research.  

In the case of an argumentative paper, briefly summarize the key arguments made in the main body of your paper and highlight how they contribute to proving your hypothesis. Furthermore, any counterarguments addressed in the study should be mentioned here. 

In an empirical paper, summarize your key findings without going into too much detail. Your results have already been discussed in-depth earlier in the paper, and the reader only requires an overall summary of those discussions. Even if the findings are not necessarily the ones you expected, describe them anyway and present the overall conclusion of your analysis. 

How to End a Conclusion 

The end of the conclusion also marks the end of your manuscript. So be sure to wrap it up nicely for the readers—like a well-packaged Christmas gift!  

Ideally, your conclusion should end by discussing the broader implications of your study. Highlight the key practical and theoretical takeaways from your paper, calling for action or providing suggestions for future research.  

Typically, an argumentative paper warrants a strong closing statement that proposes points of action that need to be implemented in response to your argument. However, if the topic of your study is more theoretical, you can mention the significance of your argument and lay the groundwork for future lines of investigation.  

For an empirical paper, you are highly likely to discover that there is room for improvement regardless of the scope of your current research. Most journals require the study limitations to be presented in the Discussion section. The conclusion should specify how you intend to address those limitations and build on the topic in future studies.  

Research Conclusion Samples 

Now that you know how to write a conclusion, let us look at some research conclusion samples by considering examples.  

Conclusion example for an argumentative paper: 

Say your study is debating the effectiveness of AI in various aspects of the education setting. 
Here’s how you can start your conclusion: 

“The increasing dominance of AI in the education sector presents multiple opportunities while also introducing several challenges. While AI cannot completely overpower the education sector or replace educators, it can simplify various tasks and processes involved in academics.” 

With the beginning set, explain the specific tasks/processes that can be simplified: 

“Our analysis determined that AI tools can be effective in preparing educational video content, creating customized quizzes and assessments, and simplifying complex texts. AI-generated short instructional videos, featuring AI avatars, were highly popular among students as complex topics were explained clearly in a visually appealing manner. Furthermore, AI tools facilitated the creation of quizzes and assessments that could be tailored to students’ learning levels. Moreover, the simplification of complex comprehension texts not only saved time for teachers but also made the content more accessible to students. However, there may be a risk of over-reliance on AI, which could hinder the overall learning experience for students.” 

Finally, you can end the conclusion by presenting a strong closing argument and making a call for action: 

“As AI tools continue to evolve, it is crucial that they are used responsibly in the education sector. Universities and schools must ensure that AI is primarily utilized to simplify day-to-day tasks for improved efficiency rather than being misused by students or teachers. A standard operating procedure must be developed for AI implementation in classrooms and regularly monitored. Furthermore, the overuse of AI must be prevented to retain the authentic teacher–student relationship in a classroom setting, thereby ensuring that AI tools are optimally utilized for effectiveness and efficiency.”  

Conclusion example for an empirical paper: 

Let us consider an example of a research investigating the impact of excessive screen-time on the cognitive development of young children. Your conclusion can begin along the lines of 

“With the increasing prevalence of digital devices, children are extensively exposed to mobile screens at a young age. Our study evaluated the influence of screen-time exposure on the cognitive development of children aged between 1 and 5 years.” 

Then, proceed to summarize the key findings of your analysis. 

“We determined that, while informative and educational content enhanced the learning abilities of children, excessive time spent in front of screens had detrimental effects on their overall cognitive development. Our qualitative data analysis confirmed that electronic books and learning-to-read applications improved early reading skills and fostered creative thinking in young children. Additionally, children exposed to screens for a limited amount of time, with the duration pre-determined by parents, exhibited better learning abilities. However, cognitive abilities such as sensorimotor development and executive functioning of children who were exposed to screens for prolonged periods were negatively impacted. Moreover, they experienced reduced attention spans due to over-stimulation of the brain.” 

Towards the end, you may underscore the future scope of the research:  

“The study findings indicate that parents play a major role in managing screen-time by setting boundaries and behavioral controls. Future studies should consider the influence of contextual factors, such as co-viewing with parents and content appropriateness, to better understand their contribution to determining the extent of the influence of prolonged screen exposure on children’s cognitive development.”