How to write the conclusion section of your research paper

Since your conclusion paragraph comes at the end of the paper, it’s a great opportunity to leave a lasting impression on the reader and summarize the most important lessons from your research. Let’s take a look at how to write a conclusion for your research paper and check some examples of conclusion paragraphs. 

The goal 

The conclusion paragraph for a research paper should summarize the key findings of the study, referring to the research question that was given in the introduction, if applicable. If limitations of the study were addressed in the discussion section, they should also be placed here. It should also explain the prospects for the study findings, such as how the current study can affect future research.  

How to write a conclusion for your research paper 

So how do we start a conclusion? First, summarize the key points of the study. Here, you should briefly remind the reader of your research question or thesis statement. Then touch on the main findings in your discussion paragraphs. Avoid restating everything; instead, focus on the most important takeaways.  

Next, demonstrate the significance of your study. Why does the research matter? You should explain how your findings contribute to the broader field of study, including whether there are any real-world applications of your research and findings. 

Finally, you should look forward. This can vary significantly depending on your field of research, but there are very few truly settled questions, so there are usually areas for future research. If your study opened up new questions or highlighted limitations in current knowledge, then the conclusion paragraph is a great opportunity to explain them. 

A concluding paragraph in action 

There are countless ways to structure your conclusion, but a simple “skeleton” structure can look like this: 

“In conclusion, this study set out to investigate [research question]. By analyzing [research object] with [methods], we found that [key finding 1] and [key finding 2]. These findings contribute to our understanding of [topic, with broader significance mentioned] and have potential applications in [real-world application]. Further research could explore [future research area].” 

This is by no means a pro forma, so I recommend rewriting this structure as much as you like, as long as it hits the key points given above in italics. Let’s take this idea and apply it to a study on Quux, a fictional small-molecule drug against the made-up gene FOO, that is being tested for its activity against ovarian cancer. 

“In conclusion, this study aimed to investigate whether Quux, a small-molecule chemotherapeutic drug for FOO, is suitable for the treatment of FOO-positive ovarian cancer. To this end, we analyzed its activity both in vitro and in vivo with an animal model, tracking its impact on tumor growth and overall survival. We found that, when compared to the control treatments, Quux treatment resulted in not only lower cancer cell proliferation in vitro but also higher overall survival rates in vivo. These findings improve our understanding of the range of activities of Quux and reveal its potential application in the clinical treatment of ovarian cancer. However, since its precise molecular mechanisms remain unclear, further research can investigate its molecular interactions against ovarian cancer cells. Finally, our findings show the great potential of Quux in ovarian cancer treatment, indicating that it warrants investigation in a randomized controlled trial.” 

Conclusion tips 

Don’t repeat yourself (too much) 

Simply repeating the same findings that have already been mentioned in the abstract and discussion is both boring and redundant. While it is useful to summarize your key points, the conclusion paragraph should not read like it was copied and pasted from another part of the paper. 

Keep it simple, clear, and concise 

The conclusion is not the place to mention the minutia of your analytical methods or detail how your findings differ from those of other published studies. Sticking to the most important details mentioned above can lend your writing much-needed impact. 

End on a thought-provoking note 

Much like how marketing copy ends with a “call-to-action” to get customers to act, you can use this opportunity to call your audience to consider an important point raised in your research and stimulate conversation about your paper.