How to conclude a research paper.

From novels to TV stories – the importance of a good conclusion cannot be understated. This rule applies to academic writing, with research paper conclusions being just as important as their introductions.

Knowing exactly what makes a good conclusion in a research paper can elevate your findings by summarising what you’ve learned in relation to the original hypothesis or problem. Good conclusions should reenforce the reasoning behind the importance of your research and how it might impact your wider research area.

With research paper conclusion examples from Adobe Express you’ll discover more about how to conclude your argument.

What is a research conclusion?

In a research paper conclusion, you summarise your argument and its findings at the end of an essay. It can be challenging to do this without repeating yourself. Remember – the conclusion is the last section of your research readers will encounter, so knowing how to conclude a research paper effectively can help you to end your argument strongly.

A research conclusion should:

• Resolve your research paper. First and foremost, the conclusion should make your research paper feel complete. Aim to include a succinct, core message within your conclusion that summarises the reasons for your research.
• Reiterate why the research is important. Your research conclusion came to be because of a hypothesis or problem. Briefly outline what this is and why the hypothesis was important in the first place.
• Dissect the results of your research. Were you able to draw a conclusion from your research? If yes, say briefly how and why. If not, you should make recommendations on how further research would be beneficial.
• Engage readers with your research. Connect your research to existing journals and academic writing to give readers substance. Bring together your findings in a way that engages readers and leaves them satisfied you have concluded your argument.

Four main types of academic conclusion.

There are several ways to approach writing your research paper conclusion, depending on the style of paper you’ve written.

Comparative conclusion.

Your research may have involved comparing your own original data or findings with existing data or information. Conclude the results of your comparison with these existing arguments, ensuring that you reiterate your original argument or hypothesis.

Summarising conclusion.

Another common research paper conclusion example is where you summarise what you explored in the main body of your research paper. Remember, this shouldn’t be a complete reiteration of the arguments you explored. But rather a brief conclusion summarising your findings.

Editorial conclusion.

Here, you will close the research paper with your own personal thoughts. This could be an opinion on how you think the research progressed or a reflection on the outcomes. This conclusion type lends itself to making recommendations.

Predictive conclusion.

Conclude with predictions on potential outcomes should your recommendations be carried out. This helps support your research and solidifies the significance of the research you’ve conducted.

How to write a research paper conclusion.

1. Restate and respond to your original research question.

To show readers you’ve reached a conclusion, reiterate the problem you originally set out to research. But don’t simply copy the original point. Instead, restructure the wording and make it part of your conclusion. Draw parallels between what you set out to achieve in comparison to what you found, and between your findings and the original research topic.

2. Summarise your research and your main findings.

Carefully summarise your research and its findings. Avoid writing fillers like ‘in summary’ or ‘in conclusion…’ as it should be clear to the reader that they have reached the research conclusion. Briefly summarise your original problem/hypothesis – the main body of the thesis will already cover this in-depth.

3. Explain why this is important.

Outline the significance of your research conclusion in relation to the original hypothesis. Did you draw any unexpected conclusions? Perhaps your research showed the original hypothesis was true. Briefly summarise the importance of your discoveries and outline what impact they might have in your research area.

4. Make final recommendations.

You’ve completed the research, so it’s time to make any recommendations on what should be done as a follow-up. Should further research be conducted? If so, briefly mention what could help support the work you have already done and include reasoning for it.

5. Wrap up your paper.

A strong conclusion should end with an equally strong closing statement. Depending on how you reflect on your own research in relation to the original topic, you may choose to include a call to action or a recommendation. Similarly, if you feel further research is necessary, adapt a recommendation to explain how this will develop your analysis. Retain a level of intrigue through to the end of the conclusion – try to inspire and engage the reader about the results and potential further research.

Example: how to conclude a research paper.

See below for an example of how to write an academic conclusion:

“Through extensive research into how tree density and woodland preservation affects mood in urban environments, it has become evident that there is a strong correlation between overall positive moods and areas with a higher number of trees. Additionally, by analysing suburban and urban environments across five major UK cities, ideas around development of green belt areas in existing urban environments were challenged. This concluded that 86% of people would prefer construction of new dwellings to facilitate and work around existing woodland and wooded areas.

Conducting further research on this topic would require identifying new locations for the study and potentially expanding the research to urban environments outside of the UK. By doing this, it would be easier to support evidence from this research and use the research findings to positively impact future urban construction projects.”

How can Adobe Express help you write an essay conclusion.

Knowing how to conclude a research paper is one thing, but there’s more to academic writing. That’s where Adobe Express can lighten the load and help you stay organised with smaller tasks such as referencing and general essay writing tips.

1. Map out your closing points.

Depending on how many conclusions you’ve drawn so far through your research paper, it might be worthwhile to map them out. By creating a spider diagram or even a simple list, you can focus on your primary research conclusions and summarise them effectively in your main research conclusion section.

2. Make a timeline for finishing your essay.

Whether you’re working to your own schedule or aiming to submit your paper before a deadline, creating a timeline can help keep things on track. By assigning tasks to certain dates or weeks, you’ll know exactly what you should be working on.

3. Add in your final footnotes and references.

Your references and footnotes are often as important as your own research. Choose your preferred referencing style and ensure you stick to the same format throughout your entire research paper. Find out more around how to write footnotes with Adobe Express.

4. Create an end sheet.

An end sheet or cover for your research paper will add an elegance to your research. Depending on your subject, it can be as creative or as simple as required. Check out some research paper cover templates with Adobe Express to get started.

5. Get more tips on how to write a strong essay.

When collecting data, creating an engaging chart or infographic can complement your research paper or essay by presenting your findings through visual examples. Find out more about essay writing with Adobe Express.

Take your research further with AI-powered tools from Adobe Express.

If you’re presenting your research paper findings, chances are you’ll be looking to create something to inspire and engage your audience. Use generative AI tools like the AI presentation maker from Adobe Express to add icons, charts and other creative flourishes to your presentation.

Can’t find the right image? Let the AI image generator create unique imagery according to your prompt, allowing you to focus on your presentation notes and delivery. Simply save and edit later or download when you’re ready for your final presentation.

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Good to know.

What makes a good conclusion in a research paper?

Find a balance between summarising your research findings and explaining their impact on your research field. Keep your research conclusion succinct, including recommendations for future research so the readers finish your paper feeling inspired and engaged.

How long should a conclusion be in a research paper?

The length of your research paper conclusion is highly dependent on the length of your paper and the research level of detail. A conclusion shouldn’t overshadow the main body of your research paper, so aim to keep it as short as possible. As a rough guide, a conclusion shouldn’t exceed 10% of your overall word count.

Should I present new arguments in a conclusion?

Avoid introducing any new arguments in the research conclusion. Major (counter)arguments should be addressed before the conclusion to allow reasonable space to explore them. You could discuss how your research is now relevant to a larger argument but avoid writing new information.

Is Adobe Express free?

Yes, our free plan offers many core features including thousands of templates, photo editing and effects, animation, and 5 GB of storage. See our pricing page for details and to compare plans.