Some conclusions resources

In the last post I listed a number of resources to help us write a sound discussion for our research project. However, to my surprise, I have not yet listed resources for the conclusions chapter.

So, to add to a previous post on what we should call the conclusions chapter (here), we should firstly check that our conclusions have have answered our research question. To do this, there is a very good table by Alber (2011) which, although designed for action research, works for most qualitative research projects. Download a copy here.

Next we should ensure that we have also answered the following questions:

• How has it added to what is known about the subject?
• What were the shortcomings?
• Has my research left some unanswered questions?
• Are my results of any use in the real world?

There are also some resources on conclusion chapter construction which may be useful:

• Shuttleworth, M. (2009). Writing a Conclusion. https://explorable.com/writing-a-conclusion
• University of North Carolina (n.d.). Conclusions. https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/conclusions/
• WikiHow (n.d.). How to Write a Conclusion for a Research Paper. http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Conclusion-for-a-Research-Paper

Next there are a couple of resources for considering what the substantive research limitations are for the project (i.e. those which will affect how much we have answered our research question):

• Higgins, J. P. T. & Green, S. (2011). 12.7.4 Common errors in reaching conclusions. https://handbook-5-1.cochrane.org/chapter_12/12_7_4_common_errors_in_reaching_conclusions.htm
• Sacred Heart University College (2015). Organizing Academic Research Papers: Limitations of the Study. http://libguides.sacredheart.edu/c.php?g=29803&p=185934;

And lastly, a couple of resources to help us put together the future research section to close:

• Higgins, J. P. T. & Green, S. (2011). 12.7.3 Implications for research. https://handbook-5-1.cochrane.org/chapter_12/12_7_3_implications_for_research.htm
• Lund Research Ltd (2012). FUTURE RESEARCH: Types of future research suggestion. http://dissertation.laerd.com/types-of-future-research-suggestion.php

I hope these help!

Sam

References:

• Alber, S. M. (2011). Toolkit for Action Research. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc
• Higgins, J. P. T. & Green, S. (2011). 12.7.4 Common errors in reaching conclusions. https://handbook-5-1.cochrane.org/chapter_12/12_7_4_common_errors_in_reaching_conclusions.htm
• Higgins, J. P. T. & Green, S. (2011). 12.7.3 Implications for research. https://handbook-5-1.cochrane.org/chapter_12/12_7_3_implications_for_research.htm
• Lund Research Ltd (2012). FUTURE RESEARCH: Types of future research suggestion. http://dissertation.laerd.com/types-of-future-research-suggestion.php
• Sacred Heart University College (2015). Organizing Academic Research Papers: Limitations of the Study. http://libguides.sacredheart.edu/c.php?g=29803&p=185934;
• Shuttleworth, M. (2009). Writing a Conclusion. https://explorable.com/writing-a-conclusion
• University of North Carolina (n.d.). Conclusions. https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/conclusions/
• WikiHow (n.d.). How to Write a Conclusion for a Research Paper. http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Conclusion-for-a-Research-Paper