Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations
In this lesson, we will explore the final sections of a research paper: the Summary, Conclusion, and Recommendations. The Summary highlights the key findings of the study, while the Conclusion interprets these findings in the context of the research questions. The Recommendations provide actionable suggestions based on the research outcomes. Together, these sections help synthesize the research and offer valuable insights for future work or practical application.
Lesson objectives
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to
- determine the characteristics of a well-written summary, conclusion, and recommendation;
- enumerate the importance of a well-written summary, conclusion, and recommendation from findings;
- write a well written summary, conclusion and recommendation.
Lesson Content
In research, two types of summaries play a key role in conveying the essence of the study. Each serves a distinct purpose, focusing on different aspects of the research process. Understanding the difference between these summaries is essential for effectively communicating research findings to various audiences.
Two Kinds of Summary
1. Summary of Research
It is a brief statement about the main purpose of the study, the population or respondents, the period of the study, method of research used, the research instrument, and the sampling design.
There should be no explanations made.
Example:
Research Title: Impact of Blended Learning on Mathematics Achievement
Research Summary: A study by Aronda Yvette Frazier investigated the influence of blended learning on students’ mathematics attitudes and achievement in a high school geometry course. The mixed-methods research revealed a 25-point average increase in academic achievement among students. Additionally, 62% of participants reported greater engagement during blended learning, and many expressed interest in taking another blended course. This research underscores the potential of blended learning to enhance academic performance and engagement in mathematics.
2. Summary of Findings
The findings may be lumped together but clarity demands that each specific question under the statement of the problem must be written first.
Important Notes in writing the Summary of Findings
- Must directly answer sub-statements of the problem.
- Answers must be limited on the findings justified by avoid numerical rating the evidence.
- Provide only qualitative summary of the findings.
- Avoid numerical rating for it was already discussed in Chapter 4
Example
Research Title: Blended Learning Implementation Among Mathematics Students (Kuzaht, 2023)
Statement of the Problem: This study sought to compare the academic performance of students in Precalculus courses taught through blended learning versus traditional teaching methods.
Summary Findings:
The study yielded the following findings:
- Students in blended learning courses significantly outperformed those in traditional courses in terms of final course grades.
- Gender and race were factors influencing student performance, with blended learning showing a positive impact, particularly on diverse student populations.
- The study concludes that blended learning can improve academic outcomes, especially among students from varied demographic backgrounds.
Conclusion
Essentially, the conclusion contains insights drawn from the findings of each problem. These insights answer the questions presented at the beginning of the research paper. However, the conclusion to be drawn should not come from the indirect implications of the study. It should be limited within the information actually yielded by the conducted investigations.
The conclusion is simply stated and must be devoid of any elaborate discussion of the findings. Each item in the conclusion is a precise statement directly answering the stated problems. This section should be stated in a way that reader will in no way doubt the correctness of the entire research study.
Key Features of a Conclusion
- The conclusion should be the adequate answer to the “Statement of the Problem” posed in the first chapter of the research.
- It must be consistent with the findings.
- Do not consider cross-referencing in this section.
- It presents your arguments without introducing new information or ideas.
- The conclusions are not a rambling summary of the research: they are short, concise statements of inferences.
- It should be brief, terse statements that encapsulate the findings
- They should not contain any numeral because numerals generally limit the forceful effect or impact and scope of a generalization.
Some common phrases for conclusions:
- All this requires us to (propose the next action or an alternative ideas)
- Altogether, these findings indicate (point out the logical result)
- Finally, it is important to note (make your strongest point)
- In conclusion (restate your thesis with greater emphasis)
- It is evident that (point out the logical result)
- In light of the evidence …
- It should be evident that we need to…
The conclusion can be written as follows:
From the findings, the following conclusions are drawn:
1. ___________________________________________________________________.
2. ___________________________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________________________.
4. __________________________________________________________________.
Example
Research Title: Students’ mathematics achievement in Mindanao context: A meta-analysis
Conclusion
Based on the results of this study, the following conclusions are drawn:
- First, the recorded overall effect sizes had a small effect on students’ achievement in mathematics. With the limited studies in Mindanao, future works and studies may take into consideration larger samples to provide strong statistical analysis and solid evidence of the factors that influence the mathematical skills of the students.
- Second, the school type was a significant factor that causes variations of the effect sizes in students’ academic achievement in mathematics. It is recommended that educational institutions may review regularly the curriculum addressing the disparity of achievement between public and private schools. A needs assessment should be done to identify these factors.
- Third, the three factors, namely: mathematics skills, attitude, and self-efficacy have a significant effect on the achievement of the students. Teachers may create and provide opportunities for students to enhance and improve their mathematical skills. Solving real life mathematics problems and playing math-related games may be considered. Moreover, to improve students’ self-efficacy, teachers should let the students work on mathematics problems out loud.
Recommendations
Based on the study's findings and conclusions, recommendations offer practical suggestions for future research and improvements in related fields. These recommendations are clear, concise, and relevant to the research problem. They may include actions for relevant agencies or institutions to enhance societal outcomes. The final recommendation is directed at other researchers, suggesting potential study topics or variables, and if applicable, advocating for the adoption of proposed intervention programs.
Recommendations are suggested acceptable actions and the specific procedure that can help solve issues.
Tips for Writing Recommendations
- Provide practical suggestions that will improve the situation or solve the problem investigated in the study.
- Points that you want to address to concerned persons, organizations, or agencies who can immediately implement the recommended solutions.
- Present another topic which is very relevant to the present study that can be further investigated
- Present recommendations separately and begins with a verb.
- RECOMMENDATIONS SHOULD BE BASED ON CONCLUSIONS.
- The interest of the examiner in this section is to check whether the recommendation is within the context and consistent with the conclusion and findings.
- The research undertaking can only be meaningful if its results can help lead to the improvement or upgrading of an existing idea, system, or even personalities. Hence, recommendations must be prepared for this purpose.
- The recommendations will be much sought and carefully read by the examiners.
- The primary recommendation of the researcher must be focused on his or her contribution to the reservoir of knowledge. Of course, the research must substantiate any claims made here.
- Future research recommendations should also be included so that researchers picking up the study in the future have the benefit of the ideas generated on the project.
- Concise numbered paragraphs are usually the best.
Example
Challenge: Improving students’ satisfaction with a registration process
Conclusions: Survey results show that short registration lines are key to student satisfaction with the registration process.
RECOMMENDATION: Implement a registration reservation system where students sign up for specific registration time slots
To present your recommendations, you can write it in a way such as follows:
Based on the results of the study, the following recommendations are hereby advanced:
1. ________________________________________________________________.
2. _____________________________________________________________.
3. For further studies, the following topics may be explored.
3.1 ________________________________________