Publishing Research Findings: A Key to Academic Success

Publishing research is one of the best ways to demonstrate academic potential and stand out in university applications. For students aspiring to apply to top U.S. universities, publishing papers not only enhances their academic profile but also proves their ability to explore and solve complex problems. However, this process can be challenging for high school students, involving topic selection, experimental design, data analysis, and academic writing.

This is where Embark supports students. Since its inception in 2016, Embark has focused on tailoring research training programs for teenagers, helping them systematically develop research skills and build a solid research framework. Under the guidance of our 3,000+ mentors, students can explore their areas of interest and connect research projects to real-world applications, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of their significance.

This article shares Samantha’s insights on writing research paper conclusions, including: what a research conclusion is, general rules for research paper conclusions, how to conclude a research paper, how to make an effective conclusion, and what to avoid in a research paper conclusion.

What is a Conclusion?

A conclusion summarizes the content of your academic paper. While it may seem simple, your final impression largely depends on how well you express the main points of your research paper. The ability to present the essence of your research in a few concise paragraphs or pages will make your work stand out. Remember, the conclusion is the last part of the research paper (excluding bibliography and endnotes), so take it seriously.

When writing a conclusion for your research paper, you should intrinsically restate the main arguments. Here, you can showcase the strengths of your main points and reiterate all the key evidence supporting your argument. But don’t be too repetitive! So, how do you write an appropriate conclusion?

• Summarize the argument if it’s too complex for the reader.
• If you haven’t discussed the significance of your results, now is the time.
• Transition quickly from a specific topic overview to a broader topic overview.
• Avoid including new content or many new ideas already discussed in detail.
• Persuasively and concisely restate your research question or topic.
• You can even include your thoughts on the evidence in your work.

General Rules for Research Paper Conclusions

A well-structured conclusion demonstrates your deep understanding and analysis of the research question.

• Write the conclusion in clear, simple language. Avoid complexity.
• Don’t repeat your results without discussing them in depth.
• Highlight opportunities for further research.

A Conclusion Should Include:

• A thesis statement: A brief statement that helps describe the work in a few sentences. A good thesis should be objective, clear, specific, and debatable.
• A summary of arguments: After stating the thesis, summarize the evidence or data you’ve collected.
• Observations and final sentence: End with your observations and a final sentence expressing the importance of your work.

Information to Include in the Conclusion:

• Final insights on the questions raised in your paper: This will leave a lasting impression and show confidence in your work. Highlight the main findings, including key points of analysis and unexpected results encountered.
• Summarize your thoughts and perspectives to show the importance of your research: The conclusion is a great opportunity to succinctly answer the inherent question readers often have after reading: “So what?”
• Your own thoughts: Discussing your own views is not always feasible in the main part of the research introduction. The conclusion is where your personality shines. Use it to discuss the impact of your findings and their broader significance.
• Thoughts on the future: If your research is insightful and intriguing, there may be more ways to discuss your research question. Show how your academic results could further discuss or solve this issue. Mention others who have studied the problem and their ideas, and specifically indicate how future research might proceed.

How to Conclude a Research Paper

Here are some key points to help you summarize your work's main ideas and ensure a better evaluation:

If discussing a contemporary issue, mention what might happen if it’s not resolved, but avoid adding new information or evidence.

Don’t hesitate to suggest courses of action.

Use relevant quotes or peer insights to add authority to your conclusion.

Repeat a key statistic, fact, or visual image that represents the paper’s main points.

Express personal reflections, even discussing personal life experiences.

Explain results in your own way, offering a fresh perspective. Don’t be afraid to introduce new insights.

End with a short but powerful message to make your research memorable. This can help differentiate your work.

Avoid phrases like “In conclusion” or “To sum up,” as they can sound unnatural and stiff. A strong conclusion stands on its own.

Maintain a consistent tone throughout the paper. Avoid switching styles abruptly.

Review your paper to ensure no important points are missing.

Rhetorically Crafting an Effective Conclusion

Remember: an effective conclusion synthesizes rather than summarizes. Synthesis combines information into a coherent whole. Link the introduction and conclusion to give your paper a “full circle” effect, similar to how a movie reintroduces an opening detail at the end. Techniques include:

• Pose a question in the introduction and answer it in the conclusion.
• Start a joke or story and finish it in the conclusion.
• Use creative ideas, like starting with a story about a plastic bag if writing about recycling, showing its lifecycle.
• Rely on imagery, creating patterns in the introduction and reflecting them in the conclusion for a sense of unity.

These rhetorical devices help your paper linger in readers' minds. For inspiration, consider authors like George Orwell, who masterfully used mirroring and imagery.

Logically Concluding

For a clear and focused conclusion, use solid facts. Simply stating problems and impacts isn’t enough; engage readers by:

• Providing a graphic illustration of consequences if ignored.
• Suggesting solutions or actions, which might be the goal of your research paper.
• Referencing relevant scientists or thinkers to add credibility.
• Creating urgency. Do we need drastic events to believe in climate change?
• Showing key statistics to illustrate facts, making them relatable.
• Reflecting on personal experiences to connect with readers on a human level.
• Reusing the introduction’s hook with new insights.
• Offering a new takeaway for readers to ponder if the research doesn’t provide answers.

What to Avoid in a Research Paper Conclusion

While knowing what to do is important, avoid these pitfalls:

• Lack of conciseness. Repeating content unnecessarily can be tedious. Be brief and to the point.
• Failing to comment on larger issues. Conclusions should connect the research to a broader context.
• Ignoring negative aspects of the research process, which can make the paper seem less authentic.
• Not summarizing learned knowledge. Discuss your experiences and insights gained.
• Failing to match your research goals. Address how the original objectives were met.
• Not unifying your work. Link all parts of the paper for a complete picture.
• Poor logic. Conclusions should offer a unified opinion, addressing unanswered questions.
• No personal recommendations. Explain the most important or effective actions.

Example of a Research Paper Conclusion

For a practical example, consider the conclusion on climate change’s economic impact on the U.S. This research emphasizes why the U.S. government should address climate change’s causes and effects on the economy. It also highlights moral principles based on Catholic teachings about environmental protection, showing how understanding climate change’s economic impact can lead to better environmental stewardship.

How Embark Helps Students Stand Out Academically

Embark’s core team consists of graduates from top institutions such as the Ivy League, MIT, and Caltech. They are dedicated to providing personalized, one-on-one mentorship to help students develop unique research topics. For example, students can collaborate with Embark mentors to design high-quality projects, delve deeply into STEM fields, and write publishable papers. These papers can not only be published in reputable journals but also serve as significant advantages when applying to top universities.

Additionally, Embark encourages students to apply their research to prestigious STEM competitions, such as Regeneron ISEF and Regeneron STS, further enhancing their global competitiveness.

For more information about Embark and how we help students achieve their research and academic goals, please visit our website.