Conclusion/discussion
- You should never include new information in the conclusion/discussion (so also no new figures or photos).
- You need to reference sources in this chapter as well.
The conclusion and discussion are the final part of a research report. The final chapter is very important because it provides an answer to the central theme of your story. A good conclusion elevates a report to a higher level. The terms ‘conclusion’ and ‘discussion’ are used interchangeably.
Analyse the extent to which your conclusions are the result of the research context and to what extent they reflect ‘reality’. Remember that a good reflection can ‘straighten out’ unfortunate choices in thesis research because you show the assessor that you now know how it should be done.
- The central question.
- A brief summary of the results (no longer than one or two paragraphs). Do not mention any statistics, but rather stick to the main points.
- Your answer to the central question.
- Your explanation of the results, in which you explain to the reader how the results can be interpreted. Are the results what you expected? Do they correspond with or contradict previous research? Why might that be (the research methods, perhaps)? Position the results in the applicable theoretical and/or social discussion. You should be able to do this at this stage of the research project. After all, you are now an expert on the research topic.
- The significance of the results. This is partly related to the previous point, but also to the relevance described in the introduction.
- Unanswered questions that have come to light through this research. Remember that further research can always be done. The trick is to indicate exactly which questions now need answering. As an expert you know what knowledge is required.
- Possibilities to generalise your conclusions, i.e. the applicability of your research to other groups, regions or projects.
- Reflection on how you arrived at your conclusions. For example, ask yourself if
- Another research method would have yielded a different conclusion.
- Now that you have finished your project, the chosen case was the most suitable.
- You missed out on opportunities by not asking enough questions during an interview/not including a specific question in your survey.
- Speaking to that one key person would have been an interesting addition to your research.
Click here for more information about how reach a good conclusion.
Recommendations
Recommendations, e.g. changes to policy or improvements to a certain process, sometimes follow the conclusion/discussion chapter. You can also formulate recommendations for further research, for example, if your research shows that more/other research into a particular phenomenon is needed.
Recommendations are especially important when you are carrying out research on a client’s behalf; they should give direction to a new policy, for example.
When formulating recommendations, pay attention to the following points:
- Be brief and clear.
- Recommendations should result from your research, and are therefore based on the results of your research.
- Identify who is responsible for a certain measure: the local government? A certain target group (citizens, entrepreneurs)? A specific organisation? If you do not clearly define the roles, recommendations will quickly be brushed aside and no-one will feel responsible.
- Formulate your recommendations in accordance with the SMART principles: specific, measurable, acceptable, realistic and time-bound.
- Do not be too noncommittal when formulating your recommendations: you should not say ‘the City of Utrecht could possibly consider…’ if action really needs to be taken. Instead, say: ‘The City of Utrecht must…’
- Number the recommendations or use bullet points so that reference can be made quickly. When you are discussing the research report with a client it is annoying to have to search through a block of running text to find the fourth recommendation.