08 Conclusion and Abstract

The Conclusion

The main discussion about writing conclusions is the question of whether we should include a conclusion in our text or not? To conclude or not to conclude?

Generally, when we follow the canonical IMRaD model, we do not see the mention of C (conclusion), however, when we analyse the articles written in our discipline, we actually see that a great many of them have a Conclusion included. So what’s the purpose of a Conclusion and how is it different from a Discussion?

This workshop dives deeper into those questions and concludes with the recommendations that, as in all other sections, our course raises more questions than answers, as the answers we seek are provided by our choice of communicating our science to our audiences, via the journals (medium) we have chosen. In other words, all journals will provide their own guidelines; however, your research account might actually fit one format better than another. As such, we see that a greater amount than 50% of articles published across disciplines deviates from the IMRaD format. They will take the following formats:

• Introduction, Literature Review, Methods, Results and Discussion, and Conclusion;
• Introduction, Methods and Results and Discussion, and Conclusion;
• Introduction, Methods, Results and Discussion, and Conclusion;

So, it’s useful to familiarise yourself with the different functions these have, for the type of text you put forward. One (or two, if you include the abstract) is/are always present: The Introduction

So what’s the main purpose of a conclusion:

The main purpose of a Conclusion is to summarize the research by highlighting the findings, evaluating and pointing out possible lines of future research as well as suggesting implications for teaching and learning. Yang & Allison (2003: 380)

• Move & Step model for Conclusions (Yang & Allison, 2003)
  • Move 1: Summarizing the study Indicating significance and/or advantage Indicating limitations of the study Evaluating the methodology
  • Move 2: Evaluating the study
  • Move 3: Deductions from the research Recommending further research Drawing (pedagogical) implications (VALUE)

So how are Discussions different from Conclusions If you recall the moves and steps of the discussion section, we can actually underline the parts of that model which overlap with the conclusion section. In other words, if you already draw conclusions in your discussion section, should you also do so in a separate conclusion section? It might be worth it, as readers might only read your conclusion, and therefore miss out on that valuable message.

1. 1. Re-establishing the territory Drawing on general background Drawing on study specific background Recounting the principal findings Previewing the discussion ‘road map’
   2. Framing the new knowledge Explicating the results Accounting for the results Clarifying expectations Addressing limitations
   3. Re-shaping the territory Supporting with evidence Countering with evidence
   4. Establishing additional territory Generalizing results Stating the value Noting implications Proposing directions The bolded and underlined text marks the overlap.

THUS: The Discussion section focuses more on commenting on specific results, and the Conclusion concentrates on highlighting overall results and evaluating the study.