Transcript Writing a conclusion section

References
 The Writing Center:
− http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/conclusions/
 Strategies for Writing a Conclusion. Literacy Education
Online, St. Cloud State University. 18 May 2005
− http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/conclude.html
 How to write a research journal article in engineering
and science. Scott A. Socolofsky, Texas A&M Univ.
What can conclusion section do for
your paper?
 Interprets the numbers in “Results” section.
 Tell the audience why your findings are important to
them, how they can use them.
 Help readers come to a new or broader
understanding of the topic.
 Give the paper a sense of completeness.
 Leave a final impression on the reader about you as a
researcher.
The conclusion section brings the
paper “full circle”
Introduction:
General  specific
“Anthropomorphic measures can be used to identify obesity
and underlying chronic diseases. But cut-off points used in
Indonesia have poor sensitivity characteristics.”
Conclusion:
Specific  back to general
“The new cut-off points we propose will more accurately
identify obesity cases and those at risk to chronic diseases.”
Why is this section so difficult?
 You are tired, mentally exhausted
− Do I have anything left to say?
 It requires a deeper level of thought and analysis
− What do the findings mean?
− What do I expect the audience to do with the
information?
 Here is where it is most challenging, but most critical,
to maintain your research objectivity.
Take a break. Contemplate.
Then BERSEMANGAT dan TAHAN!
6 organizing options
1. Answer the “So what” question.
“Jamkesmas enrollees have inpatient utilization rates 3
times higher than any other group.”
– This is important because ____?
2. Return to the theme in the introduction.
“ART currently available in the international market is not
affordable for most Indonesians. This study showed we
can achieve similar results with more affordable
technology.”
6 organizing options
3. Include a provocative insight.
“Current donor policies are oversupplying the market with
subsidized contraceptives, squeezing out the private
sector, and reducing long-run product availability.”
4. Propose a course of action, a solution, or
questions for further study.
“The Government should end universal subsidies and
implement policies better targeted to poor and vulnerable
populations.”
6 organizing options
5. Give your reader a way to connect your
findings to their world.
“Understanding urban, agricultural and fishing community
somatotype profile differences will help planners better
target child growth programs and reduce disparities.”
6. Point to broader implications.
“The finding that HIV infection rates are rising fast among
key bridge populations suggests broad prevention strategy
changes are needed to reduce risks for a generalized
epidemic.”
Before you write, know your journal
 What is your journals focus?
− Policy? Implementation? Clinical?
 Who reads this journal?
− That is your audience
 Read the conclusion section of several articles from
your selected journal.
− Are they short? Long?
− Is there a common focus?
− Which of the 6 organizing options is most common?
Writing: create a “logical flow”
1. Reconnect with the main research question.
“We conducted this study to answer the question about
how method and provider choice changed when IUD
subsidies were withdrawn from private providers.”
2. Provide the answer to the research question.
“There were major shifts from IUDs to injectables and
from private midwives to public clinics.”
3. Tell the reader why the answer is important.
“An important business income base has been lost by
private midwives… The public sector will need more
resources to meet increased demand at public clinics.”
Give your reader closure at the end
 Major unanswered questions.
 Topics needing further research.
 Limitations to generalizability or how the findings can
be used.
Some things to avoid
 Don’t repeat; interpret
“30,7% of patients did not return to refill their TB
treatment prescription.”
vs.
“The high proportion of treatment noncompliance
observed risks treatment failure and development of
more difficult and more costly to treat MDR TB.”
… more things to avoid
 Don’t introduce a new idea or hypothesis that was not in
the introduction.
 Don’t repeat or restate numbers from the results section.
− Interpret what the numbers mean.
 Don’t make dramatic, sentimental, emotional statements.
− Be clear about research/science vs. advocacy.
“The tireless dedication of brave health providers who toil under
harsh conditions should be recognized as a great sacrifice.”
 Don’t add new evidence that is not in the results section.
“Rural-urban differences are greater than any other difference.”
References
 The Writing Center:
− http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/conclusions/
 Strategies for Writing a Conclusion. Literacy Education
Online, St. Cloud State University. 18 May 2005
− http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/conclude.html
 How to write a research journal article in engineering
and science. Scott A. Socolofsky, Texas A&M Univ.