conclusion in introduction research

Conclusions

What this handout is about.

This handout will explain the functions of conclusions, offer strategies for writing effective ones, help you evaluate conclusions you’ve drafted, and suggest approaches to avoid.

About conclusions

Introductions and conclusions can be difficult to write, but they’re worth investing time in. They can have a significant influence on a reader’s experience of your paper.

Just as your introduction acts as a bridge that transports your readers from their own lives into the “place” of your analysis, your conclusion can provide a bridge to help your readers make the transition back to their daily lives. Such a conclusion will help them see why all your analysis and information should matter to them after they put the paper down.

Your conclusion is your chance to have the last word on the subject. The conclusion allows you to have the final say on the issues you have raised in your paper, to synthesize your thoughts, to demonstrate the importance of your ideas, and to propel your reader to a new view of the subject. It is also your opportunity to make a good final impression and to end on a positive note.

Your conclusion can go beyond the confines of the assignment. The conclusion pushes beyond the boundaries of the prompt and allows you to consider broader issues, make new connections, and elaborate on the significance of your findings.

Your conclusion should make your readers glad they read your paper. Your conclusion gives your reader something to take away that will help them see things differently or appreciate your topic in personally relevant ways. It can suggest broader implications that will not only interest your reader, but also enrich your reader’s life in some way. It is your gift to the reader.

Strategies for writing an effective conclusion

One or more of the following strategies may help you write an effective conclusion:

• Play the “So What” Game. If you’re stuck and feel like your conclusion isn’t saying anything new or interesting, ask a friend to read it with you. Whenever you make a statement from your conclusion, ask the friend to say, “So what?” or “Why should anybody care?” Then ponder that question and answer it. Here’s how it might go: You: Basically, I’m just saying that education was important to Douglass. Friend: So what? You: Well, it was important because it was a key to him feeling like a free and equal citizen. Friend: Why should anybody care? You: That’s important because plantation owners tried to keep slaves from being educated so that they could maintain control. When Douglass obtained an education, he undermined that control personally. You can also use this strategy on your own, asking yourself “So What?” as you develop your ideas or your draft.
• Return to the theme or themes in the introduction. This strategy brings the reader full circle. For example, if you begin by describing a scenario, you can end with the same scenario as proof that your essay is helpful in creating a new understanding. You may also refer to the introductory paragraph by using key words or parallel concepts and images that you also used in the introduction.
• Synthesize, don’t summarize. Include a brief summary of the paper’s main points, but don’t simply repeat things that were in your paper. Instead, show your reader how the points you made and the support and examples you used fit together. Pull it all together.
• Include a provocative insight or quotation from the research or reading you did for your paper.
• Propose a course of action, a solution to an issue, or questions for further study. This can redirect your reader’s thought process and help them to apply your info and ideas to their own life or to see the broader implications.
• Point to broader implications. For example, if your paper examines the Greensboro sit-ins or another event in the Civil Rights Movement, you could point out its impact on the Civil Rights Movement as a whole. A paper about the style of writer Virginia Woolf could point to her influence on other writers or on later feminists.

Strategies to avoid

• Beginning with an unnecessary, overused phrase such as “in conclusion,” “in summary,” or “in closing.” Although these phrases can work in speeches, they come across as wooden and trite in writing.
• Stating the thesis for the very first time in the conclusion.
• Introducing a new idea or subtopic in your conclusion.
• Ending with a rephrased thesis statement without any substantive changes.
• Making sentimental, emotional appeals that are out of character with the rest of an analytical paper.
• Including evidence (quotations, statistics, etc.) that should be in the body of the paper.

Four kinds of ineffective conclusions

• The “That’s My Story and I’m Sticking to It” Conclusion. This conclusion just restates the thesis and is usually painfully short. It does not push the ideas forward. People write this kind of conclusion when they can’t think of anything else to say. Example: In conclusion, Frederick Douglass was, as we have seen, a pioneer in American education, proving that education was a major force for social change with regard to slavery.
• The “Sherlock Holmes” Conclusion. Sometimes writers will state the thesis for the very first time in the conclusion. You might be tempted to use this strategy if you don’t want to give everything away too early in your paper. You may think it would be more dramatic to keep the reader in the dark until the end and then “wow” them with your main idea, as in a Sherlock Holmes mystery. The reader, however, does not expect a mystery, but an analytical discussion of your topic in an academic style, with the main argument (thesis) stated up front. Example: (After a paper that lists numerous incidents from the book but never says what these incidents reveal about Douglass and his views on education): So, as the evidence above demonstrates, Douglass saw education as a way to undermine the slaveholders’ power and also an important step toward freedom.
• The “America the Beautiful”/”I Am Woman”/”We Shall Overcome” Conclusion. This kind of conclusion usually draws on emotion to make its appeal, but while this emotion and even sentimentality may be very heartfelt, it is usually out of character with the rest of an analytical paper. A more sophisticated commentary, rather than emotional praise, would be a more fitting tribute to the topic. Example: Because of the efforts of fine Americans like Frederick Douglass, countless others have seen the shining beacon of light that is education. His example was a torch that lit the way for others. Frederick Douglass was truly an American hero.
• The “Grab Bag” Conclusion. This kind of conclusion includes extra information that the writer found or thought of but couldn’t integrate into the main paper. You may find it hard to leave out details that you discovered after hours of research and thought, but adding random facts and bits of evidence at the end of an otherwise-well-organized essay can just create confusion. Example: In addition to being an educational pioneer, Frederick Douglass provides an interesting case study for masculinity in the American South. He also offers historians an interesting glimpse into slave resistance when he confronts Covey, the overseer. His relationships with female relatives reveal the importance of family in the slave community.

Works consulted

We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.

Douglass, Frederick. 1995. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written by Himself. New York: Dover.

Hamilton College. n.d. “Conclusions.” Writing Center. Accessed June 14, 2019. https://www.hamilton.edu//academics/centers/writing/writing-resources/conclusions .

Holewa, Randa. 2004. “Strategies for Writing a Conclusion.” LEO: Literacy Education Online. Last updated February 19, 2004. https://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/conclude.html.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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• Writing Tips

How to Write a Conclusion for a Research Paper

3-minute read

• 29th August 2023

If you’re writing a research paper, the conclusion is your opportunity to summarize your findings and leave a lasting impression on your readers. In this post, we’ll take you through how to write an effective conclusion for a research paper and how you can:

·   Reword your thesis statement

·   Highlight the significance of your research

·   Discuss limitations

·   Connect to the introduction

·   End with a thought-provoking statement

Rewording Your Thesis Statement

Begin your conclusion by restating your thesis statement in a way that is slightly different from the wording used in the introduction. Avoid presenting new information or evidence in your conclusion. Just summarize the main points and arguments of your essay and keep this part as concise as possible. Remember that you’ve already covered the in-depth analyses and investigations in the main body paragraphs of your essay, so it’s not necessary to restate these details in the conclusion.

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Highlighting the Significance of Your Research

The conclusion is a good place to emphasize the implications of your research . Avoid ambiguous or vague language such as “I think” or “maybe,” which could weaken your position. Clearly explain why your research is significant and how it contributes to the broader field of study.

Here’s an example from a (fictional) study on the impact of social media on mental health:

Discussing Limitations

Although it’s important to emphasize the significance of your study, you can also use the conclusion to briefly address any limitations you discovered while conducting your research, such as time constraints or a shortage of resources. Doing this demonstrates a balanced and honest approach to your research.

Connecting to the Introduction

In your conclusion, you can circle back to your introduction , perhaps by referring to a quote or anecdote you discussed earlier. If you end your paper on a similar note to how you began it, you will create a sense of cohesion for the reader and remind them of the meaning and significance of your research.

Ending With a Thought-Provoking Statement

Consider ending your paper with a thought-provoking and memorable statement that relates to the impact of your research questions or hypothesis. This statement can be a call to action, a philosophical question, or a prediction for the future (positive or negative). Here’s an example that uses the same topic as above (social media and mental health):

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• USC Libraries
• Research Guides

Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper

• 4. The Introduction
• Purpose of Guide
• Design Flaws to Avoid
• Independent and Dependent Variables
• Glossary of Research Terms
• Reading Research Effectively
• Narrowing a Topic Idea
• Broadening a Topic Idea
• Extending the Timeliness of a Topic Idea
• Academic Writing Style
• Applying Critical Thinking
• Choosing a Title
• Making an Outline
• Paragraph Development
• Research Process Video Series
• Executive Summary
• The C.A.R.S. Model
• Background Information
• The Research Problem/Question
• Theoretical Framework
• Citation Tracking
• Content Alert Services
• Evaluating Sources
• Primary Sources
• Secondary Sources
• Tiertiary Sources
• Scholarly vs. Popular Publications
• Qualitative Methods
• Quantitative Methods
• Insiderness
• Using Non-Textual Elements
• Limitations of the Study
• Common Grammar Mistakes
• Writing Concisely
• Avoiding Plagiarism
• Footnotes or Endnotes?
• Further Readings
• Generative AI and Writing
• USC Libraries Tutorials and Other Guides
• Bibliography

The introduction leads the reader from a general subject area to a particular topic of inquiry. It establishes the scope, context, and significance of the research being conducted by summarizing current understanding and background information about the topic, stating the purpose of the work in the form of the research problem supported by a hypothesis or a set of questions, explaining briefly the methodological approach used to examine the research problem, highlighting the potential outcomes your study can reveal, and outlining the remaining structure and organization of the paper.

Key Elements of the Research Proposal. Prepared under the direction of the Superintendent and by the 2010 Curriculum Design and Writing Team. Baltimore County Public Schools.

Importance of a Good Introduction

Think of the introduction as a mental road map that must answer for the reader these four questions:

• What was I studying?
• Why was this topic important to investigate?
• What did we know about this topic before I did this study?
• How will this study advance new knowledge or new ways of understanding?

According to Reyes, there are three overarching goals of a good introduction: 1) ensure that you summarize prior studies about the topic in a manner that lays a foundation for understanding the research problem; 2) explain how your study specifically addresses gaps in the literature, insufficient consideration of the topic, or other deficiency in the literature; and, 3) note the broader theoretical, empirical, and/or policy contributions and implications of your research.

A well-written introduction is important because, quite simply, you never get a second chance to make a good first impression. The opening paragraphs of your paper will provide your readers with their initial impressions about the logic of your argument, your writing style, the overall quality of your research, and, ultimately, the validity of your findings and conclusions. A vague, disorganized, or error-filled introduction will create a negative impression, whereas, a concise, engaging, and well-written introduction will lead your readers to think highly of your analytical skills, your writing style, and your research approach. All introductions should conclude with a brief paragraph that describes the organization of the rest of the paper.

Hirano, Eliana. “Research Article Introductions in English for Specific Purposes: A Comparison between Brazilian, Portuguese, and English.” English for Specific Purposes 28 (October 2009): 240-250; Samraj, B. “Introductions in Research Articles: Variations Across Disciplines.” English for Specific Purposes 21 (2002): 1–17; Introductions. The Writing Center. University of North Carolina; “Writing Introductions.” In Good Essay Writing: A Social Sciences Guide. Peter Redman. 4th edition. (London: Sage, 2011), pp. 63-70; Reyes, Victoria. Demystifying the Journal Article. Inside Higher Education.

Structure and Writing Style

I.  Structure and Approach

The introduction is the broad beginning of the paper that answers three important questions for the reader:

• What is this?
• Why should I read it?
• What do you want me to think about / consider doing / react to?

Think of the structure of the introduction as an inverted triangle of information that lays a foundation for understanding the research problem. Organize the information so as to present the more general aspects of the topic early in the introduction, then narrow your analysis to more specific topical information that provides context, finally arriving at your research problem and the rationale for studying it [often written as a series of key questions to be addressed or framed as a hypothesis or set of assumptions to be tested] and, whenever possible, a description of the potential outcomes your study can reveal.

These are general phases associated with writing an introduction: 1.  Establish an area to research by:

• Highlighting the importance of the topic, and/or
• Making general statements about the topic, and/or
• Presenting an overview on current research on the subject.

2.  Identify a research niche by:

• Opposing an existing assumption, and/or
• Revealing a gap in existing research, and/or
• Formulating a research question or problem, and/or
• Continuing a disciplinary tradition.

3.  Place your research within the research niche by:

• Stating the intent of your study,
• Outlining the key characteristics of your study,
• Describing important results, and
• Giving a brief overview of the structure of the paper.

NOTE:   It is often useful to review the introduction late in the writing process. This is appropriate because outcomes are unknown until you've completed the study. After you complete writing the body of the paper, go back and review introductory descriptions of the structure of the paper, the method of data gathering, the reporting and analysis of results, and the conclusion. Reviewing and, if necessary, rewriting the introduction ensures that it correctly matches the overall structure of your final paper.

II.  Delimitations of the Study

Delimitations refer to those characteristics that limit the scope and define the conceptual boundaries of your research . This is determined by the conscious exclusionary and inclusionary decisions you make about how to investigate the research problem. In other words, not only should you tell the reader what it is you are studying and why, but you must also acknowledge why you rejected alternative approaches that could have been used to examine the topic.

Obviously, the first limiting step was the choice of research problem itself. However, implicit are other, related problems that could have been chosen but were rejected. These should be noted in the conclusion of your introduction. For example, a delimitating statement could read, "Although many factors can be understood to impact the likelihood young people will vote, this study will focus on socioeconomic factors related to the need to work full-time while in school." The point is not to document every possible delimiting factor, but to highlight why previously researched issues related to the topic were not addressed.

Examples of delimitating choices would be:

• The key aims and objectives of your study,
• The research questions that you address,
• The variables of interest [i.e., the various factors and features of the phenomenon being studied],
• The method(s) of investigation,
• The time period your study covers, and
• Any relevant alternative theoretical frameworks that could have been adopted.

Review each of these decisions. Not only do you clearly establish what you intend to accomplish in your research, but you should also include a declaration of what the study does not intend to cover. In the latter case, your exclusionary decisions should be based upon criteria understood as, "not interesting"; "not directly relevant"; “too problematic because..."; "not feasible," and the like. Make this reasoning explicit!

NOTE:   Delimitations refer to the initial choices made about the broader, overall design of your study and should not be confused with documenting the limitations of your study discovered after the research has been completed.

ANOTHER NOTE : Do not view delimitating statements as admitting to an inherent failing or shortcoming in your research. They are an accepted element of academic writing intended to keep the reader focused on the research problem by explicitly defining the conceptual boundaries and scope of your study. It addresses any critical questions in the reader's mind of, "Why the hell didn't the author examine this?"

III.  The Narrative Flow

Issues to keep in mind that will help the narrative flow in your introduction :

• Your introduction should clearly identify the subject area of interest . A simple strategy to follow is to use key words from your title in the first few sentences of the introduction. This will help focus the introduction on the topic at the appropriate level and ensures that you get to the subject matter quickly without losing focus, or discussing information that is too general.
• Establish context by providing a brief and balanced review of the pertinent published literature that is available on the subject. The key is to summarize for the reader what is known about the specific research problem before you did your analysis. This part of your introduction should not represent a comprehensive literature review--that comes next. It consists of a general review of the important, foundational research literature [with citations] that establishes a foundation for understanding key elements of the research problem. See the drop-down menu under this tab for " Background Information " regarding types of contexts.
• Clearly state the hypothesis that you investigated . When you are first learning to write in this format it is okay, and actually preferable, to use a past statement like, "The purpose of this study was to...." or "We investigated three possible mechanisms to explain the...."
• Why did you choose this kind of research study or design? Provide a clear statement of the rationale for your approach to the problem studied. This will usually follow your statement of purpose in the last paragraph of the introduction.

IV.  Engaging the Reader

A research problem in the social sciences can come across as dry and uninteresting to anyone unfamiliar with the topic . Therefore, one of the goals of your introduction is to make readers want to read your paper. Here are several strategies you can use to grab the reader's attention:

• Open with a compelling story . Almost all research problems in the social sciences, no matter how obscure or esoteric , are really about the lives of people. Telling a story that humanizes an issue can help illuminate the significance of the problem and help the reader empathize with those affected by the condition being studied.
• Include a strong quotation or a vivid, perhaps unexpected, anecdote . During your review of the literature, make note of any quotes or anecdotes that grab your attention because they can used in your introduction to highlight the research problem in a captivating way.
• Pose a provocative or thought-provoking question . Your research problem should be framed by a set of questions to be addressed or hypotheses to be tested. However, a provocative question can be presented in the beginning of your introduction that challenges an existing assumption or compels the reader to consider an alternative viewpoint that helps establish the significance of your study. 
• Describe a puzzling scenario or incongruity . This involves highlighting an interesting quandary concerning the research problem or describing contradictory findings from prior studies about a topic. Posing what is essentially an unresolved intellectual riddle about the problem can engage the reader's interest in the study.
• Cite a stirring example or case study that illustrates why the research problem is important . Draw upon the findings of others to demonstrate the significance of the problem and to describe how your study builds upon or offers alternatives ways of investigating this prior research.

NOTE:   It is important that you choose only one of the suggested strategies for engaging your readers. This avoids giving an impression that your paper is more flash than substance and does not distract from the substance of your study.

Freedman, Leora  and Jerry Plotnick. Introductions and Conclusions. University College Writing Centre. University of Toronto; Introduction. The Structure, Format, Content, and Style of a Journal-Style Scientific Paper. Department of Biology. Bates College; Introductions. The Writing Center. University of North Carolina; Introductions. The Writer’s Handbook. Writing Center. University of Wisconsin, Madison; Introductions, Body Paragraphs, and Conclusions for an Argument Paper. The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University; “Writing Introductions.” In Good Essay Writing: A Social Sciences Guide . Peter Redman. 4th edition. (London: Sage, 2011), pp. 63-70; Resources for Writers: Introduction Strategies. Program in Writing and Humanistic Studies. Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Sharpling, Gerald. Writing an Introduction. Centre for Applied Linguistics, University of Warwick; Samraj, B. “Introductions in Research Articles: Variations Across Disciplines.” English for Specific Purposes 21 (2002): 1–17; Swales, John and Christine B. Feak. Academic Writing for Graduate Students: Essential Skills and Tasks . 2nd edition. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press, 2004 ; Writing Your Introduction. Department of English Writing Guide. George Mason University.

Writing Tip

Avoid the "Dictionary" Introduction

Giving the dictionary definition of words related to the research problem may appear appropriate because it is important to define specific terminology that readers may be unfamiliar with. However, anyone can look a word up in the dictionary and a general dictionary is not a particularly authoritative source because it doesn't take into account the context of your topic and doesn't offer particularly detailed information. Also, placed in the context of a particular discipline, a term or concept may have a different meaning than what is found in a general dictionary. If you feel that you must seek out an authoritative definition, use a subject specific dictionary or encyclopedia [e.g., if you are a sociology student, search for dictionaries of sociology]. A good database for obtaining definitive definitions of concepts or terms is Credo Reference .

Saba, Robert. The College Research Paper. Florida International University; Introductions. The Writing Center. University of North Carolina.

Another Writing Tip

When Do I Begin?

A common question asked at the start of any paper is, "Where should I begin?" An equally important question to ask yourself is, "When do I begin?" Research problems in the social sciences rarely rest in isolation from history. Therefore, it is important to lay a foundation for understanding the historical context underpinning the research problem. However, this information should be brief and succinct and begin at a point in time that illustrates the study's overall importance. For example, a study that investigates coffee cultivation and export in West Africa as a key stimulus for local economic growth needs to describe the beginning of exporting coffee in the region and establishing why economic growth is important. You do not need to give a long historical explanation about coffee exports in Africa. If a research problem requires a substantial exploration of the historical context, do this in the literature review section. In your introduction, make note of this as part of the "roadmap" [see below] that you use to describe the organization of your paper.

Introductions. The Writing Center. University of North Carolina; “Writing Introductions.” In Good Essay Writing: A Social Sciences Guide . Peter Redman. 4th edition. (London: Sage, 2011), pp. 63-70.

Yet Another Writing Tip

Always End with a Roadmap

The final paragraph or sentences of your introduction should forecast your main arguments and conclusions and provide a brief description of the rest of the paper [the "roadmap"] that let's the reader know where you are going and what to expect. A roadmap is important because it helps the reader place the research problem within the context of their own perspectives about the topic. In addition, concluding your introduction with an explicit roadmap tells the reader that you have a clear understanding of the structural purpose of your paper. In this way, the roadmap acts as a type of promise to yourself and to your readers that you will follow a consistent and coherent approach to addressing the topic of inquiry. Refer to it often to help keep your writing focused and organized.

Cassuto, Leonard. “On the Dissertation: How to Write the Introduction.” The Chronicle of Higher Education , May 28, 2018; Radich, Michael. A Student's Guide to Writing in East Asian Studies . (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Writing n. d.), pp. 35-37.

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Home » Research Paper Conclusion – Writing Guide and Examples

Research Paper Conclusion – Writing Guide and Examples

Table of Contents

Research Paper Conclusion

Definition:

A research paper conclusion is the final section of a research paper that summarizes the key findings, significance, and implications of the research. It is the writer’s opportunity to synthesize the information presented in the paper, draw conclusions, and make recommendations for future research or actions.

The conclusion should provide a clear and concise summary of the research paper, reiterating the research question or problem, the main results, and the significance of the findings. It should also discuss the limitations of the study and suggest areas for further research.

Parts of Research Paper Conclusion

The parts of a research paper conclusion typically include:

Restatement of the Thesis

The conclusion should begin by restating the thesis statement from the introduction in a different way. This helps to remind the reader of the main argument or purpose of the research.

Summary of Key Findings

The conclusion should summarize the main findings of the research, highlighting the most important results and conclusions. This section should be brief and to the point.

Implications and Significance

In this section, the researcher should explain the implications and significance of the research findings. This may include discussing the potential impact on the field or industry, highlighting new insights or knowledge gained, or pointing out areas for future research.

Limitations and Recommendations

It is important to acknowledge any limitations or weaknesses of the research and to make recommendations for how these could be addressed in future studies. This shows that the researcher is aware of the potential limitations of their work and is committed to improving the quality of research in their field.

Concluding Statement

The conclusion should end with a strong concluding statement that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. This could be a call to action, a recommendation for further research, or a final thought on the topic.

How to Write Research Paper Conclusion

Here are some steps you can follow to write an effective research paper conclusion:

• Restate the research problem or question: Begin by restating the research problem or question that you aimed to answer in your research. This will remind the reader of the purpose of your study.
• Summarize the main points: Summarize the key findings and results of your research. This can be done by highlighting the most important aspects of your research and the evidence that supports them.
• Discuss the implications: Discuss the implications of your findings for the research area and any potential applications of your research. You should also mention any limitations of your research that may affect the interpretation of your findings.
• Provide a conclusion : Provide a concise conclusion that summarizes the main points of your paper and emphasizes the significance of your research. This should be a strong and clear statement that leaves a lasting impression on the reader.
• Offer suggestions for future research: Lastly, offer suggestions for future research that could build on your findings and contribute to further advancements in the field.

Remember that the conclusion should be brief and to the point, while still effectively summarizing the key findings and implications of your research.

Example of Research Paper Conclusion

Here’s an example of a research paper conclusion:

Conclusion :

In conclusion, our study aimed to investigate the relationship between social media use and mental health among college students. Our findings suggest that there is a significant association between social media use and increased levels of anxiety and depression among college students. This highlights the need for increased awareness and education about the potential negative effects of social media use on mental health, particularly among college students.

Despite the limitations of our study, such as the small sample size and self-reported data, our findings have important implications for future research and practice. Future studies should aim to replicate our findings in larger, more diverse samples, and investigate the potential mechanisms underlying the association between social media use and mental health. In addition, interventions should be developed to promote healthy social media use among college students, such as mindfulness-based approaches and social media detox programs.

Overall, our study contributes to the growing body of research on the impact of social media on mental health, and highlights the importance of addressing this issue in the context of higher education. By raising awareness and promoting healthy social media use among college students, we can help to reduce the negative impact of social media on mental health and improve the well-being of young adults.

Purpose of Research Paper Conclusion

The purpose of a research paper conclusion is to provide a summary and synthesis of the key findings, significance, and implications of the research presented in the paper. The conclusion serves as the final opportunity for the writer to convey their message and leave a lasting impression on the reader.

The conclusion should restate the research problem or question, summarize the main results of the research, and explain their significance. It should also acknowledge the limitations of the study and suggest areas for future research or action.

Overall, the purpose of the conclusion is to provide a sense of closure to the research paper and to emphasize the importance of the research and its potential impact. It should leave the reader with a clear understanding of the main findings and why they matter. The conclusion serves as the writer’s opportunity to showcase their contribution to the field and to inspire further research and action.

When to Write Research Paper Conclusion

The conclusion of a research paper should be written after the body of the paper has been completed. It should not be written until the writer has thoroughly analyzed and interpreted their findings and has written a complete and cohesive discussion of the research.

Before writing the conclusion, the writer should review their research paper and consider the key points that they want to convey to the reader. They should also review the research question, hypotheses, and methodology to ensure that they have addressed all of the necessary components of the research.

Once the writer has a clear understanding of the main findings and their significance, they can begin writing the conclusion. The conclusion should be written in a clear and concise manner, and should reiterate the main points of the research while also providing insights and recommendations for future research or action.

Characteristics of Research Paper Conclusion

The characteristics of a research paper conclusion include:

• Clear and concise: The conclusion should be written in a clear and concise manner, summarizing the key findings and their significance.
• Comprehensive: The conclusion should address all of the main points of the research paper, including the research question or problem, the methodology, the main results, and their implications.
• Future-oriented : The conclusion should provide insights and recommendations for future research or action, based on the findings of the research.
• Impressive : The conclusion should leave a lasting impression on the reader, emphasizing the importance of the research and its potential impact.
• Objective : The conclusion should be based on the evidence presented in the research paper, and should avoid personal biases or opinions.
• Unique : The conclusion should be unique to the research paper and should not simply repeat information from the introduction or body of the paper.

Advantages of Research Paper Conclusion

The advantages of a research paper conclusion include:

• Summarizing the key findings : The conclusion provides a summary of the main findings of the research, making it easier for the reader to understand the key points of the study.
• Emphasizing the significance of the research: The conclusion emphasizes the importance of the research and its potential impact, making it more likely that readers will take the research seriously and consider its implications.
• Providing recommendations for future research or action : The conclusion suggests practical recommendations for future research or action, based on the findings of the study.
• Providing closure to the research paper : The conclusion provides a sense of closure to the research paper, tying together the different sections of the paper and leaving a lasting impression on the reader.
• Demonstrating the writer’s contribution to the field : The conclusion provides the writer with an opportunity to showcase their contribution to the field and to inspire further research and action.

Limitations of Research Paper Conclusion

While the conclusion of a research paper has many advantages, it also has some limitations that should be considered, including:

• I nability to address all aspects of the research: Due to the limited space available in the conclusion, it may not be possible to address all aspects of the research in detail.
• Subjectivity : While the conclusion should be objective, it may be influenced by the writer’s personal biases or opinions.
• Lack of new information: The conclusion should not introduce new information that has not been discussed in the body of the research paper.
• Lack of generalizability: The conclusions drawn from the research may not be applicable to other contexts or populations, limiting the generalizability of the study.
• Misinterpretation by the reader: The reader may misinterpret the conclusions drawn from the research, leading to a misunderstanding of the findings.

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In a short paper—even a research paper—you don’t need to provide an exhaustive summary as part of your conclusion. But you do need to make some kind of transition between your final body paragraph and your concluding paragraph. This may come in the form of a few sentences of summary. Or it may come in the form of a sentence that brings your readers back to your thesis or main idea and reminds your readers where you began and how far you have traveled.

So, for example, in a paper about the relationship between ADHD and rejection sensitivity, Vanessa Roser begins by introducing readers to the fact that researchers have studied the relationship between the two conditions and then provides her explanation of that relationship. Here’s her thesis: “While socialization may indeed be an important factor in RS, I argue that individuals with ADHD may also possess a neurological predisposition to RS that is exacerbated by the differing executive and emotional regulation characteristic of ADHD.”

In her final paragraph, Roser reminds us of where she started by echoing her thesis: “This literature demonstrates that, as with many other conditions, ADHD and RS share a delicately intertwined pattern of neurological similarities that is rooted in the innate biology of an individual’s mind, a connection that cannot be explained in full by the behavioral mediation hypothesis.”  

Highlight the “so what”  

At the beginning of your paper, you explain to your readers what’s at stake—why they should care about the argument you’re making. In your conclusion, you can bring readers back to those stakes by reminding them why your argument is important in the first place. You can also draft a few sentences that put those stakes into a new or broader context.

In the conclusion to her paper about ADHD and RS, Roser echoes the stakes she established in her introduction—that research into connections between ADHD and RS has led to contradictory results, raising questions about the “behavioral mediation hypothesis.”

She writes, “as with many other conditions, ADHD and RS share a delicately intertwined pattern of neurological similarities that is rooted in the innate biology of an individual’s mind, a connection that cannot be explained in full by the behavioral mediation hypothesis.”  

Leave your readers with the “now what”  

After the “what” and the “so what,” you should leave your reader with some final thoughts. If you have written a strong introduction, your readers will know why you have been arguing what you have been arguing—and why they should care. And if you’ve made a good case for your thesis, then your readers should be in a position to see things in a new way, understand new questions, or be ready for something that they weren’t ready for before they read your paper.

In her conclusion, Roser offers two “now what” statements. First, she explains that it is important to recognize that the flawed behavioral mediation hypothesis “seems to place a degree of fault on the individual. It implies that individuals with ADHD must have elicited such frequent or intense rejection by virtue of their inadequate social skills, erasing the possibility that they may simply possess a natural sensitivity to emotion.” She then highlights the broader implications for treatment of people with ADHD, noting that recognizing the actual connection between rejection sensitivity and ADHD “has profound implications for understanding how individuals with ADHD might best be treated in educational settings, by counselors, family, peers, or even society as a whole.”

To find your own “now what” for your essay’s conclusion, try asking yourself these questions:

• What can my readers now understand, see in a new light, or grapple with that they would not have understood in the same way before reading my paper? Are we a step closer to understanding a larger phenomenon or to understanding why what was at stake is so important?  
• What questions can I now raise that would not have made sense at the beginning of my paper? Questions for further research? Other ways that this topic could be approached?  
• Are there other applications for my research? Could my questions be asked about different data in a different context? Could I use my methods to answer a different question?  
• What action should be taken in light of this argument? What action do I predict will be taken or could lead to a solution?  
• What larger context might my argument be a part of?  

What to avoid in your conclusion  

• a complete restatement of all that you have said in your paper.  
• a substantial counterargument that you do not have space to refute; you should introduce counterarguments before your conclusion.  
• an apology for what you have not said. If you need to explain the scope of your paper, you should do this sooner—but don’t apologize for what you have not discussed in your paper.  
• fake transitions like “in conclusion” that are followed by sentences that aren’t actually conclusions. (“In conclusion, I have now demonstrated that my thesis is correct.”)
• picture_as_pdf Conclusions

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How to Write a Research Paper Introduction (with Examples)

The research paper introduction section, along with the Title and Abstract, can be considered the face of any research paper. The following article is intended to guide you in organizing and writing the research paper introduction for a quality academic article or dissertation.

The research paper introduction aims to present the topic to the reader. A study will only be accepted for publishing if you can ascertain that the available literature cannot answer your research question. So it is important to ensure that you have read important studies on that particular topic, especially those within the last five to ten years, and that they are properly referenced in this section. 1 What should be included in the research paper introduction is decided by what you want to tell readers about the reason behind the research and how you plan to fill the knowledge gap. The best research paper introduction provides a systemic review of existing work and demonstrates additional work that needs to be done. It needs to be brief, captivating, and well-referenced; a well-drafted research paper introduction will help the researcher win half the battle.

The introduction for a research paper is where you set up your topic and approach for the reader. It has several key goals:

• Present your research topic
• Capture reader interest
• Summarize existing research
• Position your own approach
• Define your specific research problem and problem statement
• Highlight the novelty and contributions of the study
• Give an overview of the paper’s structure

The research paper introduction can vary in size and structure depending on whether your paper presents the results of original empirical research or is a review paper. Some research paper introduction examples are only half a page while others are a few pages long. In many cases, the introduction will be shorter than all of the other sections of your paper; its length depends on the size of your paper as a whole.

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Table of Contents

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The introduction in a research paper is placed at the beginning to guide the reader from a broad subject area to the specific topic that your research addresses. They present the following information to the reader

• Scope: The topic covered in the research paper
• Context: Background of your topic
• Importance: Why your research matters in that particular area of research and the industry problem that can be targeted

The research paper introduction conveys a lot of information and can be considered an essential roadmap for the rest of your paper. A good introduction for a research paper is important for the following reasons:

• It stimulates your reader’s interest: A good introduction section can make your readers want to read your paper by capturing their interest. It informs the reader what they are going to learn and helps determine if the topic is of interest to them.
• It helps the reader understand the research background: Without a clear introduction, your readers may feel confused and even struggle when reading your paper. A good research paper introduction will prepare them for the in-depth research to come. It provides you the opportunity to engage with the readers and demonstrate your knowledge and authority on the specific topic.
• It explains why your research paper is worth reading: Your introduction can convey a lot of information to your readers. It introduces the topic, why the topic is important, and how you plan to proceed with your research.
• It helps guide the reader through the rest of the paper: The research paper introduction gives the reader a sense of the nature of the information that will support your arguments and the general organization of the paragraphs that will follow. It offers an overview of what to expect when reading the main body of your paper.

What are the parts of introduction in the research?

A good research paper introduction section should comprise three main elements: 2

• What is known: This sets the stage for your research. It informs the readers of what is known on the subject.
• What is lacking: This is aimed at justifying the reason for carrying out your research. This could involve investigating a new concept or method or building upon previous research.
• What you aim to do: This part briefly states the objectives of your research and its major contributions. Your detailed hypothesis will also form a part of this section.

How to write a research paper introduction?

The first step in writing the research paper introduction is to inform the reader what your topic is and why it’s interesting or important. This is generally accomplished with a strong opening statement. The second step involves establishing the kinds of research that have been done and ending with limitations or gaps in the research that you intend to address. Finally, the research paper introduction clarifies how your own research fits in and what problem it addresses. If your research involved testing hypotheses, these should be stated along with your research question. The hypothesis should be presented in the past tense since it will have been tested by the time you are writing the research paper introduction.

The following key points, with examples, can guide you when writing the research paper introduction section:

• Highlight the importance of the research field or topic
• Describe the background of the topic
• Present an overview of current research on the topic

Example: The inclusion of experiential and competency-based learning has benefitted electronics engineering education. Industry partnerships provide an excellent alternative for students wanting to engage in solving real-world challenges. Industry-academia participation has grown in recent years due to the need for skilled engineers with practical training and specialized expertise. However, from the educational perspective, many activities are needed to incorporate sustainable development goals into the university curricula and consolidate learning innovation in universities.

• Reveal a gap in existing research or oppose an existing assumption
• Formulate the research question

Example: There have been plausible efforts to integrate educational activities in higher education electronics engineering programs. However, very few studies have considered using educational research methods for performance evaluation of competency-based higher engineering education, with a focus on technical and or transversal skills. To remedy the current need for evaluating competencies in STEM fields and providing sustainable development goals in engineering education, in this study, a comparison was drawn between study groups without and with industry partners.

• State the purpose of your study
• Highlight the key characteristics of your study
• Describe important results
• Highlight the novelty of the study.
• Offer a brief overview of the structure of the paper.

Example: The study evaluates the main competency needed in the applied electronics course, which is a fundamental core subject for many electronics engineering undergraduate programs. We compared two groups, without and with an industrial partner, that offered real-world projects to solve during the semester. This comparison can help determine significant differences in both groups in terms of developing subject competency and achieving sustainable development goals.

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You can use the same process to develop each section of your article, and finally your research paper in half the time and without any of the stress.

The purpose of the research paper introduction is to introduce the reader to the problem definition, justify the need for the study, and describe the main theme of the study. The aim is to gain the reader’s attention by providing them with necessary background information and establishing the main purpose and direction of the research.

The length of the research paper introduction can vary across journals and disciplines. While there are no strict word limits for writing the research paper introduction, an ideal length would be one page, with a maximum of 400 words over 1-4 paragraphs. Generally, it is one of the shorter sections of the paper as the reader is assumed to have at least a reasonable knowledge about the topic. 2 For example, for a study evaluating the role of building design in ensuring fire safety, there is no need to discuss definitions and nature of fire in the introduction; you could start by commenting upon the existing practices for fire safety and how your study will add to the existing knowledge and practice.

When deciding what to include in the research paper introduction, the rest of the paper should also be considered. The aim is to introduce the reader smoothly to the topic and facilitate an easy read without much dependency on external sources. 3 Below is a list of elements you can include to prepare a research paper introduction outline and follow it when you are writing the research paper introduction. Topic introduction: This can include key definitions and a brief history of the topic. Research context and background: Offer the readers some general information and then narrow it down to specific aspects. Details of the research you conducted: A brief literature review can be included to support your arguments or line of thought. Rationale for the study: This establishes the relevance of your study and establishes its importance. Importance of your research: The main contributions are highlighted to help establish the novelty of your study Research hypothesis: Introduce your research question and propose an expected outcome. Organization of the paper: Include a short paragraph of 3-4 sentences that highlights your plan for the entire paper

Cite only works that are most relevant to your topic; as a general rule, you can include one to three. Note that readers want to see evidence of original thinking. So it is better to avoid using too many references as it does not leave much room for your personal standpoint to shine through. Citations in your research paper introduction support the key points, and the number of citations depend on the subject matter and the point discussed. If the research paper introduction is too long or overflowing with citations, it is better to cite a few review articles rather than the individual articles summarized in the review. A good point to remember when citing research papers in the introduction section is to include at least one-third of the references in the introduction.

The literature review plays a significant role in the research paper introduction section. A good literature review accomplishes the following: Introduces the topic – Establishes the study’s significance – Provides an overview of the relevant literature – Provides context for the study using literature – Identifies knowledge gaps However, remember to avoid making the following mistakes when writing a research paper introduction: Do not use studies from the literature review to aggressively support your research Avoid direct quoting Do not allow literature review to be the focus of this section. Instead, the literature review should only aid in setting a foundation for the manuscript.

Remember the following key points for writing a good research paper introduction: 4

• Avoid stuffing too much general information: Avoid including what an average reader would know and include only that information related to the problem being addressed in the research paper introduction. For example, when describing a comparative study of non-traditional methods for mechanical design optimization, information related to the traditional methods and differences between traditional and non-traditional methods would not be relevant. In this case, the introduction for the research paper should begin with the state-of-the-art non-traditional methods and methods to evaluate the efficiency of newly developed algorithms.
• Avoid packing too many references: Cite only the required works in your research paper introduction. The other works can be included in the discussion section to strengthen your findings.
• Avoid extensive criticism of previous studies: Avoid being overly critical of earlier studies while setting the rationale for your study. A better place for this would be the Discussion section, where you can highlight the advantages of your method.
• Avoid describing conclusions of the study: When writing a research paper introduction remember not to include the findings of your study. The aim is to let the readers know what question is being answered. The actual answer should only be given in the Results and Discussion section.

To summarize, the research paper introduction section should be brief yet informative. It should convince the reader the need to conduct the study and motivate him to read further. If you’re feeling stuck or unsure, choose trusted AI academic writing assistants like Paperpal to effortlessly craft your research paper introduction and other sections of your research article.

1. Jawaid, S. A., & Jawaid, M. (2019). How to write introduction and discussion. Saudi Journal of Anaesthesia, 13(Suppl 1), S18.

2. Dewan, P., & Gupta, P. (2016). Writing the title, abstract and introduction: Looks matter!. Indian pediatrics, 53, 235-241.

3. Cetin, S., & Hackam, D. J. (2005). An approach to the writing of a scientific Manuscript1. Journal of Surgical Research, 128(2), 165-167.

4. Bavdekar, S. B. (2015). Writing introduction: Laying the foundations of a research paper. Journal of the Association of Physicians of India, 63(7), 44-6.

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How to Write a Conclusion for a Research Paper

Last Updated: June 29, 2023 Approved

This article was co-authored by Christopher Taylor, PhD . Christopher Taylor is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Austin Community College in Texas. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 42 testimonials and 82% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 2,258,241 times.

The conclusion of a research paper needs to summarize the content and purpose of the paper without seeming too wooden or dry. Every basic conclusion must share several key elements, but there are also several tactics you can play around with to craft a more effective conclusion and several you should avoid to prevent yourself from weakening your paper's conclusion. Here are some writing tips to keep in mind when creating a conclusion for your next research paper.

Sample Conclusions

Writing a basic conclusion.

• Do not spend a great amount of time or space restating your topic.
• A good research paper will make the importance of your topic apparent, so you do not need to write an elaborate defense of your topic in the conclusion.
• Usually a single sentence is all you need to restate your topic.
• An example would be if you were writing a paper on the epidemiology of infectious disease, you might say something like "Tuberculosis is a widespread infectious disease that affects millions of people worldwide every year."
• Yet another example from the humanities would be a paper about the Italian Renaissance: "The Italian Renaissance was an explosion of art and ideas centered around artists, writers, and thinkers in Florence."

• A thesis is a narrowed, focused view on the topic at hand.
• This statement should be rephrased from the thesis you included in your introduction. It should not be identical or too similar to the sentence you originally used.
• Try re-wording your thesis statement in a way that complements your summary of the topic of your paper in your first sentence of your conclusion.
• An example of a good thesis statement, going back to the paper on tuberculosis, would be "Tuberculosis is a widespread disease that affects millions of people worldwide every year. Due to the alarming rate of the spread of tuberculosis, particularly in poor countries, medical professionals are implementing new strategies for the diagnosis, treatment, and containment of this disease ."

• A good way to go about this is to re-read the topic sentence of each major paragraph or section in the body of your paper.
• Find a way to briefly restate each point mentioned in each topic sentence in your conclusion. Do not repeat any of the supporting details used within your body paragraphs.
• Under most circumstances, you should avoid writing new information in your conclusion. This is especially true if the information is vital to the argument or research presented in your paper.
• For example, in the TB paper you could summarize the information. "Tuberculosis is a widespread disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Due to the alarming rate of the spread of tuberculosis, particularly in poor countries, medical professionals are implementing new strategies for the diagnosis, treatment, and containment of this disease. In developing countries, such as those in Africa and Southeast Asia, the rate of TB infections is soaring. Crowded conditions, poor sanitation, and lack of access to medical care are all compounding factors in the spread of the disease. Medical experts, such as those from the World Health Organization are now starting campaigns to go into communities in developing countries and provide diagnostic testing and treatments. However, the treatments for TB are very harsh and have many side effects. This leads to patient non-compliance and spread of multi-drug resistant strains of the disease."

• Note that this is not needed for all research papers.
• If you already fully explained what the points in your paper mean or why they are significant, you do not need to go into them in much detail in your conclusion. Simply restating your thesis or the significance of your topic should suffice.
• It is always best practice to address important issues and fully explain your points in the body of your paper. The point of a conclusion to a research paper is to summarize your argument for the reader and, perhaps, to call the reader to action if needed.

• Note that a call for action is not essential to all conclusions. A research paper on literary criticism, for instance, is less likely to need a call for action than a paper on the effect that television has on toddlers and young children.
• A paper that is more likely to call readers to action is one that addresses a public or scientific need. Let's go back to our example of tuberculosis. This is a very serious disease that is spreading quickly and with antibiotic-resistant forms.
• A call to action in this research paper would be a follow-up statement that might be along the lines of "Despite new efforts to diagnose and contain the disease, more research is needed to develop new antibiotics that will treat the most resistant strains of tuberculosis and ease the side effects of current treatments."

• For example, if you are writing a history paper, then you might discuss how the historical topic you discussed matters today. If you are writing about a foreign country, then you might use the conclusion to discuss how the information you shared may help readers understand their own country.

Making Your Conclusion as Effective as Possible

• Since this sort of conclusion is so basic, you must aim to synthesize the information rather than merely summarizing it.
• Instead of merely repeating things you already said, rephrase your thesis and supporting points in a way that ties them all together.
• By doing so, you make your research paper seem like a "complete thought" rather than a collection of random and vaguely related ideas.

• Ask a question in your introduction. In your conclusion, restate the question and provide a direct answer.
• Write an anecdote or story in your introduction but do not share the ending. Instead, write the conclusion to the anecdote in the conclusion of your paper.
• For example, if you wanted to get more creative and put a more humanistic spin on a paper on tuberculosis, you might start your introduction with a story about a person with the disease, and refer to that story in your conclusion. For example, you could say something like this before you re-state your thesis in your conclusion: "Patient X was unable to complete the treatment for tuberculosis due to severe side effects and unfortunately succumbed to the disease."
• Use the same concepts and images introduced in your introduction in your conclusion. The images may or may not appear at other points throughout the research paper.

• Include enough information about your topic to back the statement up but do not get too carried away with excess detail.
• If your research did not provide you with a clear-cut answer to a question posed in your thesis, do not be afraid to indicate as much.
• Restate your initial hypothesis and indicate whether you still believe it or if the research you performed has begun swaying your opinion.
• Indicate that an answer may still exist and that further research could shed more light on the topic at hand.

• This may not be appropriate for all types of research papers. Most research papers, such as one on effective treatment for diseases, will have the information to make the case for a particular argument already in the paper.
• A good example of a paper that might ask a question of the reader in the ending is one about a social issue, such as poverty or government policy.
• Ask a question that will directly get at the heart or purpose of the paper. This question is often the same question, or some version of it, that you may have started with when you began your research.
• Make sure that the question can be answered by the evidence presented in your paper.
• If desired you can briefly summarize the answer after stating the question. You could also leave the question hanging for the reader to answer, though.

• Even without a call to action, you can still make a recommendation to your reader.
• For instance, if you are writing about a topic like third-world poverty, you can various ways for the reader to assist in the problem without necessarily calling for more research.
• Another example would be, in a paper about treatment for drug-resistant tuberculosis, you could suggest donating to the World Health Organization or research foundations that are developing new treatments for the disease.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

• These sayings usually sound stiff, unnatural, or trite when used in writing.
• Moreover, using a phrase like "in conclusion" to begin your conclusion is a little too straightforward and tends to lead to a weak conclusion. A strong conclusion can stand on its own without being labeled as such.

• Always state the main argument or thesis in the introduction. A research paper is an analytical discussion of an academic topic, not a mystery novel.
• A good, effective research paper will allow your reader to follow your main argument from start to finish.
• This is why it is best practice to start your paper with an introduction that states your main argument and to end the paper with a conclusion that re-states your thesis for re-iteration.

• All significant information should be introduced in the body of the paper.
• Supporting evidence expands the topic of your paper by making it appear more detailed. A conclusion should narrow the topic to a more general point.
• A conclusion should only summarize what you have already stated in the body of your paper.
• You may suggest further research or a call to action, but you should not bring in any new evidence or facts in the conclusion.

• Most often, a shift in tone occurs when a research paper with an academic tone gives an emotional or sentimental conclusion.
• Even if the topic of the paper is of personal significance for you, you should not indicate as much in your paper.
• If you want to give your paper a more humanistic slant, you could start and end your paper with a story or anecdote that would give your topic more personal meaning to the reader.
• This tone should be consistent throughout the paper, however.

• Apologetic statements include phrases like "I may not be an expert" or "This is only my opinion."
• Statements like this can usually be avoided by refraining from writing in the first-person.
• Avoid any statements in the first-person. First-person is generally considered to be informal and does not fit with the formal tone of a research paper.

Community Q&A

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• ↑ http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/724/04/
• ↑ http://www.crlsresearchguide.org/18_Writing_Conclusion.asp
• ↑ http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/PlanResearchPaper.html#conclusion
• ↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/conclusions/
• ↑ http://writing2.richmond.edu/writing/wweb/conclude.html

About This Article

To write a conclusion for a research paper, start by restating your thesis statement to remind your readers what your main topic is and bring everything full circle. Then, briefly summarize all of the main points you made throughout your paper, which will help remind your readers of everything they learned. You might also want to include a call to action if you think more research or work needs to be done on your topic by writing something like, "Despite efforts to contain the disease, more research is needed to develop antibiotics." Finally, end your conclusion by explaining the broader context of your topic and why your readers should care about it, which will help them understand why your topic is relevant and important. For tips from our Academic co-author, like how to avoid common pitfalls when writing your conclusion, scroll down! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Writing a Paper: Conclusions

Writing a conclusion.

A conclusion is an important part of the paper; it provides closure for the reader while reminding the reader of the contents and importance of the paper. It accomplishes this by stepping back from the specifics in order to view the bigger picture of the document. In other words, it is reminding the reader of the main argument. For most course papers, it is usually one paragraph that simply and succinctly restates the main ideas and arguments, pulling everything together to help clarify the thesis of the paper. A conclusion does not introduce new ideas; instead, it should clarify the intent and importance of the paper. It can also suggest possible future research on the topic.

An Easy Checklist for Writing a Conclusion

It is important to remind the reader of the thesis of the paper so he is reminded of the argument and solutions you proposed.

Think of the main points as puzzle pieces, and the conclusion is where they all fit together to create a bigger picture. The reader should walk away with the bigger picture in mind.

Make sure that the paper places its findings in the context of real social change.

Make sure the reader has a distinct sense that the paper has come to an end. It is important to not leave the reader hanging. (You don’t want her to have flip-the-page syndrome, where the reader turns the page, expecting the paper to continue. The paper should naturally come to an end.)

No new ideas should be introduced in the conclusion. It is simply a review of the material that is already present in the paper. The only new idea would be the suggesting of a direction for future research.

Conclusion Example

As addressed in my analysis of recent research, the advantages of a later starting time for high school students significantly outweigh the disadvantages. A later starting time would allow teens more time to sleep--something that is important for their physical and mental health--and ultimately improve their academic performance and behavior. The added transportation costs that result from this change can be absorbed through energy savings. The beneficial effects on the students’ academic performance and behavior validate this decision, but its effect on student motivation is still unknown. I would encourage an in-depth look at the reactions of students to such a change. This sort of study would help determine the actual effects of a later start time on the time management and sleep habits of students.

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Guide to Writing Introductions and Conclusions

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First and last impressions are important in any part of life, especially in writing. This is why the introduction and conclusion of any paper – whether it be a simple essay or a long research paper – are essential. Introductions and conclusions are just as important as the body of your paper. The introduction is what makes the reader want to continue reading your paper. The conclusion is what makes your paper stick in the reader’s mind.

Introductions

Your introductory paragraph should include:

1) Hook:  Description, illustration, narration or dialogue that pulls the reader into your paper topic. This should be interesting and specific.

2) Transition: Sentence that connects the hook with the thesis.

3) Thesis: Sentence (or two) that summarizes the overall main point of the paper. The thesis should answer the prompt question.

The examples below show are several ways to write a good introduction or opening to your paper. One example shows you how to paraphrase in your introduction. This will help you understand the idea of writing sequences using a hook, transition, and thesis statement.

» Thesis Statement Opening

This is the traditional style of opening a paper. This is a “mini-summary” of your paper.

For example:

» Opening with a Story (Anecdote)

A good way of catching your reader’s attention is by sharing a story that sets up your paper. Sharing a story gives a paper a more personal feel and helps make your reader comfortable.

This example was borrowed from Jack Gannon’s The Week the World Heard Gallaudet (1989):

Astrid Goodstein, a Gallaudet faculty member, entered the beauty salon for her regular appointment, proudly wearing her DPN button. (“I was married to that button that week!” she later confided.) When Sandy, her regular hairdresser, saw the button, he spoke and gestured, “Never! Never! Never!” Offended, Astrid turned around and headed for the door but stopped short of leaving. She decided to keep her appointment, confessing later that at that moment, her sense of principles had lost out to her vanity. Later she realized that her hairdresser had thought she was pushing for a deaf U.S. President. Hook: a specific example or story that interests the reader and introduces the topic.

Transition: connects the hook to the thesis statement

Thesis: summarizes the overall claim of the paper

» Specific Detail Opening

Giving specific details about your subject appeals to your reader’s curiosity and helps establish a visual picture of what your paper is about.

» Open with a Quotation

Another method of writing an introduction is to open with a quotation. This method makes your introduction more interactive and more appealing to your reader.

» Open with an Interesting Statistic

Statistics that grab the reader help to make an effective introduction.

» Question Openings

Possibly the easiest opening is one that presents one or more questions to be answered in the paper. This is effective because questions are usually what the reader has in mind when he or she sees your topic.

Source : *Writing an Introduction for a More Formal Essay. (2012). Retrieved April 25, 2012, from http://flightline.highline.edu/wswyt/Writing91/handouts/hook_trans_thesis.htm

Conclusions

The conclusion to any paper is the final impression that can be made. It is the last opportunity to get your point across to the reader and leave the reader feeling as if they learned something. Leaving a paper “dangling” without a proper conclusion can seriously devalue what was said in the body itself. Here are a few effective ways to conclude or close your paper. » Summary Closing Many times conclusions are simple re-statements of the thesis. Many times these conclusions are much like their introductions (see Thesis Statement Opening).

» Close with a Logical Conclusion

This is a good closing for argumentative or opinion papers that present two or more sides of an issue. The conclusion drawn as a result of the research is presented here in the final paragraphs.

» Real or Rhetorical Question Closings

This method of concluding a paper is one step short of giving a logical conclusion. Rather than handing the conclusion over, you can leave the reader with a question that causes him or her to draw his own conclusions.

» Close with a Speculation or Opinion This is a good style for instances when the writer was unable to come up with an answer or a clear decision about whatever it was he or she was researching. For example:

» Close with a Recommendation

A good conclusion is when the writer suggests that the reader do something in the way of support for a cause or a plea for them to take action.

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• Writing Home
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Introductions and Conclusions

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Introductions and conclusions play a special role in the academic essay, and they frequently demand much of your attention as a writer. A good introduction should identify your topic, provide essential context, and indicate your particular focus in the essay. It also needs to engage your readers’ interest. A strong conclusion will provide a sense of closure to the essay while again placing your concepts in a somewhat wider context. It will also, in some instances, add a stimulus to further thought. Since no two essays are the same, no single formula will automatically generate an introduction and conclusion for you. But the following guidelines will help you to construct a suitable beginning and end for your essay.

Some general advice about introductions

• Some students cannot begin writing the body of the essay until they feel they have the perfect introduction. Be aware of the dangers of sinking too much time into the introduction. Some of that time can be more usefully channeled into planning and writing.
• You may be the kind of writer who writes an introduction first in order to explore your own thinking on the topic. If so, remember that you may at a later stage need to compress your introduction.
• It can be fine to leave the writing of the introduction for a later stage in the essay-writing process. Some people write their introduction only after they have completed the rest of the essay. Others write the introduction first but rewrite it significantly in light of what they end up saying in the body of their paper.
• The introductions for most papers can be effectively written in one paragraph occupying half to three-quarters of the first page. Your introduction may be longer than that, and it may take more than one paragraph, but be sure you know why. The size of your introduction should bear some relationship to the length and complexity of your paper. A twenty page paper may call for a two-page introduction, but a five-page paper will not.
• Get to the point as soon as possible. Generally, you want to raise your topic in your very first sentences. A common error is to begin too broadly or too far off topic. Avoid sweeping generalizations.
• If your essay has a thesis, your thesis statement will typically appear at the end of your introduction, even though that is not a hard-and-fast rule. You may, for example, follow your thesis with a brief road map to your essay that sketches the basic structure of your argument. The longer the paper, the more useful a road map becomes.

How do I write an interesting, effective introduction?

Consider these strategies for capturing your readers’ attention and for fleshing out your introduction:

• Find a startling statistic that illustrates the seriousness of the problem you will address.
• Quote an expert (but be sure to introduce him or her first).
• Mention a common misperception that your thesis will argue against .
• Give some background information necessary for understanding the essay.
• Use a brief narrative or anecdote that exemplifies your reason for choosing the topic. In an assignment that encourages personal reflection, you may draw on your own experiences; in a research essay, the narrative may illustrate a common real-world scenario.
• In a science paper, explain key scientific concepts and refer to relevant literature. Lead up to your own contribution or intervention.
• In a more technical paper, define a term that is possibly unfamiliar to your audience but is central to understanding the essay.

In fleshing out your introduction, you will want to avoid some common pitfalls:

• Don’t provide dictionary definitions, especially of words your audience already knows.
• Don’t repeat the assignment specifications using the professor’s wording.
• Don’t give details and in-depth explanations that really belong in your body paragraphs. You can usually postpone background material to the body of the essay.

Some general advice about conclusions

• A conclusion is not merely a summary of your points or a re-statement of your thesis. If you wish to summarize—and often you must—do so in fresh language. Remind the reader of how the evidence you’ve presented has contributed to your thesis.
• The conclusion, like much of the rest of the paper, involves critical thinking. Reflect upon the significance of what you’ve written. Try to convey some closing thoughts about the larger implications of your argument.
• Broaden your focus a bit at the end of the essay. A good last sentence leaves your reader with something to think about, a concept in some way illuminated by what you’ve written in the paper.
• For most essays, one well-developed paragraph is sufficient for a conclusion. In some cases, a two-or-three paragraph conclusion may be appropriate. As with introductions, the length of the conclusion should reflect the length of the essay.

How do I write an interesting, effective conclusion?

The following strategies may help you move beyond merely summarizing the key points of your essay:

• If your essay deals with a contemporary problem, warn readers of the possible consequences of not attending to the problem.
• Recommend a specific course of action.
• Use an apt quotation or expert opinion to lend authority to the conclusion you have reached.
• Give a startling statistic, fact, or visual image to drive home the ultimate point of your paper.
• If your discipline encourages personal reflection, illustrate your concluding point with a relevant narrative drawn from your own life experiences.
• Return to an anecdote, example, or quotation that you introduced in your introduction, but add further insight that derives from the body of your essay.
• In a science or social science paper, mention worthwhile avenues for future research on your topic.

How does genre affect my introduction or conclusion?

Most of the advice in this handout pertains to argumentative or exploratory academic essays. Be aware, however, that different genres have their own special expectations about beginnings and endings. Some academic genres may not even require an introduction or conclusion. An annotated bibliography, for example, typically provides neither. A book review may begin with a summary of the book and conclude with an overall assessment of it. A policy briefing usually includes an introduction but may conclude with a series of recommendations. Check your assignment carefully for any directions about what to include in your introduction or conclusion.

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• Open access
• Published: 03 May 2024

Unlocking the potential of blockchain technology in enhancing the fisheries supply chain: an exploration of critical adoption barriers in China

• Ubair Nisar 1 ,
• Zhixin Zhang 1 ,
• Bronwyn P. Wood 2 ,
• Shadab Ahmad 3 ,
• Ehsan Ellahi 1 ,
• Syed Ijaz Ul Haq 4 ,
• Mohamad Alnafissa 5 &
• Elsayed Fathi Abd-Allah 6  

Scientific Reports volume  14 , Article number:  10167 ( 2024 ) Cite this article

Metrics details

• Mathematics and computing
• Ocean sciences

The application of blockchain technology holds significant potential for improving efficiency, resilience, and transparency within the Fisheries Supply Chain (FSC). This study addresses the critical barriers hindering the adoption of blockchain technology (BT) in the Chinese FSC, recognizing the unique challenges posed by its intricacies. Through a comprehensive literature review, fourteen Critical Barrier Factors (CBFs) were identified, and a grey Delphi method was employed to distill this set. Five pivotal CBFs emerged, including "Regulatory Compliance," "Cost of Implementation," and "Complex Supply Chain Network". A subsequent grey Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) analysis revealed the causal relationships among these factors, categorizing them into effect and cause groups. "Regulatory Compliance," "Cost of Implementation," and "Complex Supply Chain Network" were identified as primary influencing factors demanding attention for effective BT integration in the FSC. The findings serve as a valuable resource for FSC stakeholders, assisting in prioritizing efforts to address these barriers. The discerned causal relationships provide guidance for managers in optimizing resource allocation. Ultimately, this research advocates for the adoption of blockchain technology in the fisheries supply chain to enhance overall performance and operational efficiency.

Introduction

The Chinese fisheries supply chain plays a pivotal role in both fulfilling China's domestic seafood consumption needs and facilitating its active participation in the global seafood trade. As one of the world's foremost producers and consumers of seafood, China's fisheries supply chain operates as a multifaceted and ever-evolving network. It involves a diverse array of stakeholders, ranging from fishermen and aquaculture farmers to processors, distributors, and exporters. China's fisheries sector encompasses a vast spectrum of aquatic products, encompassing a diverse range of fish species, shellfish, and aquatic plants. The current major crisis China is facing is ever-increasing seafood demand, water scarcity, and cultivable land resources. In order to overcome these problems, the best solution is intensive sustainable aquaculture and efficient supply chain management 1 . This comprehensive portfolio solidifies China's position as a key player in the worldwide seafood industry. The significance of this supply chain extends not solely to meeting the demands of China's vast population but also to its substantial exports of seafood products to international markets. China as a nation reduces the impact of future uncertainties by improving its supply chain management and logistics networking 2 .

Blockchain technology has garnered significant attention in recent years, drawing interest from both researchers and professionals across various industries 3 . Blockchain, as a decentralized peer-to-peer platform, presents a particularly promising prospect for implementation within complex food supply chains. The blockchain technology model named Deep Improving Commute Experience (DeepICE) demonstrate the superior performance of proposed model compared to existing approaches 4 . Unlike many other industries, the food production sector operates within intricate value chains that necessitate heightened attention to handling and storage. The utilization of blockchain technology has the potential to greatly enhance the trustworthiness, effectiveness, and protection of data shared among participants in supply chain networks 5 . Factors such as transportation and temperature can significantly impact the quality and freshness of food products 6 . The primary factor that positions Blockchain as the pivotal tool of our times lies in its distinctive attributes. These include the instantaneous exchange of information, robust cybersecurity, transparency, dependability, traceability, and enhanced visibility, all of which contribute to the optimization of supply chain operations 7 . In the fisheries industry, blockchain technology can be leveraged to record data from specialized IoT devices, such as intelligent sensors. These sensors capture vital information from the moment of product capture all the way through to the final delivery to the end customer. The data they provide, particularly regarding factors like temperature, is crucial for monitoring the condition of transported products. Beyond the utilization of blockchain technology, there is a requisite for additional adaptable sensors. These sensors not only facilitate precise and accurate detection of crucial changes in environmental parameters but also offer promising resolutions for various challenges, including enhanced precision in agri-food processing, grading, and inspection 8 . Blockchain technology can play a vital role in ensuring the integrity of transportation, handling, and storage processes, including tamper-proof checks and maintaining a comprehensive product history, among other applications 9 . Leveraging effective blockchain adoption (BCA) alongside enhanced knowledge management (KM) within organizational and production processes has emerged as a potent combination for elevating sustainable organizational performance (SOP) 10 .

In today's rapidly changing global landscape, supply chains (SCs) encounter numerous challenges. One major issue is the difficulty in accurately forecasting demand due to historical demand data being unreliable 11 , 12 . Additionally, inadequate communication among various players within the supply chain leads to limited visibility and an increased risk of unexpected problems arising 13 . The modern supply chain is often lengthy and intricate, which can result in the bullwhip effect caused by poor communication between different entities. This negatively impacts overall supply chain operations, emphasizing the necessity to rethink how information is utilized for more effective and efficient supply chain coordination and performance improvement 14 . The fast-paced nature of today's business environment adds further complexity to supply chain collaboration 15 , especially when considering the diversity of social and organizational cultures. End-to-end supply chains encompass multi-tier supply chains (MTSCs), involving the collection and analysis of vast amounts of data. This demands a transparent workflow for sharing information across all levels of the MTSC. Consequently, collaboration becomes a crucial component in addressing the current challenges faced by supply chains. Furthermore, this technology has the potential to alleviate various supply chain challenges, including issues related to data loss, transparency, accuracy, and dependable communication. Blockchain technology is viewed as a valuable tool for rebuilding trust among supply chain partners by providing a secure and credible platform for sharing information. As a result, blockchain technology is considered a significant emerging trend that is poised to have a substantial impact on both business and society in the years ahead 16 . Lately, sustainability has taken the forefront as the primary research focus, encompassing aspects such as compliance with environmental protection regulations, the integration of eco-friendly technologies, regulatory obligations, and the implementation of agile supply chain strategies 17 .

Following the advent of Industry 4.0, emerging economies are currently undergoing a progressive shift in technology adoption 18 . This transformation can be effectively orchestrated through the implementation of Industry 3.5 strategies, as opposed to strict adherence to the lofty objectives of Industry 4.0. Industry 3.5 represents a balanced approach that integrates elements from both Industry 4.0 and Industry 3.0, leveraging recent advancements in information and communication technologies 19 . Although there is increasing enthusiasm for Blockchain Innovation (BI), there is a scarcity of research concerning its determinants 20 . Blockchain technology is strategically positioned to pave the way for innovative business models and has the potential to spearhead such advancements 21 . Traditionally, blockchain is described as a secure ledger of historical transactions, organized into blocks, arranged chronologically, and distributed across multiple servers to establish a streamlined provenance 22 . It facilitates peer-to-peer transactions and offers significant enhancements in terms of transparency, accountability, security, efficiency, and cost reduction 23 . Additionally, blockchain technology guarantees data immutability, traceability, and the implementation of smart contracts, fostering high-trust environments without the need for intermediaries 24 . In the realm of technological research, scholars have primarily concentrated on the significance of fostering technological innovation within the supply industry for economic development 25 .

Furthermore, the blockchain-based system eliminates the need for intermediaries from both public and private institutions, resulting in a significant reduction in transaction costs. Participants in the blockchain-based system place their trust in computer code rather than relying solely on themselves, ensuring a highly secure and foolproof process 26 . Blockchain technology introduces traceability into the FSC while smart contracts facilitate seamless operations within the agri-business sector. Additionally, the blockchain-based system enhances the sustainability of supply chain operations by meticulously tracking compliance for each activity 27 , 28 . Although blockchain technology holds great promise for revolutionizing FSC, its practical adoption is still in its nascent stages 21 , 29 . Much like technology-focused nations, China is keen on harnessing the potential of blockchain to meet its growing demands and requirements. Therefore, there is a need to investigate the current barriers to blockchain adoption. Consequently, the objectives of this research can be succinctly summarized as follows:

Identify the barriers to blockchain adoption in the Chinese Fisheries Supply Chain (FSC).

Develop a model to analyze how these barriers relate to each other and establish a hierarchy.

Assess the strength of causal relationships among the identified factors and categorize them accordingly.

The primary aim of the study is to identify the barriers hindering the adoption of blockchain technology (BT) in the FSC and to discover the cause-and-effect relationships between these barriers. The Goal of the study is to provide valuable insights that can assist decision-makers at government policy and company levels in taking effective actions to address these obstacles and promote the successful implementation of BT in the sector. While some prior research has indeed identified barriers to BT adoption, the study goes a step further by establishing the causal connections between these barriers, thereby offering practical guidance to practitioners on where to concentrate their efforts when implementing blockchain. To achieve the research objectives, we conducted a comprehensive literature review to identify the most significant barriers to adopting BT in FSC. Recognizing these significant barriers is crucial for facilitating BT adoption in this context. However, the obstacles identified are substantial and cannot all be tackled simultaneously. Therefore, to ensure the successful integration of BT in supply chains, the study recognized the need to construct a causal relationship map. This map serves as a systematic approach to address these barriers in a prioritized manner. Furthermore, when organizations understand the cause-and-effect relationships among these apparent barriers, they can allocate their resources more efficiently in mitigating these challenges. One distinctive contribution of our study, particularly relevant to the context of a developing economy like China, is the identification of this causal structure of BT implementation barriers in the suppl chain of fisheries sector.

Literature review

Blockchain and supply chain.

A supply chain is a highly intricate, adaptable network that spans various stages, geographical locations, financial systems, and entities. The dynamics of a supply chain vary based on product type and market conditions 30 , 31 . Supply chain systems encompass networks of facilities and distribution entities, including suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. These systems execute the functions of procuring raw materials, transforming them into intermediates and finished products, and distributing the final products to customers. This process is achieved through the control of both information flow and material flow 32 . These networks typically involve multiple partners, such as manufacturing facilities, distribution centers, suppliers, logistics providers, and couriers 33 , contributing to their growing complexity. Several factors have contributed to this complexity, including sustainability concerns, globalization, trade liberalization, reduced trade costs, and the integration of new technologies. Effective management of supply chain networks is critical for maintaining organizational competitiveness 30 , 34 . It is imperative to advance technological solutions aimed at addressing challenges within the cold chain concerning perishable commodities 35 .

In recent times, blockchain technology has garnered significant attention from both researchers and practitioners for its potential role within supply chains. It offers various benefits, including the use of smart contracts, product traceability, enforcement tracking, inventory management, transaction and settlement facilitation, and data immutability 36 . To attain optimal efficiency in the product flow within a supply chain, it is imperative to pioneer the development of novel technologies that can mitigate losses 37 . Existing literature has identified numerous applications of blockchain within supply chain management. An extensive literature review focusing on blockchain-based applications within the Agricultural Supply Chain (ASC) 21 . Their research findings shed light on the various uses of blockchain in ASC, encompassing traceability, sustainable water management, agri-food manufacturing, and information security. A survey was conducted to gauge the landscape of blockchain research in agriculture 38 . They observed that the adoption of blockchain in this sector is still in its early stages. The authors categorized existing blockchain-based research into four dimensions: traceability, architecture, information systems, and other miscellaneous applications. In a related context 39 , advocated the incorporation of blockchain technology for ensuring food safety, particularly when coupled with Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. Subsequently, in 2017, Tian proposed a traceability mechanism for the Agricultural Supply Chain (ASC) by harnessing the combined power of blockchain and the Internet of Things (IoT). Additionally, Yadav and Singh introduced a framework designed to address specific challenges faced by farmers in the Indian context. They proposed the use of a blockchain-based mobile application as a solution to these challenges 40 .

Existing studies in the SC perspective regarding blockchain applications are categorized into four major types: "conceptual", "descriptive", "predictive," and "prescriptive" research. For instance 41 , studied BT and identified the potential areas of BT contribution to performance from a SC perspective. Further, they also highlighted the scope for future research, from which the motivation for this study was derived, of highlighting on BT barriers and their interrelationships. Reference 42 proposed blockchain based system architecture and found that BT can decrease the complexity of the management of SC. A literature review was conducted review and pinpointed privacy and security as the central hurdles in the implementation of blockchain technology 43 . Lu conducted a review focusing on blockchain technology (BT), identifying its essential components, its role in data management, security enhancement, BT-based Internet of Things (IoT), and primary applications 44 . Furthermore, Lu discussed emerging trends and the associated challenges in the field of BT. A review of blockchain technology was carried out, emphasizing the potential benefits of immutable distributed ledgers in supply chain operations 28 . Finally, 45 explored challenges related to blockchain-enabled IoT and investigated how blockchain technology can enhance the performance of the Internet of Things.

A study was conducted on blockchain trends within the Agricultural Supply Chain (ASC) and explored the associated challenges hindering its widespread adoption. These challenges encompass factors such as the absence of government regulation, uncertainties regarding regulatory frameworks, inadequate training resources, and related issues 46 . Kamble 47 delved into the subject of blockchain-based traceability mechanisms for the food-retail Supply Chain (SC) in India. Simultaneously, undertook an analysis of the hurdles encountered when applying blockchain to food traceability 48 . One notable challenge lies in the lack of control over sensors that feed data into the blockchain system. This makes it challenging to detect fraudulent manipulations of such sensors. The adoption of blockchain in ASC is further complicated by a range of other obstacles, including the shortage of skilled professionals, regulatory gaps, limited system storage capacity, throughput and latency issues, scalability concerns, privacy considerations, and the associated high costs 21 . The concept of using blockchain for land registration in the Indian context, emphasizing the potential benefits of authenticity and tamper-proof record-keeping was explored 49 . However, they also acknowledged various implementation challenges, including the substantial initial investment required, regulatory uncertainties, and security-related concerns.

Blockchain fisheries adoption

The rapid pace of technological innovation has made the swift adoption of information communication technologies a critical objective for businesses. The fisheries industry is notably complex due to the multitude of products, processes, individuals, and organizations it encompasses 50 . For instance, Ireland's fishing sector comprises distinct segments like refrigerated seawater pelagic, beam trawler, polyvalent, specific, and aquaculture, each focusing on different types of aquatic species and products. In Ireland, aquaculture primarily revolves around salmon farming, and fish processing involves numerous companies, with many generating revenues exceeding €1 million. The industry predominantly consists of whitefish, pelagic, and shellfish operators, with whitefish, shellfish, and smoked salmon processors being particularly prominent. This intricate structure is a consequence of the globalization, distribution, and consumption patterns in the food production sector 50 , 51 . To tackle the intricacies of supply chain management in this context, various solutions have been proposed, including vigilant information systems and blockchain technology 9 .

Numerous theories have emerged over time to explain the factors driving the adoption of information technology. These theories often examine user behavior, such as the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Task-Technology Fit (TTF) theory, Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) theory, Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), and Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) 36 . Other models include the Perceived e-Readiness Model and Assimilation Theory 52 . In 1990, the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) model was introduced, identifying three distinct areas within an organization's context that influence the adoption and implementation of technological innovations: the technological context, organizational context, and environmental context 53 . The technological context encompasses both internal and external technologies relevant to the firm, including factors like complexity, relative advantage, privacy, security, and compatibility, all of which have been shown to impact information technology adoption 36 , 53 . The organizational context considers the firm's scope, size, managerial structure, top management support, prior IT experience, innovativeness, information intensity, and organizational readiness 53 .

Applications

Our research contributes by systematically identifying and categorizing fourteen specific Critical Barrier Factors (CBFs) through an extensive literature review and the use of the grey Delphi method. This establishes a structured foundation for understanding the hurdles that impede the successful integration of blockchain technology in fisheries supply chains. The work will provide valuable insights into the challenges associated with the adoption of blockchain technology in emerging economies within the fisheries industry. By highlighting the multifaceted nature of these challenges, including logistical complexities, financial constraints, and regulatory intricacies, the study contributes to a nuanced understanding of the specific hurdles faced by these regions. The study also delves into the intricate challenges posed by regulatory compliance in the seafood industry. By recommending strategies such as open communication, integration of compliance features into blockchain design, and leveraging smart contracts, the article contributes practical insights for overcoming regulatory hurdles in the adoption of blockchain technology. Recognizing the unique socio-economic and regulatory environment of China, the study identifies specific barriers that can hinder the seamless integration of blockchain across the entire supply chain. This contextual understanding contributes to the development of tailored strategies for overcoming challenges in this specific market.

Methodology

This study follows a three-phase research framework to accomplish its stated research objectives as shown in Fig.  1 . Initial CBF Identification : the first phase commences with a systematic literature review aimed at identifying the preliminary Critical Barrier Factors (CBFs) associated with the Blockchain-based FSC. To achieve this, a comprehensive review of existing literature is conducted using the Scopus database. Scopus is chosen due to its recognition as one of the largest repositories of peer-reviewed articles in the fields of science and social sciences. Through this systematic review, the initial set of CBFs for blockchain adoption within the FSC is established. Expert Involvement and CBF Finalization : the second phase involves the utilization of the grey Delphi method to finalize the identified CBFs for blockchain adoption within the FSC. Expert input plays a pivotal role in this phase, facilitating the refinement and selection of the most relevant CBFs. This expert-driven approach ensures a comprehensive and informed understanding of the critical factors. Causal Relationship Development : subsequent to the finalization of the CBFs for blockchain adoption, the third phase employs the grey Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) technique to construct causal interrelationships among these factors. Various techniques, including Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM), Total Interpretive Structural Modelling (TISM), Analytic Network Process (ANP), and DEMATEL, have been utilized in the literature to explore causal relationships 54 . While ISM and TISM reveal structural linkages between CBFs, they do not quantify the strength of these relationship 16 . The DEMATEL approach, however, provides a means to measure the strength of each relationship. To address potential subjectivity and vagueness in expert input, this study combines grey theory with DEMATEL, aiming to enhance the precision and reliability of the causal relationships among the CBFs 55 .

Proposed framework for CBFs of blockchain adoption in FSC.

Grey Delphi and Grey DEMATEL are particularly well-suited for handling situations with uncertain and incomplete information. In the context of our study on the adoption barriers of blockchain technology in the Chinese Fisheries Supply Chain, the presence of uncertainties warranted a methodology that could effectively manage and process imperfect information. Grey systems theory provides a flexible framework that allows for the incorporation of uncertainties in decision-making processes. Given the dynamic and complex nature of the barriers within the supply chain, we found Grey Delphi and Grey DEMATEL to be suitable for modeling and evaluating the interactions among critical barrier factors. The choice of Grey Delphi and Grey DEMATEL has been successfully applied in prior studies involving complex decision-making scenarios. This includes situations where there is a need to evaluate and prioritize factors within supply chains, making them relevant and applicable to our investigation in the Chinese Fisheries Supply Chain. Grey systems theory allows for a more straightforward interpretation of results, which is essential for conveying findings to a diverse audience, including stakeholders and practitioners in the fisheries industry. This aligns with our objective to ensure that the outcomes of our study are accessible and actionable.

The data collection protocol for this research is a methodically structured process aimed at acquiring high-quality input from a diverse group of experts in supply chain management and blockchain technology. The initial step involved a careful selection of experts, considering variations in professional backgrounds, experiences, and educational qualifications to ensure a comprehensive perspective. After identifying potential participants, informed consent was obtained, outlining the purpose, confidentiality, and voluntary nature of their involvement. To gather relevant and insightful information, tailored questionnaires were designed for the Grey Delphi and Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) methodologies. These questionnaires are crafted to elicit detailed responses on critical barrier factors affecting the adoption of blockchain technology in the Chinese Fisheries Supply Chain. Descriptive data, including the designation, work experience, country of residence, educational background, and gender of each expert, was collected to provide context and potentially identify patterns within the expert panel. Furthermore, the participants' history of engagement in Grey Delphi, DEMATEL, or both was recorded, allowing for an understanding of their familiarity with the methodologies. Similarly, the distribution of electronic questionnaires is conducted systematically, with periodic reminders to ensure timely and complete responses. In cases where additional clarification or insights are needed, follow-up interviews were conducted in a structured manner. Data validation is a crucial step to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the collected information. Cross-referencing responses and addressing any discrepancies or outliers enhances the integrity of the dataset. Subsequently, the collected data undergoes rigorous analysis, involving Grey Delphi iterations and DEMATEL analysis. These methodologies are employed to quantify qualitative responses and construct a matrix of pairwise comparisons, facilitating a robust examination of critical barrier factors in the adoption of blockchain technology within the Chinese Fisheries Supply Chain. Finally, the aggregated findings were presented in a clear and comprehensive manner, adhering to scientific standards. This meticulous data collection protocol ensures the credibility and validity of the research outcomes, contributing to a nuanced understanding of the complexities surrounding blockchain technology adoption in the fisheries supply chain context. The expert details are provided in Table 1 .

Preliminaries

To address the issue of uncertainties inherent in expert input for Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methods, this study incorporates the theory of grey systems 56 , a methodology widely used across various domains. Specifically, this research combines grey systems theory with Delphi and DEMATEL techniques to handle subjective data provided by expert panels.

In the grey systems framework, information is categorized into three distinct groups: fully certain information is denoted as white, inadequate information is represented as grey, and absolute unknown information is indicated as black 57 . In this study, the concept of interval grey numbers from the grey system theory has been applied. As a result, the essential definitions and operations of interval grey numbers are provided as follows:

Definition 1

Suppose \(\otimes\) G implies the interval grey number that could be expressed as:

where, \(\underset{\_}{{\text{G}}}\) shows the lower limit and \(\overline{{\text{G}} }\) depicts the upper limits of the information \(\otimes\) G.

Definition 2

The fundamental mathematical operations on the interval grey numbers are provided as follows:

Addition of two interval grey number is expressed as Eq. ( 2 ):

Subtraction of interval grey number is expressed as Eq. ( 3 ):

Multiplication of interval grey number is expressed as Eq. ( 4 ):

Division of interval grey number is expressed as Eq. ( 5 ):

Definition 3

Usually, the whitenisation value (crisp value) of the interval grey number \(\otimes {G}_{i}=\left[\underline{G},\overline{G }\right]\) is done with \(\otimes\) and could be done through Eq. ( 6 ).

where, a is the coefficient of whitenisation and the commonly used value for a is 0.5, considering the equal weight mean whitenisation.

Grey Delphi

Dalkey and Helmer 58 introduced the Delphi approach, a widely used survey methodology designed to aggregate expert opinions on a particular issue with the goal of achieving a collective consensus 59 . However, the traditional Delphi method has certain drawbacks, including the need for multiple rounds to reach a consensus, susceptibility to subjectivity, and potential expert biases. To address these limitations, the integration of grey theory is proposed 60 . Consequently, the combination of Delphi and grey set theories results in the creation of the grey Delphi approach. The following outlines the key steps involved in implementing the grey Delphi method:

Step 1: identifying the obstacles to blockchain adoption within the Fisheries Supply Chain (FSC).

This stage encompasses the recognition of possible adoption hindrances within the FSC by conducting a thorough literature review. Utilizing these identified Critical Barrier Factors (CBFs), a questionnaire is then crafted to gather expert input and data.

Step 2: Response compilation from experts.

Gathering responses from experts involves distributing the constructed questionnaire to these individuals, who are requested to furnish their answers using a linguistic scale. The linguistic scales and corresponding grey numbers for each scale can be found in Table 2 .

Step 3: Comprehensive evaluation using grey number.

Comprehensive assessment employing grey numbers is carried out by converting the responses into corresponding grey numbers. These grey numbers serve as the basis for consolidating the feedback provided by the panel of experts, which, in this context, consists of k members. The evaluation of the factor \(\otimes {{\text{G}}}_{{\text{i}}}\) is as follows:

where \(\otimes {{\text{G}}}_{{\text{i}}}\) i is the overall evaluation of adoption factors and \(\otimes {{\text{G}}}_{{\text{i}}}^{{\text{h}}}\) denotes the hth expert’s evaluation of CSF ‘i’ of blockchain adoption barrier.

Step 4: Whitening of the grey number.

The grey number having the interval \(\left(\otimes {{\text{G}}}_{{\text{i}}}=[\underset{\_}{{\text{G}}},\overline{{\text{G}} }]=\left[{{\text{G}}}^{{{\prime}}}\in {\text{G}}\mid \underset{\_}{{\text{G}}}\le {{\text{G}}}^{{{\prime}}}\le \underset{\_}{{\text{G}}}\right]\right)\) and their equivalent whitenisation value is \(\widetilde{\otimes }\) . The whitenisation of grey numbers is obtained through Eq. ( 6 ) as mentioned in preliminary section.

Step 5: Setting threshold limit and CBFs selection.

The final step of the grey Delphi method involves selecting and rejecting CBFs. In order to determine the significance of the factor, an overall score is calculated and compared to a threshold value \((\uplambda )\) . If the value of \(\widetilde{\otimes }\ge\uplambda\) , then the factor is selected; otherwise, it is rejected. The accepted CBF’s are shown in Fig.  2 .

CBFs of BT adoption barriers in FSC.

Grey DEMATEL

A grey DEMATEL approach combines grey theory and DEMATEL to address the incomplete information, subjectivities, and biases in expert input. Furthermore, this method can improve the accuracy of the observations. Following is the stepwise procedure for grey DEMATEL.

Step 1: Construct the initial direct-relation matrix.

Develop an initial direct relation matrix of CBFs (c = {ci|i = 1, 2,, n}) of blockchain adoption barriers n FSC, utilizing the five-point grey linguistic scale (refer to Table 3 ), from “No Influence” to “Very High influence” by k experts through pair-wise comparisons.

Step 2: Develop a grey direct-relation matrix.

The linguistic term is substituted with the corresponding grey number to convert the obtained initial direct relationship matrix into a grey initial direct relationship matrix. As K-number of experts provided their responses, the K grey direct relationship matrix X1, X2, X3…, XK is obtained. The direct-relation grey matrix is represented as follows by Eq. ( 8 ):

The element of [X], \(\otimes {{\text{x}}}_{{\text{ijk}}}=\left(\underset{\_}{\otimes }{{\text{x}}}_{{\text{ijk}}},\overline{\otimes }{{\text{x}} }_{{\text{ijk}}}\right)\) , shows the influence of CBF ‘i’ on CBF ‘j’ by the kth expert. The x ijk represents the lower and xijk the upper limit of grey values.

Step 3: Develop the overall grey relation matrix.

To formulate the overall grey relation matrix, all grey direct relation matrices were combined by using Eq. ( 9 ).

Step 4: Express the normalized grey direct-relation matrix. In order to transform the grey relation matrix into a normalized grey direct-relation matrix N,

Equations ( 4 )–( 6 ) are used.

Step 5: Calculate the total relation matrix.

The total relation matrix “T” is obtained from the normalized grey direct-relation matrix by using Eq. ( 13 ).

where “I” is the grey identity matrix.

Step 6: Compute the causal parameters.

The Eqs. ( 14 ) and ( 15 ) are used to determine the causal parameter:

The R i shows the influence of the CSF “i”, which infers the overall influence of CBFs, and the Cj represents the influence received by “j” by the other CBFs.

Step 7: Calculate the prominence (Pi) and net effect (Ei)

The prominence (Pi) and net effect (Ei) score of the CBFs is determined using expressions ( 16 ) and ( 17 ):

The causal relationship diagram is constructed using the prominence (Pi) and net effect (Ei) scores. A positive Ei value indicates that a CBF causes an effect on the system, while a negative Ei value signifies its impact on the CBF itself.

Identifying obstacles in implementing blockchain technology within the fisheries supply chain

The literature review uncovered several challenges hindering the effective implementation of blockchain technology (BT) in fisheries within the context of supply chains (SCs). To identify relevant scholarly articles, the study relied on the Scopus database, a renowned repository of scientific literature. A targeted search in the Scopus database using keywords such as 'fisheries supply chain management,' 'fish- supply chain' 'blockchain technology,' 'supply chain obstacles,' 'challenges,' and 'barriers were conducted. The search query is created by using Boolean operators to combine these keywords. Subsequently, these queries are executed in the Scopus database to locate relevant articles. Following this relevant academic works were selected based on an initial assessment of the article's abstract and title. Subsequently, an exhaustive examination of the existing literature, resulting in the identification of fourteen specific Critical Barrier Factors (CBFs) that impede the successful integration of blockchain technology into supply chains were conducted. These obstacles can be found in Table 4 .

After initially identifying the Critical Barrier Factors (CBFs) for the adoption of blockchain technology in FSC, the grey Delphi method with the assistance of experts were applied. To ensure a well-rounded perspective, experts from both academia and industry were selected 16 . The study assembled a group of professionals from the FSC and technology development sectors, each of whom possessed a minimum of five years of experience in FSC management. Additionally, the work enlisted academic experts specializing in FSC, technology management, or technology transfer, who were affiliated with respected academic institutions. The selection of these experts was based on their demonstrated expertise and knowledge in the field of FSC. As a result, a total of 9 valid responses were collected, which are presented in Table 5 .

Following the collection of feedback from the panel of experts, the transformation of the linguistic values into numerical representations was done using Table 2 . The resulting grey matrix is displayed in Table 6 . This table serves as the numerical foundation for the subsequent application of the Grey Delphi method, facilitating a systematic and quantitative analysis of expert opinions on the critical barriers influencing the adoption of blockchain technology in the Chinese Fisheries Supply Chain.

To further analyze and prioritize these obstacles, the study calculated the overall grey weight using Eq. ( 1 ) and subsequently converted it into a crisp number using Eq. ( 2 ). The precise numerical data were instrumental in determining whether to include or exclude obstacles from this subsequent study. Obstacles with a crisp value exceeding 3.5 were included, while those below this threshold were excluded 82 , 83 . Detailed measurements of both grey and crisp weight, along with corresponding decisions, are provided in Table 7 . This table provides a comprehensive overview of the outcomes of the Grey Delphi method, aiding in the identification and classification of critical barriers with a strategic decision-making process. The decisions to either select or reject each obstacle, along with their respective crisp weights, guide the subsequent steps in addressing and mitigating the barriers to the adoption of blockchain technology in the Chinese Fisheries Supply Chain.

In this way, the work identified five significant obstacles associated with the adoption of blockchain technology in emerging economies. Additionally, the confirmed barriers to embracing blockchain technology are detailed in Table 8 . These barriers highlight the multifaceted challenges faced by the fisheries industry in adopting blockchain technology, ranging from logistical complexities to financial constraints and regulatory intricacies. The detailed descriptions provide a nuanced understanding of each identified obstacle, forming a foundation for targeted strategies and interventions to enhance blockchain adoption in the Fisheries Supply Chain. Additionally, Fig.  2 visually represents the confirmed barriers, offering a graphical depiction of their significance and interrelationships.

DEMATEL analysis

The Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) is recognized as a valuable approach for pinpointing the cause-and-effect relationships within intricate systems. DEMATEL enables the assessment of interlinked factors and the identification of critical elements by constructing a visual structural model 84 . DEMATEL analysis is a powerful technique for understanding and managing complex systems, and it has been applied in various fields to solve problems and improve decision-making processes. The study conducted an analysis using grey DEMATEL to explore the causal relationships among Critical Barrier Factors (CBFs) in the adoption of blockchain technology in FSC. To guide the experts through the research process, we initially outlined the study's objectives. The experts were then asked to assess how one CBF influences another, using a linguistic scale in the form of a direct-relationship matrix. We converted the original direct relationship matrices into grey relationship matrices using grey numbers. With input from six experts, we obtained six grey initial relationship matrices, which were subsequently combined to form a global grey relation matrix presented in Table 9 .

Initially, the expert panel provided the Initial Direct Relationship Matrix (IDRM). Among these experts, six possess expertise in fisheries supply chain management, technology adoption, and Blockchain. Using Eq. ( 1 ), overall direct relationship matrix was created, which is presented in Table 5 . Subsequently, we transformed the IDRM into a Normalized Relationship Matrix (NRM) using Eqs. ( 2 ) and ( 3 ), and the resulting NRM is displayed in Table 10 . Equation ( 4 ) was used to convert the obtained Normalized Relationship Matrix (NRM) into a total relationship matrix (T), and the resulting matrix is displayed in Table 11 .

The work calculated a threshold value to identify significant relationships among the barriers. This threshold is determined by adding the average and standard deviation of the T matrix. It helps differentiate the structure and aids in developing the causal map. If the values in Table 11 's T matrix exceed this threshold, a causal map is drawn. This cause-and-effect map not only helps assess the importance of one barrier over another but also filters out minor effects. The causal map for blockchain technology adoption barriers, constructed using the T matrix in Table 11 , is shown in Fig.  3 . Additionally, the map distinguishes cause-and-effect barriers with different colors.

Causal relationship map among barriers of BT adoption in the fisheries supply chain.

Later the row-wise summation (R) and column-wise summation (C) in the total relationship matrix T were calculated using Eqs. ( 5 ) and ( 6 ), which are displayed in Table 12 . Additionally, the prominence scores and effect scores with the assistance of Eqs. ( 7 ) and ( 8 ), respectively were determined.

The DEMATEL method was used to determine the order of importance for each barrier. The degree of influence between the identified constructs is indicated by the relationship intensity, while (D—R) signifies the criteria for the cause-and-effect grouping. However, the central strength of these constructs is represented by the (D + R) value. Typically, the cause group construct operates independently and propels the effect group construct, as observed in the study by 85 . The critical order of the barriers is as follows: ' Regulatory compliance ' is ranked highest, followed by 'Data accuracy and trust,' ‘Privacy and data security,' 'Cost of implementation,' and finally, ' Complex supply chain network.' The importance order of each barrier is illustrated in Fig.  4 .

Ranking of the barriers to BT implementation in the fisheries supply chain.

Sensitivity analysis

Conducting a sensitivity analysis involves assessing the robustness of results. In this context, the approach employed includes altering the weighting assigned to one expert's input while maintaining uniform weightings for the remaining experts. Various methods can be employed for this purpose, such as adjusting the weight levels attributed to individual experts or different barriers. In this study, archetypal sensitivity analysis is utilized, wherein distinct weightings are assigned to experts. To illustrate, initially, the weight assigned to Expert 1 was set at 0.2, while the other experts were given a weight of 0.1. To conduct sensitivity analysis, nine distinct total relationship matrices were generated by multiplying the weights assigned to various experts as outlined in Table 6 and similar matrices. Subsequently, average relationship matrices were calculated, leading to the establishment of cause-effect relationships among different barriers. The weights assigned to the nine experts and the ranking of diverse barriers during the sensitivity analysis are presented in Tables 13 and 14 . From the table, it is clear that there was no major change in barrier rankings after sensitivity analysis. The same rank order for cause-effect barriers for each expert was obtained, accepting minor rank value variation. Therefore, the sensitivity analysis confirms the robustness of obtained results.

The complexity of the fisheries supply chain emerged as a prominent barrier, given the involvement of numerous intermediaries. To overcome this, it is crucial to comprehensively map the supply chain network, streamline processes, establish interoperability standards, select scalable blockchain solutions, and implement permissioned networks. Ensuring data accuracy and trust is essential, and mechanisms for data validation and verification within the blockchain should be implemented. Additionally, strategies such as robust supplier onboarding procedures and secure authentication mechanisms can enhance data accuracy and trust. Implementing blockchain technology involves various costs, posing a financial barrier, especially for small and medium-sized fisheries enterprises. To address this challenge, a comprehensive cost–benefit analysis is crucial, and a phased implementation approach, collaboration with stakeholders, exploration of open-source blockchain solutions, and seeking government grants and incentives can help alleviate the financial burden. Regulatory compliance is a significant barrier in the seafood industry, subject to diverse and evolving regulations. Open communication with regulatory authorities, integration of compliance features into blockchain design, and leveraging smart contracts for automated compliance checks are recommended strategies. Robust data privacy and security measures, comprehensive auditing, and reporting tools are crucial for compliance. While blockchain offers transparency, protecting sensitive information is equally important, necessitating strong data privacy and security measures. The DEMATEL analysis revealed causal relationships among the identified barriers, with 'Regulatory Compliance' emerging as the most influential barrier, followed by 'Cost of Implementation' and 'Complex Supply Chain Network.' Overcoming these barriers requires a multifaceted approach considering technology, compliance, financial aspects, and data security, and collaboration among stakeholders, ongoing monitoring, and adaptation to changing regulations are instrumental in addressing these challenges, offering valuable insights for industry players, policymakers, and researchers seeking to enhance transparency, traceability, and sustainability within the fisheries supply chain through blockchain technology.

However, China faces specific barriers that are influenced by its unique socio-economic and regulatory environment. The country's complex supply chain network (BBCT1) is a distinctive challenge due to the sheer scale and diversity of its fisheries industry. This complexity can hinder the seamless integration of blockchain across the entire supply chain 61 . Additionally, regulatory compliance (BBCT7) is a significant concern in China, given the government's active involvement in shaping the technology landscape 86 . China's regulatory framework may require adjustments and alignment with blockchain technology adoption.

On the other hand, China's comparatively strong emphasis on technology development and innovation might serve as an advantage in addressing these barriers. China's rapid progress in technology adoption and its large market size can potentially accelerate the resolution of these challenges 65 . Nevertheless, it remains essential for both China and the global fisheries industry to address these shared and unique barriers effectively to harness the full potential of blockchain technology for enhanced sustainability and food security in the fisheries supply chain.

Effect CBF’s

The study categorized the identified barriers as 'effect barriers' and 'cause barriers.' The group of 'effect barriers' comprises three key barriers: 'Regulatory Compliance,' 'Cost of Implementation,' and 'Complex Supply Chain Network.' These barriers demand greater attention, as they exert influence on other significant barriers. The most influential barrier is regulatory compliance. Regulatory compliance serves as a significant obstacle to the widespread adoption of blockchain technology within the fisheries supply chain. This barrier arises from the complex and dynamic nature of regulations governing the fishing industry, which vary across regions and evolve over time. Blockchain implementation in this context requires alignment with diverse legal frameworks, making it a complex and resource-intensive endeavor. Additionally, ensuring transparency and traceability in compliance with these regulations through blockchain technology can be challenging, further impeding its adoption. Addressing these regulatory hurdles is crucial for realizing the full potential of blockchain in enhancing transparency and sustainability within the fisheries supply chain.

Overcoming the barrier of regulatory compliance in blockchain adoption within the fisheries supply chain entails a multifaceted approach. This involves establishing open lines of communication with regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders to align blockchain strategies with existing regulations. Leveraging expertise in fisheries regulations for tailored solutions, developing adaptable blockchain systems to accommodate evolving compliance requirements, implementing robust data security measures, and utilizing smart contracts for automated compliance checks are crucial steps. Furthermore, maintaining comprehensive audit trails, educating stakeholders, conducting pilot programs to showcase benefits, engaging in advocacy efforts for regulatory reforms, and continuously monitoring and adapting blockchain solutions to changing regulations are essential components of this comprehensive approach.

The next effect barriers is cost of implementation. To overcome this barrier in the fisheries supply chain, a strategic approach is essential. This involves conducting a comprehensive cost–benefit analysis to highlight blockchain's potential to enhance transparency, reduce fraud, improve traceability, and enable better decision-making in the supply chain. Implementing a phased approach, starting with smaller-scale pilot projects, allows for a thorough assessment of costs and benefits before full-scale deployment. Collaboration with supply chain stakeholders can distribute financial burdens, while exploring open source blockchain solutions and leveraging third-party providers can reduce expenses. Investigating government grants and incentives, adopting lean development practices, investing in staff training, and continuously monitoring ROI help ensure that the benefits of blockchain outweigh initial implementation costs.

The final effect barrier is complex supply chain network and to overcome this barrier it begins with mapping the entire network comprehensively, encompassing stakeholders, processes, and data flows to gain a clear understanding of the complexity. Identifying opportunities to simplify or streamline processes helps reduce unnecessary intricacies. The establishment of interoperability standards ensures seamless communication between various systems and the blockchain, mitigating integration challenges. Choosing a scalable blockchain solution accommodates network growth, while implementing permissioned networks enhances control and security. Ensuring data consistency and standardization, along with education and training, fosters effective adaptation. Pilot projects validate compatibility and effectiveness, expert consultation tailors solutions, and continuous improvement and collaboration across stakeholders collectively address the intricacies of the supply chain, promoting successful blockchain adoption.

Cause CBF’s

The cause barrier group includes ‘Regulatory Compliance’ and ‘Data Accuracy and Trust’. Amongst the two, the most cause barrier is regulatory compliance which can be overcome by considering a multifaceted approach. Engage in open communication with regulatory authorities to understand their specific requirements. Leverage regulatory expertise by consulting specialists in fisheries regulations and integrate compliance into the blockchain's design. Utilize smart contracts to automate and monitor compliance and implement robust data privacy and security measures. Integrate auditing tools, explore regulatory sandboxes, and collaborate with stakeholders. Stay updated on evolving regulations, educate your team, maintain transparency with regulators, and engage in advocacy efforts for blockchain-friendly reforms. These strategies collectively enable compliance while harnessing blockchain's potential for transparency and traceability. In order to overcome the data accuracy and trust there is a need to engage in open communication with regulatory authorities to understand their specific requirements 62 . Leverage regulatory expertise by consulting specialists in fisheries regulations and integrate compliance into the blockchain's design 31 . Utilize smart contracts to automate and monitor compliance and implement robust data privacy and security measures. Integrate auditing tools, explore regulatory sandboxes, and collaborate with stakeholders. Stay updated on evolving regulations, educate your team, maintain transparency with regulators, and engage in advocacy efforts for blockchain-friendly reforms. These strategies collectively enable compliance while harnessing blockchain's potential for transparency and traceability.

Managerial and policy implications

The findings of our research carry significant implications for decision-makers engaged in the implementation of Sustainable Fisheries Supply Chain Management (SFSCM). The study has yielded several managerial recommendations. The impact group can be readily influenced by the cause group, underscoring the importance of managers directing their attention primarily towards addressing causal barriers when integrating SFSCM practices into their conventional supply chains. This research aids managers in delineating barriers that demand heightened focus within their respective industries, distinguishing between those of greater and lesser significance. The hierarchical classification of barriers in the cause and effect groups provides valuable assistance to managers and decision-makers in formulating strategic policies during the implementation of SSCM. The outcomes of this research framework have the potential to motivate decision-makers and industrial managers to embrace SFSCM practices that are pivotal for sustainable development and exert the most substantial influence on the transformation of traditional supply chains in the fisheries sector. Managers can view this framework as a benchmark for enhancing traditional supply chains, thereby fostering improvements in environmental, social, and economic sustainability.

Based on the findings of the research on blockchain technology barriers in fisheries supply chains, several key policy implications emerge. Government entities should focus on nurturing trust within the industry by facilitating industry group discussions and educational programs to enhance awareness and understanding of blockchain technology (BT). Moreover, improving information infrastructure, including data security standards, can alleviate concerns regarding privacy and data security. Policymakers can incentivize BT adoption through tax benefits and grants, foster partnerships with technology providers to address technical hurdles, and enforce transparency and accountability measures within the supply chain. Cost mitigation options, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and the promotion of a culture of information sharing can further reduce adoption barriers. Implementing performance metrics and supporting research and development initiatives are essential steps in creating an enabling environment for successful BT adoption, ultimately enhancing transparency, efficiency, and sustainability in the fisheries sector.

The work also has significant policy implications for businesses and industry leaders. To overcome primary barriers such as information sharing readiness and trust issues, executives can invest in relationship-building efforts, align incentives, and consider co-investing in blockchain technology (BT) initiatives. Leveraging third-party technologies and training programs can help businesses source expertise and address these hurdles effectively. Furthermore, formal business case evaluations of BT adoption, articulating its net benefits, can encourage companies to shift their information policies and corporate culture towards more openness and collaboration. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and business leaders to proactively anticipate and mitigate potential implementation challenges, fostering a climate of innovation and cooperation within fisheries supply chains. This approach can ultimately lead to improved data and knowledge sharing, creating win–win outcomes across supply chains, enhancing food security, and promoting sustainability in the industry.

Conclusion and future work

The comprehensive exploration of challenges and barriers associated with implementing blockchain technology in fisheries supply chains reveals a complex landscape that demands nuanced strategies for successful integration. Drawing upon an extensive literature review and utilizing the Scopus database, this study employed the grey Delphi method, with input from both academic and industry experts, to identify fourteen Critical Barrier Factors (CBFs). These factors represent key obstacles hindering the effective assimilation of blockchain technology into supply chains, forming the foundation for further analysis. The study sheds light on five significant obstacles specifically linked to the adoption of blockchain technology in emerging economies within the fisheries industry. These obstacles underscore the multifaceted challenges faced by fisheries, encompassing logistical complexities, financial constraints, and regulatory intricacies. The Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method, employed to explore causal relationships among CBFs, generated valuable insights. Regulatory compliance emerged as the most pivotal, followed by data accuracy and trust, privacy and data security, the cost of implementation, and the complexity of the supply chain network. DEMATEL not only identifies critical barriers but also unravels their intricate relationships. This nuanced understanding provides actionable guidance for policymakers, industry practitioners, and researchers, facilitating the formulation of targeted interventions and strategies crucial for the successful adoption of blockchain technology in fisheries supply chains.

Regulatory compliance poses a formidable challenge, given the diverse and evolving nature of regulations in the seafood industry. Recommended strategies include open communication with regulatory authorities, integration of compliance features into blockchain design, and the use of smart contracts for automated compliance checks. Robust data privacy and security measures, comprehensive auditing, and reporting tools are emphasized for achieving compliance. The unique socio-economic and regulatory environment of China introduces specific barriers, necessitating tailored approaches to enable seamless integration of blockchain across the entire supply chain. The study categorizes barriers as 'efffect' and 'cause,' with regulatory compliance identified as the most influential due to the dynamic nature of fishing industry regulations. Addressing regulatory hurdles is crucial for unlocking the full potential of blockchain in enhancing transparency and sustainability within fisheries supply chains.

To overcome the challenges associated with the complex supply chain network, the study recommends a collaborative approach involving comprehensive mapping, simplification of processes, establishment of interoperability standards, selection of scalable blockchain solutions, implementation of permissioned networks, ensuring data consistency and standardization, and continuous improvement through stakeholder collaboration. The research highlights regulatory compliance and data accuracy and trust as the most cause barriers in the implementation of Sustainable Fisheries Supply Chain Management (SFSCM). To address these, managers are advised to engage in open communication with regulatory authorities, leverage regulatory expertise, integrate compliance into blockchain design, use smart contracts, employ auditing tools, explore regulatory sandboxes, and collaborate with stakeholders. Staying updated on evolving regulations, maintaining transparency, and advocating for blockchain-friendly reforms are also recommended strategies.

The study, while comprehensive in its examination of blockchain technology (BT) adoption barriers within the fisheries supply chain, is not without its limitations. Firstly, the barriers were initially identified and refined based on a combination of literature survey and expert opinions. Although extensive efforts were made to encompass a wide spectrum of perspectives, it is possible that certain potential barriers may have been inadvertently overlooked in the selection and review process. Additionally, the evaluation heavily relies on expert feedback, which, despite the study’s design efforts to minimize bias, may still introduce some degree of subjectivity.

To mitigate these limitations, future research endeavors should consider broader validation and refinement processes to enhance this collective understanding of BT barriers. Firstly, researchers should delve into the dynamic nature of regulatory compliance, given its influential role in obstructing the adoption of blockchain technology in the fisheries supply chain. A more in-depth investigation into the evolving regulatory landscape, both globally and regionally, could provide a nuanced understanding of the challenges posed and contribute to the development of adaptive strategies. This could involve exploring the feasibility and effectiveness of technological solutions, such as smart contracts, in automating compliance checks and adapting to regulatory changes in real-time. Secondly, future work should focus on refining and expanding the strategies proposed for overcoming the financial barriers associated with implementing blockchain technology, particularly for small and medium-sized fisheries enterprises. Further research can investigate the long-term cost-effectiveness of different blockchain solutions, the scalability of open-source options, and the potential impact of government grants and incentives. Additionally, exploring innovative financing models and collaborations within the industry could contribute to more sustainable and feasible financial approaches. Addressing the unique challenges faced by the fisheries industry in emerging economies, especially in China, requires specific attention in future research. Tailored strategies for navigating the socio-economic and regulatory landscape of these regions can be developed to facilitate the seamless integration of blockchain technology across the entire supply chain. Comparative studies between emerging and developed economies could provide valuable insights into the contextual variations influencing blockchain adoption.

Data availability

The datasets used and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Nisar, U., Zhang, Z., Wood, B.P. et al. Unlocking the potential of blockchain technology in enhancing the fisheries supply chain: an exploration of critical adoption barriers in China. Sci Rep 14 , 10167 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-59167-4

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Technology as a Tool for Improving Patient Safety

Introduction .

In the past several decades, technological advances have opened new possibilities for improving patient safety. Using technology to digitize healthcare processes has the potential to increase standardization and efficiency of clinical workflows and to reduce errors and cost across all healthcare settings. 1 However, if technological approaches are designed or implemented poorly, the burden on clinicians can increase. For example, overburdened clinicians can experience alert fatigue and fail to respond to notifications. This can lead to more medical errors. As a testament to the significance of this topic in recent years, several government agencies [(e.g. the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services (CMS)] have developed resources to help healthcare organizations integrate technology, such as the Safety Assurance Factors for EHR Resilience (SAFER) guides developed by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). 2,3,4  However, there is some evidence that these resources have not been widely used.5 Recently, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) started requiring hospitals to use the SAFER guides as part of the FY 2022 Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems (IPPS), which should raise awareness and uptake of the guides. 6

During 2022, research into technological approaches was a major theme of articles on PSNet. Researchers reviewed all relevant articles on PSNet and consulted with Dr. A Jay Holmgren, PhD, and Dr. Susan McBride, PhD, subject matter experts in health IT and its role in patient safety. Key topics and themes are highlighted below.  

Clinical Decision Support  

The most prominent focus in the 2022 research on technology, based on the number of articles published on PSNet, was related to clinical decision support (CDS) tools. CDS provides clinicians, patients, and other individuals with relevant data (e.g. patient-specific information), purposefully filtered and delivered through a variety of formats and channels, to improve and enhance care. 7   

Computerized Patient Order Entry  

One of the main applications of CDS is in computerized patient order entry (CPOE), which is the process used by clinicians to enter and send treatment instructions via a computer application. 8 While the change from paper to electronic order entry itself can reduce errors (e.g., due to unclear handwriting or manual copy errors), research in 2022 showed that there is room for improvement in order entry systems, as well as some promising novel approaches. 

Two studies looked at the frequency of and reasons for medication errors in the absence of CDS and CPOE and demonstrated that there was a clear patient safety need. One study found that most medication errors occurred during the ordering or prescribing stage, and both this study and the other study found that the most common medication error was incorrect dose. Ongoing research, such as the AHRQ Medication Safety Measure Development project, aims to develop and validate measure specifications for wrong-patient, wrong-dose, wrong-medication, wrong-route, and wrong-frequency medication orders within EHR systems, in order to better understand and capture health IT safety events.9 Errors of this type could be avoided or at least reduced through the use of effective CPOE and CDS systems. However, even when CPOE and CDS are in place, errors can still occur and even be caused by the systems themselves. One study reviewed duplicate medication orders and found that 20% of duplicate orders resulted from technological issues, including alerts being overridden, alerts not firing, and automation issues (e.g., prefilled fields). A case study last year Illustrated one of the technological issues, in this case a manual keystroke error, that can lead to a safety event. A pharmacist mistakenly set the start date for a medication to the following year rather than the following day , which the CPOE system failed to flag. The authors recommended various alerts and coding changes in the system to prevent this particular error in the future.  

There were also studies in 2022 that showed successful outcomes of well-implemented CPOE systems. One in-depth pre-post, mixed-methods study showed that a fully implemented CPOE system significantly reduced specific serious and commonly occurring prescribing and procedural errors. The authors also presented evidence that it was cost-effective and detailed implementation lessons learned drawn from the qualitative data collected for the study. A specific CPOE function that demonstrated statistically significant improvement in 2022 was automatic deprescribing of medication orders and communication of the relevant information to pharmacies. Deprescribing is the planned and supervised process of dose reduction or stopping of a medication that is no longer beneficial or could be causing harm. That study showed an immediate and sustained 78% increase in successful discontinuations after implementation of the software. A second study on the same functionality determined that currently only one third to one half of medications are e-prescribed, and the study proposed that e-prescribing should be expanded to increase the impact of the deprescribing software. It should be noted, however, that the systems were not perfect and that a small percentage of medications were unintentionally cancelled. Finally, an algorithm to detect patients in need of follow-up after test results was developed and implemented in another study . The algorithm showed some process improvements, but outcome measures were not reported. 

Usability  

Usability of CDS systems was a large focus of research in 2022. Poorly designed systems that do not fit into existing workflows lead to frustrated users and increase the potential for errors. For example, if users are required to enter data in multiple places or prompted to enter data that are not available to them, they could find ways to work around the system or even cease to use it, increasing the potential for patient safety errors. The documentation burden is already very high on U.S. clinicians, 10 so it is important that novel technological approaches do not add to this burden but, if possible, alleviate it by offering a high level of usability and interoperability.  

One study used human-factored design in creating a CDS to diagnose pulmonary embolism in the Emergency Department and then surveyed clinician users about their experiences using the tool. Despite respondents giving the tool high usability ratings and reporting that the CDS was valuable, actual use of the tool was low. Based on the feedback from users, the authors proposed some changes to increase uptake, but both users and authors mentioned the challenges that arise when trying to change the existing workflow of clinicians without increasing their burden. Another study gathered qualitative feedback from clinicians on a theoretical CDS system for diagnosing neurological issues in the Emergency Department. In this study too, many clinicians saw the potential value in the CDS tool but had concerns about workflow integration and whether it would impact their ability to make clinical decisions. Finally, one study developed a dashboard to display various risk factors for multiple hospital-acquired infections and gathered feedback from users. The users generally found the dashboard useful and easy to learn, and they also provided valuable feedback on color scales, location, and types of data displayed. All of these studies show that attention to end user needs and preferences is necessary for successful implementation of CDS.  However, the recent market consolidation in Electronic Health Record vendors may have an impact on the amount of user feedback gathered and integrated into CDS systems. Larger vendors may have more resources to devote to improving the usability and design of CDS, or their near monopolies in the market may not provide an incentive to innovate further. 11 More research is needed as this trend continues.  

Alerts and Alarms 

Alerts and alarms are an important part of most CDS systems, as they can prompt clinicians with important and timely information during the treatment process. However, these alerts and alarms must be accurate and useful to elicit an appropriate response. The tradeoff between increased safety due to alerts and clinician alert fatigue is an important balance to strike. 12

Many studies in 2022 looked at clinician responses to medication-related alerts, including override and modification rates. Several of the studies found a high alert override rate but questioned the validity of using override rates alone as a marker of CDS effectiveness and usability. For example, one study looked at drug allergy alerts and found that although 44.8% of alerts were overridden, only 9.3% of those were inappropriately overridden, and very few overrides led to an adverse allergic reaction. A study on “do not give” alerts found that clinicians modified their orders to comply with alert recommendations after 78% of alerts but only cancelled orders after 26% of alerts. A scoping review looked at drug-drug interaction alerts and found similar results, including high override rates and the need for more data on why alerts are overridden. These findings are supported by another study that found that the underlying drug value sets triggering drug-drug interaction alerts are often inconsistent, leading to many inappropriate alerts that are then appropriately overridden by clinicians. These studies suggest that while a certain number of overrides should be expected, the underlying criteria for alert systems should be designed and regularly reviewed with specificity and sensitivity in mind. This will increase the frequency of appropriate alerts that foster indicated clinical action and reduce alert fatigue. 

There also seems to be variability in the effectiveness of alert systems across sites. One study looked at an alert to add an item to the problem list if a clinician placed an order for a medication that was not indicated based on the patient’s chart. The study found about 90% accuracy in alerts across two sites but a wide difference in the frequency of appropriate action between the sites (83% and 47%). This suggests that contextual factors at each site, such as culture and organizational processes, may impact success as much as the technology itself.  

A different study looked at the psychology of dismissing alerts using log data and found that dismissing alerts becomes habitual and that the habit is self-reinforcing over time. Furthermore, nearly three quarters of alerts were dismissed within 3 seconds. This indicates how challenging it can be to change or disrupt alert habits once they are formed. 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning  

In recent years, one of the largest areas of burgeoning technology in healthcare has been artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. AI and machine learning use algorithms to absorb large amounts of historical and real-time data and then predict outcomes and recommend treatment options as new data are entered by clinicians. Research in 2022 showed that these techniques are starting to be integrated into EHR and CDS systems, but challenges remain. A full discussion of this topic is beyond the scope of this review. Here we limit the discussion to several patient-safety-focused resources posted on PSNet in 2022.  

One of the promising aspects of AI is its ability to improve CDS processes and clinician workflow overall. For example, one study last year looked at using machine learning to improve and filter CDS alerts. They found that the software could reduce alert volume by 54% while maintaining high precision. Reducing alert volume has the potential to alleviate alert fatigue and habitual overriding. Another topic explored in a scoping review was the use of AI to reduce adverse drug events. While only a few studies reviewed implementation in a clinical setting (most evaluated algorithm technical performance), several promising uses were found for AI systems that predict risk of an adverse drug event, which would facilitate early detection and mitigate negative effects.  

Despite enthusiasm for and promising applications of AI, implementation is slow. One of the challenges facing implementation is the variable quality of the systems. For example, a commonly used sepsis detection model was recently found to have very low sensitivity. 13 Algorithms also drift over time as new data are integrated, and this can affect performance, particularly during and after large disturbances like the COVID-19 pandemic. 14 There is also emerging research about the impact of AI algorithms on racial and ethnic biases in healthcare; at the time of publication of this essay, an AHRQ EPC was conducting a review of evidence on the topic. 15  These examples highlight the fact that AI is not a “set it and forget it” application; it requires monitoring and customization from a dedicated resource to ensure that the algorithms perform well over time. A related challenge is the lack of a strong business case for using high-quality AI. Because of this, many health systems choose to use out-of-the-box AI algorithms, which may be of poor quality overall (or are unsuited to particular settings) and may also be “black box” algorithms (i.e., not customizable by the health system because the vendor will not allow access to the underlying code). 16 The variable quality and the lack of transparency may cause mistrust by clinicians and overall aversion to AI interventions.  

In an attempt to address these concerns, one article in 2022 detailed best practices for AI implementation in health systems, focusing on the business case. Best practices include using AI to address a priority problem for the health system rather than treating it as an end itself. Additionally, testing the AI using the health system’s patients and data to demonstrate applicability and accuracy for that setting, confirming that the AI can provide a return on investment, and ensuring that the AI can be implemented easily and efficiently are also important. Another white paper described a human-factors and ergonomics framework for developing AI in order to improve the implementation within healthcare systems, teams, and workflows. The federal government and international organizations have also published AI guidelines, focusing on increasing trustworthiness (National Artificial Intelligence Initiative) 17 and ensuring ethical governance (World Health Organization). 18   

Conclusion and Next Steps 

As highlighted in this review, the scope and complexity of technology and its application in healthcare can be intimidating for healthcare systems to approach and implement. Researchers last year thus created a framework that health systems can use to assess their digital maturity and guide their plans for further integration.  

The field would benefit from more research in several areas in upcoming years. First and foremost, high-quality prospective outcome studies are needed to validate the effectiveness of the new technologies. Second, more work is needed on system usability, how the systems are integrated into workflows, and how they affect the documentation burden placed on clinicians. For CDS specifically, more focus is needed on patient-centered CDS (PC CDS), which supports patient-centered care by helping clinicians and patients make the best decisions given each individual’s circumstances and preferences. 19 AHRQ is already leading efforts in this field with their CDS Innovation Collaborative project. 20 Finally, as it becomes more common to incorporate EHR scribes to ease the documentation burden, research on their impact on patient safety will be needed, especially in relation to new technological approaches. For example, when a scribe encounters a CDS alert, do they alert the clinician in all cases? 

In addition to the approaches mentioned in this article, other emerging technologies in early stages of development hold theoretical promise for improving patient safety. One prominent example is “computer vision,” which uses cameras and AI to gather and process data on what physically happens in healthcare settings beyond what is captured in EHR data, 21 including being able to detect immediately that a patient fell in their room. 22  

As technology continues to expand and improve, researchers, clinicians, and health systems must be mindful of potential stumbling blocks that could impede progress and threaten patient safety. However, technology presents a wide array of opportunities to make healthcare more integrated, efficient, and safe.  

• Cohen CC, Powell K, Dick AW, et al. The Association Between Nursing Home Information Technology Maturity and Urinary Tract Infection Among Long-Term Residents . J Appl Gerontol . 2022;41(7):1695-1701. doi: 10.1177/07334648221082024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9232878/
• https://www.healthit.gov/topic/safety/safer-guides
• https://cds.ahrq.gov/cdsconnect/repository
• https://www.cms.gov/about-cms/obrhi
• McBride S, Makar E, Ross A, et al. Determining awareness of the SAFER guides among nurse informaticists. J Inform Nurs. 2021;6(4). https://library.ania.org/ania/articles/713/view
• Sittig DF, Sengstack P, Singh H. Guidelines for US hospitals and clinicians on assessment of electronic health record safety using SAFER guides. J ama . 2022;327:719-720.
• https://library.ahima.org/doc?oid=300027#.Y-6RhXbMKHt
• https://www.healthit.gov/faq/what-computerized-provider-order-entry#:~:text=Computerized%20provider%20order%20entry%20(CPOE,paper%2C%20fax%2C%20or%20telephone
• https://digital.ahrq.gov/2018-year-review/research-spotlights/leveragin…
• Holmgren AJ, Downing NL, Bates DW, et al. Assessment of electronic health record use between US and non-US health systems. JAMA Intern Med. 2021;181:251-259. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.7071
• Holmgren AJ, Apathy NC. Trends in US hospital electronic health record vendor market concentration, 2012–2021. J Gen Intern Med. 2022. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11606-022-07917-3#citeas
• Co Z, Holmgren AJ, Classen DC, et al. The tradeoffs between safety and alert fatigue: data from a national evaluation of hospital medication-related clinical decision support. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2020;27:1252-1258. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32620948/
• Wong A, Otles E, Donnelly JP, et al. External validation of a widely implemented proprietary sepsis prediction model in hospitalized patients. JAMA Intern Med. 2021;181:1065-1070. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2781307
• Parikh RB, Zhang Y, Kolla L, et al. Performance drift in a mortality prediction algorithm among patients with cancer during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2022;30:348-354. https://academic.oup.com/jamia/advance-article/doi/10.1093/jamia/ocac221/6835770?login=false
• https://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/products/racial-disparities-health…
• https://www.statnews.com/2022/05/24/market-failure-preventing-efficient-diffusion-health-care-ai-software/
• https://www.ai.gov/strategic-pillars/advancing-trustworthy-ai/
• Ethics and governance of artificial intelligence for health (WHO guidance). Geneva: World Health Organization; 2021. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240029200
• Dullabh P, Sandberg SF, Heaney-Huls K, et al. Challenges and opportunities for advancing patient-centered clinical decision support: findings from a horizon scan. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2022: 29(7):1233-1243. doi: 10.1093/jamia/ocac059. PMID: 35534996; PMCID: PMC9196686.
• https://cds.ahrq.gov/cdsic
• Yeung S, Downing NL, Fei-Fei L, et al. Bedside computer vision: moving artificial intelligence from driver assistance to patient safety. N Engl J Med. 2018;387:1271-1273. https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMp1716891
• Espinosa R, Ponce H, Gutiérrez S, et al. A vision-based approach for fall detection using multiple cameras and convolutional neural networks: a case study using the UP-Fall detection dataset. Comput Biol Med. 2019;115:103520. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compbiomed.2019.103520

This project was funded under contract number 75Q80119C00004 from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The authors are solely responsible for this report’s contents, findings, and conclusions, which do not necessarily represent the views of AHRQ. Readers should not interpret any statement in this report as an official position of AHRQ or of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. None of the authors has any affiliation or financial involvement that conflicts with the material presented in this report. View AHRQ Disclaimers

Perspective

Perspectives on Safety

Annual Perspective

Patient Safety Innovations

Suicide Prevention in an Emergency Department Population: ED-SAFE

WebM&M Cases

The Retrievals. August 9, 2023

Agent of change. August 1, 2018

Amid lack of accountability for bias in maternity care, a California family seeks justice. August 16, 2023

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: An Update on the Quality of American Health Care Through the Patient's Lens. April 12, 2006

Improving patient safety by shifting power from health professionals to patients. October 25, 2023

Patient Safety Primers

Discharge Planning and Transitions of Care

Medicines-related harm in the elderly post-hospital discharge. March 27, 2019

Emergency department crowding: the canary in the health care system. November 3, 2021

Advancing Patient Safety: Reviews From the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's Making Healthcare Safer III Report. September 2, 2020

Exploring Alternatives To Malpractice Litigation. January 15, 2014

Making Healthcare Safer III. March 18, 2020

Special Section: Patient Safety. May 24, 2006

The Science of Simulation in Healthcare: Defining and Developing Clinical Expertise. November 19, 2008

Compendium of Strategies to Prevent HAIs in Acute Care Hospitals 2014. September 1, 2014

Quality, Safety, and Noninterpretive Skills. November 11, 2015

Patient Safety. November 21, 2018

Ambulatory Safety Nets to Reduce Missed and Delayed Diagnoses of Cancer

Remote response team and customized alert settings help improve management of sepsis.

Using sociotechnical theory to understand medication safety work in primary care and prescribers' use of clinical decision support: a qualitative study. May 24, 2023

Human factors and safety analysis methods used in the design and redesign of electronic medication management systems: a systematic review. May 17, 2023

Journal Article

Reducing hospital harm: establishing a command centre to foster situational awareness.

The potential for leveraging machine learning to filter medication alerts. May 4, 2022

Improving the specificity of drug-drug interaction alerts: can it be done? April 6, 2022

A qualitative study of prescribing errors among multi-professional prescribers within an e-prescribing system. December 23, 2020

The tradeoffs between safety and alert fatigue: data from a national evaluation of hospital medication-related clinical decision support. July 29, 2020

Assessment of health information technology-related outpatient diagnostic delays in the US Veterans Affairs health care system: a qualitative study of aggregated root cause analysis data. July 22, 2020

Reducing drug prescription errors and adverse drug events by application of a probabilistic, machine-learning based clinical decision support system in an inpatient setting. August 21, 2019

Improving medication-related clinical decision support. March 7, 2018

The frequency of inappropriate nonformulary medication alert overrides in the inpatient setting. April 6, 2016

The effect of provider characteristics on the responses to medication-related decision support alerts. July 15, 2015

Best practices: an electronic drug alert program to improve safety in an accountable care environment. July 1, 2015

Impact of computerized physician order entry alerts on prescribing in older patients. March 25, 2015

Differences of reasons for alert overrides on contraindicated co-prescriptions by admitting department. December 17, 2014

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