what is the importance of conclusion in research

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Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper

• 9. The Conclusion
• Purpose of Guide
• Design Flaws to Avoid
• Independent and Dependent Variables
• Glossary of Research Terms
• Reading Research Effectively
• Narrowing a Topic Idea
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• Extending the Timeliness of a Topic Idea
• Academic Writing Style
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• Choosing a Title
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• The Research Problem/Question
• Theoretical Framework
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• Primary Sources
• Secondary Sources
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• Scholarly vs. Popular Publications
• Qualitative Methods
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• Insiderness
• Using Non-Textual Elements
• Limitations of the Study
• Common Grammar Mistakes
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• Further Readings
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The conclusion is intended to help the reader understand why your research should matter to them after they have finished reading the paper. A conclusion is not merely a summary of the main topics covered or a re-statement of your research problem, but a synthesis of key points derived from the findings of your study and, if applicable, where you recommend new areas for future research. For most college-level research papers, two or three well-developed paragraphs is sufficient for a conclusion, although in some cases, more paragraphs may be required in describing the key findings and their significance.

Conclusions. The Writing Center. University of North Carolina; Conclusions. The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University.

Importance of a Good Conclusion

A well-written conclusion provides you with important opportunities to demonstrate to the reader your understanding of the research problem. These include:

• Presenting the last word on the issues you raised in your paper . Just as the introduction gives a first impression to your reader, the conclusion offers a chance to leave a lasting impression. Do this, for example, by highlighting key findings in your analysis that advance new understanding about the research problem, that are unusual or unexpected, or that have important implications applied to practice.
• Summarizing your thoughts and conveying the larger significance of your study . The conclusion is an opportunity to succinctly re-emphasize  your answer to the "So What?" question by placing the study within the context of how your research advances past research about the topic.
• Identifying how a gap in the literature has been addressed . The conclusion can be where you describe how a previously identified gap in the literature [first identified in your literature review section] has been addressed by your research and why this contribution is significant.
• Demonstrating the importance of your ideas . Don't be shy. The conclusion offers an opportunity to elaborate on the impact and significance of your findings. This is particularly important if your study approached examining the research problem from an unusual or innovative perspective.
• Introducing possible new or expanded ways of thinking about the research problem . This does not refer to introducing new information [which should be avoided], but to offer new insight and creative approaches for framing or contextualizing the research problem based on the results of your study.

Bunton, David. “The Structure of PhD Conclusion Chapters.” Journal of English for Academic Purposes 4 (July 2005): 207–224; Conclusions. The Writing Center. University of North Carolina; Kretchmer, Paul. Twelve Steps to Writing an Effective Conclusion. San Francisco Edit, 2003-2008; Conclusions. The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University; Assan, Joseph. "Writing the Conclusion Chapter: The Good, the Bad and the Missing." Liverpool: Development Studies Association (2009): 1-8.

Structure and Writing Style

I.  General Rules

The general function of your paper's conclusion is to restate the main argument . It reminds the reader of the strengths of your main argument(s) and reiterates the most important evidence supporting those argument(s). Do this by clearly summarizing the context, background, and necessity of pursuing the research problem you investigated in relation to an issue, controversy, or a gap found in the literature. However, make sure that your conclusion is not simply a repetitive summary of the findings. This reduces the impact of the argument(s) you have developed in your paper.

When writing the conclusion to your paper, follow these general rules:

• Present your conclusions in clear, concise language. Re-state the purpose of your study, then describe how your findings differ or support those of other studies and why [i.e., what were the unique, new, or crucial contributions your study made to the overall research about your topic?].
• Do not simply reiterate your findings or the discussion of your results. Provide a synthesis of arguments presented in the paper to show how these converge to address the research problem and the overall objectives of your study.
• Indicate opportunities for future research if you haven't already done so in the discussion section of your paper. Highlighting the need for further research provides the reader with evidence that you have an in-depth awareness of the research problem but that further investigations should take place beyond the scope of your investigation.

Consider the following points to help ensure your conclusion is presented well:

• If the argument or purpose of your paper is complex, you may need to summarize the argument for your reader.
• If, prior to your conclusion, you have not yet explained the significance of your findings or if you are proceeding inductively, use the end of your paper to describe your main points and explain their significance.
• Move from a detailed to a general level of consideration that returns the topic to the context provided by the introduction or within a new context that emerges from the data [this is opposite of the introduction, which begins with general discussion of the context and ends with a detailed description of the research problem]. 

The conclusion also provides a place for you to persuasively and succinctly restate the research problem, given that the reader has now been presented with all the information about the topic . Depending on the discipline you are writing in, the concluding paragraph may contain your reflections on the evidence presented. However, the nature of being introspective about the research you have conducted will depend on the topic and whether your professor wants you to express your observations in this way. If asked to think introspectively about the topics, do not delve into idle speculation. Being introspective means looking within yourself as an author to try and understand an issue more deeply, not to guess at possible outcomes or make up scenarios not supported by the evidence.

II.  Developing a Compelling Conclusion

Although an effective conclusion needs to be clear and succinct, it does not need to be written passively or lack a compelling narrative. Strategies to help you move beyond merely summarizing the key points of your research paper may include any of the following:

• If your essay deals with a critical, contemporary problem, warn readers of the possible consequences of not attending to the problem proactively.
• Recommend a specific course or courses of action that, if adopted, could address a specific problem in practice or in the development of new knowledge leading to positive change.
• Cite a relevant quotation or expert opinion already noted in your paper in order to lend authority and support to the conclusion(s) you have reached [a good source would be from your literature review].
• Explain the consequences of your research in a way that elicits action or demonstrates urgency in seeking change.
• Restate a key statistic, fact, or visual image to emphasize the most important finding of your paper.
• If your discipline encourages personal reflection, illustrate your concluding point by drawing from your own life experiences.
• Return to an anecdote, an example, or a quotation that you presented in your introduction, but add further insight derived from the findings of your study; use your interpretation of results from your study to recast it in new or important ways.
• Provide a "take-home" message in the form of a succinct, declarative statement that you want the reader to remember about your study.

III. Problems to Avoid

Failure to be concise Your conclusion section should be concise and to the point. Conclusions that are too lengthy often have unnecessary information in them. The conclusion is not the place for details about your methodology or results. Although you should give a summary of what was learned from your research, this summary should be relatively brief, since the emphasis in the conclusion is on the implications, evaluations, insights, and other forms of analysis that you make. Strategies for writing concisely can be found here .

Failure to comment on larger, more significant issues In the introduction, your task was to move from the general [the field of study] to the specific [the research problem]. However, in the conclusion, your task is to move from a specific discussion [your research problem] back to a general discussion framed around the implications and significance of your findings [i.e., how your research contributes new understanding or fills an important gap in the literature]. In short, the conclusion is where you should place your research within a larger context [visualize your paper as an hourglass--start with a broad introduction and review of the literature, move to the specific analysis and discussion, conclude with a broad summary of the study's implications and significance].

Failure to reveal problems and negative results Negative aspects of the research process should never be ignored. These are problems, deficiencies, or challenges encountered during your study. They should be summarized as a way of qualifying your overall conclusions. If you encountered negative or unintended results [i.e., findings that are validated outside the research context in which they were generated], you must report them in the results section and discuss their implications in the discussion section of your paper. In the conclusion, use negative results as an opportunity to explain their possible significance and/or how they may form the basis for future research.

Failure to provide a clear summary of what was learned In order to be able to discuss how your research fits within your field of study [and possibly the world at large], you need to summarize briefly and succinctly how it contributes to new knowledge or a new understanding about the research problem. This element of your conclusion may be only a few sentences long.

Failure to match the objectives of your research Often research objectives in the social and behavioral sciences change while the research is being carried out. This is not a problem unless you forget to go back and refine the original objectives in your introduction. As these changes emerge they must be documented so that they accurately reflect what you were trying to accomplish in your research [not what you thought you might accomplish when you began].

Resist the urge to apologize If you've immersed yourself in studying the research problem, you presumably should know a good deal about it [perhaps even more than your professor!]. Nevertheless, by the time you have finished writing, you may be having some doubts about what you have produced. Repress those doubts! Don't undermine your authority as a researcher by saying something like, "This is just one approach to examining this problem; there may be other, much better approaches that...." The overall tone of your conclusion should convey confidence to the reader about the study's validity and realiability.

Assan, Joseph. "Writing the Conclusion Chapter: The Good, the Bad and the Missing." Liverpool: Development Studies Association (2009): 1-8; Concluding Paragraphs. College Writing Center at Meramec. St. Louis Community College; Conclusions. The Writing Center. University of North Carolina; Conclusions. The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University; Freedman, Leora  and Jerry Plotnick. Introductions and Conclusions. The Lab Report. University College Writing Centre. University of Toronto; Leibensperger, Summer. Draft Your Conclusion. Academic Center, the University of Houston-Victoria, 2003; Make Your Last Words Count. The Writer’s Handbook. Writing Center. University of Wisconsin Madison; Miquel, Fuster-Marquez and Carmen Gregori-Signes. “Chapter Six: ‘Last but Not Least:’ Writing the Conclusion of Your Paper.” In Writing an Applied Linguistics Thesis or Dissertation: A Guide to Presenting Empirical Research . John Bitchener, editor. (Basingstoke,UK: Palgrave Macmillan, 2010), pp. 93-105; Tips for Writing a Good Conclusion. Writing@CSU. Colorado State University; Kretchmer, Paul. Twelve Steps to Writing an Effective Conclusion. San Francisco Edit, 2003-2008; Writing Conclusions. Writing Tutorial Services, Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning. Indiana University; Writing: Considering Structure and Organization. Institute for Writing Rhetoric. Dartmouth College.

Writing Tip

Don't Belabor the Obvious!

Avoid phrases like "in conclusion...," "in summary...," or "in closing...." These phrases can be useful, even welcome, in oral presentations. But readers can see by the tell-tale section heading and number of pages remaining that they are reaching the end of your paper. You'll irritate your readers if you belabor the obvious.

Assan, Joseph. "Writing the Conclusion Chapter: The Good, the Bad and the Missing." Liverpool: Development Studies Association (2009): 1-8.

Another Writing Tip

New Insight, Not New Information!

Don't surprise the reader with new information in your conclusion that was never referenced anywhere else in the paper. This why the conclusion rarely has citations to sources. If you have new information to present, add it to the discussion or other appropriate section of the paper. Note that, although no new information is introduced, the conclusion, along with the discussion section, is where you offer your most "original" contributions in the paper; the conclusion is where you describe the value of your research, demonstrate that you understand the material that you’ve presented, and position your findings within the larger context of scholarship on the topic, including describing how your research contributes new insights to that scholarship.

Assan, Joseph. "Writing the Conclusion Chapter: The Good, the Bad and the Missing." Liverpool: Development Studies Association (2009): 1-8; Conclusions. The Writing Center. University of North Carolina.

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How to Write a Conclusion for Research Papers (with Examples)

The conclusion of a research paper is a crucial section that plays a significant role in the overall impact and effectiveness of your research paper. However, this is also the section that typically receives less attention compared to the introduction and the body of the paper. The conclusion serves to provide a concise summary of the key findings, their significance, their implications, and a sense of closure to the study. Discussing how can the findings be applied in real-world scenarios or inform policy, practice, or decision-making is especially valuable to practitioners and policymakers. The research paper conclusion also provides researchers with clear insights and valuable information for their own work, which they can then build on and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field.

The research paper conclusion should explain the significance of your findings within the broader context of your field. It restates how your results contribute to the existing body of knowledge and whether they confirm or challenge existing theories or hypotheses. Also, by identifying unanswered questions or areas requiring further investigation, your awareness of the broader research landscape can be demonstrated.

Remember to tailor the research paper conclusion to the specific needs and interests of your intended audience, which may include researchers, practitioners, policymakers, or a combination of these.

Table of Contents

What is a conclusion in a research paper, summarizing conclusion, editorial conclusion, externalizing conclusion, importance of a good research paper conclusion, how to write a conclusion for your research paper, research paper conclusion examples.

• How to write a research paper conclusion with Paperpal? 

Frequently Asked Questions

A conclusion in a research paper is the final section where you summarize and wrap up your research, presenting the key findings and insights derived from your study. The research paper conclusion is not the place to introduce new information or data that was not discussed in the main body of the paper. When working on how to conclude a research paper, remember to stick to summarizing and interpreting existing content. The research paper conclusion serves the following purposes: 1

• Warn readers of the possible consequences of not attending to the problem.
• Recommend specific course(s) of action.
• Restate key ideas to drive home the ultimate point of your research paper.
• Provide a “take-home” message that you want the readers to remember about your study.

Types of conclusions for research papers

In research papers, the conclusion provides closure to the reader. The type of research paper conclusion you choose depends on the nature of your study, your goals, and your target audience. I provide you with three common types of conclusions:

A summarizing conclusion is the most common type of conclusion in research papers. It involves summarizing the main points, reiterating the research question, and restating the significance of the findings. This common type of research paper conclusion is used across different disciplines.

An editorial conclusion is less common but can be used in research papers that are focused on proposing or advocating for a particular viewpoint or policy. It involves presenting a strong editorial or opinion based on the research findings and offering recommendations or calls to action.

An externalizing conclusion is a type of conclusion that extends the research beyond the scope of the paper by suggesting potential future research directions or discussing the broader implications of the findings. This type of conclusion is often used in more theoretical or exploratory research papers.

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The conclusion in a research paper serves several important purposes:

• Offers Implications and Recommendations : Your research paper conclusion is an excellent place to discuss the broader implications of your research and suggest potential areas for further study. It’s also an opportunity to offer practical recommendations based on your findings.
• Provides Closure : A good research paper conclusion provides a sense of closure to your paper. It should leave the reader with a feeling that they have reached the end of a well-structured and thought-provoking research project.
• Leaves a Lasting Impression : Writing a well-crafted research paper conclusion leaves a lasting impression on your readers. It’s your final opportunity to leave them with a new idea, a call to action, or a memorable quote.

Writing a strong conclusion for your research paper is essential to leave a lasting impression on your readers. Here’s a step-by-step process to help you create and know what to put in the conclusion of a research paper: 2

• Research Statement : Begin your research paper conclusion by restating your research statement. This reminds the reader of the main point you’ve been trying to prove throughout your paper. Keep it concise and clear.
• Key Points : Summarize the main arguments and key points you’ve made in your paper. Avoid introducing new information in the research paper conclusion. Instead, provide a concise overview of what you’ve discussed in the body of your paper.
• Address the Research Questions : If your research paper is based on specific research questions or hypotheses, briefly address whether you’ve answered them or achieved your research goals. Discuss the significance of your findings in this context.
• Significance : Highlight the importance of your research and its relevance in the broader context. Explain why your findings matter and how they contribute to the existing knowledge in your field.
• Implications : Explore the practical or theoretical implications of your research. How might your findings impact future research, policy, or real-world applications? Consider the “so what?” question.
• Future Research : Offer suggestions for future research in your area. What questions or aspects remain unanswered or warrant further investigation? This shows that your work opens the door for future exploration.
• Closing Thought : Conclude your research paper conclusion with a thought-provoking or memorable statement. This can leave a lasting impression on your readers and wrap up your paper effectively. Avoid introducing new information or arguments here.
• Proofread and Revise : Carefully proofread your conclusion for grammar, spelling, and clarity. Ensure that your ideas flow smoothly and that your conclusion is coherent and well-structured.

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Remember that a well-crafted research paper conclusion is a reflection of the strength of your research and your ability to communicate its significance effectively. It should leave a lasting impression on your readers and tie together all the threads of your paper. Now you know how to start the conclusion of a research paper and what elements to include to make it impactful, let’s look at a research paper conclusion sample.

How to write a research paper conclusion with Paperpal?

A research paper conclusion is not just a summary of your study, but a synthesis of the key findings that ties the research together and places it in a broader context. A research paper conclusion should be concise, typically around one paragraph in length. However, some complex topics may require a longer conclusion to ensure the reader is left with a clear understanding of the study’s significance. Paperpal, an AI writing assistant trusted by over 800,000 academics globally, can help you write a well-structured conclusion for your research paper. 

• Sign Up or Log In: Create a new Paperpal account or login with your details.  
• Navigate to Features : Once logged in, head over to the features’ side navigation pane. Click on Templates and you’ll find a suite of generative AI features to help you write better, faster.  
• Generate an outline: Under Templates, select ‘Outlines’. Choose ‘Research article’ as your document type.  
• Select your section: Since you’re focusing on the conclusion, select this section when prompted.  
• Choose your field of study: Identifying your field of study allows Paperpal to provide more targeted suggestions, ensuring the relevance of your conclusion to your specific area of research. 
• Provide a brief description of your study: Enter details about your research topic and findings. This information helps Paperpal generate a tailored outline that aligns with your paper’s content. 
• Generate the conclusion outline: After entering all necessary details, click on ‘generate’. Paperpal will then create a structured outline for your conclusion, to help you start writing and build upon the outline.  
• Write your conclusion: Use the generated outline to build your conclusion. The outline serves as a guide, ensuring you cover all critical aspects of a strong conclusion, from summarizing key findings to highlighting the research’s implications. 
• Refine and enhance: Paperpal’s ‘Make Academic’ feature can be particularly useful in the final stages. Select any paragraph of your conclusion and use this feature to elevate the academic tone, ensuring your writing is aligned to the academic journal standards. 

By following these steps, Paperpal not only simplifies the process of writing a research paper conclusion but also ensures it is impactful, concise, and aligned with academic standards. Sign up with Paperpal today and write your research paper conclusion 2x faster .  

The research paper conclusion is a crucial part of your paper as it provides the final opportunity to leave a strong impression on your readers. In the research paper conclusion, summarize the main points of your research paper by restating your research statement, highlighting the most important findings, addressing the research questions or objectives, explaining the broader context of the study, discussing the significance of your findings, providing recommendations if applicable, and emphasizing the takeaway message. The main purpose of the conclusion is to remind the reader of the main point or argument of your paper and to provide a clear and concise summary of the key findings and their implications. All these elements should feature on your list of what to put in the conclusion of a research paper to create a strong final statement for your work.

A strong conclusion is a critical component of a research paper, as it provides an opportunity to wrap up your arguments, reiterate your main points, and leave a lasting impression on your readers. Here are the key elements of a strong research paper conclusion: 1. Conciseness : A research paper conclusion should be concise and to the point. It should not introduce new information or ideas that were not discussed in the body of the paper. 2. Summarization : The research paper conclusion should be comprehensive enough to give the reader a clear understanding of the research’s main contributions. 3 . Relevance : Ensure that the information included in the research paper conclusion is directly relevant to the research paper’s main topic and objectives; avoid unnecessary details. 4 . Connection to the Introduction : A well-structured research paper conclusion often revisits the key points made in the introduction and shows how the research has addressed the initial questions or objectives. 5. Emphasis : Highlight the significance and implications of your research. Why is your study important? What are the broader implications or applications of your findings? 6 . Call to Action : Include a call to action or a recommendation for future research or action based on your findings.

The length of a research paper conclusion can vary depending on several factors, including the overall length of the paper, the complexity of the research, and the specific journal requirements. While there is no strict rule for the length of a conclusion, but it’s generally advisable to keep it relatively short. A typical research paper conclusion might be around 5-10% of the paper’s total length. For example, if your paper is 10 pages long, the conclusion might be roughly half a page to one page in length.

In general, you do not need to include citations in the research paper conclusion. Citations are typically reserved for the body of the paper to support your arguments and provide evidence for your claims. However, there may be some exceptions to this rule: 1. If you are drawing a direct quote or paraphrasing a specific source in your research paper conclusion, you should include a citation to give proper credit to the original author. 2. If your conclusion refers to or discusses specific research, data, or sources that are crucial to the overall argument, citations can be included to reinforce your conclusion’s validity.

The conclusion of a research paper serves several important purposes: 1. Summarize the Key Points 2. Reinforce the Main Argument 3. Provide Closure 4. Offer Insights or Implications 5. Engage the Reader. 6. Reflect on Limitations

Remember that the primary purpose of the research paper conclusion is to leave a lasting impression on the reader, reinforcing the key points and providing closure to your research. It’s often the last part of the paper that the reader will see, so it should be strong and well-crafted.

• Makar, G., Foltz, C., Lendner, M., & Vaccaro, A. R. (2018). How to write effective discussion and conclusion sections. Clinical spine surgery, 31(8), 345-346.
• Bunton, D. (2005). The structure of PhD conclusion chapters.  Journal of English for academic purposes ,  4 (3), 207-224.

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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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Research Paper Conclusion – Writing Guide and Examples

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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.

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

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How to write a strong conclusion for your research paper

Last updated

17 February 2024

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Writing a research paper is a chance to share your knowledge and hypothesis. It's an opportunity to demonstrate your many hours of research and prove your ability to write convincingly.

Ideally, by the end of your research paper, you'll have brought your readers on a journey to reach the conclusions you've pre-determined. However, if you don't stick the landing with a good conclusion, you'll risk losing your reader’s trust.

Writing a strong conclusion for your research paper involves a few important steps, including restating the thesis and summing up everything properly.

Find out what to include and what to avoid, so you can effectively demonstrate your understanding of the topic and prove your expertise.

• Why is a good conclusion important?

A good conclusion can cement your paper in the reader’s mind. Making a strong impression in your introduction can draw your readers in, but it's the conclusion that will inspire them.

• What to include in a research paper conclusion

There are a few specifics you should include in your research paper conclusion. Offer your readers some sense of urgency or consequence by pointing out why they should care about the topic you have covered. Discuss any common problems associated with your topic and provide suggestions as to how these problems can be solved or addressed.

The conclusion should include a restatement of your initial thesis. Thesis statements are strengthened after you’ve presented supporting evidence (as you will have done in the paper), so make a point to reintroduce it at the end.

Finally, recap the main points of your research paper, highlighting the key takeaways you want readers to remember. If you've made multiple points throughout the paper, refer to the ones with the strongest supporting evidence.

• Steps for writing a research paper conclusion

Many writers find the conclusion the most challenging part of any research project . By following these three steps, you'll be prepared to write a conclusion that is effective and concise.

• Step 1: Restate the problem

Always begin by restating the research problem in the conclusion of a research paper. This serves to remind the reader of your hypothesis and refresh them on the main point of the paper. 

When restating the problem, take care to avoid using exactly the same words you employed earlier in the paper.

• Step 2: Sum up the paper

After you've restated the problem, sum up the paper by revealing your overall findings. The method for this differs slightly, depending on whether you're crafting an argumentative paper or an empirical paper.

Argumentative paper: Restate your thesis and arguments

Argumentative papers involve introducing a thesis statement early on. In crafting the conclusion for an argumentative paper, always restate the thesis, outlining the way you've developed it throughout the entire paper.

It might be appropriate to mention any counterarguments in the conclusion, so you can demonstrate how your thesis is correct or how the data best supports your main points.

Empirical paper: Summarize research findings

Empirical papers break down a series of research questions. In your conclusion, discuss the findings your research revealed, including any information that surprised you.

Be clear about the conclusions you reached, and explain whether or not you expected to arrive at these particular ones.

• Step 3: Discuss the implications of your research

Argumentative papers and empirical papers also differ in this part of a research paper conclusion. Here are some tips on crafting conclusions for argumentative and empirical papers.

Argumentative paper: Powerful closing statement

In an argumentative paper, you'll have spent a great deal of time expressing the opinions you formed after doing a significant amount of research. Make a strong closing statement in your argumentative paper's conclusion to share the significance of your work.

You can outline the next steps through a bold call to action, or restate how powerful your ideas turned out to be.

Empirical paper: Directions for future research

Empirical papers are broader in scope. They usually cover a variety of aspects and can include several points of view.

To write a good conclusion for an empirical paper, suggest the type of research that could be done in the future, including methods for further investigation or outlining ways other researchers might proceed.

If you feel your research had any limitations, even if they were outside your control, you could mention these in your conclusion.

After you finish outlining your conclusion, ask someone to read it and offer feedback. In any research project you're especially close to, it can be hard to identify problem areas. Having a close friend or someone whose opinion you value read the research paper and provide honest feedback can be invaluable. Take note of any suggested edits and consider incorporating them into your paper if they make sense.

• Things to avoid in a research paper conclusion

Keep these aspects to avoid in mind as you're writing your conclusion and refer to them after you've created an outline.

Dry summary

Writing a memorable, succinct conclusion is arguably more important than a strong introduction. Take care to avoid just rephrasing your main points, and don't fall into the trap of repeating dry facts or citations.

You can provide a new perspective for your readers to think about or contextualize your research. Either way, make the conclusion vibrant and interesting, rather than a rote recitation of your research paper’s highlights.

Clichéd or generic phrasing

Your research paper conclusion should feel fresh and inspiring. Avoid generic phrases like "to sum up" or "in conclusion." These phrases tend to be overused, especially in an academic context and might turn your readers off.

The conclusion also isn't the time to introduce colloquial phrases or informal language. Retain a professional, confident tone consistent throughout your paper’s conclusion so it feels exciting and bold.

New data or evidence

While you should present strong data throughout your paper, the conclusion isn't the place to introduce new evidence. This is because readers are engaged in actively learning as they read through the body of your paper.

By the time they reach the conclusion, they will have formed an opinion one way or the other (hopefully in your favor!). Introducing new evidence in the conclusion will only serve to surprise or frustrate your reader.

Ignoring contradictory evidence

If your research reveals contradictory evidence, don't ignore it in the conclusion. This will damage your credibility as an expert and might even serve to highlight the contradictions.

Be as transparent as possible and admit to any shortcomings in your research, but don't dwell on them for too long.

Ambiguous or unclear resolutions

The point of a research paper conclusion is to provide closure and bring all your ideas together. You should wrap up any arguments you introduced in the paper and tie up any loose ends, while demonstrating why your research and data are strong.

Use direct language in your conclusion and avoid ambiguity. Even if some of the data and sources you cite are inconclusive or contradictory, note this in your conclusion to come across as confident and trustworthy.

• Examples of research paper conclusions

Your research paper should provide a compelling close to the paper as a whole, highlighting your research and hard work. While the conclusion should represent your unique style, these examples offer a starting point:

Ultimately, the data we examined all point to the same conclusion: Encouraging a good work-life balance improves employee productivity and benefits the company overall. The research suggests that when employees feel their personal lives are valued and respected by their employers, they are more likely to be productive when at work. In addition, company turnover tends to be reduced when employees have a balance between their personal and professional lives. While additional research is required to establish ways companies can support employees in creating a stronger work-life balance, it's clear the need is there.

Social media is a primary method of communication among young people. As we've seen in the data presented, most young people in high school use a variety of social media applications at least every hour, including Instagram and Facebook. While social media is an avenue for connection with peers, research increasingly suggests that social media use correlates with body image issues. Young girls with lower self-esteem tend to use social media more often than those who don't log onto social media apps every day. As new applications continue to gain popularity, and as more high school students are given smartphones, more research will be required to measure the effects of prolonged social media use.

What are the different kinds of research paper conclusions?

There are no formal types of research paper conclusions. Ultimately, the conclusion depends on the outline of your paper and the type of research you’re presenting. While some experts note that research papers can end with a new perspective or commentary, most papers should conclude with a combination of both. The most important aspect of a good research paper conclusion is that it accurately represents the body of the paper.

Can I present new arguments in my research paper conclusion?

Research paper conclusions are not the place to introduce new data or arguments. The body of your paper is where you should share research and insights, where the reader is actively absorbing the content. By the time a reader reaches the conclusion of the research paper, they should have formed their opinion. Introducing new arguments in the conclusion can take a reader by surprise, and not in a positive way. It might also serve to frustrate readers.

How long should a research paper conclusion be?

There's no set length for a research paper conclusion. However, it's a good idea not to run on too long, since conclusions are supposed to be succinct. A good rule of thumb is to keep your conclusion around 5 to 10 percent of the paper's total length. If your paper is 10 pages, try to keep your conclusion under one page.

What should I include in a research paper conclusion?

A good research paper conclusion should always include a sense of urgency, so the reader can see how and why the topic should matter to them. You can also note some recommended actions to help fix the problem and some obstacles they might encounter. A conclusion should also remind the reader of the thesis statement, along with the main points you covered in the paper. At the end of the conclusion, add a powerful closing statement that helps cement the paper in the mind of the reader.

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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

How Do I Write the Conclusion?

Final Conclusions, Putting Your Work in Context and Considering Further Research

• First Online: 19 October 2023

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• Sue Reeves   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-3017-0559 3 &
• Bartek Buczkowski   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-4146-3664 4  

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The conclusion is one of the shortest parts of the dissertation. In this chapter, we focus on the meaning and purpose of the conclusion, its components, and the sources of information that you should use to draw your conclusions. We will also point out the connection between the conclusion and the aim of the study, and things to avoid when writing the conclusion.

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Bunton D (2005) The structure of PhD conclusion chapters. J Engl Acad Purp 4(3):207–224

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Further Reading

Cottrell S (2017) Critical thinking skills: effective analysis, argument and reflection, 3rd edn. Palgrave, London

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McGregor SLT (2018) Understanding and evaluating research: a critical guide. SAGE Publications, Los Angeles, CA

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Reeves, S., Buczkowski, B. (2023). How Do I Write the Conclusion?. In: Mastering Your Dissertation. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-41911-9_10

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• How to Write Discussions and Conclusions

The discussion section contains the results and outcomes of a study. An effective discussion informs readers what can be learned from your experiment and provides context for the results.

What makes an effective discussion?

When you’re ready to write your discussion, you’ve already introduced the purpose of your study and provided an in-depth description of the methodology. The discussion informs readers about the larger implications of your study based on the results. Highlighting these implications while not overstating the findings can be challenging, especially when you’re submitting to a journal that selects articles based on novelty or potential impact. Regardless of what journal you are submitting to, the discussion section always serves the same purpose: concluding what your study results actually mean.

A successful discussion section puts your findings in context. It should include:

• the results of your research,
• a discussion of related research, and
• a comparison between your results and initial hypothesis.

Tip: Not all journals share the same naming conventions.

You can apply the advice in this article to the conclusion, results or discussion sections of your manuscript.

Our Early Career Researcher community tells us that the conclusion is often considered the most difficult aspect of a manuscript to write. To help, this guide provides questions to ask yourself, a basic structure to model your discussion off of and examples from published manuscripts. 

Questions to ask yourself:

• Was my hypothesis correct?
• If my hypothesis is partially correct or entirely different, what can be learned from the results? 
• How do the conclusions reshape or add onto the existing knowledge in the field? What does previous research say about the topic? 
• Why are the results important or relevant to your audience? Do they add further evidence to a scientific consensus or disprove prior studies? 
• How can future research build on these observations? What are the key experiments that must be done? 
• What is the “take-home” message you want your reader to leave with?

How to structure a discussion

Trying to fit a complete discussion into a single paragraph can add unnecessary stress to the writing process. If possible, you’ll want to give yourself two or three paragraphs to give the reader a comprehensive understanding of your study as a whole. Here’s one way to structure an effective discussion:

Writing Tips

While the above sections can help you brainstorm and structure your discussion, there are many common mistakes that writers revert to when having difficulties with their paper. Writing a discussion can be a delicate balance between summarizing your results, providing proper context for your research and avoiding introducing new information. Remember that your paper should be both confident and honest about the results! 

• Read the journal’s guidelines on the discussion and conclusion sections. If possible, learn about the guidelines before writing the discussion to ensure you’re writing to meet their expectations. 
• Begin with a clear statement of the principal findings. This will reinforce the main take-away for the reader and set up the rest of the discussion. 
• Explain why the outcomes of your study are important to the reader. Discuss the implications of your findings realistically based on previous literature, highlighting both the strengths and limitations of the research. 
• State whether the results prove or disprove your hypothesis. If your hypothesis was disproved, what might be the reasons? 
• Introduce new or expanded ways to think about the research question. Indicate what next steps can be taken to further pursue any unresolved questions. 
• If dealing with a contemporary or ongoing problem, such as climate change, discuss possible consequences if the problem is avoided. 
• Be concise. Adding unnecessary detail can distract from the main findings. 

Don’t

• Rewrite your abstract. Statements with “we investigated” or “we studied” generally do not belong in the discussion. 
• Include new arguments or evidence not previously discussed. Necessary information and evidence should be introduced in the main body of the paper. 
• Apologize. Even if your research contains significant limitations, don’t undermine your authority by including statements that doubt your methodology or execution. 
• Shy away from speaking on limitations or negative results. Including limitations and negative results will give readers a complete understanding of the presented research. Potential limitations include sources of potential bias, threats to internal or external validity, barriers to implementing an intervention and other issues inherent to the study design. 
• Overstate the importance of your findings. Making grand statements about how a study will fully resolve large questions can lead readers to doubt the success of the research. 

Snippets of Effective Discussions:

Consumer-based actions to reduce plastic pollution in rivers: A multi-criteria decision analysis approach

Identifying reliable indicators of fitness in polar bears

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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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• 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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How to Write a Conclusion for a Research Paper

Table of Contents

Writing a conclusion for a research paper is a critical step that often determines the overall impact and impression the paper leaves on the reader. While some may view the conclusion as a mere formality, it is actually an opportunity to wrap up the main points, provide closure, and leave a lasting impression. In this article, we will explore the importance of a well-crafted conclusion and discuss various tips and strategies to help you write an engaging and impactful conclusion for your research paper.

Introduction

Before delving into the specifics of writing a conclusion, it is important to understand why it is such a crucial component of a research paper. The conclusion serves to summarize the main points of the paper and reemphasize their significance. A well-written conclusion can leave the reader satisfied and inspired, while a poorly executed one may undermine the credibility of the entire paper. Therefore, it is essential to give careful thought and attention to crafting an effective conclusion.

When writing a research paper, the conclusion acts as the final destination for the reader. It is the point where all the information, arguments, and evidence presented throughout the paper converge. Just as a traveler reaches the end of a journey, the reader reaches the conclusion to find closure and a sense of fulfillment. This is why the conclusion should not be taken lightly; it is a critical opportunity to leave a lasting impact on the reader.

Moreover, the conclusion is not merely a repetition of the introduction or a summary of the main points. It goes beyond that by providing a deeper understanding of the research findings and their implications. It allows the writer to reflect on the significance of their work and its potential contributions to the field. By doing so, the conclusion elevates the research paper from a mere collection of facts to a thought-provoking piece of scholarship.

In the following sections, we will explore various strategies and techniques for crafting a compelling conclusion. By understanding the importance of the conclusion and learning how to write one effectively, you will be equipped to create impactful research papers.

Structuring the Conclusion

In order to create an effective conclusion, it is important to consider its structure. A well-structured conclusion should begin by restating the thesis statement and summarizing the main points of the paper. It should then move on to provide a concise synthesis of the key findings and arguments, highlighting their implications and relevance. Finally, the conclusion should end with a thought-provoking statement that leaves the reader with a lasting impression.

Additionally, using phrases like "this research demonstrates," "the findings show," or "it is clear that" can help to highlight the significance of your research and emphasize your main conclusions.

Tips for Writing an Engaging Conclusion

Writing an engaging conclusion requires careful consideration and attention to detail. Here are some tips to help you create an impactful conclusion for your research paper:

• Revisit the Introduction: Start your conclusion by referencing your introduction. Remind the reader of the research question or problem you initially posed and show how your research has addressed it.
• Summarize Your Main Points: Provide a concise summary of the main points and arguments presented in your paper. Be sure to restate your thesis statement and highlight the key findings.
• Offer a Fresh Perspective: Use the conclusion as an opportunity to provide a fresh perspective or offer insights that go beyond the main body of the paper. This will leave the reader with something new to consider.
• Leave a Lasting Impression: End your conclusion with a thought-provoking statement or a call to action. This will leave a lasting impression on the reader and encourage further exploration of the research topic.

Addressing Counter Arguments In Conclusion

While crafting your conclusion, you can address any potential counterarguments or limitations of your research. This will demonstrate that you have considered alternative perspectives and have taken them into account in your conclusions. By acknowledging potential counterarguments, you can strengthen the credibility and validity of your research. And by openly discussing limitations, you demonstrate transparency and honesty in your research process.

Language and Tone To Be Used In Conclusion

The language and tone of your conclusion play a crucial role in shaping the overall impression of your research paper. It is important to use clear and concise language that is appropriate for the academic context. Avoid using overly informal or colloquial language that may undermine the credibility of your research. Additionally, consider the tone of your conclusion – it should be professional, confident, and persuasive, while still maintaining a respectful and objective tone.

When it comes to the language used in your conclusion, precision is key. You want to ensure that your ideas are communicated effectively and that there is no room for misinterpretation. Using clear and concise language will not only make your conclusion easier to understand but will also demonstrate your command of the subject matter.

Furthermore, it is important to strike the right balance between formality and accessibility. While academic writing typically requires a more formal tone, you should still aim to make your conclusion accessible to a wider audience. This means avoiding jargon or technical terms that may confuse readers who are not familiar with the subject matter. Instead, opt for language that is clear and straightforward, allowing anyone to grasp the main points of your research.

Another aspect to consider is the tone of your conclusion. The tone should reflect the confidence you have in your research findings and the strength of your argument. By adopting a professional and confident tone, you are more likely to convince your readers of the validity and importance of your research. However, it is crucial to strike a balance and avoid sounding arrogant or dismissive of opposing viewpoints. Maintaining a respectful and objective tone will help you engage with your audience in a more persuasive manner.

Moreover, the tone of your conclusion should align with the overall tone of your research paper. Consistency in tone throughout your paper will create a cohesive and unified piece of writing.

Common Mistakes to Avoid While Writing a Conclusion

When writing a conclusion, there are several common mistakes that researchers often make. By being aware of these pitfalls, you can avoid them and create a more effective conclusion for your research paper. Some common mistakes include:

• Repeating the Introduction: A conclusion should not simply be a reworded version of the introduction. While it is important to revisit the main points, try to present them in a fresh and broader perspective, by foregrounding the implications/impacts of your research.
• Introducing New Information: The conclusion should not introduce any new information or arguments. Instead, it should focus on summarizing and synthesizing the main points presented in the paper.
• Being Vague or General: Avoid using vague or general statements in your conclusion. Instead, be specific and provide concrete examples or evidence to support your main points.
• Ending Abruptly: A conclusion should provide a sense of closure and completeness. Avoid ending your conclusion abruptly or leaving the reader with unanswered questions.

Editing and Revising the Conclusion

Just like the rest of your research paper, the conclusion should go through a thorough editing and revising process. This will help to ensure clarity, coherence, and impact in the conclusion. As you revise your conclusion, consider the following:

• Check for Consistency: Ensure that your conclusion aligns with the main body of the paper and does not introduce any new or contradictory information.
• Eliminate Redundancy: Remove any repetitive or redundant information in your conclusion. Instead, focus on presenting the key points in a concise and engaging manner.
• Proofread for Clarity: Read your conclusion aloud or ask someone else to read it to ensure that it is clear and understandable. Check for any grammatical or spelling errors that may distract the reader.
• Seek Feedback: Consider sharing your conclusion with peers or mentors to get their feedback and insights. This can help you strengthen your conclusion and make it more impactful.

How to Write Conclusion as a Call to Action

Finally, consider using your conclusion as a call to action. Encourage the reader to take further action, such as conducting additional research or considering the implications of your findings. By providing a clear call to action, you can inspire the reader to actively engage with your research and continue the conversation on the topic.

Adapting to Different Research Paper Types

It is important to adapt your conclusion approach based on the type of research paper you are writing. Different research paper types may require different strategies and approaches to writing the conclusion. For example, a scientific research paper may focus more on summarizing the key findings and implications, while a persuasive research paper may emphasize the call to action and the potential impact of the research. Tailor your conclusion to suit the specific goals and requirements of your research paper.

Final Thoughts

A well-crafted conclusion can leave a lasting impression on the reader and enhance the impact of your research. By following the tips and strategies outlined in this article, you can create an engaging and impactful conclusion that effectively summarizes your main points, addresses potential counterarguments, and leaves the reader with a sense of closure and inspiration. Embrace the importance of the conclusion and view it as an opportunity to showcase the significance and relevance of your research.

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How to Write a Conclusion for a Research Paper

By the time you write the conclusion, you should have pointed out in the body of your research paper why your topic is important to the reader, and you should have presented the reader with all your arguments. It is critical that you do not introduce new information or ideas in your conclusion. If you find that you have not yet made the arguments you wished to make or pointed out evidence you feel is crucial to your reader’s understanding of your subject, you are not yet ready to write the conclusion; add another body paragraph before writing the conclusion.

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Your research paper should have a strong, succinct concluding section, where you draw together your findings. Think of it as a conclusion, not a summary. The difference is that you are reaching overall judgments about your topic, not summarizing everything you wrote about it. How to write a conclusion for a research paper? The focus should be on:

• Saying what your research has found, what the findings mean, and how well they support the argument of your thesis statement.
• Establishing the limits of your argument: How widely does it apply? What are the strengths and weaknesses of your method? How clear-cut are your findings?
• Explaining how your findings and argument fit into your field, relating them to answers others have given and to the existing literature.

You may also want to add some concise comments about possible future developments or what kind of research should come next, but don’t lay it on too thick. The place of honor goes to your own explanation. Don’t spend too much of your final section criticizing others. Don’t introduce any big new topics or ideas. You certainly don’t expect to see new characters in the last scene of a movie. For the same reasons, you shouldn’t find any big new topics being introduced in the last paragraphs of a research paper.

Your concluding statement should focus on what your findings mean. How do you interpret them? Are they just as easily explained by alternative theories or other perspectives? Here, you are returning to the questions that first animated you and answering them, based on your research. You not only want to give the answers; you also want to explain their significance. What do they mean for policy, theory, literary interpretation, moral action, or whatever? You are answering the old, hard question: “So what?”

Be wary of overreaching. You really need to do two things at the same time: explain the significance of your findings and stake out their limits. You may have a hunch that your findings apply widely but, as a social scientist, you need to assess whether you can say so confidently, based on your current research. Your reader needs to know: “Do these findings apply to all college students, to all adults, or only to white mice?” White mice don’t come up much in the humanities, but the reader still wants to know how far your approach reaches. Does your analysis apply only to this novel or this writer, or could it apply to a whole literary genre?

Make it a priority to discuss these conclusions with your professor or adviser. The main danger here is that students finally reach this final section with only a week or two left before the due date. They don’t have enough time to work through their conclusions and revise them. That leaves the research paper weakest at the end, precisely where it should be strongest, nailing down the most significant points.

Begin discussing your major findings with your adviser while you are still writing the heart of the research paper. Of course, your conclusions will be tentative at that stage, but it helps to begin talking about them. As always, a little writing helps. You could simply list your main findings or write out a few paragraphs about them. Either would serve as a launching pad for meetings with your adviser. You will find these discussions also shed light on the research that leads to these findings. That, in turn, will strengthen your middle sections. Later, when you draft the conclusion, review your notes on these talks and the short documents you wrote for them. They will serve as prewriting for the final section.

The opening sentence of the conclusion should flow smoothly and logically from the transition sentence in the previous paragraph and lead the reader to reflect on your thesis. A good conclusion however, does not simply restate the thesis. You want to remind the reader of the thesis in your conclusion but reword it in a stronger fashion so that it is interesting and memorable to your audience.After reminding the reader of the thesis, the conclusion should then reflect on the topics in the body of the paper and summarize the key findings of your research. If you are writing a persuasive paper, it should summarize your key arguments and logically point your readers to the conclusion you wish them to reach.

Phrases for Conclusions of Research Papers

• All this requires us to (propose the next action or an alternative idea).
• Altogether, these findings indicate (point out the logical result).
• Finally, it is important to note (make your strongest point and follow with a recommendation).
• In conclusion (restate your thesis with greater emphasis).
• It is evident that (point out the logical result or obvious next action).
• In light of the evidence, (restate your thesis with greater emphasis).
• In short, (summarize your findings).
• It should be evident that we need to (propose the next action or an alternative idea).
• In summary, (summarize your findings).
• Looking ahead, it is obvious that (propose the next action or an alternative idea).
• My conclusion is (restate your thesis with greater emphasis).
• One last word must be said. (Follow with your opinion and propose a next action.)
• One concludes that (give your opinion).
• Overall, (summarize your findings).
• Reflecting on these facts,we can see that …
• The evidence presented above shows that (give your opinion).
• The reader can conclude (make the point you wish to make).
• These facts and observations support the idea that (offer a theory).
• This analysis reveals (state your findings).
• To conclude, (give an opinion based on the findings presented in the paper).
• To sum up this discussion, (summarize your findings).
• To summarize, (summarize your findings).
• We arrive at the following conclusion: (give an opinion based on the findings presented in the paper).
• We cannot ignore the fact that (state an important concern and follow with a call to action).
• We can postulate (give your opinion or offer a theory).
• We come to the conclusion that (give your opinion or offer a theory).
• We can now present the theory that (give your opinion or offer a theory).

Examples of Strong Conclusions

As an example of how to end your research paper, let’s turn again to John Dower’s splendid book on postwar Japan, Embracing Defeat: Japan in the Wake of World War II . In the final pages, Dower pulls together his findings on war-ravaged Japan and its efforts to rebuild. He then judges the legacies of that period: its continuing impact on the country’s social, political, and economic life. Some insights are unexpected, at least to me. He argues that Japan has pursued trade protection as the only acceptable avenue for its persistent nationalism. America’s overwhelming power and Japan’s self-imposed restraints—the intertwined subjects of the book—blocked any political or military expression of Japan’s nationalist sentiment. Those avenues were simply too dangerous, he says, while economic nationalism was not. Dower ends with these paragraphs:

The Japanese economists and bureaucrats who drafted the informal 1946 blueprint for a planned economy were admirably clear on these objectives [of “demilitarization and democratization”]. They sought rapid recovery and maximum economic growth, of course—but they were just as concerned with achieving economic demilitarization and economic democracy. . . . Japan became wealthy. The standard of living rose impressively at every level of society. Income distribution was far more equitable than in the United States. Job security was assured. Growth was achieved without inordinate dependence on a military-industrial complex or a thriving trade in armaments. These are hardly trivial ideas, but they are now being discarded along with all the deservedly bankrupt aspects of the postwar system. The lessons and legacies of defeat have been many and varied indeed; and their end is not yet in sight. (John W. Dower, Embracing Defeat: Japan in the Wake of World War II . New York: W. W. Norton, 1999, pp. 563–64)

Remember the anecdotal opening of Herbert’s book Impressionism: Art, Leisure, and Parisian Society , with Henry Tuckerman’s 1867 arrival in a much-changed Paris? (see research paper introduction examples) Herbert strikes a completely different tone in his conclusion. It synthesizes the art history he has presented, offers a large judgment about where Impressionism fits among art movements, and suggests why exhibitions of Monet, Manet, and Renoir are still so popular. He manages to do all that in a few well-crafted sentences:

Although we credit [Impressionism] with being the gateway to modern art, we also treat it as the last of the great Western styles based upon a perception of harmony with natural vision. That harmony, long since lost to us in this century of urbanization, industrialization, and world wars, remains a longed-for idea, so we look back to Impressionism as the painting of a golden era. We flock into exhibitions of paintings that represent cafes, boating, promenading, and peaceful landscapes precisely because of our yearning for less troubled times. The only history that we feel deeply is the kind that is useful to us. Impressionism still looms large at the end of the twentieth century because we use its leisure-time subjects and its brilliantly colored surfaces to construct a desirable history. (Herbert, Impressionism , p. 306)

Robert Dallek offers similarly accessible, powerful judgments in his conclusion to Flawed Giant: Lyndon Johnson and His Times, 1961–1973 :

[Johnson’s] presidency was a story of great achievement and terrible failure, of lasting gains and unforgettable losses. . . . In a not so distant future, when coming generations have no direct experience of the man and the passions of the sixties are muted, Johnson will probably be remembered as a President who faithfully reflected the country’s greatness and limitations—a man notable for his successes and failures, for his triumphs and tragedy. Only one thing seems certain: Lyndon Johnson will not join the many obscure—almost nameless, faceless—Presidents whose terms of office register on most Americans as blank slates. He will not be forgotten. (Robert Dallek, Flawed Giant: Lyndon Johnson and His Times, 1961–1973 . New York: Oxford University Press, 1998, p. 628)

Some writers not only synthesize their findings or compare them to others; they use the conclusion to say what their work means for appropriate methods or subject matter in their field. That is what Robert Bruegmann does in his final statement in The Architects and the City: Holabird & Roche of Chicago, 1880–1918 . His conclusion goes beyond saying that this was a great architectural firm or that it designed buildings of lasting importance. Bruegmann tells us that Holabird & Roche helped shape modern Chicago and that its work, properly studied, helps us understand “the city as the ultimate human artifact”:

Traditional architectural history has tended to see the city less as a process than as a product, a collection of high art architectural objects in a setting dominated by mundane buildings of little interest. This tended to perpetuate a destructive and divisive attitude about the built environment, suggesting that only a few buildings are worthy of careful study and preservation while all others are mere backdrop. I hope that these explorations in the work of Holabird & Roche have shed light on parts of the city rarely visited by the architectural historian and on some little explored aspects of its history. If so, perhaps it has achieved its most basic goal: providing an insight into the city as the ultimate human artifact, our most complex and prodigious social creation, and the most tangible result of the actions over time of all its citizens. (Robert Bruegmann, The Architects and the City: Holabird & Roche of Chicago, 1880–1918 . Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1997, p. 443)

These are powerful conclusions, ending major works of scholarship on a high note. What concluding paragraphs should never do is gaze off into the sunset, offer vague homilies, or claim you have found the meaning of human existence. Be concrete. Stick to your topic. Make sure your research paper conclusions stand on solid ground. Avoid vague platitudes in your conclusion. Your goal should be reaching strong, sound judgments, firmly grounded in your readings and research. Better to claim too little than too much. Best of all, claim what you’ve earned the right to say: what your research really means.

Having finished the main parts of a research paper you can write an abstract.

Back to  How To Write A Research Paper .

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How to Write a Conclusion for a Research Paper

• Posted on May 12, 2023

The key to an impactful research paper is crafting an effective conclusion. The conclusion provides a final opportunity to make a lasting impression on the reader by providing a powerful summary of the main argument and key findings.

A well-written conclusion not only summarizes your research but also ties everything back to your thesis statement. Plus, it provides important takeaways for your reader, highlighting what they should remember from your research and how it contributes to the larger academic discourse.

Crafting an impactful conclusion can be tricky, especially in argumentative papers. However, with our expert tips and tricks, you can rest assured that your conclusion will effectively restate the main argument and thesis statement in a way that resonates with your audience and elevates your research to new heights.

Why is a Conclusion Necessary for a Research Paper? 

The conclusion of a research paper is essential in tying together the different parts of the paper and offering a final perspective on the topic. It reinforces the main idea or argument presented and summarizes the key points and findings of the research, highlighting its significance. 

Additionally, the conclusion creates a full circle of the research by connecting back to the thesis statement presented at the paper’s beginning. It provides an opportunity to showcase the writer’s critical thinking skills by demonstrating how the research supports the main argument.

The conclusion is essential for a research paper because it provides closure for the reader. It serves as a final destination that helps the reader understand how all the different pieces of information fit together to support the main argument presented. It also offers insights into how the research can inform future studies and contribute to the larger academic discourse.

It also ensures that the reader does not get lost in the vast amount of information presented in the paper by providing a concise and coherent summary of the entire research. Additionally, it helps the reader identify the paper’s main takeaway and understand how the research contributes to the larger body of knowledge in the field.

Leave a Lasting Impression

A well-crafted conclusion is an essential element of any research paper. Its purpose is to leave a lasting impression on the reader and tie together the different parts of the paper.

To achieve this goal, a conclusion should summarize the main points and highlight the key findings of the research. By doing so, the reader can easily understand the focus and significance of the study.

A strong conclusion should also discuss any important findings that can be applied in the real world. This practical perspective gives readers a better sense of the impact and relevance of the research.

Summarize Your Thoughts

The conclusion of a research paper should be concise and provide a summary of the writer’s thoughts and ideas about the research. 

It should go beyond simply restating the main points and findings and address the “so what” of the research by explaining how it contributes to the existing body of knowledge on the same topic. This way, the conclusion can give readers a better understanding of the research’s significance and relevance to the broader academic community.

Demonstrate How Important Your Idea Is

Moving beyond a superficial overview and delving into the research in-depth is crucial to create a compelling conclusion. This entails summarizing the key findings of the study, highlighting its main contributions to the field, and placing the results in a broader context. Additionally, it would help if you comprehensively analyzed your work and its implications, underscoring its value to the broader academic community. 

New Insights

The conclusion section of a research paper offers an opportunity for the writer to present new insights and approaches to addressing the research problem.

Whether the research outcome is positive or negative, the conclusion provides a platform to discuss practical implications beyond the scope of the research paper. This discussion can help readers understand the potential impact of the research on the broader field and its significance for future research endeavors.

How to Write a Killer Conclusion with Key Points

When writing a conclusion for a research paper, it is important to cover several key points to create a solid and effective conclusion.

Restate the Thesis

When crafting a conclusion, restating the thesis statement is an important step that reminds readers of the research paper’s central focus. However, it should not be a verbatim repetition of the introduction. 

By restating the thesis concisely and clearly, you can effectively tie together the main ideas discussed in the body of the paper and emphasize the significance of the research question. However, keep in mind that the restated thesis should capture the essence of the paper and leave the reader with a clear understanding of the main topic and its importance.

Summarize the Main Points

To write an impactful conclusion, summarizing the main points discussed in the body of the paper is essential. This final section provides the writer with a last opportunity to highlight the significance of their research findings. 

However, it is equally important to avoid reiterating information already discussed in the body of the paper. Instead, you should synthesize and summarize the most significant points to emphasize the key findings. By doing so, the conclusion can effectively tie together the research findings and provide a clear understanding of the importance of the research topic.

Discuss the Results or Findings

The next step is to discuss the results or findings of the research. The discussion of the results or findings should not simply be a repetition of the information presented in the body of the paper.

Instead, it should provide a more in-depth analysis of the significance of the findings. This can involve explaining why the findings are important, what they mean in the context of the research question, and how they contribute to the field or area of study. 

Additionally, it’s crucial to address any limitations or weaknesses of the study in this section. This can provide a more balanced and nuanced understanding of the research and its implications. By doing so, the reader will have a better understanding of the scope and context of the study, which can ultimately enhance the credibility and validity of the research.

Ruminate on Your Thoughts

The final step to crafting an effective conclusion is to ruminate on your thoughts. This provides an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of the research and leaves the reader with something to ponder. Remember, the concluding paragraph should not introduce new information but rather summarize and reflect on the critical points made in the paper.

Furthermore, the conclusion should be integrated into the paper rather than presented as a separate section. It should provide a concise overview of the main findings and suggest avenues for further research.

Different Types of Conclusions 

There are various types of conclusions that can be employed to conclude a research paper effectively, depending on the research questions and topic being investigated.

Summarizing

Summarizing conclusions are frequently used to wrap up a research paper effectively. They restate the thesis statement and provide a brief overview of the main findings and outcomes of the research. This type of conclusion serves as a reminder to the reader of the key points discussed throughout the paper and emphasizes the significance of the research topic.

To be effective, summarizing conclusions should be concise and to the point, avoiding any new information not previously discussed in the body of the paper. Moreover, they are particularly useful when there is a clear and direct answer to the research question. This allows you to summarize your findings succinctly and leave the reader with a clear understanding of the implications of the research.

Externalizing

On the opposite end of the spectrum are externalizing conclusions. Unlike summarizing conclusions, externalizing conclusions introduce new ideas that may not be directly related to the research findings. This type of conclusion can be beneficial because it broadens the scope of the research topic and can lead to new insights and directions for future research.

By presenting new ideas, externalizing conclusions can challenge conventional thinking in the field and open up new avenues for exploration. This approach is instrumental in fields where research is ongoing, and new ideas and approaches are constantly being developed.

Editorial conclusions are a type of conclusion that allows the writer to express their commentary on the research findings. They can be particularly effective in connecting the writer’s insights with the research conducted and can offer a unique perspective on the research topic. Adding a personal touch to the conclusion can help engage the reader and leave a lasting impression.

Remember that regardless of the type of conclusion you choose, it should always start with a clear and concise restatement of the thesis statement, followed by a summary of the main findings in the body paragraphs. The first sentence of the conclusion should be impactful and attention-grabbing to make a strong impression on the reader.

What to Avoid in Your Conclusion

When crafting your conclusion, it’s essential to keep in mind several key points to ensure that it is effective and well-received by your audience:

• Avoid introducing new ideas or topics that have not been covered in the body of your paper.
• Refrain from simply restating what has already been said in your paper without adding new insights or analysis.
• Do not apologize for any shortcomings or limitations of your research, as this can undermine the importance of your findings.
• Avoid using overly emotional or flowery language, as it can detract from the professionalism and objectivity of the research.
• Lastly, avoid any examples of plagiarism. Be sure to properly cite any sources you have used in your research and writing.

Example of a Bad Conclusion

• Recapitulation without Insight: In conclusion, this paper has discussed the importance of exercise for physical and mental health. We hope this paper has been helpful to you and encourages you to start exercising today.
• Introduction of New Ideas: In conclusion, we have discussed the benefits of exercise and how it can improve physical and mental health. Additionally, we have highlighted the benefits of a plant-based diet and the importance of getting enough sleep for overall well-being.
• Emotional Language: In conclusion, exercise is good for your body and mind, and you should definitely start working out today!

Example of a Good Conclusion

• Insights and Implications: In light of our investigation, it is evident that regular exercise is undeniably beneficial for both physical and mental well-being, especially if performed at an appropriate duration and frequency. These findings hold significant implications for public health policies and personal wellness decisions.
• Limitations and Future Directions: While our investigation has shed light on the benefits of exercise, our study is not without limitations. Future research can delve deeper into the long-term effects of exercise on mental health and explore the impact of exercise on specific populations, such as older adults or individuals with chronic health conditions.
• Call to Action: In conclusion, we urge individuals to prioritize exercise as a critical component of their daily routine. By making exercise a habit, we can reap the many benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle.

Final Thoughts 

When writing a research paper, the conclusion is one of the most crucial elements to leave a lasting impression on the reader. It should effectively summarize the research and provide valuable insights, leaving the reader with something to ponder.

To accomplish this, it is essential to include vital elements, such as restating the thesis , summarizing the main points, and discussing the findings. However, it is equally important to avoid common mistakes that can undermine the effectiveness of the conclusion, such as introducing new information or repeating the introduction. 

So to ensure that your research is of the highest quality, it’s crucial to use proper citations and conduct a thorough literature review. Additionally, it is crucial to proofread the work to eliminate any errors. 

Fortunately, there are many available resources to help you with both writing and plagiarism prevention. Quetext , for example, offers a plagiarism checker, citation assistance, and proofreading tools to ensure the writing is top-notch. By incorporating these tips and using available resources, you can create a compelling and memorable conclusion for readers. 

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Writing Center

Strategic enrollment management and student success, conclusions and why they matter, a guide to what they are, how they work, and how to master them, conclusions vs. introductions.

Similarly to introductions, conclusions exist to guide readers. While introductions guide readers into essays, conclusions guide readers out. These functions are equally important in the structure of an essay. A conclusion is a paragraph (or set of paragraphs) that comes at the very end of an essay and it must restate the thesis (say what the essay has argued) and summarize the argument.

Think about a conclusion from the reader's point of view as the end of a conversation

Hey!   Don't hang up on me!

Sometimes it's hard to know what to say in a conclusion. after all, you've just written the essay, what else can possibly be left to say? A lot of writers feel this way. However, an essay without a conclusion is similar to hanging up the phone the instant after you've told your friend a great story - your friend is going to think about how rude you were rather than about your story. In a phone conversation, you've got to wrap things up and say goodbye, this is also true for an essay. Make sure to provide your reader with a summary.

• A summary:   Since good stories are complex and can't be learned by heart the first time, give your reader a device to help remember and master your story (your argument).
• A sense of relevance:   Help the reader understand the point of your story by explaining the relevance of it.

How conclusions work

What does it really mean to say that a conclusion resembles the end of a phone conversation?

• All things come to an end.   Of course, you can't keep talking on the phone forever; both you and your friend expect an end to your conversation. At the same time, a conversation is something produced by two people, meaning that its end must be agreed upon, and if you hang up without warning, then you've seized all control, which isn't friendly. Even though the conclusion of an essay may be just a repetition of ideas found elsewhere, a reader needs to be able to see that things are winding down.
• An end means a last look.   If you sound polite and cheerful in saying goodbye, your friend will be much more likely to recall the story you've told and to look forward to hearing from you in the future. Because the conclusion to an essay is a reader's last impression of a writer's work, the writer must maintain excellence up to the last sentence, not dash something off quickly or run out of steam.
• A last look is a kind of legacy.   While you probably wouldn't tell your friend a pointless story, or one with no relation to any shared experience, making the relevance clear helps your friend know how to think about your story. Similarly, an essay that leaves a reader with something to think about is an essay that is more likely to be judged favorably and even reread. Connecting the writing to the reader is central to succeeding in communicating the importance of your story.

Acing the conclusion

The strategies below can help you write a conclusion that leaves your reader satisfied and feeling like they've gotten closure on your ideas.

Remind and encapsulate

Remember that even though you are already familiar with your essay, your reader is not. Having a reader who wants to reread your work is great, but your reader shouldn't have to reread. Giving your reader a summary is similar to taking a snapshot of your whole essay. Looking at that snapshot reminds your reader of the main points that have come before. A snapshot is a lot easier to carry around than a thousand little details.

Acknowledge loose ends

Since issues are complex and often do not have a single, neat resolution, the topic of your essay doesn't need to either. What possible resolutions do you see for the issue you have presented? Is there even a resolution? In either case, say what you see. Don't present answers if you haven't found any. Just be honest.

Make connections

Show your reader the point of reading your essay. What did you learn from writing your essay? How might reading your essay be helpful to your reader? What does your essay contribute?

Don't get carried away

You don't have to revolutionize the world or say the absolute final world on an age-old debate. In fact, a grandiose conclusion may seem out of proportion in anything as short as an essay. Communicating an idea is enough.

Now let's apply these ideas to an example conclusion

The trend towards "good taste" in mass-market products draws into question the idea of good taste altogether   (Thesis) . Many things symbolizing high class living are in danger of losing their status simply because they can now be purchased at any Home Depot or Ikea;   (Summary 1: the first main point)   however, critics call décor and furniture exports such as Pier 1 Imports and Pottery Barn "cheap" not for offering sophisticated designs at bargain prices, but for offering them to all, even to mail-order costumers   (Summary 2: the second main point) . Worst of all, Martha Stewart is said to have reduced good taste to merely another brand name by creating a line of home wares for the suburban superstore K-Mart   (Summary 3: the third main point) . The implication is that a fine object loses its fineness as it gains wider appreciation, that beauty and elegance are qualities conferred by the elite and that an object's glow vanishes once too many have touched it, In other words, the wealthy and influential are not content with wealth and influence, but must have a world all to themselves; when others enter this world, they come to destroy   (Relevance 1: a synthesis of the main points that reveals their significance in a wider context) . Martha Stewart would have to disagree. Sconce lights might look out of place on a cattle ranch, but their popularity does not equate them with the neon signs that one sees in the windows of bars - quality is quality. If replacing the average household's melamine plates with porcelain makes some people insecure, then so be it   (Relevance 2: a stance that applies to readers) .

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How to Write a Research Paper Conclusion Section

What is a conclusion in a research paper?

The conclusion in a research paper is the final paragraph or two in a research paper. In scientific papers, the conclusion usually follows the Discussion section , summarizing the importance of the findings and reminding the reader why the work presented in the paper is relevant.

However, it can be a bit confusing to distinguish the conclusion section/paragraph from a summary or a repetition of your findings, your own opinion, or the statement of the implications of your work. In fact, the conclusion should contain a bit of all of these other parts but go beyond it—but not too far beyond! 

The structure and content of the conclusion section can also vary depending on whether you are writing a research manuscript or an essay. This article will explain how to write a good conclusion section, what exactly it should (and should not) contain, how it should be structured, and what you should avoid when writing it.  

Table of Contents:

What does a good conclusion section do, what to include in a research paper conclusion.

• Conclusion in an Essay
• Research Paper Conclusion 
• Conclusion Paragraph Outline and Example
• What Not to Do When Writing a Conclusion

The conclusion of a research paper has several key objectives. It should:

• Restate your research problem addressed in the introduction section
• Summarize your main arguments, important findings, and broader implications
• Synthesize key takeaways from your study

The specific content in the conclusion depends on whether your paper presents the results of original scientific research or constructs an argument through engagement with previously published sources.

You presented your general field of study to the reader in the introduction section, by moving from general information (the background of your work, often combined with a literature review ) to the rationale of your study and then to the specific problem or topic you addressed, formulated in the form of the statement of the problem in research or the thesis statement in an essay.

In the conclusion section, in contrast, your task is to move from your specific findings or arguments back to a more general depiction of how your research contributes to the readers’ understanding of a certain concept or helps solve a practical problem, or fills an important gap in the literature. The content of your conclusion section depends on the type of research you are doing and what type of paper you are writing. But whatever the outcome of your work is, the conclusion is where you briefly summarize it and place it within a larger context. It could be called the “take-home message” of the entire paper.

What to summarize in the conclusion

Your conclusion section needs to contain a very brief summary of your work , a very brief summary of the main findings of your work, and a mention of anything else that seems relevant when you now look at your work from a bigger perspective, even if it was not initially listed as one of your main research questions. This could be a limitation, for example, a problem with the design of your experiment that either needs to be considered when drawing any conclusions or that led you to ask a different question and therefore draw different conclusions at the end of your study (compared to when you started out).

Once you have reminded the reader of what you did and what you found, you need to go beyond that and also provide either your own opinion on why your work is relevant (and for whom, and how) or theoretical or practical implications of the study , or make a specific call for action if there is one to be made.   

How to Write an Essay Conclusion

Academic essays follow quite different structures than their counterparts in STEM and the natural sciences. Humanities papers often have conclusion sections that are much longer and contain more detail than scientific papers. There are three main types of academic essay conclusions.

Summarizing conclusion

The most typical conclusion at the end of an analytical/explanatory/argumentative essay is a summarizing conclusion . This is, as the name suggests, a clear summary of the main points of your topic and thesis. Since you might have gone through a number of different arguments or subtopics in the main part of your essay, you need to remind the reader again what those were, how they fit into each other, and how they helped you develop or corroborate your hypothesis.

For an essay that analyzes how recruiters can hire the best candidates in the shortest time or on “how starving yourself will increase your lifespan, according to science”, a summary of all the points you discussed might be all you need. Note that you should not exactly repeat what you said earlier, but rather highlight the essential details and present those to your reader in a different way. 

Externalizing conclusion

If you think that just reminding the reader of your main points is not enough, you can opt for an externalizing conclusion instead, that presents new points that were not presented in the paper so far. These new points can be additional facts and information or they can be ideas that are relevant to the topic and have not been mentioned before.

Such a conclusion can stimulate your readers to think about your topic or the implications of your analysis in a whole new way. For example, at the end of a historical analysis of a specific event or development, you could direct your reader’s attention to some current events that were not the topic of your essay but that provide a different context for your findings.

Editorial conclusion

In an editorial conclusion , another common type of conclusion that you will find at the end of papers and essays, you do not add new information but instead present your own experiences or opinions on the topic to round everything up. What makes this type of conclusion interesting is that you can choose to agree or disagree with the information you presented in your paper so far. For example, if you have collected and analyzed information on how a specific diet helps people lose weight, you can nevertheless have your doubts on the sustainability of that diet or its practicability in real life—if such arguments were not included in your original thesis and have therefore not been covered in the main part of your paper, the conclusion section is the place where you can get your opinion across.    

How to Conclude an Empirical Research Paper

An empirical research paper is usually more concise and succinct than an essay, because, if it is written well, it focuses on one specific question, describes the method that was used to answer that one question, describes and explains the results, and guides the reader in a logical way from the introduction to the discussion without going on tangents or digging into not absolutely relevant topics.

Summarize the findings

In a scientific paper, you should include a summary of the findings. Don’t go into great detail here (you will have presented your in-depth  results  and  discussion  already), but do clearly express the answers to the  research questions  you investigated.

Describe your main findings, even if they weren’t necessarily the ones anticipated, and explain the conclusion they led you to. Explain these findings in as few words as possible.

Instead of beginning with “ In conclusion, in this study, we investigated the effect of stress on the brain using fMRI …”, you should try to find a way to incorporate the repetition of the essential (and only the essential) details into the summary of the key points. “ The findings of this fMRI study on the effect of stress on the brain suggest that …” or “ While it has been known for a long time that stress has an effect on the brain, the findings of this fMRI study show that, surprisingly… ” would be better ways to start a conclusion. 

You should also not bring up new ideas or present new facts in the conclusion of a research paper, but stick to the background information you have presented earlier, to the findings you have already discussed, and the limitations and implications you have already described. The one thing you can add here is a practical recommendation that you haven’t clearly stated before—but even that one needs to follow logically from everything you have already discussed in the discussion section.

Discuss the implications

After summing up your key arguments or findings, conclude the paper by stating the broader implications of the research , whether in methods , approach, or findings. Express practical or theoretical takeaways from your paper. This often looks like a “call to action” or a final “sales pitch” that puts an exclamation point on your paper.

If your research topic is more theoretical in nature, your closing statement should express the significance of your argument—for example, in proposing a new understanding of a topic or laying the groundwork for future research.

Future research example

Future research into education standards should focus on establishing a more detailed picture of how novel pedagogical approaches impact young people’s ability to absorb new and difficult concepts. Moreover, observational studies are needed to gain more insight into how specific teaching models affect the retention of relationships and facts—for instance, how inquiry-based learning and its emphasis on lateral thinking can be used as a jumping-off point for more holistic classroom approaches.

Research Conclusion Example and Outline

Let’s revisit the study on the effect of stress on the brain we mentioned before and see what the common structure for a conclusion paragraph looks like, in three steps. Following these simple steps will make it easy for you to wrap everything up in one short paragraph that contains all the essential information: 

One: Short summary of what you did, but integrated into the summary of your findings:

While it has been known for a long time that stress has an effect on the brain, the findings of this fMRI study in 25 university students going through mid-term exams show that, surprisingly, one’s attitude to the experienced stress significantly modulates the brain’s response to it. 

Note that you don’t need to repeat any methodological or technical details here—the reader has been presented with all of these before, they have read your results section and the discussion of your results, and even (hopefully!) a discussion of the limitations and strengths of your paper. The only thing you need to remind them of here is the essential outcome of your work. 

Two: Add implications, and don’t forget to specify who this might be relevant for: 

Students could be considered a specific subsample of the general population, but earlier research shows that the effect that exam stress has on their physical and mental health is comparable to the effects of other types of stress on individuals of other ages and occupations. Further research into practical ways of modulating not only one’s mental stress response but potentially also one’s brain activity (e.g., via neurofeedback training) are warranted.

This is a “research implication”, and it is nicely combined with a mention of a potential limitation of the study (the student sample) that turns out not to be a limitation after all (because earlier research suggests we can generalize to other populations). If there already is a lot of research on neurofeedback for stress control, by the way, then this should have been discussed in your discussion section earlier and you wouldn’t say such studies are “warranted” here but rather specify how your findings could inspire specific future experiments or how they should be implemented in existing applications. 

Three: The most important thing is that your conclusion paragraph accurately reflects the content of your paper. Compare it to your research paper title , your research paper abstract , and to your journal submission cover letter , in case you already have one—if these do not all tell the same story, then you need to go back to your paper, start again from the introduction section, and find out where you lost the logical thread. As always, consistency is key.    

Problems to Avoid When Writing a Conclusion 

• Do not suddenly introduce new information that has never been mentioned before (unless you are writing an essay and opting for an externalizing conclusion, see above). The conclusion section is not where you want to surprise your readers, but the take-home message of what you have already presented.
• Do not simply copy your abstract, the conclusion section of your abstract, or the first sentence of your introduction, and put it at the end of the discussion section. Even if these parts of your paper cover the same points, they should not be identical.
• Do not start the conclusion with “In conclusion”. If it has its own section heading, that is redundant, and if it is the last paragraph of the discussion section, it is inelegant and also not really necessary. The reader expects you to wrap your work up in the last paragraph, so you don’t have to announce that. Just look at the above example to see how to start a conclusion in a natural way.
• Do not forget what your research objectives were and how you initially formulated the statement of the problem in your introduction section. If your story/approach/conclusions changed because of methodological issues or information you were not aware of when you started, then make sure you go back to the beginning and adapt your entire story (not just the ending). 

Consider Receiving Academic Editing Services

When you have arrived at the conclusion of your paper, you might want to head over to Wordvice AI’s AI Writing Assistant to receive a free grammar check for any academic content. 

After drafting, you can also receive English editing and proofreading services , including paper editing services for your journal manuscript. If you need advice on how to write the other parts of your research paper , or on how to make a research paper outline if you are struggling with putting everything you did together, then head over to the Wordvice academic resources pages , where we have a lot more articles and videos for you.

Organizing Academic Research Papers: 9. The Conclusion

• Purpose of Guide
• Design Flaws to Avoid
• Glossary of Research Terms
• Narrowing a Topic Idea
• Broadening a Topic Idea
• Extending the Timeliness of a Topic Idea
• Academic Writing Style
• Choosing a Title
• Making an Outline
• Paragraph Development
• Executive Summary
• Background Information
• The Research Problem/Question
• Theoretical Framework
• Citation Tracking
• Content Alert Services
• Evaluating Sources
• Primary Sources
• Secondary Sources
• Tertiary Sources
• What Is Scholarly vs. Popular?
• Qualitative Methods
• Quantitative Methods
• Using Non-Textual Elements
• Limitations of the Study
• Common Grammar Mistakes
• Avoiding Plagiarism
• Footnotes or Endnotes?
• Further Readings
• Annotated Bibliography
• Dealing with Nervousness
• Using Visual Aids
• Grading Someone Else's Paper
• How to Manage Group Projects
• Multiple Book Review Essay
• Reviewing Collected Essays
• About Informed Consent
• Writing Field Notes
• Writing a Policy Memo
• Writing a Research Proposal
• Acknowledgements

The conclusion is intended to help the reader understand why your research should matter to them after they have finished reading the paper. A conclusion is not merely a summary of your points or a re-statement of your research problem but a synthesis of key points. For most essays, one well-developed paragraph is sufficient for a conclusion, although in some cases, a two-or-three paragraph conclusion may be required.

Importance of a Good Conclusion

A well-written conclusion provides you with several important opportunities to demonstrate your overall understanding of the research problem to the reader. These include:

• Presenting the last word on the issues you raised in your paper . Just as the introduction gives a first impression to your reader, the conclusion offers a chance to leave a lasting impression. Do this, for example, by highlighting key points in your analysis or findings.
• Summarizing your thoughts and conveying the larger implications of your study . The conclusion is an opportunity to succinctly answer the "so what?" question by placing the study within the context of past research about the topic you've investigated.
• Demonstrating the importance of your ideas . Don't be shy. The conclusion offers you a chance to elaborate on the significance of your findings.
• Introducing possible new or expanded ways of thinking about the research problem . This does not refer to introducing new information [which should be avoided], but to offer new insight and creative approaches for framing/contextualizing the research problem based on the results of your study.

Conclusions . The Writing Center. University of North Carolina; Kretchmer, Paul. Twelve Steps to Writing an Effective Conclusion . San Francisco Edit, 2003-2008.

Structure and Writing Style

https://writing.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/535/2018/07/conclusions_uwmadison_writingcenter_aug2012.pdf I.  General Rules

When writing the conclusion to your paper, follow these general rules:

• State your conclusions in clear, simple language.
• Do not simply reiterate your results or the discussion.
• Indicate opportunities for future research, as long as you haven't already done so in the discussion section of your paper.

The function of your paper's conclusion is to restate the main argument . It reminds the reader of the strengths of your main argument(s) and reiterates the most important evidence supporting those argument(s). Make sure, however, that your conclusion is not simply a repetitive summary of the findings because this reduces the impact of the argument(s) you have developed in your essay.

Consider the following points to help ensure your conclusion is appropriate:

• If the argument or point of your paper is complex, you may need to summarize the argument for your reader.
• If, prior to your conclusion, you have not yet explained the significance of your findings or if you are proceeding inductively, use the end of your paper to describe your main points and explain their significance.
• Move from a detailed to a general level of consideration that returns the topic to the context provided by the introduction or within a new context that emerges from the data.

The conclusion also provides a place for you to persuasively and succinctly restate your research problem, given that the reader has now been presented with all the information about the topic . Depending on the discipline you are writing in, the concluding paragraph may contain your reflections on the evidence presented, or on the essay's central research problem. However, the nature of being introspective about the research you have done will depend on the topic and whether your professor wants you to express your observations in this way.

NOTE : Don't delve into idle speculation. Being introspective means looking within yourself as an author to try and understand an issue more deeply not to guess at possible outcomes.

II.  Developing a Compelling Conclusion

Strategies to help you move beyond merely summarizing the key points of your research paper may include any of the following.

• If your essay deals with a contemporary problem, warn readers of the possible consequences of not attending to the problem.
• Recommend a specific course or courses of action.
• Cite a relevant quotation or expert opinion to lend authority to the conclusion you have reached [a good place to look is research from your literature review].
• Restate a key 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, an example, or a quotation that you introduced in your introduction, but add further insight that is derived from the findings of your study; use your interpretation of results to reframe it in new ways.
• Provide a "take-home" message in the form of a strong, succient statement that you want the reader to remember about your study.

III. Problems to Avoid Failure to be concise The conclusion section should be concise and to the point. Conclusions that are too long often have unnecessary detail. The conclusion section is not the place for details about your methodology or results. Although you should give a summary of what was learned from your research, this summary should be relatively brief, since the emphasis in the conclusion is on the implications, evaluations, insights, etc. that you make. Failure to comment on larger, more significant issues In the introduction, your task was to move from general [the field of study] to specific [your research problem]. However, in the conclusion, your task is to move from specific [your research problem] back to general [your field, i.e., how your research contributes new understanding or fills an important gap in the literature]. In other words, the conclusion is where you place your research within a larger context. Failure to reveal problems and negative results Negative aspects of the research process should never be ignored. Problems, drawbacks, and challenges encountered during your study should be included as a way of qualifying your overall conclusions. If you encountered negative results [findings that are validated outside the research context in which they were generated], you must report them in the results section of your paper. In the conclusion, use the negative results as an opportunity to explain how they provide information on which future research can be based. Failure to provide a clear summary of what was learned In order to be able to discuss how your research fits back into your field of study [and possibly the world at large], you need to summarize it briefly and directly. Often this element of your conclusion is only a few sentences long. Failure to match the objectives of your research Often research objectives change while the research is being carried out. This is not a problem unless you forget to go back and refine your original objectives in your introduction, as these changes emerge they must be documented so that they accurately reflect what you were trying to accomplish in your research [not what you thought you might accomplish when you began].

Resist the urge to apologize If you've immersed yourself in studying the research problem, you now know a good deal about it, perhaps even more than your professor! Nevertheless, by the time you have finished writing, you may be having some doubts about what you have produced. Repress those doubts!  Don't undermine your authority by saying something like, "This is just one approach to examining this problem; there may be other, much better approaches...."

Concluding Paragraphs. College Writing Center at Meramec. St. Louis Community College; Conclusions . The Writing Center. University of North Carolina; Conclusions . The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University; Freedman, Leora  and Jerry Plotnick. Introductions and Conclusions . The Lab Report. University College Writing Centre. University of Toronto; Leibensperger, Summer. Draft Your Conclusion. Academic Center, the University of Houston-Victoria, 2003; Make Your Last Words Count . The Writer’s Handbook. Writing Center. University of Wisconsin, Madison; Tips for Writing a Good Conclusion . Writing@CSU. Colorado State University; Kretchmer, Paul. Twelve Steps to Writing an Effective Conclusion . San Francisco Edit, 2003-2008; Writing Conclusions . Writing Tutorial Services, Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning. Indiana University; Writing: Considering Structure and Organization . Institute for Writing Rhetoric. Dartmouth College.

Writing Tip

Don't Belabor the Obvious!

Avoid phrases like "in conclusion...," "in summary...," or "in closing...." These phrases can be useful, even welcome, in oral presentations. But readers can see by the tell-tale section heading and number of pages remaining to read, when an essay is about to end. You'll irritate your readers if you belabor the obvious.

Another Writing Tip

New Insight, Not New Information!

Don't surprise the reader with new information in your Conclusion that was never referenced anywhere else in the paper. If you have new information to present, add it to the Discussion or other appropriate section of the paper.  Note that, although no actual new information is introduced, the conclusion is where you offer your most "original" contributions in the paper; it's where you describe the value of your research, demonstrate your understanding of the material that you’ve presented, and locate your findings within the larger context of scholarship on the topic.

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• Last Updated: Jul 18, 2023 11:58 AM
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Frequently asked questions

What should i include in a research paper conclusion.

The conclusion of a research paper has several key elements you should make sure to include:

• A restatement of the research problem
• A summary of your key arguments and/or findings
• A short discussion of the implications of your research

Frequently asked questions: Writing a research paper

A research project is an academic, scientific, or professional undertaking to answer a research question . Research projects can take many forms, such as qualitative or quantitative , descriptive , longitudinal , experimental , or correlational . What kind of research approach you choose will depend on your topic.

The best way to remember the difference between a research plan and a research proposal is that they have fundamentally different audiences. A research plan helps you, the researcher, organize your thoughts. On the other hand, a dissertation proposal or research proposal aims to convince others (e.g., a supervisor, a funding body, or a dissertation committee) that your research topic is relevant and worthy of being conducted.

Formulating a main research question can be a difficult task. Overall, your question should contribute to solving the problem that you have defined in your problem statement .

However, it should also fulfill criteria in three main areas:

• Researchability
• Feasibility and specificity
• Relevance and originality

Research questions anchor your whole project, so it’s important to spend some time refining them.

In general, they should be:

• Focused and researchable
• Answerable using credible sources
• Complex and arguable
• Feasible and specific
• Relevant and original

All research questions should be:

• Focused on a single problem or issue
• Researchable using primary and/or secondary sources
• Feasible to answer within the timeframe and practical constraints
• Specific enough to answer thoroughly
• Complex enough to develop the answer over the space of a paper or thesis
• Relevant to your field of study and/or society more broadly

A research aim is a broad statement indicating the general purpose of your research project. It should appear in your introduction at the end of your problem statement , before your research objectives.

Research objectives are more specific than your research aim. They indicate the specific ways you’ll address the overarching aim.

Once you’ve decided on your research objectives , you need to explain them in your paper, at the end of your problem statement .

Keep your research objectives clear and concise, and use appropriate verbs to accurately convey the work that you will carry out for each one.

I will compare …

Your research objectives indicate how you’ll try to address your research problem and should be specific:

Research objectives describe what you intend your research project to accomplish.

They summarize the approach and purpose of the project and help to focus your research.

Your objectives should appear in the introduction of your research paper , at the end of your problem statement .

The main guidelines for formatting a paper in Chicago style are to:

• Use a standard font like 12 pt Times New Roman
• Use 1 inch margins or larger
• Apply double line spacing
• Indent every new paragraph ½ inch
• Include a title page
• Place page numbers in the top right or bottom center
• Cite your sources with author-date citations or Chicago footnotes
• Include a bibliography or reference list

To automatically generate accurate Chicago references, you can use Scribbr’s free Chicago reference generator .

The main guidelines for formatting a paper in MLA style are as follows:

• Use an easily readable font like 12 pt Times New Roman
• Set 1 inch page margins
• Include a four-line MLA heading on the first page
• Center the paper’s title
• Use title case capitalization for headings
• Cite your sources with MLA in-text citations
• List all sources cited on a Works Cited page at the end

To format a paper in APA Style , follow these guidelines:

• Use a standard font like 12 pt Times New Roman or 11 pt Arial
• If submitting for publication, insert a running head on every page
• Apply APA heading styles
• Cite your sources with APA in-text citations
• List all sources cited on a reference page at the end

No, it’s not appropriate to present new arguments or evidence in the conclusion . While you might be tempted to save a striking argument for last, research papers follow a more formal structure than this.

All your findings and arguments should be presented in the body of the text (more specifically in the results and discussion sections if you are following a scientific structure). The conclusion is meant to summarize and reflect on the evidence and arguments you have already presented, not introduce new ones.

Don’t feel that you have to write the introduction first. The introduction is often one of the last parts of the research paper you’ll write, along with the conclusion.

This is because it can be easier to introduce your paper once you’ve already written the body ; you may not have the clearest idea of your arguments until you’ve written them, and things can change during the writing process .

The way you present your research problem in your introduction varies depending on the nature of your research paper . A research paper that presents a sustained argument will usually encapsulate this argument in a thesis statement .

A research paper designed to present the results of empirical research tends to present a research question that it seeks to answer. It may also include a hypothesis —a prediction that will be confirmed or disproved by your research.

The introduction of a research paper includes several key elements:

• A hook to catch the reader’s interest
• Relevant background on the topic
• Details of your research problem

and your problem statement

• A thesis statement or research question
• Sometimes an overview of the paper

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Scope and Delimitations in Academic Research

Table of contents

• 1.1 Examples of Elements Included in the Scope
• 2.1 Examples of Delimitations in Research
• 3 Determining the Scope and Delimitation
• 4 Writing the Scope and Delimitations Section
• 5 Conclusion

Understanding the scope and delimitations of a study is crucial for defining its parameters and ensuring focused research efforts. What are delimitations in a research study? These components establish the boundaries within which the research will operate and clarify what the study aims to explore and achieve. This article delves into the significance of clearly defining the scope and every delimitation, how they guide the research focus, and their roles in shaping the research process. Additionally, it provides insights into determining these aspects and articulating them effectively in a research proposal or paper. Transitioning smoothly into the main discussion, let’s explore the importance of scope in research, guiding the focus.

The importance of Clearly Defining the Scope of the Study for Guiding Research Focus

The scope of research delineates its extent or range of inquiry, setting clear parameters for what the study will cover. It’s a foundational aspect that guides every step of the research process, from the formulation of research questions to the interpretation of results. Defining the scope helps in focusing the research efforts, ensuring that the study remains manageable and within realistic bounds.

Understanding the scope and limitation of the study allows researchers to allocate resources efficiently, ensuring that every aspect of the study receives adequate attention. It also helps in avoiding the common pitfall of overreaching, which can dilute the research’s impact and make findings less actionable. By setting a defined scope, researchers can more easily communicate their work’s relevance, limitations and delimitations in the research process to stakeholders, enhancing the credibility and applicability of their findings. Furthermore, a well-defined scope can facilitate a more targeted and effective literature review, laying a solid foundation for the research study.

When navigating the complexities of defining a study’s scope, researchers might seek external support to ensure their research is concise, well-structured, and impactful. A writing service , PapersOwl offers a spectrum tailored to meet academic research’s unique demands. Their expertise can be particularly beneficial in refining research proposals, ensuring the scope is clearly communicated and aligned with academic standards. Engaging with such a service allows researchers to benefit from professional insights, which can enhance the coherence and focus of their work. This collaboration can be instrumental in identifying the most relevant study areas and avoiding unnecessary diversions. With PapersOwl’s support, researchers can ensure their project’s scope is well-defined and compellingly presented, making a strong case for its significance and feasibility. This partnership can be a strategic step towards achieving a study’s specific objectives, ensuring it contributes valuable insights within its defined boundaries.

Examples of Elements Included in the Scope

Defining the scope of a research project is akin to drawing a map for a journey; it outlines the terrain to be explored and the boundaries within which the exploration will occur. This clarity is essential for guiding the research process, ensuring the investigation remains focused and relevant. The scope encompasses various elements, each contributing to the overall direction and integrity of the study. Let’s delve into some of these key elements:

• Research Objectives : The specific aim the study is designed to achieve.
• Geographical Coverage: The physical or virtual locations where the research is conducted.
• Time Frame: The period during which the study takes place, which could range from a few days to several years.
• Subject: The specific topics or issues the research intends to address.
• Population Being Studied: The group of individuals, organizations, or phenomena being investigated.

These components of the scope serve as critical navigational tools in the research journey. They ensure that the study remains grounded in its objectives, relevant to its intended audience or population, and manageable within its temporal and geographical constraints. By carefully defining these elements at the outset, researchers can avoid common pitfalls such as scope creep, where the study’s focus broadens uncontrollably, potentially diluting its impact and significance. A well-defined scope is instrumental in crafting a focused, coherent, and impactful research project.

Role of Delimitations in Qualitative Research

Delimitations in research examples specify the boundaries set by the investigator on what the study will not cover, distinguishing them from limitations, which are potential weaknesses in the study not controlled by the researcher. Delimitations are choices made to narrow the scope of a study, focusing on specific aspects while excluding others. In the intricate tapestry of research design, delimitations play a pivotal role in sharpening the focus and enhancing the clarity of a study. By explicitly stating what the research will not explore, delimitations help prevent the dispersion of the research efforts across too broad an area, thereby increasing the depth and specificity of the investigation. This strategic narrowing allows researchers to concentrate their inquiries on areas most likely to yield impactful insights, making efficient use of available resources and time.

One might wonder how to establish these boundaries effectively without compromising the potential breadth of discovery. Here, the expertise provided by platforms like PapersOwl, particularly their research paper help service, becomes invaluable. Their seasoned professionals can offer guidance on crafting a research design that is both focused and flexible, assisting in identifying and justifying delimitations that enhance the study’s relevance and feasibility. Through such collaboration, researchers can balance the scope and delimitation of the study, ensuring that it remains grounded in its objectives while open to unforeseen insights.

Furthermore, acknowledging delimitations in a research paper demonstrates a researcher’s critical understanding of their study’s context and constraints, enhancing the credibility of their work. It shows a mindful engagement with the research process, recognizing that by setting deliberate boundaries, the study can delve more deeply and meaningfully into its chosen area of inquiry. Thus, when thoughtfully articulated with support from research paper writing help, like that offered by PapersOwl, delimitation in research becomes a testament to the rigor and integrity of its effort.

Examples of Delimitations in Research

Delimitations in research are akin to the guardrails on a highway; they keep the investigation on track and prevent it from veering into less relevant or overly broad territories. Below are some examples of how researchers can apply delimitations to fine-tune their investigations:

• Restricting the Study to Certain Age Groups: Focusing on a specific demographic, such as teenagers or the elderly.
• Geographic Locations: Limiting the research to a particular country, city, or region.
• Specific Periods: Studying a phenomenon during a particular time frame, ignoring other periods.

Setting these research delimitations is not about narrowing the vision of the research, but rather about sharpening its focus. It allows for a more thorough and nuanced exploration of the chosen subjects, leading to more precise findings and general delimitation meaning in research. Delimitations highlight the researcher’s awareness of the study’s scope and commitment to conducting a focused, manageable investigation.

Determining the Scope and Delimitation

Identifying the scope and delimitations of your research involves understanding the research problem deeply and recognizing what is feasible within the constraints of time, resources, and data availability. Strategies for determining these include:

• Reviewing existing literature to identify gaps and opportunities.
• Consulting with experts or advisors to refine research questions.
• Considering data availability and methodological constraints.

Balancing the scope and delimitations involves ensuring the research is neither too broad, unmanageable, nor too narrow, limiting its significance. Crafting a research project that strikes the right balance between breadth and depth is a nuanced task. It requires a researcher to be acutely aware of where their study begins and ends, what it encompasses, and what it intentionally leaves out. This equilibrium is not found in isolation but through a diligent exploration of the field and an understanding of how to best position one’s work within it. A key step in this process is identifying and sourcing relevant literature and data, which can significantly influence the scope of research.

Leveraging resources such as PapersOwl’s guide on how to find sources for research papers can prove invaluable in this phase. This platform provides insights into locating credible and relevant information, ensuring that researchers build their work upon a solid foundation of existing knowledge. By understanding how to navigate the vast, effective ocean of available data, researchers can make informed decisions about the direction and limits of their study. This meticulous preparation is crucial for defining the scope and delimitations and justifying them within the context of the research proposal or paper. It demonstrates a researcher’s commitment to rigor and depth, showing that their choices are informed by a comprehensive understanding of the subject and its existing body of literature.

Writing the Scope and Delimitations Section

Articulating the scope and delimitations in a research paper or proposal is crucial for setting clear expectations. It should clearly define delimitations and what the study will and will not cover, providing a rationale for these choices. Effective wording and structure involve:

• Stating the research objectives and questions upfront.
• Describing the research methodology , data collection methods and analysis.
• Outlining the geographical coverage, time frame, and subject matter.
• Clearly stating the delimitations and the reasons behind them.

The presentation of the scope and delimitations within a research document not only guides the readers through the intentions of the research but also establishes a framework for evaluating the findings. It’s a critical section where transparency and precision are paramount, allowing the audience to grasp the extent of the study and the rationale behind its boundaries. This transparency is essential for the credibility of the research, as it demonstrates a conscious and deliberate effort to focus the investigation and acknowledges the existence of boundaries that the study does not cross.

To ensure clarity and impact, this section should seamlessly integrate with the overall narrative of the research proposal or paper. Researchers are advised to avoid jargon and overly technical language, making the research scope and delimitations accessible to a broader audience. This includes a layperson who may not have deep expertise in the field but an interest in the study’s outcomes. Additionally, it is beneficial to highlight how the defined study scope and delimitations contribute to addressing the research problem, filling knowledge gaps, or exploring uncharted territories.

Moreover, this part of the document offers an opportunity to discuss how the chosen delimitations enhance the study’s focus and depth. By justifying the exclusions, researchers can address potential critiques head-on, reinforcing the methodological choices and underscoring the study’s contribution to the field. This careful articulation ensures that the research is perceived as a well-thought-out endeavor, grounded in a strategic approach to inquiry.

The scope and delimitations of a study are foundational elements that guide the research process, setting clear boundaries and focusing efforts. By defining these aspects clearly, researchers can provide a clear roadmap for their investigation, ensuring that their work is both manageable and relevant. By consciously deciding what to exclude from the study, researchers can intensify their focus on the chosen subject, ensuring that the research efforts are concentrated where they are most needed and can be most effective. These self-imposed boundaries are critical for maintaining the study’s coherence and depth. This clarity not only aids in conducting the research but also in effectively communicating its implications, limits, and outcomes.

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What Is The Significance Of The Study?

In the vast landscape of academia, every research study serves a purpose beyond just adding to the pile of existing knowledge. It’s about unraveling mysteries, solving problems, and making the world a little better. But before diving into any research, one crucial question needs answering: What is the significance of the study? Let’s embark on a journey to understand the importance of this question and how it shapes the landscape of research.

What Is The Importance Of Studying?

Table of Contents

Studying is a fundamental aspect of human learning and development, playing a crucial role in various aspects of life. Its importance spans across personal, academic, professional, and societal domains. Here’s a breakdown of why studying is essential:

• Academic Achievement: Studying is essential for academic success. It helps students grasp concepts, retain information, and demonstrate their understanding through assessments. Whether it’s preparing for exams, completing assignments, or engaging in class discussions, studying forms the backbone of academic achievement.
• Skill Development: Studying isn’t just about memorizing facts; it’s also about developing critical skills such as problem-solving, analytical thinking, and communication. Through studying, individuals hone these skills, which are invaluable in both academic and real-world settings.
• Personal Growth: Studying expands one’s horizons and fosters personal growth. It exposes individuals to new ideas, perspectives, and experiences, challenging them to think critically and question assumptions. Additionally, studying encourages self-discipline, time management, and perseverance, all of which are essential qualities for personal success.
• Career Advancement: In today’s competitive job market, continuous learning is essential for career advancement. Studying allows individuals to acquire new knowledge, skills, and qualifications, making them more competitive and marketable to employers. Whether it’s pursuing higher education, attending professional development courses, or staying updated on industry trends, studying is crucial for career growth.
• Intellectual Stimulation: Studying stimulates the mind and fosters intellectual curiosity. It allows individuals to delve into topics of interest, explore complex ideas, and engage in meaningful intellectual discourse. This intellectual stimulation not only enriches one’s understanding of the world but also enhances cognitive abilities and overall mental well-being.
• Societal Contribution: Studying plays a vital role in advancing society as a whole. Through research, innovation, and knowledge dissemination, studying drives progress in various fields, from science and technology to arts and humanities. Additionally, educated individuals are better equipped to contribute positively to their communities, advocate for social change, and address pressing global challenges.

The significance of a study lies in its ability to address a specific problem or question, contribute to existing knowledge, and have practical applications or implications for various stakeholders. Let’s delve into each aspect with relevant examples:

Addressing a Specific Problem or Question

• Example: A study on the impact of social media usage on mental health among teenagers addresses the pressing concern of rising mental health issues in young people attributed to excessive screen time and online interactions.

Contributing to Existing Knowledge

• Example: A research project investigating the effects of climate change on biodiversity builds upon previous studies by providing new insights into how changing environmental conditions affect different species and ecosystems. By adding to the body of knowledge on this topic, the study contributes to our understanding of the complex interactions between climate and biodiversity.

Practical Applications or Implications

• Example: A study on the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions in reducing workplace stress offers practical implications for employers and employees alike. By demonstrating the positive impact of mindfulness practices on employee well-being and productivity, the study informs organizational policies and practices aimed at promoting a healthier work environment.

Informing Policy Decisions

• Example: Research on the economic impact of renewable energy adoption provides policymakers with valuable insights into the potential benefits of transitioning to sustainable energy sources. By quantifying the economic advantages and environmental benefits of renewable energy investments, the study informs policy decisions related to energy planning and resource allocation.

Addressing Social or Health Issues

• Example: Research into how well vaccination campaigns work to lower the spread of diseases is important for public health. This kind of study looks at how good vaccination plans are at stopping diseases from spreading. It also figures out what stops people from getting vaccinated. With this information, health programs can do better at preventing outbreaks and keeping communities safe from diseases.

Fostering Innovation and Progress

• Example: Research on the development of artificial intelligence algorithms for medical diagnosis advances technological innovation in healthcare. By harnessing the power of machine learning and data analytics, the study enables more accurate and efficient diagnosis of medical conditions, leading to improved patient outcomes and advancements in medical practice.

What Is The Significance Of The Study And Statement Of The Problem?

The significance of the study and the statement of the problem are two critical components of any research endeavor, as they lay the foundation for the entire study. Let’s explore their significance individually:

Significance of the Study

• The significance of the study articulates why the research is important and why it matters. It provides justification for conducting the study and highlights its relevance in the broader context of academia, society, or a specific field.
• Significance is about identifying the value and impact of the research in terms of its potential contributions to knowledge, practical applications, policy implications, or societal relevance.
• Without a clear understanding of the significance of the study, researchers may struggle to convey the importance of their work to stakeholders, peers, and the broader community.
• A well-defined significance statement serves as a guiding principle throughout the research process, helping researchers stay focused on the overarching goals and objectives of their study.

Statement of the Problem

• The statement of the problem defines the specific issue or question that the research seeks to address. It clarifies the scope and boundaries of the study by identifying the key variables, concepts, or phenomena under investigation.
• The problem statement highlights the gap or deficiency in existing knowledge that the research aims to fill. It identifies the research gap by demonstrating what is currently unknown, unresolved, or underexplored in the literature.
• A well-crafted problem statement provides a clear and concise description of the research problem, making it easier for readers to understand the purpose and rationale behind the study.
• By defining the problem upfront, researchers can effectively plan their research design, methodology, and data collection strategies to address the identified research gap.
• The statement of the problem serves as a roadmap for the research, guiding the selection of research questions, hypotheses, and analytical approaches to be used in the study.

How Do You Write The Significance Of Research?

Writing the significance of research involves clearly articulating why the study is important, relevant, and worthy of attention. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to write the significance of research:

• Identify the Problem or Issue

Begin by clearly defining the problem, question, or issue that the research seeks to address. This sets the stage for explaining why the research is necessary.

• Review Existing Literature

Conduct a thorough review of existing literature in the field to understand what has already been studied and what gaps or limitations exist in current knowledge.

• Highlight the Gap in Knowledge

Identify the specific gap or deficiency in existing research that the study aims to fill. This could be a lack of research on a particular topic, conflicting findings in the literature, or unanswered questions that need further exploration.

• Explain the Relevance and Importance

Clearly articulate why the research is important and relevant in the broader context. Consider the potential implications of the research for theory development, practical applications, policy decisions, or societal impact.

• Demonstrate Potential Contributions

Explain how the research will contribute to advancing knowledge in the field. This could involve providing new insights, validating existing theories, developing innovative methodologies, or addressing practical problems.

• Consider Stakeholder Perspectives

Identify the stakeholders or audiences who will benefit from the research findings. Consider their perspectives and interests when explaining the significance of the research.

• Emphasize Practical Applications

Highlight any practical applications or real-world implications of the research. This could include informing policy decisions, improving practices, addressing societal challenges, or benefiting specific industries or communities.

• Provide Justification for Conducting the Study

Offer a compelling rationale for why the research is worth undertaking. This could involve emphasizing the urgency of the problem, the potential benefits of finding a solution, or the intellectual merit of exploring a novel research question.

• Be Concise and Clear

Write the significance of research in a clear, concise, and compelling manner. Avoid jargon or technical language that may obscure the message and focus on communicating the importance of the research in accessible terms.

• Revise and Refine

Review and revise the significance of research to ensure clarity, coherence, and persuasiveness. Solicit feedback from peers, mentors, or colleagues to refine your argument and strengthen your rationale.

In the ever-evolving world of research, the significance of each study lies in its ability to push the boundaries of knowledge, address pressing issues, and make a meaningful impact on the world.

By understanding why a study matters, researchers can ensure that their work contributes meaningfully to the collective pursuit of knowledge and progress. 

So the next time you embark on a research journey, remember to ask yourself: What is the significance of the study? The answer could shape the course of history.

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The Importance of Monitoring Tire Pressure in Your Vehicle

F or those who drive, the sight of the dashboard warning lights is quite familiar, particularly the symbol resembling an exclamation point within a half-circle. This alert signifies a pressure issue—indicating that one or more tires are experiencing improper inflation, either too low or too high.

If you neglect this tire pressure signal and continue your journey, you risk a tire blowout, which can halt your vehicle unexpectedly and compromise your safety. Therefore, it is crucial for drivers to heed these indicators. Today, we will discuss the reasons behind this light activation and the necessary actions to take.

Root Causes of the Tire Pressure Warning Light Seasonal Air Pressure Variations Matter

The illumination of your tire pressure light can be attributed to the TPMS sensor , a device within each tire that monitors specific pressure levels. When the pressure dips below a preset threshold, the sensor triggers the dash light, suggesting that the tire pressure is out of the recommended range. However, pinpointing the exact cause can be challenging since the sensor is only signaling a pressure deviation.

Factors such as abrupt temperature shifts, TPMS sensor errors, tire degradation, or punctures could result in the activation of the tire pressure light. For example, during winter, decreased temperatures may lead to lower tire pressure as the air contracts, prompting the light. Addressing this is as simple as refilling your tires at a local station or garage, which should deactivate the light.

Faulty TPMS Sensors Worn or Flat Tires

Occasionally, TPMS sensors themselves may malfunction, leading to intermittent light activation despite normal tire pressure. Components like the module, sensor, or wiring could be at fault. Sensor failure means the tire’s pressure is not being monitored correctly, possibly leaving a puncture undetected. Replacement at a service center is advisable in such cases.

Tire damage or wear may also explain the warning light. Air leakage from defective tires can trigger the alert, and flats will certainly do so. It’s possible to temporarily remedy minor punctures with patches or plugs, but a permanent tire replacement is eventually necessary.

How to Check Proper Tire Pressure Adjust According to Seasons

Verifying correct tire pressure is straightforward. Simply open the driver’s door and refer to the sticker on the right side, indicating the recommended pressure range based on tire size. Seasonal adjustments are necessary: lower the pressure slightly in summer when it tends to rise and pre-fill in winter to counteract the drop.

Correct tire pressure can not only save fuel and enhance handling but also prolong tire life, allowing for prolonged usage.

FAQs About Car Tire Pressure

How often should i check my car’s tire pressure.

It is recommended to check your car’s tire pressure at least once a month and before any long trips.

What is the correct tire pressure for my car?

The correct tire pressure for your vehicle can be found on the placard located on the inside edge of the driver’s door, in the owner’s manual, or sometimes inside the fuel door.

What can happen if I drive with incorrect tire pressure?

Driving with too low or too high tire pressure can lead to decreased fuel efficiency, poor handling, increased tire wear, and even tire failure, such as a blowout.

How does temperature affect tire pressure?

For every 10 degrees Fahrenheit change in temperature, your tire’s pressure can change by about 1 PSI. Cold weather can cause the pressure to drop, while hot weather can lead to increased pressure.

Can I just eyeball my tires to check if the pressure is okay?

No, visually inspecting your tires isn’t reliable. Always use a proper tire gauge to check the pressure.

Regularly monitoring and maintaining the proper tire pressure is vital for vehicular safety, fuel economy, and tire longevity. With the risks associated with incorrect tire pressure ranging from inconveniences to serious hazards, it’s clear that regularly checking tire pressure is not just recommended but essential for responsible vehicle maintenance. By understanding the causes of tire pressure warnings and how to correctly manage tire pressure, drivers can ensure their tires remain in peak condition year-round.

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Executive Summary

1 introduction, 2 key statistics on canada’s productivity growth, 3 new ideas: the ultimate source of long-run productivity growth, 4 potential reasons behind the decline of productivity growth in canada, 5 conclusion.

Economists view productivity growth as the main long-term determinant of improvements in the average standard of living, as measured by the growth in gross domestic product (GDP) per capita. Researchers and policy makers note that a decline in productivity growth over the past few decades is one of Canada’s most important economic challenges. This decline is a concern for parliamentarians and the federal government because, if it is not reversed, Canadians’ average standard of living will grow less rapidly, if not decline, in the future.

The aim of this publication is to explain what productivity growth is and why it matters for improving Canada’s average standard of living. It explores the importance of “new ideas” – a concept coined by the Nobel Laureate Paul M. Romer – in determining Canada’s long-term productivity growth and emphasizes that the long term growth of an advanced economy like Canada depends largely on the extent to which new ideas are generated and those ideas become innovations that increase productivity. The basic insight emerging from the economic literature is that the long run growth rate of an advanced economy is primarily the product of the number of researchers, entrepreneurs and scientists and their respective productivity.

Recent research suggests that significant, ground-breaking ideas are becoming more difficult to find and that investments in research and development need to be significantly enhanced in Canada and globally in order to continue to find those ideas.

The Canadian economy has been facing a continuous decline in productivity growth over the past four decades. Indeed, this has emerged as one of Canada’s most enduring economic challenges and a significant concern for parliamentarians and the federal government.

The Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy, for example, has taken up the issue and tabled three reports on business investment and productivity since 2018. 1 Moreover, in Budget 2022, the federal government recognized that if Canadian businesses continue to underinvest in innovation and in research and development (R&D) compared to their foreign counterparts, Canada will experience the lowest per capita gross domestic product (GDP) growth among Organisation for Economic Co operation and Development (OECD) countries from 2020 to 2060. 2

Productivity, or what economists call total factor productivity (TFP), is a measure of economic performance that compares the amount of goods and services produced (output) with the amount of labour and capital (inputs) used in producing those goods and services. 3 Growth in productivity occurs when the output increases more rapidly than labour and capital inputs. Productivity growth serves as the primary means whereby economic growth can surpass what could be achieved solely by increasing labour and capital inputs. According to Statistics Canada, around 90% of the growth in Canada’s per capita output over the past 40 years can be attributed to productivity growth. 4

Productivity growth tends to generate not only higher earnings for workers and higher profits for businesses, but also additional government revenues. These economic advantages hold the promise of enhancing the standard of living of Canadians through a combination of higher income, increased leisure time, and increased government services and transfers. In addition to improving the standard of living, productivity growth can lower inflation by reducing the gap between aggregate demand and the economy’s capacity to supply goods and services.

Part 2 of this publication presents data on the growth rate of productivity and GDP per capita in Canada and compares it with that in the United States (U.S.) and the average among the Group of Seven (G7) countries. Part 3 discusses the crucial role of new ideas in determining long-term productivity growth. Part 4 provides some potential reasons for Canada’s lower productivity growth viewed through the lens of the generation of new ideas.

Figure 1 shows that between 1980 and 2022, Canada’s productivity growth rate decreased from 102% to 77% of the rate of the U.S., and from 108% to 93% of the average rate of the G7.

It also illustrates that this relative decline in productivity growth mirrors the relative decline in Canada’s average standard of living compared to its main trading partner, the U.S. Between 1980 and 2022, Canada’s average standard of living – as measured by GDP per capita – decreased from 93% to 75% of the U.S. rate. In 2022, Canada’s GDP per capita was US$57,000 (C$77,720), while GDP per capita in the U.S. was US$76,400 (C$104,171). 5

Figure 1 – Total Factor Productivity (TFP) Growth, Canada as a Percentage of United States (U.S.) and of G7 Average, and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per Capita, Canada as a Percentage of U.S.

Sources: Figure prepared by the Library of Parliament using data on TFP growth and GDP per capita obtained from Banque de France, “ Long-Term Productivity Database ,” Database, accessed 23 October 2023, and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, “ Level of GDP per capita and productivity ,” Database, 23 October 2023.

Given the importance of productivity to societal welfare, it is crucial to understand what determines the productivity growth rate over time. This is the question that Paul M. Romer, 2018 Nobel Laureate in Economics, 6 sought to address in a 1990 paper. 7

In that paper, Mr. Romer introduced a distinction between two fundamental concepts to help better understand productivity growth: “ideas” and “objects.” The latter include all the usual things that are considered in economics and everyday life, such as money, work, skills, land, roads, specific professions, commodities such as oil and soybeans, and even measurable environmental goods like clean water.

What sets ideas apart from objects is that the latter exhibit rivalry. That is, the use of an object by one person prevents its concurrent use by others. Take, for instance, the number of individuals driving on highways, using computers, seeking the expertise of specific doctors or drinking water. As the number of individuals using these objects increases, the availability of these objects decreases. This competition forms the foundation of scarcity, a fundamental concept in economics that highlights the basic reality that both human and nonhuman resources are limited and that, even with the most advanced technical knowledge, it is only possible to generate a finite quantity of each economic good or service. For example, one person is more productive with a computer, but making thousands of people similarly more productive would require thousands of computers.

Conversely, ideas possess a unique quality known as nonrivalry, or what has been described as infinite usability. 8 That is, any number of individuals can use an idea at the same time. An idea could be a conceptual framework, a design or a blueprint for doing something. In essence, it is a set of instructions for using existing objects in a way that increases output. Examples include things like calculus, the design of the latest advanced quantum computer, the code that turns someone’s typing into letters on a computer screen, new management styles, the recipe for a new antibiotic, or the latest COVID-19 vaccine, which has protected the health of billions of people.

The fact that many individuals can use an idea at the same time suggests that a country’s average standard of living depends on the cumulative pool of ideas rather than the number of ideas per person. This is a notable distinction from objects such as capital. While each computer enhances the productivity of a single worker, a ground-breaking idea – like a COVID-19 vaccine – can elevate the productivity of countless workers without the need for a proportional increase in the number of ideas. Thus, what really drives long-term economic growth in advanced economies like Canada is the total number of ideas generated over time and turning those ideas into innovations that increase productivity.

With regard to the origin of new ideas, economic research suggests that new ideas come from the ingenuity of individuals, particularly researchers, entrepreneurs and scientists. 9 Therefore, the long-term progression of a country’s standard of living depends on the rate at which its population produces new ideas that increase productivity.

From the perspective of the importance of new ideas, how can we explain the decline of productivity growth in advanced economies, including Canada, over the past few decades? One possible explanation for this decline is that the growth rate of people searching for new ideas appears to have slowed. 10

Charles I. Jones conducted a growth accounting exercise for the U.S. and found that 80% of the 2% annual growth in GDP per person in the U.S. since 1950 is accounted for by increases in the fraction of the population devoted to R&D, rising educational attainment and declines in misallocation of resources, including human capital. 11 The remaining 20% comes from population growth. Interestingly, he estimated that the contribution of the physical capital-output ratio to U.S. economic growth over this long period of time was zero.

Research has attributed the decline in the productivity growth of advanced economies in recent decades to the fact that “new ideas” are getting more difficult to find. 12 That is, “research effort is rising substantially while research productivity is declining sharply.” Strong and consistent evidence has been found for a widespread decline in research productivity across various domains and in almost every sector studied. Using the overall U.S. figures as a benchmark, research productivity undergoes a 50% drop every 13 years, indicating an increasing challenge in generating new ideas. To maintain consistent growth in GDP per capita, the U.S. would need to double its research efforts every 13 years to counteract the growing difficulty of discovering new ideas.

Figure 2 compares the research efforts of Canada with those of the U.S. and the G7 as measured by their business enterprise R&D expenditures as a percentage of GDP . Over the 2010 to 2019 period, Canada’s total business enterprise R&D expenditures as a percentage of GDP remained approximately the same and averaged less than half of that of the U.S. Meanwhile, the U.S. and the G7 (on average) both increased their total business enterprise R&D expenditures as a percentage of  GDP .

Figure 2 – Total Business Enterprise Research and Development Expenditures in Canada, United States (U.S.) and G7 between 2010 and 2019 (% of Gross Domestic Product)

Source: Figure prepared by the Library of Parliament using data obtained from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, “ Main Science and Technology Indicators ,” Database, accessed 23 October 2023.

In economics, there is a long-standing practice of measuring the generation of new ideas through the analysis of patents. 13 Figure 3 shows that Canada had the smallest number of resident patent applications per million inhabitants among the G7 in 2021, a pattern observed over several years.

Figure 3 – Resident Patent Applications per Million Inhabitants, G7 Countries, 2021

Lastly, improving workplace diversity and leveraging artificial intelligence could also help to improve Canada’s long-term productivity growth.

There is strong evidence that embracing diversity in the workplace can not only foster a rich mix of perspectives but also potentially drive innovation by bringing together a variety of ideas and approaches, ultimately contributing to increased productivity. For example, an influential 2019 paper on economic growth documents the fact that 94% of doctors and lawyers in the U.S. were white men in the 1960s. By 2008, this proportion had dropped to 62%. 14 Given that “innate talent” for highly skilled professions is expected to be similar across all groups, the study’s authors found that the job distribution in the 1960s implies that many innately talented African Americans and women were not in occupations aligned with their skill sets. The study quantifies the broader economic impact of this shift between 1960 and 2008, revealing that 15% to 20% of the growth in aggregate GDP per capita in the U.S. can be attributed to a more efficient allocation of talent. Discrimination, unconscious bias, racism, gender roles, gender-based stereotypes, non-gender-sensitive or family-unfriendly workplaces, insufficient parental leave and inflexible work hours are among the factors that hindered the efficient employment of talented individuals other than white men during that period. These findings suggest that Canada could also improve its productivity growth by further embracing diversity in the workplace.

With respect to artificial intelligence, although it is still in its infancy in many areas, it may help to increase Canada’s productivity growth in the future by enhancing Canadians’ ability to generate new ideas and innovate. 15

Productivity growth is the main driver of a country’s standard of living. Unless Canada’s prolonged decline in productivity growth is reversed, Canadians’ average standard of living will grow less rapidly, if not decline, in the future.

Economic research emphasizes the crucial role of new ideas in determining long-term productivity growth. It also suggests that the discovery of significant, ground-breaking ideas has become increasingly challenging, directly influencing innovation and productivity growth. This underscores the need for a substantial increase in Canada’s research efforts to discover, develop and commercialize new big ideas.

• Senate, Standing Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy, Needed: An Innovation Strategy for the Data-Driven Economy , Eighth report, June 2023; Senate, Standing Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce, Business Investment in Canada , Fourth report, June 2022; and Senate, Standing Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce, Canada: Still Open for Business? , Twenty-fourth report, October 2018. [ Return to text ]
• Charles I. Jones, “ Chapter 1 – The Facts of Economic Growth ,” Handbook of Macroeconomics , Vol. 2, 2016, pp. 3–69. [ Return to text ]
• The figures in US$ were converted into C$ using the 27 November 2023 exchange rate from Bank of Canada, Currency Converter . [ Return to text ]
• Paul M. Romer, “ Endogenous Technological Change ,” Journal of Political Economy , Vol. 98, No. 5, October 1990, pp. S71–S102. [ Return to text ]
• Charles I. Jones, “ The Past and Future of Economic Growth: A Semi-Endogenous Perspective ,” Annual Review of Economics , Vol. 14, August 2022, pp. 125–152. [ Return to text ]
• Nicholas Bloom et al., “ Are Ideas Getting Harder to Find? ,” American Economic Review , Vol. 110, No. 4, April 2020, pp. 1104–1144. [ Return to text ]
• Charles I. Jones, “ The Outlook for Long-Term Economic Growth ,” National Bureau of Economic Research , Working Paper Series, No. 31648, August 2023. [ Return to text ]
• Charles I. Jones, “ The Past and Future of Economic Growth: A Semi-Endogenous Perspective ,” Annual Review of Economics , Vol. 14, August 2022, pp. 125–152. As Jones discusses, modern economic growth literature views productivity as being determined by two main economic forces: ideas and misallocation. The insight is that misallocation at the micro level becomes productivity differences at the macro level. [ Return to text ]
• Chang-Tai Hsieh et al., “ The Allocation of Talent and U.S. Economic Growth ,” Econometrica , Vol. 87, No. 5, September 2019, pp. 1439–1474. [ Return to text ]
• Ajay Agrawal, Joshua Gans and Avi Goldfarb, “ The Economics of Artificial Intelligence ,” University of Chicago Press , May 2019. [ Return to text ]

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• Published: 17 April 2024

Microglia and macrophage metabolism: a regulator of cerebral gliomas

• Yue Deng 1 , 2 , 3   na1 ,
• Qinyan Chen 1 , 2 , 3   na1 ,
• Chao Wan 1 , 2 , 3 ,
• Yajie Sun 1 , 2 , 3 ,
• Fang Huang 1 , 2 , 3 ,
• Yan Hu 1 , 2 , 3 &
• Kunyu Yang 1 , 2 , 3  

Cell & Bioscience volume  14 , Article number:  49 ( 2024 ) Cite this article

Metrics details

Reciprocal interactions between the tumor microenvironment (TME) and cancer cells play important roles in tumorigenesis and progression of glioma. Glioma-associated macrophages (GAMs), either of peripheral origin or representing brain-intrinsic microglia, are the majority population of infiltrating immune cells in glioma. GAMs, usually classified into M1 and M2 phenotypes, have remarkable plasticity and regulate tumor progression through different metabolic pathways. Recently, research efforts have increasingly focused on GAMs metabolism as potential targets for glioma therapy. This review aims to delineate the metabolic characteristics of GAMs within the TME and provide a summary of current therapeutic strategies targeting GAMs metabolism in glioma. The goal is to provide novel insights and therapeutic pathways for glioma by highlighting the significance of GAMs metabolism.

Introduction

Glioma is one of the most common primary brain tumors, accounting for 25% of central nervous system (CNS) tumors [ 1 ]. It typically arises from primary neural stem or glial cells, forming a complex network of neurons, astrocytes, resident myeloid cells, and microglia [ 2 ]. The current standard treatment for gliomas is surgical resection coupled with adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy, but survival rates for glioma patients remain low due to their high aggressiveness and therapy resistance [ 3 , 4 ]. According to the 2007 World Health Organization (WHO) classification criteria for gliomas, glioblastoma (GBM) is classified as stage IV [ 5 ], with a median survival of only 8–18 months [ 1 , 3 ]. There is an urgent need for more effective and less toxic treatment strategies to improve patient survival.

In recent years, it has been gradually recognized that immune cells’ responsiveness to tumors depends mainly on their metabolic program, which is related to the type and function of immune cells [ 6 ]. Tumor cells undergo metabolic reprogramming to obtain unlimited proliferation capacity and evade immune surveillance [ 7 ]. The rewired metabolic program of tumors creates a hypoxic, acidic, and nutrient-deficient tumor microenvironment (TME), resulting in immune cells which are immunosuppressive and promoting tumor progression. This becomes a huge barrier to anti-tumor immunity [ 8 ]. Therefore, targeted metabolic therapy has the potential not only to hinder tumor growth but also to remodel TME and activate anti-tumor immune responses, and enhancing the efficacy of immunotherapy. Thus, metabolic therapy provides a new therapeutic direction for improving prognosis of glioma patients [ 9 , 10 ].

Due to the existence of blood–brain barrier, the brain is considered as a unique immune organ [ 11 ]. Microglia and tumor-associated macrophages/monocytes, also known as glioma-associated macrophages (GAMs), are the predominant immune cells that extensively infiltrate in the glioma microenvironment, constituting approximately 30% of the tumor mass [ 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Numerous studies demonstrate that glioblastoma cells stimulate GAMs to produce immunosuppressive cytokines, which in turn promote tumor growth, facilitate regulatory T lymphocytes (Treg) recruitment, and induce T cell apoptosis to suppress anti-tumor immune responses [ 15 , 16 ]. Given their importance as immune cells in glioma, targeting GAMs through metabolic therapy may emerge as a highly promising approach. This review provides an overview of metabolic studies focusing on GAMs, aiming to present innovative ideas for glioma treatment.

Metabolic profiles of macrophages in brain

Brain macrophages are typically categorized into the following three types (Fig.  1 ). Microglia are originated from embryonic yolk sac precursors and localized in the central nervous system parenchyma, account for approximately 5–10% of total brain cells [ 13 , 17 , 18 ]. Perivascular, meningeal and choroid plexus macrophages are located at the interface between parenchyma and circulation. Perivascular and meningeal macrophages arise from embryonic yolk sac precursors, whereas choroid plexus macrophages have both embryonic and adult hematopoietic origin [ 19 , 20 ]. The central nervous system also contains an extensive network of vasculature with circulating myeloid cells such as monocytes, granulocytes, and dendritic cells [ 21 ].

Classification of brain macrophages. Brain macrophages are typically categorized into three major types. Microglia are localized in the central nervous system parenchyma and specifically express P2Y purinoceptor 12 (P2RY12), transmembrane protein 119 (TMEM119) and Sal-like protein 1 (SALL1). The other group is perivascular, meningeal and choroid plexus macrophages located at the interface between the parenchyma and the circulation, which are less well defined because many markers are expressed overlapping. BMDMs are distributed in the extensive network of vasculature. CX3CR1, CX3C-chemokine receptor 1; CSF, cerebrospinal fluid; BMDMs, bone marrow-derived macrophages

According to the function of macrophages, they are mainly divided into two types, the classical activated or inflammatory macrophages (M1 macrophages) and the alternatively activated or anti-inflammatory macrophages (M2 macrophages) [ 22 , 23 ] (Fig.  2 ). Macrophages exhibit remarkable plasticity and when the tissue microenvironment changes, they will functionally respond to different signals in the environment and transform from one phenotype to another, which is known as macrophage polarization [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. M1 macrophages are typically induced by Th1 cytokines or bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with markers including CD40, CD80, CD86, TLR2, TLR4 and MHC-II [ 27 ]. Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-12, as well as Th1 cell-attracting chemokines such as CXCL9 and CXCL10 are usually secreted [ 23 , 24 , 28 ]. M1 macrophages mediate tissue damage by activating the nicotinamide adenine phosphate dinucleotide (NADPH) oxidase system to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) [ 26 ]. To prevent excessive tissue damage caused by M1 macrophages, the M2 macrophages inhibit the formation of chronic inflammation in a regulating mechanism. Th2 inflammatory factors such as IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13 generally drive M2-type polarization by activating STAT6 or STAT3 [ 29 , 30 ]. M2 macrophages characteristically express CD163, CD206, scavenging, mannose and galactose receptors [ 27 ]. And they secrete cytokines such as IL-10, TGF-β, VEGF, and chemokines such as CCL17, CCL22, and CCL24 that promote Th2 cells recruitment [ 28 , 31 ]. Moreover, macrophages with different polarization states usually express different metabolic biomarkers. M1 macrophages are characterized by the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), which produces immune response modulator nitric oxide (NO) and citrulline. M2 macrophages express a high level of arginase 1 (Arg1) to generate L-ornithine and urea, which are precursors of polyamine and proline synthesis contributing to tumor proliferation and progression [ 26 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ].

Features of arginine metabolism in M1-type and M2-type macrophages. M1 macrophages are induced by pro-inflammatory cytokines or LPS and are characterized by the expression of iNOS to produce immune response modulator NO and citrulline. M2 macrophages are induced by anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13 and express Arg1 to generate L-ornithine and urea, which are precursors of polyamine and proline synthesis. Functionally, M1 macrophages have powerful antitumor activity, while M2 macrophages promote tissue repair, suppress inflammation and promote tumor development. iNOS, inducible nitric oxide synthase; NO, nitric oxide; ROS, reactive oxygen species; NFE2L2, gene coding for the nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 2 (Nrf2); NF-κB, gene coding for the nuclear factor kappa-b subunit; LPS, lipopolysaccharide; IFNγ, interferon γ; IL-4, interleukin-4; IL-10, interleukin-10; IL-13, interleukin-13; Arg I/II, arginase type I/II; TGFβR, transforming growth factor beta receptor

In tumor progression, M1 macrophages have powerful anti-tumor activity. On the one hand, significant activation of the Toll-like receptor signaling pathway facilitates the clearance of pathogens and tumor cells [ 36 , 37 ]. On the other hand, highly expressed antigen-presenting MHC complexes accelerate the activation of acquired immune responses [ 38 , 39 , 40 ]. Moreover, M1 macrophages can directly act on target cells by producing NO and ROS [ 41 ]. Meanwhile, they secrete cytokines to promote inflammatory responses and recruit anti-tumor T-cell infiltration [ 42 ]. However, M2 macrophages participate in Th2 responses, have strong phagocytic capacity and are involved in clearance of cellular fragments and apoptotic cells. They play a crucial role in promoting tissue repair, wound healing, angiogenesis, and fibrosis. Thus, M2 macrophages not only suppress inflammation but also facilitate angiogenesis, immune suppression, tumor formation, and development [ 25 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 ].

Macrophages with different polarization states have distinct metabolic profiles [ 27 , 34 ]. It has been shown that both M1 and M2 macrophages can significantly regulate glucose and amino acid metabolism. Since LPS and Th1 cytokine-activated M1 macrophages are often associated with acute infections and are required to rapidly trigger strong antimicrobial activity, their metabolic pathway is remodeled from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis to adapt to hypoxic environment [ 33 , 47 , 48 , 49 ]. In contrast, since M2 macrophages play a crucial role in wound healing and tissue repair, they require glucose oxidation and fatty acid oxidation to provide a constant supply of energy, hence fatty acid oxidation is the most important metabolic pathway for M2 macrophages [ 27 , 33 , 43 , 44 ]. In addition, to fit into the distinctive tumor microenvironment, macrophages tend to undergo metabolic reprogramming as well. For example, during migration, macrophages need to adjust to the hypoxic environment by converting their metabolic pathway to glycolysis due to the difference in oxygen concentration in different tissues. Activation of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 and -2 triggers functional changes in macrophages, including expression of chemokines and chemokine receptors, such as CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), CXCL12, angiogenic factor and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) [ 27 , 35 ]. In this way, macrophages assist in coordinating tissue adaptation to oxygen gradients and hypoxic conditions.

Numerous studies have focused on profiling the metabolic characteristics of microglia in gliomas (Fig.  3 ). Hu et al. monitored the metabolic profiles of LPS and IL-4 activated microglia by hippocampal analyzer and found that LPS and ATP effectively promoted glycolysis in microglia, while LPS inhibited oxidative phosphorylation but ATP activated oxidative phosphorylation [ 50 ]. Whereas, changes in glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation were not apparent in IL-4-activated microglia. Mechanistically, the mTOR signaling pathway can effectively regulate the different metabolic reprogramming mediated by LPS and ATP. Blockade of mTOR or glycolysis metabolism can effectively reduce microglia-mediated neuroinflammation in multiple disorders, indicating an essential role of the mTOR pathway in microglia function and revealing an important contribution of microglia metabolic programming to immune regulation.

Metabolic characteristics of microglia. LPS and ATP effectively promoted glycolysis via the mTOR signaling pathway in microglia, while LPS inhibited OXPHOS but ATP activated OXPHOS. Microglia can also utilize glutamine as an energy source to maintain mitochondrial activity. LPS, lipopolysaccharide; TLRs, Toll-like receptors; OXPHOS, oxidative phosphorylation; ROS, Reactive oxygen species; TNF-α, tumoral necrosis factor α; IL-1β, interleukin-1β; IL-6, interleukin-6; mTOR, mammalian target of rapamycin; Gln, Glutamine; Glu, Glutamate; Gls, Glutaminase; BDNF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor

In addition, Bernier et al. found that microglia are metabolically mobile and proceed with immunosurveillance functions powered by glutamine even without glucose [ 51 ]. The results showed that microglia were significantly more metabolically active under the condition of glucose and/or glutamine and maintained mitochondrial activity in the presence of glutamine alone, indicating that microglia can utilize glutamine as an energy source. It was further revealed that the metabolic conversion process of microglia is dependent on the mTOR signaling pathway, resulting in a rapid switch between glycolysis and glutamine catabolism, and this metabolic plasticity enables microglia to maintain their critical immunosurveillance and phagocytosis despite the dysregulation of brain nerve energy homeostasis.

Metabolic interactions between tumor cells and glioma-associated macrophages

With the progression of tumor, the polarization states and function of GAMs evolve with progression of glioma. At the initial stage of tumorigenesis, GAMs have strong immunological activity. However, during the late stage of neoplastic progression, with the increment of cytokines such as IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-β in the TME, GAMs are polarized into M2 phenotype [ 52 , 53 , 54 ], which promotes tumor growth, angiogenesis and exacerbates the energy metabolism disorder, thus leading to tumor progression and treatment resistance [ 53 , 55 , 56 ] (Fig.  4 ).

Metabolic interactions between tumor cells and GAMs. Tumor cells cause massive accumulation of lactate in the TME via the Warburg effect, and lactate further induces macrophages to express VEGF and Arg1 via the HIF1α signaling pathway, which promotes polarization of macrophages toward M2 phenotype. Adenosine produced by tumor cell metabolism can also promote M2-type polarization in macrophages. Macrophages release IL‐1β, which triggers phosphorylation of GPD2 at T10 via PKCδ, to promote glycolysis in glioma cells. Macrophages produce IL-6, which induces PDPK1-dependent PGK1 T243 phosphorylation to promote glycolysis in glioma cells. PDPK1, 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1; PGK1, phosphoglycerate kinase 1; PKCδ, protein kinase-delta; GPD2, glycerol‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase; IL-1β, interleukin-1β; IL-6, interleukin-6; HIF1α, hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha; MCT1-4, monocarboxylate transporter1-4; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor; Arg1, arginase 1

GAMs metabolic remodeling by the tumor microenvironment

Several metabolites produced by tumor cells in the TME, such as lactate, tryptophan and adenosine, also functionally remodel GAMs. Generally, even in the presence of oxygen and fully functional mitochondria, tumor cells are supplied with energy via the glycolytic pathway, which phenomenon is known as the Warburg effect, and consequently leads to a massive accumulation of lactate in the TME [ 9 , 10 ]. It has been extensively shown that lactate, while facilitating tumor invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis, also exerts immunosuppressive effects, impairing antigen presentation of dendritic cells (DCs), inhibiting cytotoxicity of CD8 + T cells, and inducing apoptosis of NK cells [ 57 ]. The remodeling of GAMs by lactate is manifested in the induction of VEGF and Arg1 expression via the HIF1-α signaling pathway, which promotes the polarization of GAMs toward M2 and assists GAMs in their pro-tumor function.

Acidity is another characteristic of the tumor microenvironment. Local hypoxia and glycolysis induced by the Warburg effect render tumor cells in an acidic state, whereas acidosis is detrimental to cell growth. Therefore, metabolically generated protons must be expelled from the tumor cytosol to maintain cellular function, and this process is achieved through Na/H exchanger isomer 1 (NHE1). NHE1 drives H + efflux along with Na + influx to maintain the pH in tumor cells at 7.3–7.5, which can provide a driving force for tumor cells and ensure the normal maintenance of glycolytic [ 58 ]. However, in the case of immune cells, the acidotic environment of TME suppresses the function of immune cells and promotes the polarization of GAMs to M2 type [ 58 , 59 , 60 ].

Furthermore, combined with metabolomics and gene expression profiling, Pravin et al. performed a centralized and comprehensive analysis comparing 80 patients with GBM and 28 patients with low-grade astrocytomas [ 61 ]. It was proved that tryptophan and adenosine metabolism led to the accumulation of Treg and M2 macrophages, respectively, in the microenvironment of GBM patients and was validated in the mouse model, suggesting that metabolic reprogramming may possibly underlie an important factor causing immune tolerance in GBM.

Effects of GAMs on tumor cell metabolism

GAMs are capable of secreting a wide range of chemokines or cytokines that modulate tumor cell metabolism. Chemokines such as CCL5 and CCL18 produced by GAMs could upregulate the key enzymes of tumor cell glycolytic pathway, such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), further promoting tumor cell glycolysis and exacerbating the accumulation of lactate in the microenvironment, forming a vicious cycle [ 62 ]. Furthermore, IL-1β, produced by M2 macrophages, activates the phosphorylation of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPD2) on threonine 10 (GPD2 pT10) in glioma cells, which enhances the affinity of GPD2 pT10 to substrate, and improves the catalytic rate of glycolysis in glioma cells [ 63 ]. On the other hand, IL-6, secreted by M2 macrophages, enhances the phosphorylation of phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1) threonine 243 mediated by 3-phosphatidylinositol-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDPK1) in tumor cells, thereby regulating the direction of PGK1-catalyzed reactions and promoting tumor cell glycolysis and tumorigenesis [ 64 ].

Therapeutic strategies targeting metabolism between GAMs and Gliomas

Given that the main role of macrophages in the TME is predominantly pro-tumorigenic, numerous strategies have been developed to counteract the role of these cells. Broadly speaking, these strategies can be categorized into two groups: reducing the number of macrophages or altering their function in the TME [ 65 , 66 ]. The former involves macrophage removal and inhibition of macrophage recruitment in the TME. A significant reduction in macrophage number could be achieved by inhibiting the CSF1-CSF1R signaling pathway, which is essential for macrophage development and maturation [ 67 , 68 ]. Several clinical trials have been conducted with different antibodies and small molecule drugs targeting CSF1R [ 69 , 70 ]. For example, the small molecule drug PLX3397, although showing favorable anti-tumor effects in patients with advanced tenosynovial giant-cell tumor, presented tolerance in recurrent glioblastoma patients and the six-month progression-free survival was not significantly improved [ 71 , 72 ]. Furthermore, macrophage accumulation in the TME is usually mediated by monocyte recruitment through the CCL2-CCR2 signaling axis [ 73 ]. Therefore, blocking CCL2 signaling has also emerged as a potential target for antitumor therapy [ 67 , 68 ]. Whereas the latter remodeling of macrophage functions may be more advantageous, by promoting the polarization of M2-type macrophages towards M1-type. For example, Toll-like receptors agonists or PI3K inhibitors can both promote the polarization of M2-type macrophages toward M1-type and exert anti-tumor effects [ 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 ]. Although these therapeutic strategies targeting macrophages have achieved significant preclinical therapeutic efficacy, there is still a long way to go before they are widely adopted in clinical practice. As mentioned previously, different subtypes of GAMs have distinct metabolic profiles, and thus targeting macrophage metabolism may become a proven therapeutic tool for gliomas. Here we summarize the currently reported therapeutic modalities for targeting metabolism between GAMs and Gliomas (Fig.  5 ).

Therapeutic strategies targeting metabolism between GAMs and Gliomas. a Therapeutic strategies targeting arginine metabolism. ADI-PEG20, an arginine consumer, decomposes arginine in the TME, and induces upregulation of NOS2 expression and downregulation of Arg1 to promote M1-like polarization. In addition, ADI-PEG20 enhances the phagocytic ability of GAMs, and promotes the M1-like factors secretion. b Therapeutic strategies targeting tryptophan metabolism. Endogenous tryptophan metabolites and the NAD + precursor quinolinic acid render gliomas resistant to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Alkylating agents may alleviate therapeutic resistance by depleting intracellular NAD + . c Therapeutic strategies targeting glucose metabolism. HOE-642, an inhibitor of NHE1, significantly promotes infiltration of GAMs and T cells, upregulates mitochondrial OXPHOS pathway genes, enhances mitochondrial activity in immune cells, and diminishes glycolysis in GAMs and T cells. d Therapeutic strategies using microglia-derived sEV. Microglia-derived sEV carrying miR-124 alters the metabolism of glioma cells and reduces the release of lactate, NO and glutamate. In addition, sEV increases the expression of Glu transporter Glt-1 in astrocytes. e Therapeutic strategies targeting lipid metabolism. NR4A2 or SQLE inhibitors suppress tumor growth and reversed CD8 + T cell exhaustion. NR-encased hydrogel system and oncolytic adenovirus loaded with ApoA1 activate anti-tumor immunity through targeting the disordered cholesterol metabolism in GBMs. NOS2, nitric oxide synthase 2; NO, nitric oxide; Arg1, arginase 1; Trp, tryptophan; TDO, tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase; 3-HA, 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid; 3-HAO, 3-hydroxy-anthranilic acid oxygenase; QPRT, quinolinic acid phosphoribosyl transferase; NHE1, Na/H exchanger isomer 1; OXPHOS, oxidative phosphorylation; sEV, small extracellular vesicles; Glt-1, glutamate transporter type 1; NR4A2, nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 2; SQLE, squalene monooxygenase; ApoA1, apolipoprotein A1; DHCR7, 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase

Targeting amino acid metabolism

GAMs have remarkable plasticity and therefore one of the main strategies to treat gliomas through targeting GAMs metabolism is to foster the conversion of macrophages from M2 phenotype to M1 phenotype, thus reversing the anti-inflammatory TME and promoting anti-tumor immune activation. Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid that can be synthesized in the intestinal renal axis catalyzed by arginine succinate synthase (ASS1) and arginine succinate lyase (ASL), or locally in cells expressing ASS1 and ASL. Proliferatively active cells, such as tumor cells, are typically highly arginine-dependent, but ASS1 expression is deficient in many tumor cells, and when they are deprived of arginine, these cancer cells often undergo disruption of energy metabolism leading to death because they cannot synthesize it themselves, whereas in normal cells, metabolism is not affected by arginine deprivation. Therefore, therapeutic arginine deprivation can starve tumor cells to achieve favorable antitumor effects and has become a potential anti-tumor strategy for several tumor types, including ASS1-negative GBM [ 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 ]. Although arginine consumer pegylated arginine deiminase (ADI-PEG20) has shown significant efficacy in vivo, in vitro, and in phase I clinical trials in ASS1-expressing deficient GBM, it had no significant effect on ASS1-positive GBM. On this basis, Nabil et al. investigated a therapeutic arginine deprivation strategy for ASS1-positive GBM [ 82 ]. Both in vivo and in vitro, ADI-PEG20 combined with radiotherapy was shown to achieve tumor elimination and significantly improved survival rate. Mechanistically, ADI-PEG20 decomposes arginine, recycles citrulline, and induces upregulation of iNOS expression to promote NO production, which interacts with superoxide anion free radicals generated in the target area of radiotherapy, thereby destroying tumor cells. In addition, ADI-PEG20-induced arginine deprivation boosts CD8 + T cell infiltration in TME, reduces the number of Foxp3 + Treg cells, and improves the immune microenvironment [ 83 ]. Meanwhile, this combination treatment also induced the transformation of GAMs into M1 phenotype, enhanced the phagocytic ability of GAMs, and promoted the activation of immune function ( Fig.  5 a ) . Collectively, arginine deprivation therapy combined with radiotherapy is expected to be an attractive research orientation for glioma treatment in the future

Quinolinic acid, a degradation product of tryptophan, is one of the precursors of NAD + , which is an essential cofactor for a variety of enzymes and contributes to the activity of enzymes such as the DNA repair protein PARP [ 84 ]. Fellx et al. found that tryptophan was converted to 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3-HA) by the action of tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase (TDO), which produces kynurenic acid. Further, in recurrent gliomas, 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid oxygenase (3-HAO), which is expressed only in microglia, promotes the transformation of 3-HA into quinolinic acid. Under oxidative stress such as irradiation, NAD + is in a depleted state in glioma cells. At this time, the expression of quinolinic acid phosphoribosyltransferase (QPRT), the key enzyme that converts quinolinic acid into NAD + , is upregulated as the means of NAD + salvage pathway to promote tumor cell survival and treatment resistance. And QPRT is highly expressed only in glioma cells [ 85 ]. Thus, endogenous tryptophan metabolites and the NAD + precursor quinolinic acid render gliomas resistant to oxidative stress and thus acquire resistance to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Therapeutic resistance in gliomas can be alleviated by depleting intracellular NAD + , such as by applying alkylating agents or directly inhibiting NAD + synthesis. In addition, targeting QPRT or the quinolinic acid production pathway in microglia is also a potential therapeutic strategy for glioma ( Fig.  5 b ) .

Targeting glucose metabolism

Apart from inducing M1-type polarization of macrophages, altering the tumor immune microenvironment by regulating the metabolic pathways of macrophages, thereby enhancing immune cell function and promoting immune cell infiltration, is also one of the important strategies for glioma treatment. As mentioned earlier, NHE1 is instrumental in maintaining normal pH of tumor cells, keeping the driving force of tumor glycolysis, and forming acidic immunosuppressive TME. Hasan et al. discovered in murine glioma models that temozolomide combined with HOE642, a specific inhibitor of NHE1, significantly promoted infiltration of GAMs and T cells, facilitated Th1 activation, and upregulated mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation pathway genes in GAMs, enhanced glucose uptake and mitochondrial activity in immune cells, and diminished aerobic glycolysis in GAMs [ 60 ]. In NHE1 knockout murine glioma model, it was observed that the number of Treg was reduced, the PD-1 expression of T cells was increased, the sensitivity to temozolomide combined with anti-PD-1 therapy was markedly increased, and the median survival time was prolonged, further demonstrating that NHE1 could be an effective therapeutic target for glioma ( Fig.  5 c ) .

Targeting microglia-derived small extracellular vesicles

Extracellular vesicles are important intermediates for information transmission between cells, enabling intercellular communication by carrying loads of different substances. Carmela et al. investigated the effects of microglia-derived small extracellular vesicles (sEV) on glioma cells in vitro and in a C57BL/6N mouse model. They revealed that sEV carrying miR-124 altered the metabolism of glioma cells and reduced the release of lactate, NO and glutamate (Glu), resulting in a significant reduction in tumor size and prolonged survival of mice. In addition, sEV impacted Glu homeostasis and increased the expression of Glu transporter Glt-1 in astrocytes ( Fig.  5 d ) . The use of sEVs in glioma treatment holds potential due to several advantages. First, sEVs are inanimate substances that can evade clearance by immune system. Second, sEVs can remain stable in vitro for up to several months. Finally, sEVs can be easily produced and stored on a large scale [ 86 ].

Targeting lipid metabolism

Targeting lipid metabolic pathways is also a potential therapeutic strategy for gliomas (Fig.  5 e). It has been demonstrated that the high expression of oxidative-stress-responsive genes is associated with a worse prognosis in glioma patients and promotes macrophage polarization towards M2 type in the TME [ 87 ]. Ye et al. found that microglia in the tumor tissues of GBM patients were under severe oxidative stress. The nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 2 (NR4A2) acted as a transcription factor to regulate the expression of squalene monooxygenase (SQLE), a key enzyme in cholesterol anabolism, and the aberrant expression of SQLE led to abnormal lipid metabolism in microglia, thus promoting immunosuppression and tumor growth. Therefore, targeting inhibition of NR4A2 or SQLE suppressed tumor growth and reversed CD8 + T cell exhaustion [ 88 ].

Dysregulated cholesterol metabolism in the glioblastoma microenvironment also promotes tumor progression and immunosuppression. Therefore, targeting the disordered cholesterol metabolism in GBM, Wang et al. developed an oncolytic adenovirus loaded with the cholesterol reverse transporter apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), for the treatment of GBM, which restores macrophages phagocytosis by manipulating cholesterol efflux and reactivates anti-tumor immunity [ 89 ]. Dong et al. found that in GBM, macrophages highly expressed 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase (DHCR7), increased cholesterol biosynthesis, and served as “cholesterol factory” supplying cholesterol for GBM growth. Therefore, they developed an intracavitary sprayable nanoregulator (NR)-encased hydrogel system to modulate cholesterol metabolism of macrophages. The NR-mediated DHCR7 ablation in macrophages effectively inhibited cholesterol supply and activated T-cell immunity [ 90 ].

Glioma is the most common brain tumor and the current standard treatment is surgical resection combined with postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy, but the survival time of patients is still far from satisfactory. Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer, targeted metabolic therapy is promising to improve the outcome of glioma patients. Microglia and macrophages infiltrate most extensively in gliomas and are expected to be potential targets for glioma treatment. In this review, we describe the physiological metabolism of GAMs and their metabolic profiles in glioma TME, and conclude the therapeutic schemes for metabolic targets of GAMs. Currently, the main therapeutic strategies include polarization of GAMs to M1 phenotype by regulating metabolism, altering the immunosuppressive TME to provide a favorable condition for immune cell infiltration, or directly inhibiting key enzymes in the metabolic pathway between microglia and tumor cells, thereby suppressing tumor growth. However, there are still some issues to be considered when developing therapeutic strategies and translating into clinical practice for targeting metabolism between GAMs and gliomas.

Firstly, the tumor microenvironment consists of numerous different types of cells with distinct functions, including immune cells and stromal cells. Different types of cells collaborate with each other and work together in the disease progression [ 91 ]. Therefore, single-targeting GAMs is difficult to sufficiently alter the tumor microenvironment so as to achieve tumor eradication, and the therapeutic effect may be suboptimal. Secondly, glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism and amino acid metabolism, as the three basic metabolic pathways for cellular energy supply, have an extremely high degree of commonality and universality [ 92 ]. It is challenging to achieve individual targeting of a particular metabolic pathway of GAMs. Thirdly, the complexity of metabolism is also manifested in the fact that multiple metabolites can be transformed into each other [ 93 , 94 ]. When targeting only a single metabolic pathway, the efficacy may be poor, and combination therapy could be an effective tool to improve the efficacy. Finally, the animal models used in preclinical studies are vastly different from humans and cannot fully simulate and reflect the real disease conditions and immune profile of the human body. Hence, the efficacy of drugs that have achieved excellent therapeutic effects in preclinical studies remains to be evaluated in different individual patients.

Preliminary results of therapeutic studies targeting the metabolism of GAMs have been reported, but are mainly limited to preclinical studies, and more efforts are warranted to translate into clinical practice. In conclusion, targeting metabolic reprogramming of GAMs in the glioma microenvironment holds potential in improving treatment efficacy for glioma, further studies are needed to bridge the gap between bench and bedside, and bring survival benefits to glioma patients.

Availability of data and materials

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding authors upon reasonable request.

Abbreviations

Tumor microenvironment

• Glioma-associated macrophages

Central nervous system

World Health Organization

Regulatory T lymphocytes

Lipopolysaccharide

Nicotinamide adenine phosphate dinucleotide

Reactive oxygen species

Inducible nitric oxide synthase

Nitric oxide

Hypoxia-inducible factor

Vascular endothelial growth factor

Dendritic cells

Na/H exchanger isomer 1

Lactate dehydrogenase

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase

Glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase

Phosphoglycerate kinase 1

3-Phosphatidylinositol-dependent protein kinase 1

Arginine succinate synthase

Arginine succinate lyase

3-Hydroxyanthranilic acid

Tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase

3-Hydroxyanthranilic acid oxygenase

Quinolinic acid phosphoribosyltransferase

Small extracellular vesicles

Nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 2

Squalene monooxygenase

Apolipoprotein A1

7-Dehydrocholesterol reductase

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The authors thanked reviewers for their constructive feedback for this article.

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 82102201, 82073354 and 82102931).

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Yue Deng, and Qinyan Chen contributed equally to this work.

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Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China

Yue Deng, Qinyan Chen, Chao Wan, Yajie Sun, Fang Huang, Yan Hu & Kunyu Yang

Hubei Key Laboratory of Precision Radiation Oncology, Wuhan, 430022, China

Institute of Radiation Oncology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China

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Conceptualization: Kunyu Yang, Yan Hu; manuscript draft preparation: Yue Deng, Qinyan Chen; manuscript revising: Chao Wan, Yajie Sun; manuscript editing: Fang Huang. All authors approved the submitted version.

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Deng, Y., Chen, Q., Wan, C. et al. Microglia and macrophage metabolism: a regulator of cerebral gliomas. Cell Biosci 14 , 49 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13578-024-01231-7

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