Ideally, a research report contains a comprehensive description of your background, procedures, data analysis methods, and research findings. As the name implies, research reports are used to "report" the research process carried out by researchers along with new findings generated through the research. As good as a research report is, its credibility will decrease significantly if it is not equipped with solid and comprehensive conclusions. Want to know how to conclude a quality research report? Read on for this article!
Step
Method 1 of 5: Making Outlines of Conclusions
Step 1. Reread the assigned task
Make sure you have done all the parts so that they can be included in the conclusion. Take the time to make a list of things you should research or learn through the experiment.
Step 2. Revisit the introduction to your report
In order for your research conclusions to be in line with the rest of the report, make sure you re-read the introduction before drawing conclusions. Believe me, this method is effective in producing more comprehensive conclusions!
Step 3. Use the RERUN method
Try to frame conclusions by referring to the RERUN method. Basically, you can use the RERUN method to outline a research report that is not too long, but in particular it will be useful for making complete and quality conclusions., RERUN stands for:
- Reset /Redescribe: Describe the research you did.
- Explain: Restate the purpose of your research. What do you want to find out through the research? Also briefly describe the procedure you used.
- Results: Describe your findings. Also explain whether the findings support your original hypothesis.
- Uncertainties / Uncertainty: Describe the failures and uncertainties that arose in your research. For example, describe an unexpected situation that you couldn't control that had an impact on the results of your research.
- New: Discuss any new questions or findings that emerged from the research.
Step 4. Consider adding another component
In addition to those listed in the RERUN method, you will most likely need to add other components to complete your conclusion. For example, try to explain what you managed to learn from the research; also explain your research position in the field of study. You can also explain how your findings relate to theoretical concepts learned in class.
Chances are, your teacher will also ask you specific questions that need to be answered. Make sure you answer it completely and comprehensively in the conclusion section
Method 2 of 5: Explaining the Research Process and Initial Hypothesis
Step 1. Give a brief description of your research in the conclusion section
Begin your conclusion by providing an overview of the research conducted and the purpose of your research (in 1-2 sentences is sufficient); make sure you also include the research variables used.
Step 2. Briefly describe your research procedure
Include a brief summary of the research procedures used to make it easier for the reader to visualize the series of processes.
- If you've done the same experiment before, explain why you're repeating the experiment. Also explain the various procedural changes you made.
- Look for ways to explain the results of your research in more depth. Go back through your notes and focus on your observations.
Step 3. Briefly describe your findings
In a few sentences, try to summarize your findings. Remember, at this stage, make sure you only present a summary of the results of the data analysis, not the overall findings.
- Begin this section with the sentence, “This research shows that…”
- No need to include the raw data. Simply submit a summary of findings, average of calculations, or range of data to give readers a more general picture.
Step 4. Explain whether the results of the study support your initial hypothesis
The hypothesis is the researcher's initial guess about the research results that will appear. In a study, the initial hypothesis serves to underlie and guide your research process. Try to reiterate your original hypothesis, then explain as clearly as possible whether the hypothesis is supported by the results of your research or not. Was your research a success?
Use simple language such as, "The results of this study support the researcher's initial hypothesis," or "The results of this study do not support the researcher's initial hypothesis."
Step 5. Relate the research results to your initial hypothesis
Supposedly, the results of your research will show the truth of your hypothesis. After explaining the relevance of your research results and your initial hypothesis, provide a further description of your research results. Explain why you think the results of the study did or did not support your original hypothesis.
Method 3 of 5: Reporting Learning Outcomes
Step 1. Describe what you learned in the laboratory
Most likely, your research will have to be oriented towards a certain scientific principle or theory. If that's the case, make sure you also briefly explain it in the conclusion section.
- So that the reader can understand the things you are studying well, start your explanation by writing, “In this laboratory, I study…”.
- Describe in detail what you learned and how you learned it. Including this explanation will reassure the reader that, as a researcher, you did learn something from the research. For example, give a detailed description of a molecule's reaction to a specific environment.
- Explain whether the learning outcomes can be applied in further research in the same field of study.
Step 2. Answer specific questions given by the teacher
Most likely, your teacher has compiled a list of questions to answer in your research.
On a new line, type the question in italics. On the next line, answer the question in the standard text variety
Step 3. Explain whether your research objectives were met or not
The goals you want to achieve through the research should be listed in the introduction. In the conclusion section, explain whether you ultimately succeeded in achieving that goal or not.
If your experiment does not achieve your research objectives, explain or make simple speculations about the reasons behind it
Method 4 of 5: Completing the Conclusion
Step 1. Describe possible failures in the study
To give the reader an accurate picture, make sure you also describe the various failures that occurred in the experiment. The description will increase the credibility of your experiment and research results.
Step 2. Talk about uncertainty
Most likely, there are situations that you have no control over but that affect your research process (for example, changes in the weather or lack of availability of certain materials). Discuss such uncertainties and their potential impact on the overall study.
If your research raises unanswered questions, discuss those questions in the conclusion section
Step 3. Offer the possibility of further experiments
In connection with the results of your research, try to recommend further research methods that can be done. Are there things that could be changed to produce more accurate and reliable results?
Step 4. Discuss additional questions that arose during the research
Sometimes, a science experiment or experiment raises more questions than answers. If a similar situation occurs in your research, try discussing these questions in the conclusion section to open up the possibility of further research on the same topic.
Step 5. Connect your research with previous studies
Generally, research reports in a more professional scope require researchers to explain their research contributions to the related field of study. Try to imagine all research in the same field of study as a big brick wall, and your report is one of the building blocks. How does your report contribute to this area of study?
- Describe the novelty in your research.
- It is this novelty that will set you apart from the rest of your friends; especially since most likely, they will only discuss things that are on the surface and of a general nature.
Step 6. Include a final statement
Close your report with a statement summarizing the scope of your research and your main conclusions. You can also close the report with speculation about the future benefits of your research. This is where you have the opportunity to highlight your research report among reports on similar topics.
Method 5 of 5: Completing the Research Report
Step 1. Write the report from a third person point of view
Avoid using the words “I”, “We”, or “I” in the report; instead, use passive sentences like, “This hypothesis is supported by…”.
Step 2. Reread your report thoroughly
After writing your conclusion, re-read your report thoroughly and make sure it makes sense; mark and immediately correct the parts that feel conflicted. Remember, your conclusion should include a brief summary of your understanding of the research undertaken.
Step 3. Edit your report
Ensure that your report contains no spelling, grammatical, or sentence logic errors to maintain quality; for that, take as much time as possible to edit your report!
