Summarizing Conclusions

Summarizing conclusions is a two-step process, whereby

1. you review the conclusions of all the hypotheses, and from these conclusions
2. you draw overall conclusions for the research question itself.

These conclusions are usually listed numerically, and then further discussed one by one. The reasoning followed to reach the conclusions and the data that supports the statements made are incorporated into a brief editorial comment with respect to the global interpretation.

It is absolutely critical at this point not to cede to temptation to make concluding statements that would apply the study’s results beyond the parameters established for the study under the problem definition. Indeed, you may even want to incorporate a statement warning the reader not to interpret the results in such a way that generalizations beyond the study’s parameters are made.

You may, however, want to address how a potentially valid generalization could be made in your Recommendations section.