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A research paper conclusion is the last section of your work. It restates your main point, briefly summarizes your key support, and explains why your findings matter.
The goal of the conclusion is to answer the “So what?” question. It tells the reader what they should take away from your paper and why your topic is important.
In most research papers, the conclusion is about 5–10% of the total word count. For a 2,000-word paper, that is about 100–200 words.
In this guide, you will learn how to write a good conclusion for a research paper step by step, using an academic style.
Table of contents
What Should the Conclusion of a Research Paper Contain?
A strong conclusion is not just a summary. It brings together the main ideas of your paper in a clear way.
To make sure a conclusion of a research paper is complete, include these parts in the structure:
Restated research problem: remind the reader what issue you studied.
Restated thesis: give your final answer in different words.
Summary of key evidence: briefly mention the most important points from your paper.
Implications: explain why your findings are important.
Future research or action (optional): suggest what could be studied or done next.
How to Write a Conclusion for a Research Paper in 5 Steps
Before you write your research paper conclusion, reread your introduction. Your conclusion should connect back to what you introduced at the beginning, so keep your main topic and thesis in mind.
Below are practical steps on how to conclude a research paper. You can use these steps for both argumentative and scientific papers. The structure stays the same, but what you focus on may be slightly different depending on your paper type.
Step 1: Restate the Research Problem
Start a conclusion for a research paper by reminding the reader of the research problem. After discussing many details in the body, you need to return to the issue you wanted to understand or solve.
Note
Do not copy the research problem from the introduction. Use different words so your writing does not sound repetitive.
To paraphrase a research problem, use the following techniques:
Change the sentence structure
Turn a question into a statement
Use simpler words if needed.
Here's how it may look in a paper on screen time and academic performance:
Example: Restated Problem
Even though digital skills are important in school, excessive screen time can harm students’ attention and thinking skills.
Step 2: Give Your Final Answer
Now, you need to connect the problem to your main answer. This is where you restate your thesis statement and clearly say what your research has shown.
In the introduction, your thesis statement explained what you planned to prove. In the conclusion, it should explain what you have proven. Write this as a clear and confident statement.
Example: Thesis Restatement
The results show that too much exposure to fast-paced digital media is linked to lower attention levels, which can negatively affect academic performance in high school students.
Step 3: Summarize Key Support
Next, briefly remind the reader of the main points that support your final answer. Show how your findings or arguments work together to support your conclusion section of a research paper.
Do not list every detail. Focus only on the most important results or ideas. Also, do not add any new evidence or data here. If you have a new statistic, it belongs in the body paragraphs, not the conclusion.
Example: Summary of Support
Students who spent more than four hours a day on entertainment screen time showed lower reading skills. Teachers also reported that these students found it harder to focus without digital distractions.
Step 4: Discuss Implications
The next step in writing a conclusion for a research paper explain why your findings are important. Show how your results could affect real-life decisions, policies, or future practices.
You can ask:
Who is affected by these results?
What should teachers, schools, or policymakers do differently?
How can this information be used in practice?
Focus on what your research means outside the paper.
Example: Implications
These results show that using tablets in classrooms without clear rules may harm students’ focus. Schools and parents may need to set limits on how and when students use digital devices to support better learning.
Step 5: Propose Future Research Directions
End your research paper conclusion by mentioning the limits of your study and suggesting what future research could explore next.
This shows that you understand your study cannot answer everything and that more research is needed.
You can mention:
Limits in your data or method
A different group that could be studied
A new method that could be used.
Example: Future Research
This study found a link between screen time and lower grades, but it used self-reported data. Future studies could use tracking software to measure actual screen time and compare the effects of different types of content, such as educational apps and social media.
Research Paper Conclusion Examples
To help you visualize how these components come together, we have provided two full examples below. One follows an argumentative approach, and the other follows a scientific/empirical structure.
Argumentative Research Paper Conclusion
Below is a sample conclusion in a research paper arguing whether online learning should replace in-person classes. Notice how it advocates for a specific position.
Example: Online vs. In-Person Learning
Although online learning gives flexibility to many students, it cannot fully replace the benefits of face-to-face teaching. The results show that physical classrooms support better group discussions and allow teachers to give quick feedback, which online platforms often cannot provide. Hybrid learning may be a good balance, but fully replacing in-person classes could make it harder for students who struggle with self-discipline. Therefore, schools should keep classroom learning as the main method and use digital tools only as support. Future education policies should focus on how technology can improve teaching, not replace human interaction.
Scientific Research Paper Conclusion
This research paper conclusion example sums up a study on physical exercise and stress levels in college students.
Example: Exercise and Stress Management
This study examined how moderate aerobic exercise affects stress levels in university students. The results showed that students who jogged for 30 minutes each day reported lower stress levels and had reduced cortisol levels. These findings support earlier research showing that physical activity can help reduce academic stress. However, the study lasted only four weeks, so it is unclear if the benefits would continue over a longer period. Based on these results, universities may consider adding physical wellness programs to support student mental health. Future studies should explore how much exercise is needed to maintain these benefits over a full academic year.
Common Mistakes When Writing a Conclusion for a Research Paper
Avoid these common pitfalls while writing a conclusion for a research paper:
Using cliché phrases.
Avoid starting with “In conclusion,” “To sum up,” or “In summary.” These are not needed. Your reader should know it’s the ending from your writing.
Adding new information.
Do not introduce new ideas, arguments, or evidence in the conclusion. If something is important, it should be in the body of the paper.
Sounding unsure.
Avoid phrases like “I think” or “This is my opinion.” Present your findings clearly based on your evidence.
Being too emotional.
Keep your tone objective. Avoid dramatic or emotional language unless it is necessary for your topic.
Final Thoughts on How to Conclude a Research Paper
The conclusion is the last part your professor will reads, so it can strongly influence your grade. Give it the same attention as your introduction.
Quick Tip
Proofread your conclusion separately from the rest of the paper. Read it aloud to make sure it sounds clear and confident.