What to Avoid in the Conclusion of Your Research Paper

Creating an effective conclusion is not only about what you should do but also what you should avoid. Here are some common pitfalls that can weaken your conclusion:

  • Don’t Introduce New Information in Your Conclusion: The conclusion should encapsulate what has been presented in the paper. New information can confuse readers and distract them from the main findings of your research. Save new ideas and information for future research.
  • Don’t Repeat Information: While your conclusion should summarize your main findings, it should not merely regurgitate information presented earlier in the paper. Restate your findings in a new light or fresh perspective to keep your conclusion engaging.
  • Don’t Make Unsupported Claims: In a research paper, every claim or assertion you make should be based on evidence. Unsupported claims can damage your credibility and undermine the value of your research. Always back up your claims with data or findings from your research.
  • Don’t Be Overly Emotional: While it’s important to convey the significance of your findings, overly emotional language can make your research paper seem less objective or biased. Maintain a balanced and neutral tone in your conclusion to uphold the academic integrity of your work.
  • Don’t End Abruptly: The conclusion is your last chance to leave a lasting impression on your readers. An abrupt or incomplete conclusion can leave your readers unsatisfied and confused about your research. Ensure your conclusion ties up all loose ends and provides a comprehensive research summary.

Nursing Research Paper Conclusion Example

Writing the conclusion section of your paper requires thoughtfulness and precision. Below are two examples of nursing research paper conclusions.

Example on the Impact of Nurse-to-Patient Ratios:

In this research paper, we sought to investigate the correlation between nurse-to-patient ratios and patient outcomes in hospital settings. The primary findings confirmed the hypothesis that lower nurse-to-patient ratios significantly improved patient outcomes regarding reduced complication rates and shorter hospital stays.

Reiterating our primary research question, “Does a lower nurse-to-patient ratio improve patient outcomes in hospital settings?” it is clear from the data that our objective was satisfactorily achieved. However, our study also pointed to hospitals’ financial and logistical challenges in maintaining lower ratios.

Despite these challenges, the implications of this research are clear and have significant ramifications on hospital policy and patient care practices. Further research should focus on identifying cost-effective strategies to maintain lower nurse-to-patient ratios.

The significance of optimal nurse-to-patient ratios in improving patient outcomes cannot be understated. As healthcare practitioners and policy-makers, it is our responsibility to find sustainable solutions to maintain these ratios for the welfare of our patients.