1. Writing conclusions
Dr Cheryl Lange

2. Common thesis structure
Evans, D & Gruba, P 2002 (2nd ed.) How to write a better thesis, Melbourne, Melbourne University Press, p. 13

3. Connections with the rest of your dissertation
Do you have clear connections between your
aim and conclusions
discussion and conclusions?
Evans, D & Gruba, P 2002 (2nd ed.) How to write a better thesis, Melbourne, Melbourne University Press, p. 13

4. Purpose of concluding chapter
Your conclusions state how you fulfilled the aim you stated in your introduction

5. Structuring your conclusions
Following on from the process of structuring a framework for the discussion chapter, you will have a logical order in which to write up your conclusions
Make sure in your discussion chapters you argued rigorously for each of your conclusions

6. Conclusion ‘rules’ - compare
Discussion chapters
Draw together and analyse all you have done in your research, e.g. your own
experiments
surveys
observations
and
others’ work
Conclusion
Draw conclusions from your discussion chapter.
Do not include discussion in the concluding chapter.
Don’t quote from the literature.
Ensure conclusions respond to the aim.
Be clear and concise (2-3 pages).

7. Don’t confuse conclusions with summaries
Conclusions are statements of the
significance or implications
of what you have found out
Summaries are a brief account
of what you found out

8. Revising and editing are crucial
Don’t submit yet!
Revising and editing are crucial