Module 3

Writing the Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

(adapted from the book Research Fundamentals From Concept to Output : A Guide for
Researchers & Thesis Writers by Almeida,Gaerlan, Manly, 2017)

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this lesson, students are expected to:

 Determine the objective and rationale of drawing conclusions and stating the
recommendations.
 Show samples of conclusions and recommendations drawn from a study.
 State and realize the importance of coming up with correct and well-formulated
conclusions and recommendations.
Time Frame: 2 Weeks

Activity:

Analysis:______________________________________________________________________
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Abstraction:

In this part of the study, the researcher describes his/her insights of the overall strength/weakness
of his/her study. If the conducted study is quantitative research, use statistical criteria to form
conclusions while qualitative measure draws conclusions from themes and holistic meanings
derived context of behavior studied. According to Russey, et.al. (2006), it is the part of the thesis
where you can comment on the overall significance of major findings of your study. However,
the presentation of findings should be limited in the sense that there is no need to display the
entire study, however, it should possess some quality of an overview but with a glimpse of the
past and a focus towards the future (Russey, 2006). Tan (n.d.) stated that conclusions are the
logical outgrowth of the summary of findings as a result of conceptualizations and
generalizations in response to the problems used in the study.

Drawing Conclusions from Quantitative Studies

Here is an example of analysis and interpretation from the study of De Guzman (2013), on the
researcher’s explanation of the respondent’s justification on deviation from Montessori teaching
strategies:
 In Table 61, the teacher justifies that the lecture-discussion method which she employed
is still interactive because the students get to answer her questions. This is still
unacceptable because the students could have been more actively engaged in their
learning if they are the ones reading the new material and discovering learning by
themselves.

The cited paragraph presents the teacher - respondents’ justification on the deviation from
Montessori teaching strategies in Science. Now, in the Conclusion, a portion of this analysis was
mentioned, thus;

Based on the foregoing findings, the following conclusions are put forward:

…It is very conspicuous that the teachers could not yet deviate from the
traditional methodology of doing the lecture-discussion. They are still worried that the
students might not be able to understand the new lesson if they do not lecture. They still
have the false belief that the lecture-discussion engages active learning because the
students participate in the question and answer portion. They have not yet incorporated
in their system that allowing students to discover new knowledge by themselves is a
better teaching methodology.

The conclusion as cited by the researcher illustrated the conceptualization and generalizations in
response to the problems raised in the study about the teacher-respondents deviation from
Montessori Teaching Strategies. The logical outgrowth of the summary of findings cited above
demonstrates how the conclusion could be stated. Another example of findings from a
hypothetical set-up that would illustrate Conclusion from quantitative studies:

..For this reason, the new method should lend itself well to routine analytical
applications especially since every aspect is subject to straightforward automation…

In summary, conclusions should focus on the answers to major problems raised in the study more
particularly on the results of hypotheses testing (Tan, n.d.) or for the researcher to demonstrate
his creative best and savor a bit of intellectual stimulus (Russsey, 2006), or in a sense related in
some way to implications with consequences that might be perhaps anticipated.

Drawing Conclusion from a Qualitative Study

Excerpt from a qualitative study conducted by Yap (2010), the study described the out-of-school
adolescents’ life stories, perception of life, and how they envision their future. To deal with the
conclusions, the researcher’s analysis and interpretation of the findings is presented below:

…The co-researchers’ life stories are one of struggle; specifically portraying the ways
how the out-of-school adolescents, in their extremely inadequate capacities, attempt to
uplift the family from the bondage of poverty…
From the above perspective, a conclusion represents a culmination effort on the discussion of the
results. The researcher is explaining and encouraging the reader to give significance to his efforts
by the meaning of his work conveyed. Thus, the conclusion runs as follows:

In the light of this scenario, it is safe to make a general statement that some Filipino out-
of-school youth, even if they are not attending school for one reason or another, have the
desire to help alleviate their family’s economic conditions. In the same manner, they
have the aspiration to relieve the yoke off their parents’ shoulders by throwing in a share
in the latter’s obligation.

Contents of the Conclusions

Writing your conclusion is more than simply summarizing the findings. You need to write what
finding means and how it can be applied. According to Russey (2006), you may start writing
your conclusions with the following phrases:

It, therefore, stands to reason out….

This development would presumably lend itself to such applicable as…..
Only further study will resolve whether….
In the light of the aforecited findings, it is safe to conclude that…

It is not enough that you have stated your conclusion with the suggested abovementioned
phrases, your conclusion must be unique and the content must reflect your research paper.

The following are suggested:

1. It should remind the reader of what you have done, what you have been answered and
summarized what has been learned and discovered. An excerpt from Gonzales’ (2011)
study illustrates conclusion in this regard:
It can be deduced that even if a learning structure is organized around the
principles of greater efficiency, effectiveness and relevance, there are still
conditions that exist limiting today’s learning needs.
2. It is good practice for the researcher to evaluate her/his study as a whole and discuss its
strengths and weaknesses. Recall or consider all the things in your research that went
well and those that turned out less well. This could lead to a discussion on how future
researchers might refine or redesign the methodology (Matthews & Ross, 2010). An
excerpt from Monslave’s (2007) conclusion, illustrates this concern:
There was resistance on the part of the shipping companies to holistically deal
with concerns for assessment, this imply that an indepth analysis through
marketing research stands as an offshoot of organizational plans on customer
satisfaction.
3. If the research has practical application, the researcher might want to make suggestions
for future practice or policy.
 4. Personal reflections may not be appropriate for some types of research, but it can be
useful in reflecting on an impact on specific individual in the research. as cited by Galvan
(1999) drawing conclusions may need assertions made by the researcher and findings
presented.

There is no one formula for writing research conclusions. You may derive a general
conclusion for the whole study and draw minor ones, or you may cite conclusions for
every problem answered in the study. No matter what, the endpoint is that conclusions
provide meaning to the findings of the study in the context of the research problems.

Formulating Recommendations

Considering the summarized findings and conclusions, recommendations are formulated to

improve a particular field specified in the research report. It is addressed to particular sectors
concerned or intended beneficiaries of the research study such as the general public and the
government among others, for the adoption and or implementation.

One of the greatest challenges in preparing recommendations is organizing the content as

effectively as possible. It should convey the tangible accomplishments of your thesis/
dissertation or research project bearing some constraints. Thoughts along this line would lead us
to further scrutiny and evaluations. Thus, devoting attention for further suggestions and
comments delineated clearly, the true value of research output can only be properly appreciated
in the face of some inherent limitations (Russey, 2006)

The recommendation should bear an introductory statement or paragraph that link them back to
the findings and conclusion, outlining the area needing attention or immediate course of action.
Recommendation should be clear, concise and correct. It is “unusually longer than conclusion
but shorter than findings” (Baugh, 1999). The recommendation is also the proper place to
address academic reports that suggest, propose or recommend decisive actions for immediate
solutions, phrases pointing in this direction could take the forms like:

In the light of …. +….we should ensure that ….

In view of……
Given that….
Due to the fact….
In view of the fact….

Recommendations should be stated like objectives. It should be specifically stated, measurable,

achievable, or doable, result oriented, and time-bound or SMART. The recommendation is also
the proper place to address academic reports after findings and conclusions and these are usually
grouped into topics following the sequence of the findings of the stated problems in the study.
Recommendation, like objectives may be stated following the “SMART” acronym:
Illustrated examples are as follows:

1. Recommendations that are Specific may be expressed in the following manner:

“Increase sales through marketing campaign”.

It shows specific actions to be done to execute the recommended task for whom the
recommendation is addressed.

Culled out from another sample study, it illustrates a recommendation that specify
method of implementation.

…The researcher further recommends some interventions like, rest pauses

between classes, flexible time for those with young school age children, shorter
working days, special lunch periods, special lounging room for teaching staff
(Dumrong, 2013).

2. Recommendations that are Measurable may be stated as follows (culled out from
hypothetical study);

Improve training by increasing pay increment for each additional year of service.
This would prevent the staff from leaving. In the long run, it will save the
company from recruiting and training new staff.
3. Recommendation can be Achievable. Indicated below are samples of recommendations
from hypothetical studies and from a defended thesis that express achievability:

We should retrain staff who consistently do not meet targets.

Periodic inventory of library holdings and laboratory equipment must be

conducted to update, calibrate, repair, replenish and procure materials
immediately needed. Establish sharing of resources with other institutions to
solve the problem on maintenance of expensive equipment and services
(Gonzales, 2011).

…The researchers have thought of a scheme for the co-researchers which would
be presented to the CM Provincial Superior and Adamson University President in
due time: (1) the co-researchers would study at Adamson University; (2) they
would serve as student assistance in any of the CM Rectory because Adamson
University is not accessible to someone coming from Sucat. Further, they would
receive all benefits accorded to student assistances, i.e. free education at
 Adamson University, free board and lodging at the CM Rectory, and allowance
for school related activities/projects (Yap, n.d.).
4. Recommendation should be Result-oriented. Recommendation should provide good
results for stakeholders. Excerpt from research studies illustrate this characteristic:

That Montessori instructional materials are implemented by the teachers and that
the department head should conduct regular visits to the class to determine if the
teachers are following strictly the procedure and strategies of teaching (De
Guzman, 2013).

This paper recommends a Theory-Generating Research Framework for Poverty

Reduction. The findings and conclusions in the study served as baseline data in
the evolution of this framework (Yap, n.d.).

5. Recommendation that is Time-bound is illustrated through a sample from a hypothetical

study shown below:

The findings suggest that procedure should be set-up so that newly hired
librarians are not allowed to serve users, until they have finished with training. A
new librarian who will be on duty for the first time should always be
accompanied by a senior librarian or its library coordinator for a certain period.

Recommendations, as gleaned from the aforeceited samples, should be clear, concise, and
correct. The same is true when making academic and business recommendation reports.
Moreover, depending on the nature of study conducted, the researcher should be aware of certain
concerns in making suggestions. Thus, business report recommendations are expected to be
ethical and legal. Style and tone depending on culture with regard to the use of language should
be properly observed.

Application:

Exercise 1. Before making conclusions, how will you know that you are on the right track? Write
the guidelines that you will follow.

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Exercise 2. What type of recommendation can be easily understood and acceptable? Explain and
show examples.

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Exercise 3. Create a hypothetical study stating the research problems and the hypothetical
findings.

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Exercise 4. Critique the following conclusions taken from hypothetical master’s thesis:

In accordance with the evaluators’ validations, the apparent weaknesses of the developed
CAI which needs improvement are three items. It is not easy to read, which suggests that the text
font size is small and texty. It lacks animation, and the other, choice of color, graphics, and
sound is not appropriate. These may cause problems in CAI in the area of maintaining and
arousing interest.

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Exercise 5. State your recommendations for the above-cited conclusions.

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