CHAPTER 13

WRITING THE
SUMMARY,
CONCLUSION &
RECOMMENDATION
 Intended Learning Outcomes
 Determine the objective and rationale of drawing conclusions and
stating the recommendations.
 Show sample of conclusions and recommendations drawn from a
study.
 State and realize the importance of coming up with correct and
well-formulated conclusions and recommendations.
 In this part of the study, the researcher will describe his/her insights of
the overall strength/weakness of his/her study. Depending on the type of
research conducted, 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 make comment on the
overall significance of major findings in your study. However, 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 interview but with
a glimpse of the past and a focus towards the future. According to Tan (n.d)
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. The same process can be observed between quantitative and
qualitative approaches to research.
 Drawing Conclusions from Quantitative Studies
Now, let us consider the sample analysis and interpretation for 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-respondent’s justification on the deviation

from Montessori teaching strategies in Science. Now, in the Conclusions, apportion
of this analysis was mentions, thus;
 Drawing Conclusions from Quantitative Studies
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-discussions engage 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 conclusions as cited by the researcher illustrated the conceptualization and generalization
in response to the problems raised in the study about the teacher-respondents deviation from the
Montessori teaching strategies. The logical outgrowth of the summary of findings cited above
demonstrate how conclusions could be stated. Here, we offer a few more examples (Russey,
2006) of findings from a hypothetical set-up that would illustrate Conclusions from quantitative
studies:
 Drawing Conclusions from Quantitative Studies
…For this reason the new method should lend itself well to routine analytical applications specially since every
aspect is subject to straightforward automation…

Or perhaps one could head their “bottom line” to a more speculative direction, when the researcher
would express in her conclusions:

“… that the yield in the process could probably be increased further by… which would in turn reduce the
reliance on…”

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

The discussion that follows should confirm that there are similarities in crafting a
conclusions. Like those conclusions cited in quantitative studies, the manner in which they are
presented are somewhat related to implications, elaborations or generalization.

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 in herein presented:

…The co-researchers’ life stories 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…
 Drawing Conclusions from a Qualitative Study

From the above perspective, a conclusions 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 conclusions 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 aspiration to relieve the yoke of their
parents’ shoulders by throwing in a share in the latter’s obligation.
 Contents of the Conclusions

Writing your conclusions 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 application 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 conclusions with the suggested abovementioned
phrases, your conclusions must be unique and the content must reflect your research paper.
The followings are suggested:
1. It should remind the reader of what you have done, what has been answered and
summarized what has been learned and discovered. An excerpt from Gonzales’ (2011)
study illustrates conclusions in this regard:
It can be deduced that even is 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 a 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 well. This could lead to a discussion on how future researchers might
refine or redesign the methodology (Matthews & Ross 2010). An excerpt from Monsalve’s
(2007) conclusions, illustrates this concern:
There was resistance on the part of the shipping companies to holistically deal with concerns
for assessment, this imply that an in-depth 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 (1996) 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
conclusions for the whole study and draw minor ones, or you may cite conclusions
for every problem answered in the study. No matter what, the end point 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
addresses to particular sectors concerned or the intended beneficiaries of the
research study such as the general public and the government among others, for
their adoption and or implementation.

One of the greatest challenges in preparing recommendation is organizing the

content as effective 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 a research output can only be properly appreciated in the face of some inherent
limitations (Russey, 2006).
 Formulating Recommendations

Recommendation should bear an introductory statement or paragraph

that link them back to the findings and conclusions, outlining the areas needing
attention or immediate course of action. Recommendation should be clear,
concise and correct. It is “usually longer than conclusions but shorter than
findings” (Baugh 1999). The recommendation 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 that…
Recommendation 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 problem in the study.
Recommendation, like objectives may be stated following the “SMART” acronym: Illustrated
examples are as follows:

1. Recommendations that as 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
implications.
…The researcher further recommends some interventions like, rest pauses between classes, flexile 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 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 researcher 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 assistants in any of the CM
Rectory because Adamson University is not accessible to someone coming from Sucat. Further they
would received all benefits accorded to student assistants, 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 illustrate through a sample from
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 aforecited samples, should be clear,

concise, and correct. The same is true when making academic and business
recommendation reports. Moreover, depending on the nature of the 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.