Conclusion Section
George Mason University notes that IMRaD conclusions may be separate in some disciplines and journals but folded into Discussion in others, with common moves including restating aims and summarizing findings. A separate Conclusion is not universal; many IMRaD papers place conclusion moves inside Discussion, so section placement must follow disciplinary and venue conventions.
A research Conclusion section closes the study by restating its aims or central problem, synthesizing the main findings, and clarifying significance or future directions without introducing unsupported new evidence.
Key details
Important caveats
Scope Boundary
A separate Conclusion is not universal; many IMRaD papers place conclusion moves inside Discussion, so section placement must follow disciplinary and venue conventions.
Further guidance
Content
Give readers a concise closing synthesis of what the study established and why it matters.
Practical Application
Close by returning to the research aim or central problem, synthesize the main findings at a higher level, explain their significance, and state bounded implications or future directions without introducing new unsupported evidence.
Purpose
Synthesize the main findings and significance, and add implications, limitations, or future directions only as appropriate to the genre and evidence.
Reader Check
Does the conclusion answer the study’s central question using evidence already presented rather than opening a new argument that belongs in the results or discussion?
Worked Example
A conclusion can restate the question, summarize the two main findings, explain what they mean for the research problem, and identify one limitation-driven next step.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Scientific (IMRaD) Research Reports — Conclusion Section (opens in a new tab)George Mason University Writing Center · University writing-center guidance on common conclusion moves and the fact that conclusion may be separate or incorporated into Discussion depending on discipline/journal