Answering the question.
WHAT A CONCLUSION SHOULD DO
Answer the research question, directly.
WHAT IT SHOULD NOT DO
Introduce new material Restate the whole work Claim more than the evidence supports
WHAT TO STATE
What you found What it means What its limitations are What should be investigated next
WHY LIMITATIONS
Every study has them, and acknowledging them demonstrates judgement.
WHAT TO BE HONEST ABOUT
An inconclusive result.
WHY
"The evidence does not settle this" is a legitimate finding, and more useful than a forced conclusion.
WHAT TO AVOID
Concluding what you believed before starting Overstating significance Confusing statistical significance with practical importance
THAT LAST POINT
A detectable effect may be too small to matter.
WHAT TO CONNECT
Your findings to the existing literature.
WHY
It shows where your work fits.
WHAT TO RECOMMEND
Further work, specifically, rather than generally.
WHAT TO LEAVE THE READER WITH
A clear answer, honestly qualified.
