How to write Chapter 5 | Summary of Findings, Conclusions and Recommendations

Prof Jocelyn Gagalang

31 Oct 202312:46

Summary

TLDRIn this educational video, the host guides viewers on crafting the fifth chapter of a thesis, focusing on 'Summary of Findings, Conclusions, and Recommendations.' The chapter is divided into three parts, each following the sequence of research questions. The 'Summary of Findings' presents major results without discussion, while 'Conclusions' are drawn from the findings, avoiding past tense. 'Recommendations' are suggestions based on conclusions, avoiding the use of 'should.' The video emphasizes clarity, conciseness, and the importance of future research recommendations, providing practical tips for academic writing.

Takeaways

📚 Chapter 5 of a thesis paper typically includes three main parts: Summary of Findings, Conclusions, and Recommendations.
🔑 The Summary of Findings should follow the sequence of the research questions as stated in the Statement of the Problem.
📝 Each research question in the Summary of Findings becomes a title, formatted as 'SOP 1', 'SOP 2', etc., with aspects like objectives, contents, format, language, and style as subpoints.
📈 The Summary of Findings should concisely present the main results without detailed explanations, as discussions are already provided in Chapter 4.
✍️ Conclusions can be presented in either point form or paragraph form, depending on the academic institution's guidelines.
🔍 Conclusions should be directly linked to the findings, providing a synthesis without repeating the exact language used in the findings.
💡 Recommendations are suggestions based on the study's results and conclusions, and they should be actionable and specific.
👨‍🏫 Recommendations often include actions for teachers, learners, and future researchers, ensuring that they are practical and relevant.
🔑 The use of 'should' is generally avoided in recommendations to maintain a suggestive tone rather than an imperative one.
📝 Academic writing, especially in theses, requires a direct and clear style, often avoiding excessive adjectives and adverbs.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Chapter 5 in a thesis paper?
-Chapter 5 focuses on the summary of findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
How many subparts does Chapter 5 typically have?
-Chapter 5 typically has three subparts: summary of findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
What should the sequence of the summary of findings be based on?
-The sequence of the summary of findings should be based on the sequence of the research questions stated in the statement of the problem.
How should the research questions be formatted in the summary of findings?
-In the summary of findings, research questions should be formatted as titles without question marks, and each aspect of the question should be numbered as a subpoint.
What is the difference between findings and conclusions in Chapter 5?
-Findings are the direct results of the research, while conclusions are a synthesis of the findings, providing a more interpretative summary that is based on the analysis of the results.
What tense should be used in the introductory paragraph of Chapter 5?
-The present tense should be used in the introductory paragraph of Chapter 5.
What is the correct format for writing conclusions in Chapter 5?
-Conclusions can be presented either in a list or paragraph form, depending on the academic institution's guidelines.
How should recommendations be presented in Chapter 5?
-Recommendations should be offered as suggestions, avoiding the use of 'should' to maintain a suggestive tone rather than an imperative one.
What is the significance of including recommendations for future researchers in Chapter 5?
-Including recommendations for future researchers is significant as it addresses the limitations of the current study and suggests areas for further exploration or improvement.
What is the purpose of the introductory statement after the chapter title in Chapter 5?
-The introductory statement after the chapter title in Chapter 5 serves to present an overview of what the chapter will cover, specifically the summary of findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
Why is it important to avoid overly complex vocabulary in Chapter 5?
-Avoiding overly complex vocabulary in Chapter 5 is important because it ensures clarity and directness in academic and technical writing, making the content accessible and straightforward for readers.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Writing Chapter 5: Structure and Tips

The video segment discusses the process of writing the final chapter of a thesis paper, specifically focusing on Chapter 5 which includes three subparts: Summary of Findings, Conclusions, and Recommendations. The presenter emphasizes the importance of adhering to the correct sequence and format as per academic standards. Each subpart is explained with examples, such as how to summarize research questions and findings, how to draw conclusions based on these findings, and how to formulate recommendations that are concrete and actionable. The segment also touches on the importance of using the correct tense and avoiding overly complex language in academic writing.

05:00

🔍 Delving into Conclusions and Recommendations

This part of the video script elaborates on the nuances of writing conclusions and recommendations for Chapter 5 of a thesis. The presenter outlines two styles of presenting conclusions: either in a point form or in paragraph form, depending on the academic institution's guidelines. The conclusions should be concise and directly linked to the findings of the study, avoiding past tense and instead using present tense for the introductory statement. Recommendations are then discussed, which should be offered based on the conclusions and findings. The presenter advises against using imperatives like 'should' and instead suggests framing recommendations as suggestions to avoid sounding too directive. Examples are provided to illustrate how to write clear and specific recommendations for different stakeholders, such as teachers, learners, and future researchers.

10:00

🚀 Finalizing Chapter 5: Recommendations and Future Research

The final paragraph of the script focuses on the concluding recommendations and suggestions for future research. The presenter advises on how to structure these recommendations, ensuring they are based on the study's results and conclusions. It is highlighted that recommendations should be sequenced and specific, with clear actions and actors involved. Additionally, the presenter suggests including a recommendation for future researchers to conduct parallel studies, possibly using different variables or contexts. The segment ends with a reminder to consider the limitations of the current study when suggesting areas for future research, encouraging a broader scope or different methodologies in subsequent studies.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Chapter 5

Chapter 5 is a critical part of a thesis paper, often where the researcher presents a summary of findings, conclusions, and recommendations. In the video, it is emphasized that Chapter 5 should be structured with three subparts: summary of findings, conclusions, and recommendations. This chapter is crucial as it encapsulates the essence of the research and provides a platform for future actions or studies.

💡Summary of Findings

The 'Summary of Findings' is the first subpart of Chapter 5 where the researcher concisely presents the main results of the study. It is important that this section follows the sequence of the research questions as stated in the 'Statement of the Problem.' The script provides an example where the first research question becomes the title of the first section in the summary of findings, indicating a structured approach to reporting results.

💡Conclusions

Conclusions are drawn based on the findings of the study and are presented in a manner that is either paragraph or list form, depending on the academic institution's guidelines. The video script explains that conclusions should be concise and directly related to the findings, avoiding past tense and instead using present tense for the introductory paragraph. An example from the script is 'the developed material could be an enhancement resource in developing the vocabulary skills of the learners,' which is a conclusion drawn from the findings.

💡Recommendations

Recommendations in Chapter 5 are suggestions for future actions based on the study's results and conclusions. The video emphasizes that recommendations should be offered, not ordered, and should be specific and actionable. An example provided is recommending that grade 11 teachers utilize the developed material to enhance vocabulary skills, which directly relates to the conclusions made about the material's effectiveness.

💡Statement of the Problem

The 'Statement of the Problem' is a section in the thesis where the researcher outlines the issues being investigated. It sets the stage for the research questions and is referenced in the 'Summary of Findings' to ensure that the findings correspond to the initial problems stated. The script mentions that the summary should follow the sequence of the research questions as presented in the 'Statement of the Problem.'

💡Research Questions

Research questions guide the study and are central to understanding the direction and scope of the research. In the script, it is mentioned that the order of the summary of findings should correspond to the sequence of research questions, which were initially presented in the 'Statement of the Problem.' These questions shape the structure of the findings and conclusions sections.

💡Academic Writing

Academic writing is a formal style of expression used in scholarly work, characterized by objectivity, precision, and a lack of redundant language. The video script touches on the nature of academic writing, noting that Chapter 5 should be written in a straightforward manner without excessive adjectives or adverbs, focusing on clarity and directness in presenting the research findings.

💡Technical Writing

Technical writing is a form of writing that communicates technical information to users who need to understand or use the product, design, process, or service. While the video does not explicitly mention 'technical writing,' it implies the need for a similar clear and concise style when writing the thesis, especially in Chapter 5, which is focused on presenting complex research findings in an understandable way.

💡Thesis Paper

A thesis paper is a document submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for an academic degree, typically presenting the research and findings conducted by the student. The video script focuses on how to write Chapter 5 of a thesis paper, which is a significant part of the document as it synthesizes the research outcomes and provides actionable insights.

💡Future Researchers

The term 'future researchers' refers to those who may conduct studies in the same or related fields after the current research has been completed. The video script suggests including recommendations for future researchers, indicating the importance of contributing to the ongoing scholarly dialogue and building upon the current study's limitations or findings.

Highlights

Chapter 5 is composed of three subparts: summary of findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

Each subpart should be structured according to the sequence of the research questions presented in the thesis.

The summary of findings should follow the order of the research questions and present the main results without further explanation.

Research questions from the thesis become titles in the summary of findings, formatted as SOP 1, SOP 2, etc.

Each research question's findings are broken down into variables or aspects, such as objectives, contents, format, language, and style.

The conclusions section should be presented clearly, either in a list or paragraph form, depending on the academic institution's guidelines.

Conclusions should be concise and directly related to the findings, avoiding past tense and focusing on present tense for the introduction.

Recommendations are suggestions based on the results and conclusions, and should be offered without using imperatives like 'should'.

Recommendations should be specific, actionable, and directed towards the appropriate audience, such as teachers, learners, or future researchers.

The transcript emphasizes the importance of academic writing and technical writing styles in thesis writing.

The use of simple language and direct statements is encouraged to maintain clarity and conciseness in the thesis.

The transcript provides an example of how to format and structure the summary of findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

It is important to avoid repetition and ensure that conclusions and recommendations are distinct from the findings.

The transcript suggests including a recommendation for future researchers to conduct parallel studies or expand on the current study's limitations.

The lesson aims to simplify the process of writing Chapter 5 of a thesis, making it accessible and straightforward for students.

The video encourages viewers to engage with the content by liking, subscribing, and turning on notifications for more educational uploads.