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WorkshopWriting Scientific Papers:

Conclusion

Clovis Torres Fernandes

19/dez/2013

Workshop Goals• To present some tips for writing good

conclusions for scientific papers

• To gain hands-on experience applying some of the tips to real examples

• Function: To state the importance of the paper to develop the research field

Conclusion

“A good conclusion leaves the readers with a clear statement of your point and renewed appreciation of its significance. The time you spend revising your introduction and conclusion may be the most important revision you do.”

Booth, Colomb and Williams, The Craft of Research, 2008.

• We should present all conclusions drawn from the research reported in the paper

• The first sentence must recall the

problem/question stated in the Introduction, and say if it was entirely solved or not

• One sentence or two presenting all relevant implications and limitations

• You shouldn’t refer to any new subject not previously included in the paper body

• Present future research directions derived from the conclusions/contributions

• A Conclusion must be quite understandable to somebody who didn’t read the paper body

1. Recall the research problem/question stated in the Introduction

Repeat it here, but more fully. Do not repeat it word-by-word. Say if it was entirely solved or not

Conclusion StructureSix Paragraph Scheme

2. State main findings

Emphasize your main results

Conclusion StructureSix Paragraph Scheme

Introduction“In today’s society, would Major John André, a British spy in

civilian clothes captured behind American lines in 1780, be

hanged? Though considered a noble patriot, he suffered

the punishment mandated by military law. Over time our

traditions have changed, but the punishment for spying

has not. It is the only offense that mandates death.

Recently, however, the Supreme Court has rejected

mandatory death sentences in civilian cases, creating an

ambiguity in their application to military cases. If Supreme

Court decisions apply to the military, will Congress have to

revise the Uniform Code of Military Justice? This article

concludes that it will.”

2. State main findings

“In light of recent Supreme Court decisions rejecting mandatory capital punishment, the mandatory death penalty for treason is apparently unconstitutional and must therefore be revised by Congress.”

3. Interpretation of the main findings

Take a few sentences to restate the interpretation of the key results

Conclusion StructureSix Paragraph Scheme

3. Interpretation of the main findings

“In light of recent Supreme Court decisions rejecting mandatory capital punishment, the mandatory death penalty for treason is apparently unconstitutional and must therefore be revised by Congress. More significantly, though, if the Uniform code of Military Justice is changed, it will challenge the fundamental value of military culture that ultimate betrayal requires the ultimate penalty. Congress will then have to deal with the military’s sense of what is just.”

4. Implications to the research field: conclusions

Describe the implications of your achievements/findings to the field

“If Congress changes the law, the military will have to change it is culture”.

Conclusion StructureSix Paragraph Scheme

5. Limitations of your research (optional)

Describe the main limitations or threats of your research as to research methodology, experiments, and even the findings

Conclusion StructureSix Paragraph Scheme

6. Future research directions (optional)

Be careful: do not present much future work, because it may suggest that your paper is not complete

Conclusion StructureSix Paragraph Scheme

6. Future research directions (optional)

These differences between novice and expert diagnosticians define their maturation and development. But while we know how novices and experts think differently, we do no understand which elements in the social experience of novices contribute to that development and how. We need longitudinal studies on how mentoring and coaching affect outcomes and whether active explanation and critique help novices become skilled diagnosticians more quickly.”

Style: Past and Present tense

Third Person, preferably

1st Person, plural form, work done!

The End