how to make conclusions in research

How to Write a Conclusion for Research Papers (with Examples)

The conclusion of a research paper is a crucial section that plays a significant role in the overall impact and effectiveness of your research paper. However, this is also the section that typically receives less attention compared to the introduction and the body of the paper. The conclusion serves to provide a concise summary of the key findings, their significance, their implications, and a sense of closure to the study. Discussing how can the findings be applied in real-world scenarios or inform policy, practice, or decision-making is especially valuable to practitioners and policymakers. The research paper conclusion also provides researchers with clear insights and valuable information for their own work, which they can then build on and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field.

The research paper conclusion should explain the significance of your findings within the broader context of your field. It restates how your results contribute to the existing body of knowledge and whether they confirm or challenge existing theories or hypotheses. Also, by identifying unanswered questions or areas requiring further investigation, your awareness of the broader research landscape can be demonstrated.

Remember to tailor the research paper conclusion to the specific needs and interests of your intended audience, which may include researchers, practitioners, policymakers, or a combination of these.

Table of Contents

What is a conclusion in a research paper, summarizing conclusion, editorial conclusion, externalizing conclusion, importance of a good research paper conclusion, how to write a conclusion for your research paper, research paper conclusion examples.

• How to write a research paper conclusion with Paperpal? 

Frequently Asked Questions

A conclusion in a research paper is the final section where you summarize and wrap up your research, presenting the key findings and insights derived from your study. The research paper conclusion is not the place to introduce new information or data that was not discussed in the main body of the paper. When working on how to conclude a research paper, remember to stick to summarizing and interpreting existing content. The research paper conclusion serves the following purposes: 1

• Warn readers of the possible consequences of not attending to the problem.
• Recommend specific course(s) of action.
• Restate key ideas to drive home the ultimate point of your research paper.
• Provide a “take-home” message that you want the readers to remember about your study.

Types of conclusions for research papers

In research papers, the conclusion provides closure to the reader. The type of research paper conclusion you choose depends on the nature of your study, your goals, and your target audience. I provide you with three common types of conclusions:

A summarizing conclusion is the most common type of conclusion in research papers. It involves summarizing the main points, reiterating the research question, and restating the significance of the findings. This common type of research paper conclusion is used across different disciplines.

An editorial conclusion is less common but can be used in research papers that are focused on proposing or advocating for a particular viewpoint or policy. It involves presenting a strong editorial or opinion based on the research findings and offering recommendations or calls to action.

An externalizing conclusion is a type of conclusion that extends the research beyond the scope of the paper by suggesting potential future research directions or discussing the broader implications of the findings. This type of conclusion is often used in more theoretical or exploratory research papers.

Align your conclusion’s tone with the rest of your research paper. Start Writing with Paperpal Now!  

The conclusion in a research paper serves several important purposes:

• Offers Implications and Recommendations : Your research paper conclusion is an excellent place to discuss the broader implications of your research and suggest potential areas for further study. It’s also an opportunity to offer practical recommendations based on your findings.
• Provides Closure : A good research paper conclusion provides a sense of closure to your paper. It should leave the reader with a feeling that they have reached the end of a well-structured and thought-provoking research project.
• Leaves a Lasting Impression : Writing a well-crafted research paper conclusion leaves a lasting impression on your readers. It’s your final opportunity to leave them with a new idea, a call to action, or a memorable quote.

Writing a strong conclusion for your research paper is essential to leave a lasting impression on your readers. Here’s a step-by-step process to help you create and know what to put in the conclusion of a research paper: 2

• Research Statement : Begin your research paper conclusion by restating your research statement. This reminds the reader of the main point you’ve been trying to prove throughout your paper. Keep it concise and clear.
• Key Points : Summarize the main arguments and key points you’ve made in your paper. Avoid introducing new information in the research paper conclusion. Instead, provide a concise overview of what you’ve discussed in the body of your paper.
• Address the Research Questions : If your research paper is based on specific research questions or hypotheses, briefly address whether you’ve answered them or achieved your research goals. Discuss the significance of your findings in this context.
• Significance : Highlight the importance of your research and its relevance in the broader context. Explain why your findings matter and how they contribute to the existing knowledge in your field.
• Implications : Explore the practical or theoretical implications of your research. How might your findings impact future research, policy, or real-world applications? Consider the “so what?” question.
• Future Research : Offer suggestions for future research in your area. What questions or aspects remain unanswered or warrant further investigation? This shows that your work opens the door for future exploration.
• Closing Thought : Conclude your research paper conclusion with a thought-provoking or memorable statement. This can leave a lasting impression on your readers and wrap up your paper effectively. Avoid introducing new information or arguments here.
• Proofread and Revise : Carefully proofread your conclusion for grammar, spelling, and clarity. Ensure that your ideas flow smoothly and that your conclusion is coherent and well-structured.

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Remember that a well-crafted research paper conclusion is a reflection of the strength of your research and your ability to communicate its significance effectively. It should leave a lasting impression on your readers and tie together all the threads of your paper. Now you know how to start the conclusion of a research paper and what elements to include to make it impactful, let’s look at a research paper conclusion sample.

How to write a research paper conclusion with Paperpal?

A research paper conclusion is not just a summary of your study, but a synthesis of the key findings that ties the research together and places it in a broader context. A research paper conclusion should be concise, typically around one paragraph in length. However, some complex topics may require a longer conclusion to ensure the reader is left with a clear understanding of the study’s significance. Paperpal, an AI writing assistant trusted by over 800,000 academics globally, can help you write a well-structured conclusion for your research paper. 

• Sign Up or Log In: Create a new Paperpal account or login with your details.  
• Navigate to Features : Once logged in, head over to the features’ side navigation pane. Click on Templates and you’ll find a suite of generative AI features to help you write better, faster.  
• Generate an outline: Under Templates, select ‘Outlines’. Choose ‘Research article’ as your document type.  
• Select your section: Since you’re focusing on the conclusion, select this section when prompted.  
• Choose your field of study: Identifying your field of study allows Paperpal to provide more targeted suggestions, ensuring the relevance of your conclusion to your specific area of research. 
• Provide a brief description of your study: Enter details about your research topic and findings. This information helps Paperpal generate a tailored outline that aligns with your paper’s content. 
• Generate the conclusion outline: After entering all necessary details, click on ‘generate’. Paperpal will then create a structured outline for your conclusion, to help you start writing and build upon the outline.  
• Write your conclusion: Use the generated outline to build your conclusion. The outline serves as a guide, ensuring you cover all critical aspects of a strong conclusion, from summarizing key findings to highlighting the research’s implications. 
• Refine and enhance: Paperpal’s ‘Make Academic’ feature can be particularly useful in the final stages. Select any paragraph of your conclusion and use this feature to elevate the academic tone, ensuring your writing is aligned to the academic journal standards. 

By following these steps, Paperpal not only simplifies the process of writing a research paper conclusion but also ensures it is impactful, concise, and aligned with academic standards. Sign up with Paperpal today and write your research paper conclusion 2x faster .  

The research paper conclusion is a crucial part of your paper as it provides the final opportunity to leave a strong impression on your readers. In the research paper conclusion, summarize the main points of your research paper by restating your research statement, highlighting the most important findings, addressing the research questions or objectives, explaining the broader context of the study, discussing the significance of your findings, providing recommendations if applicable, and emphasizing the takeaway message. The main purpose of the conclusion is to remind the reader of the main point or argument of your paper and to provide a clear and concise summary of the key findings and their implications. All these elements should feature on your list of what to put in the conclusion of a research paper to create a strong final statement for your work.

A strong conclusion is a critical component of a research paper, as it provides an opportunity to wrap up your arguments, reiterate your main points, and leave a lasting impression on your readers. Here are the key elements of a strong research paper conclusion: 1. Conciseness : A research paper conclusion should be concise and to the point. It should not introduce new information or ideas that were not discussed in the body of the paper. 2. Summarization : The research paper conclusion should be comprehensive enough to give the reader a clear understanding of the research’s main contributions. 3 . Relevance : Ensure that the information included in the research paper conclusion is directly relevant to the research paper’s main topic and objectives; avoid unnecessary details. 4 . Connection to the Introduction : A well-structured research paper conclusion often revisits the key points made in the introduction and shows how the research has addressed the initial questions or objectives. 5. Emphasis : Highlight the significance and implications of your research. Why is your study important? What are the broader implications or applications of your findings? 6 . Call to Action : Include a call to action or a recommendation for future research or action based on your findings.

The length of a research paper conclusion can vary depending on several factors, including the overall length of the paper, the complexity of the research, and the specific journal requirements. While there is no strict rule for the length of a conclusion, but it’s generally advisable to keep it relatively short. A typical research paper conclusion might be around 5-10% of the paper’s total length. For example, if your paper is 10 pages long, the conclusion might be roughly half a page to one page in length.

In general, you do not need to include citations in the research paper conclusion. Citations are typically reserved for the body of the paper to support your arguments and provide evidence for your claims. However, there may be some exceptions to this rule: 1. If you are drawing a direct quote or paraphrasing a specific source in your research paper conclusion, you should include a citation to give proper credit to the original author. 2. If your conclusion refers to or discusses specific research, data, or sources that are crucial to the overall argument, citations can be included to reinforce your conclusion’s validity.

The conclusion of a research paper serves several important purposes: 1. Summarize the Key Points 2. Reinforce the Main Argument 3. Provide Closure 4. Offer Insights or Implications 5. Engage the Reader. 6. Reflect on Limitations

Remember that the primary purpose of the research paper conclusion is to leave a lasting impression on the reader, reinforcing the key points and providing closure to your research. It’s often the last part of the paper that the reader will see, so it should be strong and well-crafted.

• Makar, G., Foltz, C., Lendner, M., & Vaccaro, A. R. (2018). How to write effective discussion and conclusion sections. Clinical spine surgery, 31(8), 345-346.
• Bunton, D. (2005). The structure of PhD conclusion chapters.  Journal of English for academic purposes ,  4 (3), 207-224.

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• Writing Tips

How to Write a Conclusion for a Research Paper

• 3-minute read
• 29th August 2023

If you’re writing a research paper, the conclusion is your opportunity to summarize your findings and leave a lasting impression on your readers. In this post, we’ll take you through how to write an effective conclusion for a research paper and how you can:

·   Reword your thesis statement

·   Highlight the significance of your research

·   Discuss limitations

·   Connect to the introduction

·   End with a thought-provoking statement

Rewording Your Thesis Statement

Begin your conclusion by restating your thesis statement in a way that is slightly different from the wording used in the introduction. Avoid presenting new information or evidence in your conclusion. Just summarize the main points and arguments of your essay and keep this part as concise as possible. Remember that you’ve already covered the in-depth analyses and investigations in the main body paragraphs of your essay, so it’s not necessary to restate these details in the conclusion.

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Highlighting the Significance of Your Research

The conclusion is a good place to emphasize the implications of your research . Avoid ambiguous or vague language such as “I think” or “maybe,” which could weaken your position. Clearly explain why your research is significant and how it contributes to the broader field of study.

Here’s an example from a (fictional) study on the impact of social media on mental health:

Discussing Limitations

Although it’s important to emphasize the significance of your study, you can also use the conclusion to briefly address any limitations you discovered while conducting your research, such as time constraints or a shortage of resources. Doing this demonstrates a balanced and honest approach to your research.

Connecting to the Introduction

In your conclusion, you can circle back to your introduction , perhaps by referring to a quote or anecdote you discussed earlier. If you end your paper on a similar note to how you began it, you will create a sense of cohesion for the reader and remind them of the meaning and significance of your research.

Ending With a Thought-Provoking Statement

Consider ending your paper with a thought-provoking and memorable statement that relates to the impact of your research questions or hypothesis. This statement can be a call to action, a philosophical question, or a prediction for the future (positive or negative). Here’s an example that uses the same topic as above (social media and mental health):

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In a short paper—even a research paper—you don’t need to provide an exhaustive summary as part of your conclusion. But you do need to make some kind of transition between your final body paragraph and your concluding paragraph. This may come in the form of a few sentences of summary. Or it may come in the form of a sentence that brings your readers back to your thesis or main idea and reminds your readers where you began and how far you have traveled.

So, for example, in a paper about the relationship between ADHD and rejection sensitivity, Vanessa Roser begins by introducing readers to the fact that researchers have studied the relationship between the two conditions and then provides her explanation of that relationship. Here’s her thesis: “While socialization may indeed be an important factor in RS, I argue that individuals with ADHD may also possess a neurological predisposition to RS that is exacerbated by the differing executive and emotional regulation characteristic of ADHD.”

In her final paragraph, Roser reminds us of where she started by echoing her thesis: “This literature demonstrates that, as with many other conditions, ADHD and RS share a delicately intertwined pattern of neurological similarities that is rooted in the innate biology of an individual’s mind, a connection that cannot be explained in full by the behavioral mediation hypothesis.”  

Highlight the “so what”  

At the beginning of your paper, you explain to your readers what’s at stake—why they should care about the argument you’re making. In your conclusion, you can bring readers back to those stakes by reminding them why your argument is important in the first place. You can also draft a few sentences that put those stakes into a new or broader context.

In the conclusion to her paper about ADHD and RS, Roser echoes the stakes she established in her introduction—that research into connections between ADHD and RS has led to contradictory results, raising questions about the “behavioral mediation hypothesis.”

She writes, “as with many other conditions, ADHD and RS share a delicately intertwined pattern of neurological similarities that is rooted in the innate biology of an individual’s mind, a connection that cannot be explained in full by the behavioral mediation hypothesis.”  

Leave your readers with the “now what”  

After the “what” and the “so what,” you should leave your reader with some final thoughts. If you have written a strong introduction, your readers will know why you have been arguing what you have been arguing—and why they should care. And if you’ve made a good case for your thesis, then your readers should be in a position to see things in a new way, understand new questions, or be ready for something that they weren’t ready for before they read your paper.

In her conclusion, Roser offers two “now what” statements. First, she explains that it is important to recognize that the flawed behavioral mediation hypothesis “seems to place a degree of fault on the individual. It implies that individuals with ADHD must have elicited such frequent or intense rejection by virtue of their inadequate social skills, erasing the possibility that they may simply possess a natural sensitivity to emotion.” She then highlights the broader implications for treatment of people with ADHD, noting that recognizing the actual connection between rejection sensitivity and ADHD “has profound implications for understanding how individuals with ADHD might best be treated in educational settings, by counselors, family, peers, or even society as a whole.”

To find your own “now what” for your essay’s conclusion, try asking yourself these questions:

• What can my readers now understand, see in a new light, or grapple with that they would not have understood in the same way before reading my paper? Are we a step closer to understanding a larger phenomenon or to understanding why what was at stake is so important?  
• What questions can I now raise that would not have made sense at the beginning of my paper? Questions for further research? Other ways that this topic could be approached?  
• Are there other applications for my research? Could my questions be asked about different data in a different context? Could I use my methods to answer a different question?  
• What action should be taken in light of this argument? What action do I predict will be taken or could lead to a solution?  
• What larger context might my argument be a part of?  

What to avoid in your conclusion  

• a complete restatement of all that you have said in your paper.  
• a substantial counterargument that you do not have space to refute; you should introduce counterarguments before your conclusion.  
• an apology for what you have not said. If you need to explain the scope of your paper, you should do this sooner—but don’t apologize for what you have not discussed in your paper.  
• fake transitions like “in conclusion” that are followed by sentences that aren’t actually conclusions. (“In conclusion, I have now demonstrated that my thesis is correct.”)
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How to write a strong conclusion for your research paper

Last updated

17 February 2024

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Writing a research paper is a chance to share your knowledge and hypothesis. It's an opportunity to demonstrate your many hours of research and prove your ability to write convincingly.

Ideally, by the end of your research paper, you'll have brought your readers on a journey to reach the conclusions you've pre-determined. However, if you don't stick the landing with a good conclusion, you'll risk losing your reader’s trust.

Writing a strong conclusion for your research paper involves a few important steps, including restating the thesis and summing up everything properly.

Find out what to include and what to avoid, so you can effectively demonstrate your understanding of the topic and prove your expertise.

• Why is a good conclusion important?

A good conclusion can cement your paper in the reader’s mind. Making a strong impression in your introduction can draw your readers in, but it's the conclusion that will inspire them.

• What to include in a research paper conclusion

There are a few specifics you should include in your research paper conclusion. Offer your readers some sense of urgency or consequence by pointing out why they should care about the topic you have covered. Discuss any common problems associated with your topic and provide suggestions as to how these problems can be solved or addressed.

The conclusion should include a restatement of your initial thesis. Thesis statements are strengthened after you’ve presented supporting evidence (as you will have done in the paper), so make a point to reintroduce it at the end.

Finally, recap the main points of your research paper, highlighting the key takeaways you want readers to remember. If you've made multiple points throughout the paper, refer to the ones with the strongest supporting evidence.

• Steps for writing a research paper conclusion

Many writers find the conclusion the most challenging part of any research project . By following these three steps, you'll be prepared to write a conclusion that is effective and concise.

• Step 1: Restate the problem

Always begin by restating the research problem in the conclusion of a research paper. This serves to remind the reader of your hypothesis and refresh them on the main point of the paper. 

When restating the problem, take care to avoid using exactly the same words you employed earlier in the paper.

• Step 2: Sum up the paper

After you've restated the problem, sum up the paper by revealing your overall findings. The method for this differs slightly, depending on whether you're crafting an argumentative paper or an empirical paper.

Argumentative paper: Restate your thesis and arguments

Argumentative papers involve introducing a thesis statement early on. In crafting the conclusion for an argumentative paper, always restate the thesis, outlining the way you've developed it throughout the entire paper.

It might be appropriate to mention any counterarguments in the conclusion, so you can demonstrate how your thesis is correct or how the data best supports your main points.

Empirical paper: Summarize research findings

Empirical papers break down a series of research questions. In your conclusion, discuss the findings your research revealed, including any information that surprised you.

Be clear about the conclusions you reached, and explain whether or not you expected to arrive at these particular ones.

• Step 3: Discuss the implications of your research

Argumentative papers and empirical papers also differ in this part of a research paper conclusion. Here are some tips on crafting conclusions for argumentative and empirical papers.

Argumentative paper: Powerful closing statement

In an argumentative paper, you'll have spent a great deal of time expressing the opinions you formed after doing a significant amount of research. Make a strong closing statement in your argumentative paper's conclusion to share the significance of your work.

You can outline the next steps through a bold call to action, or restate how powerful your ideas turned out to be.

Empirical paper: Directions for future research

Empirical papers are broader in scope. They usually cover a variety of aspects and can include several points of view.

To write a good conclusion for an empirical paper, suggest the type of research that could be done in the future, including methods for further investigation or outlining ways other researchers might proceed.

If you feel your research had any limitations, even if they were outside your control, you could mention these in your conclusion.

After you finish outlining your conclusion, ask someone to read it and offer feedback. In any research project you're especially close to, it can be hard to identify problem areas. Having a close friend or someone whose opinion you value read the research paper and provide honest feedback can be invaluable. Take note of any suggested edits and consider incorporating them into your paper if they make sense.

• Things to avoid in a research paper conclusion

Keep these aspects to avoid in mind as you're writing your conclusion and refer to them after you've created an outline.

Dry summary

Writing a memorable, succinct conclusion is arguably more important than a strong introduction. Take care to avoid just rephrasing your main points, and don't fall into the trap of repeating dry facts or citations.

You can provide a new perspective for your readers to think about or contextualize your research. Either way, make the conclusion vibrant and interesting, rather than a rote recitation of your research paper’s highlights.

Clichéd or generic phrasing

Your research paper conclusion should feel fresh and inspiring. Avoid generic phrases like "to sum up" or "in conclusion." These phrases tend to be overused, especially in an academic context and might turn your readers off.

The conclusion also isn't the time to introduce colloquial phrases or informal language. Retain a professional, confident tone consistent throughout your paper’s conclusion so it feels exciting and bold.

New data or evidence

While you should present strong data throughout your paper, the conclusion isn't the place to introduce new evidence. This is because readers are engaged in actively learning as they read through the body of your paper.

By the time they reach the conclusion, they will have formed an opinion one way or the other (hopefully in your favor!). Introducing new evidence in the conclusion will only serve to surprise or frustrate your reader.

Ignoring contradictory evidence

If your research reveals contradictory evidence, don't ignore it in the conclusion. This will damage your credibility as an expert and might even serve to highlight the contradictions.

Be as transparent as possible and admit to any shortcomings in your research, but don't dwell on them for too long.

Ambiguous or unclear resolutions

The point of a research paper conclusion is to provide closure and bring all your ideas together. You should wrap up any arguments you introduced in the paper and tie up any loose ends, while demonstrating why your research and data are strong.

Use direct language in your conclusion and avoid ambiguity. Even if some of the data and sources you cite are inconclusive or contradictory, note this in your conclusion to come across as confident and trustworthy.

• Examples of research paper conclusions

Your research paper should provide a compelling close to the paper as a whole, highlighting your research and hard work. While the conclusion should represent your unique style, these examples offer a starting point:

Ultimately, the data we examined all point to the same conclusion: Encouraging a good work-life balance improves employee productivity and benefits the company overall. The research suggests that when employees feel their personal lives are valued and respected by their employers, they are more likely to be productive when at work. In addition, company turnover tends to be reduced when employees have a balance between their personal and professional lives. While additional research is required to establish ways companies can support employees in creating a stronger work-life balance, it's clear the need is there.

Social media is a primary method of communication among young people. As we've seen in the data presented, most young people in high school use a variety of social media applications at least every hour, including Instagram and Facebook. While social media is an avenue for connection with peers, research increasingly suggests that social media use correlates with body image issues. Young girls with lower self-esteem tend to use social media more often than those who don't log onto social media apps every day. As new applications continue to gain popularity, and as more high school students are given smartphones, more research will be required to measure the effects of prolonged social media use.

What are the different kinds of research paper conclusions?

There are no formal types of research paper conclusions. Ultimately, the conclusion depends on the outline of your paper and the type of research you’re presenting. While some experts note that research papers can end with a new perspective or commentary, most papers should conclude with a combination of both. The most important aspect of a good research paper conclusion is that it accurately represents the body of the paper.

Can I present new arguments in my research paper conclusion?

Research paper conclusions are not the place to introduce new data or arguments. The body of your paper is where you should share research and insights, where the reader is actively absorbing the content. By the time a reader reaches the conclusion of the research paper, they should have formed their opinion. Introducing new arguments in the conclusion can take a reader by surprise, and not in a positive way. It might also serve to frustrate readers.

How long should a research paper conclusion be?

There's no set length for a research paper conclusion. However, it's a good idea not to run on too long, since conclusions are supposed to be succinct. A good rule of thumb is to keep your conclusion around 5 to 10 percent of the paper's total length. If your paper is 10 pages, try to keep your conclusion under one page.

What should I include in a research paper conclusion?

A good research paper conclusion should always include a sense of urgency, so the reader can see how and why the topic should matter to them. You can also note some recommended actions to help fix the problem and some obstacles they might encounter. A conclusion should also remind the reader of the thesis statement, along with the main points you covered in the paper. At the end of the conclusion, add a powerful closing statement that helps cement the paper in the mind of the reader.

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The conclusion is intended to help the reader understand why your research should matter to them after they have finished reading the paper. A conclusion is not merely a summary of the main topics covered or a re-statement of your research problem, but a synthesis of key points derived from the findings of your study and, if applicable based on your analysis, explain new areas for future research. For most college-level research papers, two or three well-developed paragraphs is sufficient for a conclusion, although in some cases, more paragraphs may be required in describing the key findings and highlighting their significance.

Conclusions. The Writing Center. University of North Carolina; Conclusions. The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University.

Importance of a Good Conclusion

A well-written conclusion provides important opportunities to demonstrate to the reader your understanding of the research problem. These include:

• Presenting the last word on the issues you raised in your paper . Just as the introduction gives a first impression to your reader, the conclusion offers a chance to leave a lasting impression. Do this, for example, by highlighting key findings in your analysis that advance new understanding about the research problem, that are unusual or unexpected, or that have important implications applied to practice.
• Summarizing your thoughts and conveying the larger significance of your study . The conclusion is an opportunity to succinctly re-emphasize  your answer to the "So What?" question by placing the study within the context of how your research advances past studies about the topic.
• Identifying how a gap in the literature has been addressed . The conclusion can be where you describe how a previously identified gap in the literature [first identified in your literature review section] has been addressed by your research and why this contribution is significant.
• Demonstrating the importance of your ideas . Don't be shy. The conclusion offers an opportunity to elaborate on the impact and significance of your findings. This is particularly important if your study approached examining the research problem from an unusual or innovative perspective.
• Introducing possible new or expanded ways of thinking about the research problem . This does not refer to introducing new information [which should be avoided], but to offer new insight and creative approaches for framing or contextualizing the research problem based on the results of your study.

Bunton, David. “The Structure of PhD Conclusion Chapters.” Journal of English for Academic Purposes 4 (July 2005): 207–224; Conclusions. The Writing Center. University of North Carolina; Kretchmer, Paul. Twelve Steps to Writing an Effective Conclusion. San Francisco Edit, 2003-2008; Conclusions. The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University; Assan, Joseph. "Writing the Conclusion Chapter: The Good, the Bad and the Missing." Liverpool: Development Studies Association (2009): 1-8.

Structure and Writing Style

I.  General Rules

The general function of your paper's conclusion is to restate the main argument . It reminds the reader of your main argument(s) strengths and reiterates the most important evidence supporting those argument(s). Do this by clearly summarizing the context, background, and the necessity of examining the research problem in relation to an issue, controversy, or a gap found in the literature. However, make sure that your conclusion is not simply a repetitive summary of the findings. This reduces the impact of the argument(s) you have developed in your paper.

When writing the conclusion to your paper, follow these general rules:

• Present your conclusions in clear, concise language. Re-state the purpose of your study, then describe how your findings differ or support those of other studies and why [i.e., describe what were the unique, new, or crucial contributions your study made to the overall research about your topic].
• Do not simply reiterate your findings or the discussion of your results. Provide a synthesis of arguments presented in the paper to show how these converge to address the research problem and the overall objectives of your study.
• Indicate opportunities for future research if you haven't already done so in the discussion section of your paper. Highlighting the need for further research provides the reader with evidence that you have an in-depth awareness of the research problem but that further analysis should take place beyond the scope of your investigation.

Consider the following points to help ensure your conclusion is presented well:

• If the argument or purpose of your paper is complex, you may need to summarize the argument for your reader.
• If, prior to your conclusion, you have not yet explained the significance of your findings or if you are proceeding inductively, use the end of your paper to describe your main points and explain their significance.
• Move from a detailed to a general level of consideration that returns the topic to the context provided by the introduction or within a new context that emerges from the data [this is opposite of the introduction, which begins with general discussion of the context and ends with a detailed description of the research problem]. 

The conclusion also provides a place for you to persuasively and succinctly restate the research problem, given that the reader has now been presented with all the information about the topic . Depending on the discipline you are writing in, the concluding paragraph may contain your reflections on the evidence presented. However, the nature of being introspective about the research you have conducted will depend on the topic and whether your professor wants you to express your observations in this way. If asked to think introspectively about the topic, do not delve into idle speculation. Being introspective means looking within yourself as an author to try and understand an issue more deeply, not to guess at possible outcomes or make up scenarios not supported by the evidence.

II.  Developing a Compelling Conclusion

Although an effective conclusion needs to be clear and succinct, it does not need to be written passively or lack a compelling narrative. Strategies to help you move beyond merely summarizing the key points of your research paper may include any of the following:

• If your paper addresses a critical, contemporary problem, warn readers of the possible consequences of not attending to the problem proactively based on the evidence presented in your study.
• Recommend a specific course or courses of action that, if adopted, could address a specific problem in practice or in the development of new knowledge leading to positive change.
• Cite a relevant quotation or expert opinion already noted in your paper in order to lend authority and support to the conclusion(s) you have reached [a good source would be from a source cited in your literature review].
• Explain the consequences of your research in a way that elicits action or demonstrates urgency in seeking change.
• Restate a key statistic, fact, or visual image to emphasize the most important finding of your paper.
• If your discipline encourages personal reflection, illustrate your concluding point by drawing from your own life experiences.
• Return to an anecdote, an example, or a quotation that you presented in your introduction, but add further insight derived from the findings of your study; use your interpretation of results from your study to recast it in new or important ways.
• Provide a "take-home" message in the form of a succinct, declarative statement that you want the reader to remember about your study.

III. Problems to Avoid

Failure to be concise Your conclusion section should be concise and to the point. Conclusions that are too lengthy often have unnecessary information in them. The conclusion is not the place for details about your methodology or results. Although you should give a summary of what was learned from your research, this summary should be relatively brief, since the emphasis in the conclusion is on the implications, evaluations, insights, and other forms of analysis that you make. Strategies for writing concisely can be found here .

Failure to comment on larger, more significant issues In the introduction, your task was to move from the general [topic studied within the field of study] to the specific [the research problem]. However, in the conclusion, your task is to move the discussion from specific [your research problem] back to a general discussion framed around the implications and significance of your findings [i.e., how your research contributes new understanding or fills an important gap in the literature]. In short, the conclusion is where you should place your research within a larger context [visualize the structure of your paper as an hourglass--start with a broad introduction and review of the literature, move to the specific method of analysis and the discussion, conclude with a broad summary of the study's implications and significance].

Failure to reveal problems and negative results Negative aspects of the research process should never be ignored. These are problems, deficiencies, or challenges encountered during your study. They should be summarized as a way of qualifying your overall conclusions. If you encountered negative or unintended results [i.e., findings that are validated outside the research context in which they were generated], you must report them in the results section and discuss their implications in the discussion section of your paper. In the conclusion, use negative or surprising results as an opportunity to explain their possible significance and/or how they may form the basis for future research.

Failure to provide a clear summary of what was learned In order to discuss how your research fits within your field of study [and possibly the world at large], you need to summarize briefly and succinctly how it contributes to new knowledge or a new understanding about the research problem. This element of your conclusion may be only a few sentences long, but it often represents the key takeaway for your reader.

Failure to match the objectives of your research Often research objectives in the social and behavioral sciences change while the research is being carried out due to unforeseen factors or unanticipated variables. This is not a problem unless you forget to go back and refine the original objectives in your introduction. As these changes emerge they must be documented so that they accurately reflect what you were trying to accomplish in your research [not what you thought you might accomplish when you began].

Resist the urge to apologize If you've immersed yourself in studying the research problem, you presumably should know a good deal about it [perhaps even more than your professor!]. Nevertheless, by the time you have finished writing, you may be having some doubts about what you have produced. Repress those doubts! Don't undermine your authority as a researcher by saying something like, "This is just one approach to examining this problem; there may be other, much better approaches that...." The overall tone of your conclusion should convey confidence to the reader concerning the validity and realiability of your research.

Assan, Joseph. "Writing the Conclusion Chapter: The Good, the Bad and the Missing." Liverpool: Development Studies Association (2009): 1-8; Concluding Paragraphs. College Writing Center at Meramec. St. Louis Community College; Conclusions. The Writing Center. University of North Carolina; Conclusions. The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University; Freedman, Leora  and Jerry Plotnick. Introductions and Conclusions. The Lab Report. University College Writing Centre. University of Toronto; Leibensperger, Summer. Draft Your Conclusion. Academic Center, the University of Houston-Victoria, 2003; Make Your Last Words Count. The Writer’s Handbook. Writing Center. University of Wisconsin Madison; Miquel, Fuster-Marquez and Carmen Gregori-Signes. “Chapter Six: ‘Last but Not Least:’ Writing the Conclusion of Your Paper.” In Writing an Applied Linguistics Thesis or Dissertation: A Guide to Presenting Empirical Research . John Bitchener, editor. (Basingstoke,UK: Palgrave Macmillan, 2010), pp. 93-105; Tips for Writing a Good Conclusion. Writing@CSU. Colorado State University; Kretchmer, Paul. Twelve Steps to Writing an Effective Conclusion. San Francisco Edit, 2003-2008; Writing Conclusions. Writing Tutorial Services, Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning. Indiana University; Writing: Considering Structure and Organization. Institute for Writing Rhetoric. Dartmouth College.

Writing Tip

Don't Belabor the Obvious!

Avoid phrases like "in conclusion...," "in summary...," or "in closing...." These phrases can be useful, even welcome, in oral presentations. But readers can see by the tell-tale section heading and number of pages remaining that they are reaching the end of your paper. You'll irritate your readers if you belabor the obvious.

Assan, Joseph. "Writing the Conclusion Chapter: The Good, the Bad and the Missing." Liverpool: Development Studies Association (2009): 1-8.

Another Writing Tip

New Insight, Not New Information!

Don't surprise the reader with new information in your conclusion that was never referenced anywhere else in the paper. This is why the conclusion rarely has citations to sources that haven't been referenced elsewhere in your paper. If you have new information to present, add it to the discussion or other appropriate section of the paper. Note that, although no new information is introduced, the conclusion, along with the discussion section, is where you offer your most "original" contributions in the paper; the conclusion is where you describe the value of your research, demonstrate that you understand the material that you have presented, and position your findings within the larger context of scholarship on the topic, including describing how your research contributes new insights to that scholarship.

Assan, Joseph. "Writing the Conclusion Chapter: The Good, the Bad and the Missing." Liverpool: Development Studies Association (2009): 1-8; Conclusions. The Writing Center. University of North Carolina.

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Home » Research Paper Conclusion – Writing Guide and Examples

Research Paper Conclusion – Writing Guide and Examples

Table of Contents

Research Paper Conclusion

Definition:

A research paper conclusion is the final section of a research paper that summarizes the key findings, significance, and implications of the research. It is the writer’s opportunity to synthesize the information presented in the paper, draw conclusions, and make recommendations for future research or actions.

The conclusion should provide a clear and concise summary of the research paper, reiterating the research question or problem, the main results, and the significance of the findings. It should also discuss the limitations of the study and suggest areas for further research.

Parts of Research Paper Conclusion

The parts of a research paper conclusion typically include:

Restatement of the Thesis

The conclusion should begin by restating the thesis statement from the introduction in a different way. This helps to remind the reader of the main argument or purpose of the research.

Summary of Key Findings

The conclusion should summarize the main findings of the research, highlighting the most important results and conclusions. This section should be brief and to the point.

Implications and Significance

In this section, the researcher should explain the implications and significance of the research findings. This may include discussing the potential impact on the field or industry, highlighting new insights or knowledge gained, or pointing out areas for future research.

Limitations and Recommendations

It is important to acknowledge any limitations or weaknesses of the research and to make recommendations for how these could be addressed in future studies. This shows that the researcher is aware of the potential limitations of their work and is committed to improving the quality of research in their field.

Concluding Statement

The conclusion should end with a strong concluding statement that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. This could be a call to action, a recommendation for further research, or a final thought on the topic.

How to Write Research Paper Conclusion

Here are some steps you can follow to write an effective research paper conclusion:

• Restate the research problem or question: Begin by restating the research problem or question that you aimed to answer in your research. This will remind the reader of the purpose of your study.
• Summarize the main points: Summarize the key findings and results of your research. This can be done by highlighting the most important aspects of your research and the evidence that supports them.
• Discuss the implications: Discuss the implications of your findings for the research area and any potential applications of your research. You should also mention any limitations of your research that may affect the interpretation of your findings.
• Provide a conclusion : Provide a concise conclusion that summarizes the main points of your paper and emphasizes the significance of your research. This should be a strong and clear statement that leaves a lasting impression on the reader.
• Offer suggestions for future research: Lastly, offer suggestions for future research that could build on your findings and contribute to further advancements in the field.

Remember that the conclusion should be brief and to the point, while still effectively summarizing the key findings and implications of your research.

Example of Research Paper Conclusion

Here’s an example of a research paper conclusion:

Conclusion :

In conclusion, our study aimed to investigate the relationship between social media use and mental health among college students. Our findings suggest that there is a significant association between social media use and increased levels of anxiety and depression among college students. This highlights the need for increased awareness and education about the potential negative effects of social media use on mental health, particularly among college students.

Despite the limitations of our study, such as the small sample size and self-reported data, our findings have important implications for future research and practice. Future studies should aim to replicate our findings in larger, more diverse samples, and investigate the potential mechanisms underlying the association between social media use and mental health. In addition, interventions should be developed to promote healthy social media use among college students, such as mindfulness-based approaches and social media detox programs.

Overall, our study contributes to the growing body of research on the impact of social media on mental health, and highlights the importance of addressing this issue in the context of higher education. By raising awareness and promoting healthy social media use among college students, we can help to reduce the negative impact of social media on mental health and improve the well-being of young adults.

Purpose of Research Paper Conclusion

The purpose of a research paper conclusion is to provide a summary and synthesis of the key findings, significance, and implications of the research presented in the paper. The conclusion serves as the final opportunity for the writer to convey their message and leave a lasting impression on the reader.

The conclusion should restate the research problem or question, summarize the main results of the research, and explain their significance. It should also acknowledge the limitations of the study and suggest areas for future research or action.

Overall, the purpose of the conclusion is to provide a sense of closure to the research paper and to emphasize the importance of the research and its potential impact. It should leave the reader with a clear understanding of the main findings and why they matter. The conclusion serves as the writer’s opportunity to showcase their contribution to the field and to inspire further research and action.

When to Write Research Paper Conclusion

The conclusion of a research paper should be written after the body of the paper has been completed. It should not be written until the writer has thoroughly analyzed and interpreted their findings and has written a complete and cohesive discussion of the research.

Before writing the conclusion, the writer should review their research paper and consider the key points that they want to convey to the reader. They should also review the research question, hypotheses, and methodology to ensure that they have addressed all of the necessary components of the research.

Once the writer has a clear understanding of the main findings and their significance, they can begin writing the conclusion. The conclusion should be written in a clear and concise manner, and should reiterate the main points of the research while also providing insights and recommendations for future research or action.

Characteristics of Research Paper Conclusion

The characteristics of a research paper conclusion include:

• Clear and concise: The conclusion should be written in a clear and concise manner, summarizing the key findings and their significance.
• Comprehensive: The conclusion should address all of the main points of the research paper, including the research question or problem, the methodology, the main results, and their implications.
• Future-oriented : The conclusion should provide insights and recommendations for future research or action, based on the findings of the research.
• Impressive : The conclusion should leave a lasting impression on the reader, emphasizing the importance of the research and its potential impact.
• Objective : The conclusion should be based on the evidence presented in the research paper, and should avoid personal biases or opinions.
• Unique : The conclusion should be unique to the research paper and should not simply repeat information from the introduction or body of the paper.

Advantages of Research Paper Conclusion

The advantages of a research paper conclusion include:

• Summarizing the key findings : The conclusion provides a summary of the main findings of the research, making it easier for the reader to understand the key points of the study.
• Emphasizing the significance of the research: The conclusion emphasizes the importance of the research and its potential impact, making it more likely that readers will take the research seriously and consider its implications.
• Providing recommendations for future research or action : The conclusion suggests practical recommendations for future research or action, based on the findings of the study.
• Providing closure to the research paper : The conclusion provides a sense of closure to the research paper, tying together the different sections of the paper and leaving a lasting impression on the reader.
• Demonstrating the writer’s contribution to the field : The conclusion provides the writer with an opportunity to showcase their contribution to the field and to inspire further research and action.

Limitations of Research Paper Conclusion

While the conclusion of a research paper has many advantages, it also has some limitations that should be considered, including:

• I nability to address all aspects of the research: Due to the limited space available in the conclusion, it may not be possible to address all aspects of the research in detail.
• Subjectivity : While the conclusion should be objective, it may be influenced by the writer’s personal biases or opinions.
• Lack of new information: The conclusion should not introduce new information that has not been discussed in the body of the research paper.
• Lack of generalizability: The conclusions drawn from the research may not be applicable to other contexts or populations, limiting the generalizability of the study.
• Misinterpretation by the reader: The reader may misinterpret the conclusions drawn from the research, leading to a misunderstanding of the findings.

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How to Write a Conclusion for a Research Paper

By the time you write the conclusion, you should have pointed out in the body of your research paper why your topic is important to the reader, and you should have presented the reader with all your arguments. It is critical that you do not introduce new information or ideas in your conclusion. If you find that you have not yet made the arguments you wished to make or pointed out evidence you feel is crucial to your reader’s understanding of your subject, you are not yet ready to write the conclusion; add another body paragraph before writing the conclusion.

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Your research paper should have a strong, succinct concluding section, where you draw together your findings. Think of it as a conclusion, not a summary. The difference is that you are reaching overall judgments about your topic, not summarizing everything you wrote about it. How to write a conclusion for a research paper? The focus should be on:

• Saying what your research has found, what the findings mean, and how well they support the argument of your thesis statement.
• Establishing the limits of your argument: How widely does it apply? What are the strengths and weaknesses of your method? How clear-cut are your findings?
• Explaining how your findings and argument fit into your field, relating them to answers others have given and to the existing literature.

You may also want to add some concise comments about possible future developments or what kind of research should come next, but don’t lay it on too thick. The place of honor goes to your own explanation. Don’t spend too much of your final section criticizing others. Don’t introduce any big new topics or ideas. You certainly don’t expect to see new characters in the last scene of a movie. For the same reasons, you shouldn’t find any big new topics being introduced in the last paragraphs of a research paper.

Your concluding statement should focus on what your findings mean. How do you interpret them? Are they just as easily explained by alternative theories or other perspectives? Here, you are returning to the questions that first animated you and answering them, based on your research. You not only want to give the answers; you also want to explain their significance. What do they mean for policy, theory, literary interpretation, moral action, or whatever? You are answering the old, hard question: “So what?”

Be wary of overreaching. You really need to do two things at the same time: explain the significance of your findings and stake out their limits. You may have a hunch that your findings apply widely but, as a social scientist, you need to assess whether you can say so confidently, based on your current research. Your reader needs to know: “Do these findings apply to all college students, to all adults, or only to white mice?” White mice don’t come up much in the humanities, but the reader still wants to know how far your approach reaches. Does your analysis apply only to this novel or this writer, or could it apply to a whole literary genre?

Make it a priority to discuss these conclusions with your professor or adviser. The main danger here is that students finally reach this final section with only a week or two left before the due date. They don’t have enough time to work through their conclusions and revise them. That leaves the research paper weakest at the end, precisely where it should be strongest, nailing down the most significant points.

Begin discussing your major findings with your adviser while you are still writing the heart of the research paper. Of course, your conclusions will be tentative at that stage, but it helps to begin talking about them. As always, a little writing helps. You could simply list your main findings or write out a few paragraphs about them. Either would serve as a launching pad for meetings with your adviser. You will find these discussions also shed light on the research that leads to these findings. That, in turn, will strengthen your middle sections. Later, when you draft the conclusion, review your notes on these talks and the short documents you wrote for them. They will serve as prewriting for the final section.

The opening sentence of the conclusion should flow smoothly and logically from the transition sentence in the previous paragraph and lead the reader to reflect on your thesis. A good conclusion however, does not simply restate the thesis. You want to remind the reader of the thesis in your conclusion but reword it in a stronger fashion so that it is interesting and memorable to your audience.After reminding the reader of the thesis, the conclusion should then reflect on the topics in the body of the paper and summarize the key findings of your research. If you are writing a persuasive paper, it should summarize your key arguments and logically point your readers to the conclusion you wish them to reach.

Phrases for Conclusions of Research Papers

• All this requires us to (propose the next action or an alternative idea).
• Altogether, these findings indicate (point out the logical result).
• Finally, it is important to note (make your strongest point and follow with a recommendation).
• In conclusion (restate your thesis with greater emphasis).
• It is evident that (point out the logical result or obvious next action).
• In light of the evidence, (restate your thesis with greater emphasis).
• In short, (summarize your findings).
• It should be evident that we need to (propose the next action or an alternative idea).
• In summary, (summarize your findings).
• Looking ahead, it is obvious that (propose the next action or an alternative idea).
• My conclusion is (restate your thesis with greater emphasis).
• One last word must be said. (Follow with your opinion and propose a next action.)
• One concludes that (give your opinion).
• Overall, (summarize your findings).
• Reflecting on these facts,we can see that …
• The evidence presented above shows that (give your opinion).
• The reader can conclude (make the point you wish to make).
• These facts and observations support the idea that (offer a theory).
• This analysis reveals (state your findings).
• To conclude, (give an opinion based on the findings presented in the paper).
• To sum up this discussion, (summarize your findings).
• To summarize, (summarize your findings).
• We arrive at the following conclusion: (give an opinion based on the findings presented in the paper).
• We cannot ignore the fact that (state an important concern and follow with a call to action).
• We can postulate (give your opinion or offer a theory).
• We come to the conclusion that (give your opinion or offer a theory).
• We can now present the theory that (give your opinion or offer a theory).

Examples of Strong Conclusions

As an example of how to end your research paper, let’s turn again to John Dower’s splendid book on postwar Japan, Embracing Defeat: Japan in the Wake of World War II . In the final pages, Dower pulls together his findings on war-ravaged Japan and its efforts to rebuild. He then judges the legacies of that period: its continuing impact on the country’s social, political, and economic life. Some insights are unexpected, at least to me. He argues that Japan has pursued trade protection as the only acceptable avenue for its persistent nationalism. America’s overwhelming power and Japan’s self-imposed restraints—the intertwined subjects of the book—blocked any political or military expression of Japan’s nationalist sentiment. Those avenues were simply too dangerous, he says, while economic nationalism was not. Dower ends with these paragraphs:

The Japanese economists and bureaucrats who drafted the informal 1946 blueprint for a planned economy were admirably clear on these objectives [of “demilitarization and democratization”]. They sought rapid recovery and maximum economic growth, of course—but they were just as concerned with achieving economic demilitarization and economic democracy. . . . Japan became wealthy. The standard of living rose impressively at every level of society. Income distribution was far more equitable than in the United States. Job security was assured. Growth was achieved without inordinate dependence on a military-industrial complex or a thriving trade in armaments. These are hardly trivial ideas, but they are now being discarded along with all the deservedly bankrupt aspects of the postwar system. The lessons and legacies of defeat have been many and varied indeed; and their end is not yet in sight. (John W. Dower, Embracing Defeat: Japan in the Wake of World War II . New York: W. W. Norton, 1999, pp. 563–64)

Remember the anecdotal opening of Herbert’s book Impressionism: Art, Leisure, and Parisian Society , with Henry Tuckerman’s 1867 arrival in a much-changed Paris? (see research paper introduction examples) Herbert strikes a completely different tone in his conclusion. It synthesizes the art history he has presented, offers a large judgment about where Impressionism fits among art movements, and suggests why exhibitions of Monet, Manet, and Renoir are still so popular. He manages to do all that in a few well-crafted sentences:

Although we credit [Impressionism] with being the gateway to modern art, we also treat it as the last of the great Western styles based upon a perception of harmony with natural vision. That harmony, long since lost to us in this century of urbanization, industrialization, and world wars, remains a longed-for idea, so we look back to Impressionism as the painting of a golden era. We flock into exhibitions of paintings that represent cafes, boating, promenading, and peaceful landscapes precisely because of our yearning for less troubled times. The only history that we feel deeply is the kind that is useful to us. Impressionism still looms large at the end of the twentieth century because we use its leisure-time subjects and its brilliantly colored surfaces to construct a desirable history. (Herbert, Impressionism , p. 306)

Robert Dallek offers similarly accessible, powerful judgments in his conclusion to Flawed Giant: Lyndon Johnson and His Times, 1961–1973 :

[Johnson’s] presidency was a story of great achievement and terrible failure, of lasting gains and unforgettable losses. . . . In a not so distant future, when coming generations have no direct experience of the man and the passions of the sixties are muted, Johnson will probably be remembered as a President who faithfully reflected the country’s greatness and limitations—a man notable for his successes and failures, for his triumphs and tragedy. Only one thing seems certain: Lyndon Johnson will not join the many obscure—almost nameless, faceless—Presidents whose terms of office register on most Americans as blank slates. He will not be forgotten. (Robert Dallek, Flawed Giant: Lyndon Johnson and His Times, 1961–1973 . New York: Oxford University Press, 1998, p. 628)

Some writers not only synthesize their findings or compare them to others; they use the conclusion to say what their work means for appropriate methods or subject matter in their field. That is what Robert Bruegmann does in his final statement in The Architects and the City: Holabird & Roche of Chicago, 1880–1918 . His conclusion goes beyond saying that this was a great architectural firm or that it designed buildings of lasting importance. Bruegmann tells us that Holabird & Roche helped shape modern Chicago and that its work, properly studied, helps us understand “the city as the ultimate human artifact”:

Traditional architectural history has tended to see the city less as a process than as a product, a collection of high art architectural objects in a setting dominated by mundane buildings of little interest. This tended to perpetuate a destructive and divisive attitude about the built environment, suggesting that only a few buildings are worthy of careful study and preservation while all others are mere backdrop. I hope that these explorations in the work of Holabird & Roche have shed light on parts of the city rarely visited by the architectural historian and on some little explored aspects of its history. If so, perhaps it has achieved its most basic goal: providing an insight into the city as the ultimate human artifact, our most complex and prodigious social creation, and the most tangible result of the actions over time of all its citizens. (Robert Bruegmann, The Architects and the City: Holabird & Roche of Chicago, 1880–1918 . Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1997, p. 443)

These are powerful conclusions, ending major works of scholarship on a high note. What concluding paragraphs should never do is gaze off into the sunset, offer vague homilies, or claim you have found the meaning of human existence. Be concrete. Stick to your topic. Make sure your research paper conclusions stand on solid ground. Avoid vague platitudes in your conclusion. Your goal should be reaching strong, sound judgments, firmly grounded in your readings and research. Better to claim too little than too much. Best of all, claim what you’ve earned the right to say: what your research really means.

Having finished the main parts of a research paper you can write an abstract.

Back to  How To Write A Research Paper .

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How to Write a Conclusion for a Research Paper

Table of Contents

Writing a conclusion for a research paper is a critical step that often determines the overall impact and impression the paper leaves on the reader. While some may view the conclusion as a mere formality, it is actually an opportunity to wrap up the main points, provide closure, and leave a lasting impression. In this article, we will explore the importance of a well-crafted conclusion and discuss various tips and strategies to help you write an engaging and impactful conclusion for your research paper.

Introduction

Before delving into the specifics of writing a conclusion, it is important to understand why it is such a crucial component of a research paper. The conclusion serves to summarize the main points of the paper and reemphasize their significance. A well-written conclusion can leave the reader satisfied and inspired, while a poorly executed one may undermine the credibility of the entire paper. Therefore, it is essential to give careful thought and attention to crafting an effective conclusion.

When writing a research paper, the conclusion acts as the final destination for the reader. It is the point where all the information, arguments, and evidence presented throughout the paper converge. Just as a traveler reaches the end of a journey, the reader reaches the conclusion to find closure and a sense of fulfillment. This is why the conclusion should not be taken lightly; it is a critical opportunity to leave a lasting impact on the reader.

Moreover, the conclusion is not merely a repetition of the introduction or a summary of the main points. It goes beyond that by providing a deeper understanding of the research findings and their implications. It allows the writer to reflect on the significance of their work and its potential contributions to the field. By doing so, the conclusion elevates the research paper from a mere collection of facts to a thought-provoking piece of scholarship.

In the following sections, we will explore various strategies and techniques for crafting a compelling conclusion. By understanding the importance of the conclusion and learning how to write one effectively, you will be equipped to create impactful research papers.

Structuring the Conclusion

In order to create an effective conclusion, it is important to consider its structure. A well-structured conclusion should begin by restating the thesis statement and summarizing the main points of the paper. It should then move on to provide a concise synthesis of the key findings and arguments, highlighting their implications and relevance. Finally, the conclusion should end with a thought-provoking statement that leaves the reader with a lasting impression.

Additionally, using phrases like "this research demonstrates," "the findings show," or "it is clear that" can help to highlight the significance of your research and emphasize your main conclusions.

Tips for Writing an Engaging Conclusion

Writing an engaging conclusion requires careful consideration and attention to detail. Here are some tips to help you create an impactful conclusion for your research paper:

• Revisit the Introduction: Start your conclusion by referencing your introduction. Remind the reader of the research question or problem you initially posed and show how your research has addressed it.
• Summarize Your Main Points: Provide a concise summary of the main points and arguments presented in your paper. Be sure to restate your thesis statement and highlight the key findings.
• Offer a Fresh Perspective: Use the conclusion as an opportunity to provide a fresh perspective or offer insights that go beyond the main body of the paper. This will leave the reader with something new to consider.
• Leave a Lasting Impression: End your conclusion with a thought-provoking statement or a call to action. This will leave a lasting impression on the reader and encourage further exploration of the research topic.

Addressing Counter Arguments In Conclusion

While crafting your conclusion, you can address any potential counterarguments or limitations of your research. This will demonstrate that you have considered alternative perspectives and have taken them into account in your conclusions. By acknowledging potential counterarguments, you can strengthen the credibility and validity of your research. And by openly discussing limitations, you demonstrate transparency and honesty in your research process.

Language and Tone To Be Used In Conclusion

The language and tone of your conclusion play a crucial role in shaping the overall impression of your research paper. It is important to use clear and concise language that is appropriate for the academic context. Avoid using overly informal or colloquial language that may undermine the credibility of your research. Additionally, consider the tone of your conclusion – it should be professional, confident, and persuasive, while still maintaining a respectful and objective tone.

When it comes to the language used in your conclusion, precision is key. You want to ensure that your ideas are communicated effectively and that there is no room for misinterpretation. Using clear and concise language will not only make your conclusion easier to understand but will also demonstrate your command of the subject matter.

Furthermore, it is important to strike the right balance between formality and accessibility. While academic writing typically requires a more formal tone, you should still aim to make your conclusion accessible to a wider audience. This means avoiding jargon or technical terms that may confuse readers who are not familiar with the subject matter. Instead, opt for language that is clear and straightforward, allowing anyone to grasp the main points of your research.

Another aspect to consider is the tone of your conclusion. The tone should reflect the confidence you have in your research findings and the strength of your argument. By adopting a professional and confident tone, you are more likely to convince your readers of the validity and importance of your research. However, it is crucial to strike a balance and avoid sounding arrogant or dismissive of opposing viewpoints. Maintaining a respectful and objective tone will help you engage with your audience in a more persuasive manner.

Moreover, the tone of your conclusion should align with the overall tone of your research paper. Consistency in tone throughout your paper will create a cohesive and unified piece of writing.

Common Mistakes to Avoid While Writing a Conclusion

When writing a conclusion, there are several common mistakes that researchers often make. By being aware of these pitfalls, you can avoid them and create a more effective conclusion for your research paper. Some common mistakes include:

• Repeating the Introduction: A conclusion should not simply be a reworded version of the introduction. While it is important to revisit the main points, try to present them in a fresh and broader perspective, by foregrounding the implications/impacts of your research.
• Introducing New Information: The conclusion should not introduce any new information or arguments. Instead, it should focus on summarizing and synthesizing the main points presented in the paper.
• Being Vague or General: Avoid using vague or general statements in your conclusion. Instead, be specific and provide concrete examples or evidence to support your main points.
• Ending Abruptly: A conclusion should provide a sense of closure and completeness. Avoid ending your conclusion abruptly or leaving the reader with unanswered questions.

Editing and Revising the Conclusion

Just like the rest of your research paper, the conclusion should go through a thorough editing and revising process. This will help to ensure clarity, coherence, and impact in the conclusion. As you revise your conclusion, consider the following:

• Check for Consistency: Ensure that your conclusion aligns with the main body of the paper and does not introduce any new or contradictory information.
• Eliminate Redundancy: Remove any repetitive or redundant information in your conclusion. Instead, focus on presenting the key points in a concise and engaging manner.
• Proofread for Clarity: Read your conclusion aloud or ask someone else to read it to ensure that it is clear and understandable. Check for any grammatical or spelling errors that may distract the reader.
• Seek Feedback: Consider sharing your conclusion with peers or mentors to get their feedback and insights. This can help you strengthen your conclusion and make it more impactful.

How to Write Conclusion as a Call to Action

Finally, consider using your conclusion as a call to action. Encourage the reader to take further action, such as conducting additional research or considering the implications of your findings. By providing a clear call to action, you can inspire the reader to actively engage with your research and continue the conversation on the topic.

Adapting to Different Research Paper Types

It is important to adapt your conclusion approach based on the type of research paper you are writing. Different research paper types may require different strategies and approaches to writing the conclusion. For example, a scientific research paper may focus more on summarizing the key findings and implications, while a persuasive research paper may emphasize the call to action and the potential impact of the research. Tailor your conclusion to suit the specific goals and requirements of your research paper.

Final Thoughts

A well-crafted conclusion can leave a lasting impression on the reader and enhance the impact of your research. By following the tips and strategies outlined in this article, you can create an engaging and impactful conclusion that effectively summarizes your main points, addresses potential counterarguments, and leaves the reader with a sense of closure and inspiration. Embrace the importance of the conclusion and view it as an opportunity to showcase the significance and relevance of your research.

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How to Write a Thesis or Dissertation Conclusion

Published on September 6, 2022 by Tegan George and Shona McCombes. Revised on November 20, 2023.

The conclusion is the very last part of your thesis or dissertation . It should be concise and engaging, leaving your reader with a clear understanding of your main findings, as well as the answer to your research question .

In it, you should:

• Clearly state the answer to your main research question
• Summarize and reflect on your research process
• Make recommendations for future work on your thesis or dissertation topic
• Show what new knowledge you have contributed to your field
• Wrap up your thesis or dissertation

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Table of contents

Discussion vs. conclusion, how long should your conclusion be, step 1: answer your research question, step 2: summarize and reflect on your research, step 3: make future recommendations, step 4: emphasize your contributions to your field, step 5: wrap up your thesis or dissertation, full conclusion example, conclusion checklist, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about conclusion sections.

While your conclusion contains similar elements to your discussion section , they are not the same thing.

Your conclusion should be shorter and more general than your discussion. Instead of repeating literature from your literature review , discussing specific research results , or interpreting your data in detail, concentrate on making broad statements that sum up the most important insights of your research.

As a rule of thumb, your conclusion should not introduce new data, interpretations, or arguments.

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Depending on whether you are writing a thesis or dissertation, your length will vary. Generally, a conclusion should make up around 5–7% of your overall word count.

An empirical scientific study will often have a short conclusion, concisely stating the main findings and recommendations for future research. A humanities dissertation topic or systematic review , on the other hand, might require more space to conclude its analysis, tying all the previous sections together in an overall argument.

Your conclusion should begin with the main question that your thesis or dissertation aimed to address. This is your final chance to show that you’ve done what you set out to do, so make sure to formulate a clear, concise answer.

• Don’t repeat a list of all the results that you already discussed
• Do synthesize them into a final takeaway that the reader will remember.

An empirical thesis or dissertation conclusion may begin like this:

A case study –based thesis or dissertation conclusion may begin like this:

In the second example, the research aim is not directly restated, but rather added implicitly to the statement. To avoid repeating yourself, it is helpful to reformulate your aims and questions into an overall statement of what you did and how you did it.

Your conclusion is an opportunity to remind your reader why you took the approach you did, what you expected to find, and how well the results matched your expectations.

To avoid repetition , consider writing more reflectively here, rather than just writing a summary of each preceding section. Consider mentioning the effectiveness of your methodology , or perhaps any new questions or unexpected insights that arose in the process.

You can also mention any limitations of your research, but only if you haven’t already included these in the discussion. Don’t dwell on them at length, though—focus on the positives of your work.

• While x limits the generalizability of the results, this approach provides new insight into y .
• This research clearly illustrates x , but it also raises the question of y .

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You may already have made a few recommendations for future research in your discussion section, but the conclusion is a good place to elaborate and look ahead, considering the implications of your findings in both theoretical and practical terms.

• Based on these conclusions, practitioners should consider …
• To better understand the implications of these results, future studies could address …
• Further research is needed to determine the causes of/effects of/relationship between …

When making recommendations for further research, be sure not to undermine your own work. Relatedly, while future studies might confirm, build on, or enrich your conclusions, they shouldn’t be required for your argument to feel complete. Your work should stand alone on its own merits.

Just as you should avoid too much self-criticism, you should also avoid exaggerating the applicability of your research. If you’re making recommendations for policy, business, or other practical implementations, it’s generally best to frame them as “shoulds” rather than “musts.” All in all, the purpose of academic research is to inform, explain, and explore—not to demand.

Make sure your reader is left with a strong impression of what your research has contributed to the state of your field.

Some strategies to achieve this include:

• Returning to your problem statement to explain how your research helps solve the problem
• Referring back to the literature review and showing how you have addressed a gap in knowledge
• Discussing how your findings confirm or challenge an existing theory or assumption

Again, avoid simply repeating what you’ve already covered in the discussion in your conclusion. Instead, pick out the most important points and sum them up succinctly, situating your project in a broader context.

The end is near! Once you’ve finished writing your conclusion, it’s time to wrap up your thesis or dissertation with a few final steps:

• It’s a good idea to write your abstract next, while the research is still fresh in your mind.
• Next, make sure your reference list is complete and correctly formatted. To speed up the process, you can use our free APA citation generator .
• Once you’ve added any appendices , you can create a table of contents and title page .
• Finally, read through the whole document again to make sure your thesis is clearly written and free from language errors. You can proofread it yourself , ask a friend, or consider Scribbr’s proofreading and editing service .

Here is an example of how you can write your conclusion section. Notice how it includes everything mentioned above:

V. Conclusion

The current research aimed to identify acoustic speech characteristics which mark the beginning of an exacerbation in COPD patients.

The central questions for this research were as follows: 1. Which acoustic measures extracted from read speech differ between COPD speakers in stable condition and healthy speakers? 2. In what ways does the speech of COPD patients during an exacerbation differ from speech of COPD patients during stable periods?

All recordings were aligned using a script. Subsequently, they were manually annotated to indicate respiratory actions such as inhaling and exhaling. The recordings of 9 stable COPD patients reading aloud were then compared with the recordings of 5 healthy control subjects reading aloud. The results showed a significant effect of condition on the number of in- and exhalations per syllable, the number of non-linguistic in- and exhalations per syllable, and the ratio of voiced and silence intervals. The number of in- and exhalations per syllable and the number of non-linguistic in- and exhalations per syllable were higher for COPD patients than for healthy controls, which confirmed both hypotheses.

However, the higher ratio of voiced and silence intervals for COPD patients compared to healthy controls was not in line with the hypotheses. This unpredicted result might have been caused by the different reading materials or recording procedures for both groups, or by a difference in reading skills. Moreover, there was a trend regarding the effect of condition on the number of syllables per breath group. The number of syllables per breath group was higher for healthy controls than for COPD patients, which was in line with the hypothesis. There was no effect of condition on pitch, intensity, center of gravity, pitch variability, speaking rate, or articulation rate.

This research has shown that the speech of COPD patients in exacerbation differs from the speech of COPD patients in stable condition. This might have potential for the detection of exacerbations. However, sustained vowels rarely occur in spontaneous speech. Therefore, the last two outcome measures might have greater potential for the detection of beginning exacerbations, but further research on the different outcome measures and their potential for the detection of exacerbations is needed due to the limitations of the current study.

Checklist: Conclusion

I have clearly and concisely answered the main research question .

I have summarized my overall argument or key takeaways.

I have mentioned any important limitations of the research.

I have given relevant recommendations .

I have clearly explained what my research has contributed to my field.

I have  not introduced any new data or arguments.

You've written a great conclusion! Use the other checklists to further improve your dissertation.

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In a thesis or dissertation, the discussion is an in-depth exploration of the results, going into detail about the meaning of your findings and citing relevant sources to put them in context.

The conclusion is more shorter and more general: it concisely answers your main research question and makes recommendations based on your overall findings.

While it may be tempting to present new arguments or evidence in your thesis or disseration conclusion , especially if you have a particularly striking argument you’d like to finish your analysis with, you shouldn’t. Theses and dissertations follow a more formal structure than this.

All your findings and arguments should be presented in the body of the text (more specifically in the discussion section and results section .) The conclusion is meant to summarize and reflect on the evidence and arguments you have already presented, not introduce new ones.

For a stronger dissertation conclusion , avoid including:

• Important evidence or analysis that wasn’t mentioned in the discussion section and results section
• Generic concluding phrases (e.g. “In conclusion …”)
• Weak statements that undermine your argument (e.g., “There are good points on both sides of this issue.”)

Your conclusion should leave the reader with a strong, decisive impression of your work.

The conclusion of your thesis or dissertation shouldn’t take up more than 5–7% of your overall word count.

The conclusion of your thesis or dissertation should include the following:

• A restatement of your research question
• A summary of your key arguments and/or results
• A short discussion of the implications of your research

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How to write an excellent thesis conclusion [with examples]

Restate the thesis

Review or reiterate key points of your work, explain why your work is relevant, a take-away for the reader, more resources on writing thesis conclusions, frequently asked questions about writing an excellent thesis conclusion, related articles.

At this point in your writing, you have most likely finished your introduction and the body of your thesis, dissertation, or research paper . While this is a reason to celebrate, you should not underestimate the importance of your conclusion. The conclusion is the last thing that your reader will see, so it should be memorable.

A good conclusion will review the key points of the thesis and explain to the reader why the information is relevant, applicable, or related to the world as a whole. Make sure to dedicate enough of your writing time to the conclusion and do not put it off until the very last minute.

This article provides an effective technique for writing a conclusion adapted from Erika Eby’s The College Student's Guide to Writing a Good Research Paper: 101 Easy Tips & Tricks to Make Your Work Stand Out .

While the thesis introduction starts out with broad statements about the topic, and then narrows it down to the thesis statement , a thesis conclusion does the same in the opposite order.

• Restate the thesis.
• Review or reiterate key points of your work.
• Explain why your work is relevant.
• Include a core take-away message for the reader.

Tip: Don’t just copy and paste your thesis into your conclusion. Restate it in different words.

The best way to start a conclusion is simply by restating the thesis statement. That does not mean just copying and pasting it from the introduction, but putting it into different words.

You will need to change the structure and wording of it to avoid sounding repetitive. Also, be firm in your conclusion just as you were in the introduction. Try to avoid sounding apologetic by using phrases like "This paper has tried to show..."

The conclusion should address all the same parts as the thesis while making it clear that the reader has reached the end. You are telling the reader that your research is finished and what your findings are.

I have argued throughout this work that the point of critical mass for biopolitical immunity occurred during the Romantic period because of that era's unique combination of post-revolutionary politics and innovations in smallpox prevention. In particular, I demonstrated that the French Revolution and the discovery of vaccination in the 1790s triggered a reconsideration of the relationship between bodies and the state.

Tip: Try to reiterate points from your introduction in your thesis conclusion.

The next step is to review the main points of the thesis as a whole. Look back at the body of of your project and make a note of the key ideas. You can reword these ideas the same way you reworded your thesis statement and then incorporate that into the conclusion.

You can also repeat striking quotations or statistics, but do not use more than two. As the conclusion represents your own closing thoughts on the topic , it should mainly consist of your own words.

In addition, conclusions can contain recommendations to the reader or relevant questions that further the thesis. You should ask yourself:

• What you would ideally like to see your readers do in reaction to your paper?
• Do you want them to take a certain action or investigate further?
• Is there a bigger issue that your paper wants to draw attention to?

Also, try to reference your introduction in your conclusion. You have already taken a first step by restating your thesis. Now, check whether there are other key words, phrases or ideas that are mentioned in your introduction that fit into your conclusion. Connecting the introduction to the conclusion in this way will help readers feel satisfied.

I explored how Mary Wollstonecraft, in both her fiction and political writings, envisions an ideal medico-political state, and how other writers like William Wordsworth and Mary Shelley increasingly imagined the body politic literally, as an incorporated political collective made up of bodies whose immunity to political and medical ills was essential to a healthy state.

Tip: Make sure to explain why your thesis is relevant to your field of research.

Although you can encourage readers to question their opinions and reflect on your topic, do not leave loose ends. You should provide a sense of resolution and make sure your conclusion wraps up your argument. Make sure you explain why your thesis is relevant to your field of research and how your research intervenes within, or substantially revises, existing scholarly debates.

This project challenged conventional ideas about the relationship among Romanticism, medicine, and politics by reading the unfolding of Romantic literature and biopolitical immunity as mutual, co-productive processes. In doing so, this thesis revises the ways in which biopolitics has been theorized by insisting on the inherent connections between Romantic literature and the forms of biopower that characterize early modernity.

Tip: If you began your thesis with an anecdote or historical example, you may want to return to that in your conclusion.

End your conclusion with something memorable, such as:

• a call to action
• a recommendation
• a gesture towards future research
• a brief explanation of how the problem or idea you covered remains relevant

Ultimately, you want readers to feel more informed, or ready to act, as they read your conclusion.

Yet, the Romantic period is only the beginning of modern thought on immunity and biopolitics. Victorian writers, doctors, and politicians upheld the Romantic idea that a "healthy state" was a literal condition that could be achieved by combining politics and medicine, but augmented that idea through legislation and widespread public health measures. While many nineteenth-century efforts to improve citizens' health were successful, the fight against disease ultimately changed course in the twentieth century as global immunological threats such as SARS occupied public consciousness. Indeed, as subsequent public health events make apparent, biopolitical immunity persists as a viable concept for thinking about the relationship between medicine and politics in modernity.

Need more advice? Read our 5 additional tips on how to write a good thesis conclusion.

The conclusion is the last thing that your reader will see, so it should be memorable. To write a great thesis conclusion you should:

The basic content of a conclusion is to review the main points from the paper. This part represents your own closing thoughts on the topic. It should mainly consist of the outcome of the research in your own words.

The length of the conclusion will depend on the length of the whole thesis. Usually, a conclusion should be around 5-7% of the overall word count.

End your conclusion with something memorable, such as a question, warning, or call to action. Depending on the topic, you can also end with a recommendation.

In Open Access: Theses and Dissertations you can find thousands of completed works. Take a look at any of the theses or dissertations for real-life examples of conclusions that were already approved.

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How to Write a Conclusion for a Research Paper

Last Updated: July 8, 2024 Approved

This article was co-authored by Christopher Taylor, PhD . Christopher Taylor is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Austin Community College in Texas. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 43 testimonials and 83% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 2,263,709 times.

The conclusion of a research paper needs to summarize the content and purpose of the paper without seeming too wooden or dry. Every basic conclusion must share several key elements, but there are also several tactics you can play around with to craft a more effective conclusion and several you should avoid to prevent yourself from weakening your paper's conclusion. Here are some writing tips to keep in mind when creating a conclusion for your next research paper.

Sample Conclusions

Writing a basic conclusion.

• Do not spend a great amount of time or space restating your topic.
• A good research paper will make the importance of your topic apparent, so you do not need to write an elaborate defense of your topic in the conclusion.
• Usually a single sentence is all you need to restate your topic.
• An example would be if you were writing a paper on the epidemiology of infectious disease, you might say something like "Tuberculosis is a widespread infectious disease that affects millions of people worldwide every year."
• Yet another example from the humanities would be a paper about the Italian Renaissance: "The Italian Renaissance was an explosion of art and ideas centered around artists, writers, and thinkers in Florence."

• A thesis is a narrowed, focused view on the topic at hand.
• This statement should be rephrased from the thesis you included in your introduction. It should not be identical or too similar to the sentence you originally used.
• Try re-wording your thesis statement in a way that complements your summary of the topic of your paper in your first sentence of your conclusion.
• An example of a good thesis statement, going back to the paper on tuberculosis, would be "Tuberculosis is a widespread disease that affects millions of people worldwide every year. Due to the alarming rate of the spread of tuberculosis, particularly in poor countries, medical professionals are implementing new strategies for the diagnosis, treatment, and containment of this disease ."

• A good way to go about this is to re-read the topic sentence of each major paragraph or section in the body of your paper.
• Find a way to briefly restate each point mentioned in each topic sentence in your conclusion. Do not repeat any of the supporting details used within your body paragraphs.
• Under most circumstances, you should avoid writing new information in your conclusion. This is especially true if the information is vital to the argument or research presented in your paper.
• For example, in the TB paper you could summarize the information. "Tuberculosis is a widespread disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Due to the alarming rate of the spread of tuberculosis, particularly in poor countries, medical professionals are implementing new strategies for the diagnosis, treatment, and containment of this disease. In developing countries, such as those in Africa and Southeast Asia, the rate of TB infections is soaring. Crowded conditions, poor sanitation, and lack of access to medical care are all compounding factors in the spread of the disease. Medical experts, such as those from the World Health Organization are now starting campaigns to go into communities in developing countries and provide diagnostic testing and treatments. However, the treatments for TB are very harsh and have many side effects. This leads to patient non-compliance and spread of multi-drug resistant strains of the disease."

• Note that this is not needed for all research papers.
• If you already fully explained what the points in your paper mean or why they are significant, you do not need to go into them in much detail in your conclusion. Simply restating your thesis or the significance of your topic should suffice.
• It is always best practice to address important issues and fully explain your points in the body of your paper. The point of a conclusion to a research paper is to summarize your argument for the reader and, perhaps, to call the reader to action if needed.

• Note that a call for action is not essential to all conclusions. A research paper on literary criticism, for instance, is less likely to need a call for action than a paper on the effect that television has on toddlers and young children.
• A paper that is more likely to call readers to action is one that addresses a public or scientific need. Let's go back to our example of tuberculosis. This is a very serious disease that is spreading quickly and with antibiotic-resistant forms.
• A call to action in this research paper would be a follow-up statement that might be along the lines of "Despite new efforts to diagnose and contain the disease, more research is needed to develop new antibiotics that will treat the most resistant strains of tuberculosis and ease the side effects of current treatments."

• For example, if you are writing a history paper, then you might discuss how the historical topic you discussed matters today. If you are writing about a foreign country, then you might use the conclusion to discuss how the information you shared may help readers understand their own country.

Making Your Conclusion as Effective as Possible

• Since this sort of conclusion is so basic, you must aim to synthesize the information rather than merely summarizing it.
• Instead of merely repeating things you already said, rephrase your thesis and supporting points in a way that ties them all together.
• By doing so, you make your research paper seem like a "complete thought" rather than a collection of random and vaguely related ideas.

• Ask a question in your introduction. In your conclusion, restate the question and provide a direct answer.
• Write an anecdote or story in your introduction but do not share the ending. Instead, write the conclusion to the anecdote in the conclusion of your paper.
• For example, if you wanted to get more creative and put a more humanistic spin on a paper on tuberculosis, you might start your introduction with a story about a person with the disease, and refer to that story in your conclusion. For example, you could say something like this before you re-state your thesis in your conclusion: "Patient X was unable to complete the treatment for tuberculosis due to severe side effects and unfortunately succumbed to the disease."
• Use the same concepts and images introduced in your introduction in your conclusion. The images may or may not appear at other points throughout the research paper.

• Include enough information about your topic to back the statement up but do not get too carried away with excess detail.
• If your research did not provide you with a clear-cut answer to a question posed in your thesis, do not be afraid to indicate as much.
• Restate your initial hypothesis and indicate whether you still believe it or if the research you performed has begun swaying your opinion.
• Indicate that an answer may still exist and that further research could shed more light on the topic at hand.

• This may not be appropriate for all types of research papers. Most research papers, such as one on effective treatment for diseases, will have the information to make the case for a particular argument already in the paper.
• A good example of a paper that might ask a question of the reader in the ending is one about a social issue, such as poverty or government policy.
• Ask a question that will directly get at the heart or purpose of the paper. This question is often the same question, or some version of it, that you may have started with when you began your research.
• Make sure that the question can be answered by the evidence presented in your paper.
• If desired you can briefly summarize the answer after stating the question. You could also leave the question hanging for the reader to answer, though.

• Even without a call to action, you can still make a recommendation to your reader.
• For instance, if you are writing about a topic like third-world poverty, you can various ways for the reader to assist in the problem without necessarily calling for more research.
• Another example would be, in a paper about treatment for drug-resistant tuberculosis, you could suggest donating to the World Health Organization or research foundations that are developing new treatments for the disease.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

• These sayings usually sound stiff, unnatural, or trite when used in writing.
• Moreover, using a phrase like "in conclusion" to begin your conclusion is a little too straightforward and tends to lead to a weak conclusion. A strong conclusion can stand on its own without being labeled as such.

• Always state the main argument or thesis in the introduction. A research paper is an analytical discussion of an academic topic, not a mystery novel.
• A good, effective research paper will allow your reader to follow your main argument from start to finish.
• This is why it is best practice to start your paper with an introduction that states your main argument and to end the paper with a conclusion that re-states your thesis for re-iteration.

• All significant information should be introduced in the body of the paper.
• Supporting evidence expands the topic of your paper by making it appear more detailed. A conclusion should narrow the topic to a more general point.
• A conclusion should only summarize what you have already stated in the body of your paper.
• You may suggest further research or a call to action, but you should not bring in any new evidence or facts in the conclusion.

• Most often, a shift in tone occurs when a research paper with an academic tone gives an emotional or sentimental conclusion.
• Even if the topic of the paper is of personal significance for you, you should not indicate as much in your paper.
• If you want to give your paper a more humanistic slant, you could start and end your paper with a story or anecdote that would give your topic more personal meaning to the reader.
• This tone should be consistent throughout the paper, however.

• Apologetic statements include phrases like "I may not be an expert" or "This is only my opinion."
• Statements like this can usually be avoided by refraining from writing in the first-person.
• Avoid any statements in the first-person. First-person is generally considered to be informal and does not fit with the formal tone of a research paper.

Community Q&A

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• ↑ http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/724/04/
• ↑ http://www.crlsresearchguide.org/18_Writing_Conclusion.asp
• ↑ http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/PlanResearchPaper.html#conclusion
• ↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/conclusions/

About This Article

To write a conclusion for a research paper, start by restating your thesis statement to remind your readers what your main topic is and bring everything full circle. Then, briefly summarize all of the main points you made throughout your paper, which will help remind your readers of everything they learned. You might also want to include a call to action if you think more research or work needs to be done on your topic by writing something like, "Despite efforts to contain the disease, more research is needed to develop antibiotics." Finally, end your conclusion by explaining the broader context of your topic and why your readers should care about it, which will help them understand why your topic is relevant and important. For tips from our Academic co-author, like how to avoid common pitfalls when writing your conclusion, scroll down! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Write a Research Paper Conclusion Section

What is a conclusion in a research paper?

The conclusion in a research paper is the final paragraph or two in a research paper. In scientific papers, the conclusion usually follows the Discussion section , summarizing the importance of the findings and reminding the reader why the work presented in the paper is relevant.

However, it can be a bit confusing to distinguish the conclusion section/paragraph from a summary or a repetition of your findings, your own opinion, or the statement of the implications of your work. In fact, the conclusion should contain a bit of all of these other parts but go beyond it—but not too far beyond! 

The structure and content of the conclusion section can also vary depending on whether you are writing a research manuscript or an essay. This article will explain how to write a good conclusion section, what exactly it should (and should not) contain, how it should be structured, and what you should avoid when writing it.  

Table of Contents:

What does a good conclusion section do, what to include in a research paper conclusion.

• Conclusion in an Essay
• Research Paper Conclusion 
• Conclusion Paragraph Outline and Example
• What Not to Do When Writing a Conclusion

The conclusion of a research paper has several key objectives. It should:

• Restate your research problem addressed in the introduction section
• Summarize your main arguments, important findings, and broader implications
• Synthesize key takeaways from your study

The specific content in the conclusion depends on whether your paper presents the results of original scientific research or constructs an argument through engagement with previously published sources.

You presented your general field of study to the reader in the introduction section, by moving from general information (the background of your work, often combined with a literature review ) to the rationale of your study and then to the specific problem or topic you addressed, formulated in the form of the statement of the problem in research or the thesis statement in an essay.

In the conclusion section, in contrast, your task is to move from your specific findings or arguments back to a more general depiction of how your research contributes to the readers’ understanding of a certain concept or helps solve a practical problem, or fills an important gap in the literature. The content of your conclusion section depends on the type of research you are doing and what type of paper you are writing. But whatever the outcome of your work is, the conclusion is where you briefly summarize it and place it within a larger context. It could be called the “take-home message” of the entire paper.

What to summarize in the conclusion

Your conclusion section needs to contain a very brief summary of your work , a very brief summary of the main findings of your work, and a mention of anything else that seems relevant when you now look at your work from a bigger perspective, even if it was not initially listed as one of your main research questions. This could be a limitation, for example, a problem with the design of your experiment that either needs to be considered when drawing any conclusions or that led you to ask a different question and therefore draw different conclusions at the end of your study (compared to when you started out).

Once you have reminded the reader of what you did and what you found, you need to go beyond that and also provide either your own opinion on why your work is relevant (and for whom, and how) or theoretical or practical implications of the study , or make a specific call for action if there is one to be made.   

How to Write an Essay Conclusion

Academic essays follow quite different structures than their counterparts in STEM and the natural sciences. Humanities papers often have conclusion sections that are much longer and contain more detail than scientific papers. There are three main types of academic essay conclusions.

Summarizing conclusion

The most typical conclusion at the end of an analytical/explanatory/argumentative essay is a summarizing conclusion . This is, as the name suggests, a clear summary of the main points of your topic and thesis. Since you might have gone through a number of different arguments or subtopics in the main part of your essay, you need to remind the reader again what those were, how they fit into each other, and how they helped you develop or corroborate your hypothesis.

For an essay that analyzes how recruiters can hire the best candidates in the shortest time or on “how starving yourself will increase your lifespan, according to science”, a summary of all the points you discussed might be all you need. Note that you should not exactly repeat what you said earlier, but rather highlight the essential details and present those to your reader in a different way. 

Externalizing conclusion

If you think that just reminding the reader of your main points is not enough, you can opt for an externalizing conclusion instead, that presents new points that were not presented in the paper so far. These new points can be additional facts and information or they can be ideas that are relevant to the topic and have not been mentioned before.

Such a conclusion can stimulate your readers to think about your topic or the implications of your analysis in a whole new way. For example, at the end of a historical analysis of a specific event or development, you could direct your reader’s attention to some current events that were not the topic of your essay but that provide a different context for your findings.

Editorial conclusion

In an editorial conclusion , another common type of conclusion that you will find at the end of papers and essays, you do not add new information but instead present your own experiences or opinions on the topic to round everything up. What makes this type of conclusion interesting is that you can choose to agree or disagree with the information you presented in your paper so far. For example, if you have collected and analyzed information on how a specific diet helps people lose weight, you can nevertheless have your doubts on the sustainability of that diet or its practicability in real life—if such arguments were not included in your original thesis and have therefore not been covered in the main part of your paper, the conclusion section is the place where you can get your opinion across.    

How to Conclude an Empirical Research Paper

An empirical research paper is usually more concise and succinct than an essay, because, if it is written well, it focuses on one specific question, describes the method that was used to answer that one question, describes and explains the results, and guides the reader in a logical way from the introduction to the discussion without going on tangents or digging into not absolutely relevant topics.

Summarize the findings

In a scientific paper, you should include a summary of the findings. Don’t go into great detail here (you will have presented your in-depth  results  and  discussion  already), but do clearly express the answers to the  research questions  you investigated.

Describe your main findings, even if they weren’t necessarily the ones anticipated, and explain the conclusion they led you to. Explain these findings in as few words as possible.

Instead of beginning with “ In conclusion, in this study, we investigated the effect of stress on the brain using fMRI …”, you should try to find a way to incorporate the repetition of the essential (and only the essential) details into the summary of the key points. “ The findings of this fMRI study on the effect of stress on the brain suggest that …” or “ While it has been known for a long time that stress has an effect on the brain, the findings of this fMRI study show that, surprisingly… ” would be better ways to start a conclusion. 

You should also not bring up new ideas or present new facts in the conclusion of a research paper, but stick to the background information you have presented earlier, to the findings you have already discussed, and the limitations and implications you have already described. The one thing you can add here is a practical recommendation that you haven’t clearly stated before—but even that one needs to follow logically from everything you have already discussed in the discussion section.

Discuss the implications

After summing up your key arguments or findings, conclude the paper by stating the broader implications of the research , whether in methods , approach, or findings. Express practical or theoretical takeaways from your paper. This often looks like a “call to action” or a final “sales pitch” that puts an exclamation point on your paper.

If your research topic is more theoretical in nature, your closing statement should express the significance of your argument—for example, in proposing a new understanding of a topic or laying the groundwork for future research.

Future research example

Future research into education standards should focus on establishing a more detailed picture of how novel pedagogical approaches impact young people’s ability to absorb new and difficult concepts. Moreover, observational studies are needed to gain more insight into how specific teaching models affect the retention of relationships and facts—for instance, how inquiry-based learning and its emphasis on lateral thinking can be used as a jumping-off point for more holistic classroom approaches.

Research Conclusion Example and Outline

Let’s revisit the study on the effect of stress on the brain we mentioned before and see what the common structure for a conclusion paragraph looks like, in three steps. Following these simple steps will make it easy for you to wrap everything up in one short paragraph that contains all the essential information: 

One: Short summary of what you did, but integrated into the summary of your findings:

While it has been known for a long time that stress has an effect on the brain, the findings of this fMRI study in 25 university students going through mid-term exams show that, surprisingly, one’s attitude to the experienced stress significantly modulates the brain’s response to it. 

Note that you don’t need to repeat any methodological or technical details here—the reader has been presented with all of these before, they have read your results section and the discussion of your results, and even (hopefully!) a discussion of the limitations and strengths of your paper. The only thing you need to remind them of here is the essential outcome of your work. 

Two: Add implications, and don’t forget to specify who this might be relevant for: 

Students could be considered a specific subsample of the general population, but earlier research shows that the effect that exam stress has on their physical and mental health is comparable to the effects of other types of stress on individuals of other ages and occupations. Further research into practical ways of modulating not only one’s mental stress response but potentially also one’s brain activity (e.g., via neurofeedback training) are warranted.

This is a “research implication”, and it is nicely combined with a mention of a potential limitation of the study (the student sample) that turns out not to be a limitation after all (because earlier research suggests we can generalize to other populations). If there already is a lot of research on neurofeedback for stress control, by the way, then this should have been discussed in your discussion section earlier and you wouldn’t say such studies are “warranted” here but rather specify how your findings could inspire specific future experiments or how they should be implemented in existing applications. 

Three: The most important thing is that your conclusion paragraph accurately reflects the content of your paper. Compare it to your research paper title , your research paper abstract , and to your journal submission cover letter , in case you already have one—if these do not all tell the same story, then you need to go back to your paper, start again from the introduction section, and find out where you lost the logical thread. As always, consistency is key.    

Problems to Avoid When Writing a Conclusion 

• Do not suddenly introduce new information that has never been mentioned before (unless you are writing an essay and opting for an externalizing conclusion, see above). The conclusion section is not where you want to surprise your readers, but the take-home message of what you have already presented.
• Do not simply copy your abstract, the conclusion section of your abstract, or the first sentence of your introduction, and put it at the end of the discussion section. Even if these parts of your paper cover the same points, they should not be identical.
• Do not start the conclusion with “In conclusion”. If it has its own section heading, that is redundant, and if it is the last paragraph of the discussion section, it is inelegant and also not really necessary. The reader expects you to wrap your work up in the last paragraph, so you don’t have to announce that. Just look at the above example to see how to start a conclusion in a natural way.
• Do not forget what your research objectives were and how you initially formulated the statement of the problem in your introduction section. If your story/approach/conclusions changed because of methodological issues or information you were not aware of when you started, then make sure you go back to the beginning and adapt your entire story (not just the ending). 

Consider Receiving Academic Editing Services

When you have arrived at the conclusion of your paper, you might want to head over to Wordvice AI’s AI Writing Assistant to receive a free grammar check for any academic content. 

After drafting, you can also receive English editing and proofreading services , including paper editing services for your journal manuscript. If you need advice on how to write the other parts of your research paper , or on how to make a research paper outline if you are struggling with putting everything you did together, then head over to the Wordvice academic resources pages , where we have a lot more articles and videos for you.

Make Your Last Words Count

Download this Handout PDF

In academic writing, a well-crafted conclusion can provide the final word on the value of your analysis, research, or paper. Complete your conclusions with conviction!

Conclusions show readers the value of your completely developed argument or thoroughly answered question. Consider the conclusion from the reader’s perspective. At the end of a paper, a reader wants to know how to benefit from the work you accomplished in your paper. Here are ways to think about the purpose of a conclusion:

• To connect the paper’s findings to a larger context, such as the wider conversation about an issue as it is presented in a course or in other published writing.
• To suggest the implications of your findings or the importance of the topic.
• To ask questions or suggest ideas for further research.
• To revisit your main idea or research question with new insight.

Should you summarize?

Consider what readers can keep track of in their heads. If your paper is long or complex, some summary of your key points will remind readers of the ground you’ve covered. If your paper is short, your readers may not need a summary. In any paper, you’ll want to push beyond mere summary to suggest the implications or applications of your work.

How do you start drafting a conclusion?

Effective conclusions take the paper beyond summary and demonstrate a further appreciation of the paper’s argument and its significance: why it works, why it is meaningful, and why it is valuable. To get started, you might ask yourself these questions:

• How do the ideas in your paper connect to what you have discussed in class, or to what scholars have written in their treatment of your topic?
• What new ideas have you added to the conversation? What ideas do you critique?
• What are the limitations of your data, methods, or results?
• What are the consequences of the strongest idea that comes out of your paper?
• How can you return to the question or situation you describe in your introduction?

Mechanical engineering

From Mounting methodologies to measure EUV reticle nonflatness (SPIE Proceedings 7470, 2009), by UW–Madison Professor Roxanne L. Engelstad’s lab. Notice how Battula et al. explain the limitations of their findings, and identify specific future developments that would make their proposal more accurately testable.

The horizontal whiffle tree mount should have performed the best considering the kinematics of the 16 support points, as well as theoretically displaying the least amount of gravitational distortions. However, due to possible friction at the pivoted joints and the current tolerances on the whiffle tree system, there were difficulties in using this mount. At this time, the process of averaging the measurements taken at four vertical orientations appears to be the best approach.

Gender and Women’s Studies

From Examining Millie and Christine McKoy: Where Enslavement and Enfreakment Meet (Signs 37, 2011), by UW–Madison Professor Ellen Samuels. Notice how Samuels’s conclusion briefly summarizes her article’s main claims before turning to the consequences of her strongest claims.

While there are still many questions left unanswered about the McKoys, and many possible truths to be drawn from their lives, I have aimed in this article to establish that at least two things are not true: the tale of the beneficent and beloved slaveowners and the resigned, downcast expression on Millie’s face in the altered picture. Moreover, I contend that turning away from historical legacies as complex and dangerous as those of enslavement and enfreakment keeps us from being able to understand them and to imagine different futures. We need to develop paradigms of analysis that allow us to perceive and interpret both the radical empowerment of the McKoys’ lives and the oppressions that are no less fundamental to their story. Such an analysis must allow for dissonance, contradictions, and even discomfort in its gaze. Only then can we move forward with the work of shaping new representations and new possibilities for extraordinary bodily experience.

Legal writing

From UW–Madison Law Professor Andrew B. Coan’s Judicial Capacity and the Substance of Constitutional Law (2012). Notice how this conclusion emphasizes the significance of the topic under consideration.

Judicial capacity has been too long misunderstood and too long neglected. It is a central institutional characteristic of the judiciary, which has significant predictive power in important constitutional domains and also significant normative implications. It deserves consideration from constitutional theorists on par with that accorded to judicial competence and judicial independence. Indeed, it is crucial to a full understanding of both of these much-discussed institutional features of the judiciary.

Writing Process and Structure

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Getting Started with Your Paper

Interpreting Writing Assignments from Your Courses

Generating Ideas for Your Paper

Creating an Argument

Thesis vs. Purpose Statements

Developing a Thesis Statement

Architecture of Arguments

Working with Sources

Quoting and Paraphrasing Sources

Using Literary Quotations

Citing Sources in Your Paper

Drafting Your Paper

Introductions

Paragraphing

Developing Strategic Transitions

Conclusions

Revising Your Paper

Peer Reviews

Reverse Outlines

Revising an Argumentative Paper

Revision Strategies for Longer Projects

Finishing Your Paper

Twelve Common Errors: An Editing Checklist

How to Proofread your Paper

Writing Collaboratively

Collaborative and Group Writing

How to Write a Conclusion for a Research Paper

When you're wrapping up a research paper, the conclusion is like the grand finale of a fireworks show – it's your chance to leave a lasting impression. In this article, we'll break down the steps to help you write a winning research paper conclusion that not only recaps your main points but also ties everything together. Consider it the "So what?" moment – why should people care about your research? Our professional essay writers will guide you through making your conclusion strong, clear, and something that sticks with your readers long after they've put down your paper. So, let's dive in and ensure your research ends on a high note!

What Is a Conclusion in a Research Paper

In a research paper, the conclusion serves as the final segment, where you summarize the main points and findings of your study. It's not just a repetition of what you've already said but rather a chance to tie everything together and highlight the significance of your research. As you learn how to start a research paper , a good conclusion also often discusses the implications of your findings, suggests potential areas for further research, and leaves the reader with a lasting impression of the importance and relevance of your work in the broader context of the field. Essentially, it's your last opportunity to make a strong impact and leave your readers with a clear understanding of the significance of your research. Here’s a research paper conclusion example:

In conclusion, this research paper has navigated the intricacies of sustainable urban development, shedding light on the pivotal role of community engagement and innovative planning strategies. Through applying qualitative and quantitative research methods, we've uncovered valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities inherent in fostering environmentally friendly urban spaces. The implications of these findings extend beyond the confines of this study, emphasizing the imperative for continued exploration in the realms of urban planning and environmental sustainability. By emphasizing both the practical applications and theoretical contributions, this research underscores the significance of community involvement and forward-thinking strategies in shaping the future of urban landscapes. As cities evolve, incorporating these insights into planning and development practices will create resilient and harmonious urban environments.

Conclusion Outline for Research Paper

This outline for a research paper conclusion provides a structured framework to ensure that your ending effectively summarizes the key elements of your research paper and leaves a lasting impression on your readers. Adjust the content based on the specific requirements and focus of your research.

Restate the Thesis Statement

• Briefly restate the main thesis or research question.
• Emphasize the core objective or purpose of the study.

Summarize Key Findings

• Recap the main points and key findings from each section of the paper.
• Provide a concise overview of the research journey.

Discuss Implications

• Explore the broader implications of the research findings.
• Discuss how the results contribute to the existing body of knowledge in the field.

Address Limitations

• Acknowledge any limitations or constraints encountered during the research process.
• Explain how these limitations may impact the interpretation of the findings.

Suggest Areas for Future Research

• Propose potential directions for future studies related to the topic.
• Identify gaps in the current research that warrant further exploration.

Reaffirm Significance

• Reaffirm the importance and relevance of the research in the broader context.
• Highlight the practical applications or real-world implications of the study.

Concluding Statement

• Craft a strong, memorable closing statement that leaves a lasting impression.
• Sum up the overall impact of the research and its potential contribution to the field.

Study the full guide on how to make a research paper outline here, which will also specify the conclusion writing specifics to improve your general prowess.

Tips on How to Make a Conclusion in Research

Here are key considerations regarding a conclusion for research paper to not only recap the primary ideas in your work but also delve deeper to earn a higher grade:

• Provide a concise recap of your main research outcomes.
• Remind readers of your research goals and their accomplishments.
• Stick to summarizing existing content; refrain from adding new details.
• Emphasize why your research matters and its broader implications.
• Clearly explain the practical or theoretical impact of your findings.
• Prompt readers to reflect on how your research influences their perspective.
• Briefly discuss the robustness of your research methods.
• End with a suggestion for future research or a practical application.
• Transparently address any constraints or biases in your study.
• End on a powerful note, leaving a memorable impression on your readers.

For your inspiration, we’ve also prepared this research proposal example APA , which dwells on another important aspect of research writing.

How to Write a Research Paper Conclusion

As you finish your research paper, the conclusion takes center stage. In this section, we've got five practical tips for writing a conclusion for a research paper. We'll guide you through summarizing your key findings, revisiting your research goals, discussing the bigger picture, addressing any limitations, and ending on a powerful note. Think of it as your roadmap to creating a conclusion that not only wraps up your research but also leaves a lasting impact on your readers. Let's dive in and make sure your conclusion stands out for all the right reasons!

Synthesize Core Discoveries. Initiate your conclusion by synthesizing the essential discoveries of your research. Offer a succinct recapitulation of the primary points and outcomes you have elucidated in your paper. This aids in reinforcing the gravity of your work and reiterates the pivotal information you have presented.

Revisit Research Objectives. Revisit the research objectives or questions you outlined at the beginning of your paper. Assess whether you have successfully addressed these objectives and if your findings align with the initial goals of your research. This reflection helps tie your conclusion back to the purpose of your study.

Discuss Implications and Contributions. Discuss the broader implications of your research and its potential contributions to the field. Consider how your findings might impact future research, applications, or understanding of the subject matter. This demonstrates the significance of your work and places it within a larger context.

Address Limitations and Future Research. Acknowledge any limitations in your study, such as constraints in data collection or potential biases. Briefly discuss how these limitations might have affected your results. Additionally, suggest areas for future research that could build upon your work, addressing any unanswered questions or unexplored aspects. This demonstrates a thoughtful approach to your research.

End with a Strong Conclusion Statement. Conclude your research paper with a strong and memorable statement that reinforces the key message you want readers to take away. This could be a call to action, a proposal for further investigation, or a reflection on the broader significance of your findings. Leave your readers with a lasting impression that emphasizes the importance of your research. Remember that you can buy a research paper anytime if you lack time or get stuck in writer’s block.

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Stylistic Devices to Use in a Conclusion

Discover distinctive stylistic insights that you can apply when writing a conclusion for a research paper:

• Rhetorical Questions. When using rhetorical questions, strategically place them to engage readers' minds. For instance, you might pose a question that prompts reflection on the broader implications of your findings, leaving your audience with something to ponder.
• Powerful Language. Incorporate strong language to convey a sense of conviction and importance. Choose words that resonate with the overall tone of your research and amplify the significance of your conclusions. This adds weight to your key messages.
• Repetitions. Repetitions can be employed to reinforce essential ideas. Reiterate key phrases or concepts in a way that emphasizes their importance without sounding redundant. This technique serves to drive home your main points.
• Anecdotes. Integrating anecdotes into your conclusion can provide a human touch. Share a brief and relevant story that connects with your research, making the information more relatable and memorable for your audience.
• Vivid Imagery. Lastly, use vivid imagery to paint a picture in the minds of your readers. Appeal to their senses by describing scenarios or outcomes related to your research. This creates a more immersive and lasting impression.

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How to Make a Conclusion Logically Appealing

Knowing how to write a conclusion for a research paper that is logically appealing is important for leaving a lasting impression on your readers. Here are some tips to achieve this:

Logical Sequencing

• Present your conclusion in a structured manner, following the natural flow of your paper. Readers should effortlessly follow your thought process, making your conclusion more accessible and persuasive.

Reinforce Main Arguments

• Emphasize the core arguments and findings from your research. By reinforcing key points, you solidify your stance and provide a logical culmination to your paper.

Address Counterarguments

• Acknowledge and address potential counterarguments or limitations in your research. Demonstrate intellectual honesty and strengthen your conclusion by preemptively addressing potential doubts.

Connect with Introduction

• Revisit themes or concepts introduced in your introduction to create a cohesive narrative, allowing readers to trace the logical progression of your research from start to finish.

Propose Actionable Insights

• Suggest practical applications or recommendations based on your findings. This will add a forward-looking dimension, making your conclusion more relevant and compelling.

Highlight Significance

• Clearly articulate the broader implications of your research to convey the importance of your work and its potential impact on the field, making your conclusion logically compelling.

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Avoid These Things When Writing a Research Paper Conclusion

As you write your conclusion of research paper, there’s a list of things professional writers don’t recommend doing. Consider these issues carefully:

• Repetition of Exact Phrases
• Repetitively using the same phrases or sentences from the main body. Repetition can make your conclusion seem redundant and less engaging.
• Overly Lengthy Summaries
• Providing excessively detailed summaries of each section of your paper. Readers may lose interest if the conclusion becomes too long and detailed.
• Unclear Connection to the Introduction
• Failing to connect the conclusion back to the introduction. A lack of continuity may make the paper feel disjointed.
• Adding New Arguments or Ideas
• Introducing new arguments or ideas that were not addressed in the body. This can confuse the reader and disrupt the coherence of your paper.
• Overuse of Complex Jargon
• Using excessively complex or technical language without clarification. Clear communication is essential in the conclusion, ensuring broad understanding.
• Apologizing or Undermining Confidence
• Apologizing for limitations or expressing doubt about your work. Maintain a confident tone; if limitations exist, present them objectively without undermining your research.
• Sweeping Generalizations
• Making overly broad or unsupported generalizations. Such statements can weaken the credibility of your conclusion.
• Neglecting the Significance
• Failing to emphasize the broader significance of your research. Readers need to understand why your findings matter in a larger context.
• Abrupt Endings
• Concluding abruptly without a strong closing statement. A powerful ending leaves a lasting impression; avoid a sudden or weak conclusion.

Research Paper Conclusion Example

That covers the essential aspects of summarizing a research paper. The only remaining step is to review the conclusion examples for research paper provided by our team.

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Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the knowledge of how to write the conclusion of a research paper is pivotal for presenting your findings and leaving a lasting impression on your readers. By summarizing the key points, reiterating the significance of your research, and offering avenues for future exploration, you can create a conclusion that not only reinforces the value of your study but also encourages further academic discourse. Remember to balance brevity and completeness, ensuring your conclusion is concise yet comprehensive. Emphasizing the practical implications of your research and connecting it to the broader academic landscape will help solidify the impact of your work. Pay someone to write a research paper if you are having a hard time finishing your coursework on time.

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How To Write A Conclusion For A Research Paper?

What should the conclusion of a research paper contain, how to start a conclusion paragraph for a research paper.

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is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

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Writing a Paper: Conclusions

Writing a conclusion.

A conclusion is an important part of the paper; it provides closure for the reader while reminding the reader of the contents and importance of the paper. It accomplishes this by stepping back from the specifics in order to view the bigger picture of the document. In other words, it is reminding the reader of the main argument. For most course papers, it is usually one paragraph that simply and succinctly restates the main ideas and arguments, pulling everything together to help clarify the thesis of the paper. A conclusion does not introduce new ideas; instead, it should clarify the intent and importance of the paper. It can also suggest possible future research on the topic.

An Easy Checklist for Writing a Conclusion

It is important to remind the reader of the thesis of the paper so he is reminded of the argument and solutions you proposed.

Think of the main points as puzzle pieces, and the conclusion is where they all fit together to create a bigger picture. The reader should walk away with the bigger picture in mind.

Make sure that the paper places its findings in the context of real social change.

Make sure the reader has a distinct sense that the paper has come to an end. It is important to not leave the reader hanging. (You don’t want her to have flip-the-page syndrome, where the reader turns the page, expecting the paper to continue. The paper should naturally come to an end.)

No new ideas should be introduced in the conclusion. It is simply a review of the material that is already present in the paper. The only new idea would be the suggesting of a direction for future research.

Conclusion Example

As addressed in my analysis of recent research, the advantages of a later starting time for high school students significantly outweigh the disadvantages. A later starting time would allow teens more time to sleep--something that is important for their physical and mental health--and ultimately improve their academic performance and behavior. The added transportation costs that result from this change can be absorbed through energy savings. The beneficial effects on the students’ academic performance and behavior validate this decision, but its effect on student motivation is still unknown. I would encourage an in-depth look at the reactions of students to such a change. This sort of study would help determine the actual effects of a later start time on the time management and sleep habits of students.

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• How to Write Business Reports Using AI

Crafting business reports has always been a bit of a chore, right? It’s that task that eats up time, requires meticulous detail, and often has people scrambling at the last minute to meet deadlines. What if there was a tool that made this easier? Yep, we’re talking about AI. An AI writing assistant can shave hours off the time you spend compiling data, structuring information, and polishing the language and streamline the business report-writing process. In this blog, we’ll explore some practical ways you can use AI to write business reports.

What are business reports?

3 ways to use ai for writing business reports.

• Create business reports using AI article writer from documents
• Create business reports using the AI summary generator
• Create business reports using the AI content repurposing tool

Tips for writing business reports

Business reports are structured documents that provide detailed insights into various aspects of an organization’s operations. They play a critical role in helping decision-makers and stakeholders understand what’s happening within and outside the company. In essence, they translate complex information into easily digestible formats, helping businesses make informed decisions and stay competitive.

There are many different types of business reports that can be used to communicate information and insights. Some of the most common types include –

• Informational Reports : These reports present data without offering suggestions or analysis. They typically include reports like monthly financial statements, sales figures, or performance reports.
• Analytical Reports : Unlike informational reports, analytical reports delve into data analysis and provide recommendations. They explore questions like why sales are down and the best strategies to improve figures.
• Research Reports : Companies use these reports to explore specific topics comprehensively. They often combine findings from various sources to provide insights into market trends or customer preferences.
• Progress Reports : Tracking the progress of a specific project, these reports are used internally to update stakeholders on ongoing work and any challenges that need addressing.
• Feasibility Reports : Before starting a new project, businesses often prepare feasibility reports to evaluate potential risks, benefits, and the likelihood of successful completion.

Components of a business report

A well-structured business report typically includes several key components. Understanding these elements can help you draft reports that effectively communicate the necessary information to stakeholders –

• Title Page : The title page covers the basics – the title of the report, the author’s name, and the date. It sets the stage for the report and provides context at a glance.
• Table of Contents : This section provides an overview of the report’s structure, helping readers navigate quickly to areas of interest.
• Executive Summary : This is a concise summary of the report’s purpose, main findings, and recommendations. It can be a standalone section for busy executives who need the gist without diving into the full report.
• Introduction : Here, you’ll have to set the context for the report, and outline the main objectives and scope.
• Background: This is where you provide background information on the topic you’re discussing to help readers understand the context better.
• Methodology : This section explains how the information was gathered, including the methods and processes used to conduct analysis or research.
• Findings and Discussion : Here, you present and discuss the key findings of the report. Use appropriate data visualizations like graphs and charts to make the information easier to digest.
• Conclusions and Recommendations : Here, you can offer conclusions derived from the findings and suggest actionable recommendations. This should guide decision-makers on the next steps.

Now that you know the basics of a business report, let’s explore how AI can help you create one.

AI writing tools can change how you compile and create business reports, making the process more efficient. A Statista survey found that for many users, the biggest perk of using AI tools is the valuable time they save. Instead of spending hours manually collecting and formatting information, you can rely on AI to take care of these tasks for you.

Here are three ways to use AI for writing business reports –

1. Create business reports using AI article writer from documents

One of the easiest ways to create your business reports is by using an AI article writer to repurpose your documents into polished business reports. AI-powered tools can sift through your data, pulling out key insights and presenting them in a clear, concise format. This not only saves you a ton of time but also ensures consistency and accuracy. Plus, you can always ensure that the final report can be tailored to your preferred tone and style.

Here’s how it works 👇

Open the AI article writer from documents template from the AI Content Assistant on Narrato.

You’ll be prompted to provide the title of your business report. If you’re not sure about the title, you can always take the help of an AI topic generator to get different title ideas. (Check out this blog on AI topic generator to learn how it works). You’ll also be given the option to upload the document(s) here.

The AI tool will use the information provided in the document to create an outline for the business report. It will organize the extracted content into logical sections and add necessary elements like an executive summary or conclusions. You can edit this outline to include any missing sections or regenerate it if needed.

You can also prompt the AI tool to add specific keywords to the business report. Besides that, you can customize the tone and length of the content.

Once you’re done, click ‘Generate’ and you’ll get your AI-generated business report in seconds.

The final step is to include any charts or illustrations that will make the information easier to understand. AI-powered data visualization tools like Infogram can help with that too. With this, you can create charts, reports, infographics, and more, and embed them on your business reports.

2. Create business reports using the AI summary generator

Another way to create business reports is by summarizing the key points from your data sources and documents. The goal of your business report is to provide a digestible overview that allows stakeholders to quickly grasp the core message without sifting through unnecessary details. An AI summary generator can make this entire process a lot easier. It can distill large volumes of text or notes into concise summaries.

Open the AI summary generator from the AI Content Assistant. You’ll find two templates – ‘Summarize text’ and ‘Summary from notes’.

With ‘Summary from notes’, you can simply paste your text to get the content you need. The ‘Summarize text’ AI template gives you options to add text, file, or even a URL.

Once you’ve selected your preferred method for inputting the source content, go ahead and fill out all the remaining fields, including summary length, format (paragraphs, bullets, or paragraphs & bullets), and tone.

Click ‘Generate’, and your AI-generated business report will be ready in seconds.

3. Create business reports using the AI content repurposing tool

Content repurposing is a powerful way to adapt content across formats. Many businesses have existing content like blog posts, product brochures, presentations, and videos that can be repurposed into comprehensive business reports. An AI content repurposing tool can make this process even more efficient and faster.

Choose the content you want to repurpose into a business report. Narrato’s AI content repurposing tool gives you the option to repurpose documents, videos, images, webpages, podcasts, blogs, press releases, presentations, newsletters, and any other text.

For the output content, specify that you want to repurpose it into a Business Report. Fill out all the other input fields, and add any additional instructions for repurposing content.

Click ‘Generate’ to get your repurposed content in the form of a business report.

The AI will automatically compile and format your information into a polished business report, ready for presentation or review.

Writing a business report may seem challenging initially, but with some planning and the right tools, you can craft an impactful report that effectively communicates your message. Here are some tips for creating good business reports –

1. Do thorough research

Before you start writing, gather all the necessary information. This means plowing through company records, industry reports, and any other sources that you can use to create the business reports. Thorough research ensures that your business report is well-grounded in facts and provides a comprehensive view of the topic.

2. Create an outline before starting

Create an outline before writing your business report sets a clear path, and ensures your thoughts are well-organized and coherent. Start by defining the main sections: an introduction to present the purpose, body content to discuss key findings and data, and a conclusion to wrap up insights. By outlining first, you make the writing process smoother and more efficient, ultimately producing a high-quality report.

3. Choose a unique title for the business report

Your title is the first thing that grabs the reader’s attention, so make it count. It should be descriptive yet concise, giving the reader a good idea of what to expect. Avoid vague titles. Instead, aim for something that clearly reflects the report’s content.

4. Add some good illustrations

Visuals can transform a dull business report into an engaging narrative. Adding charts, graphs, and infographics can make complex information more digestible and highlight key points effectively. Depending on the data type, choose between pie charts, bar graphs, or line graphs to best represent your information. Always provide context by labeling charts and diagrams, so readers understand what they’re seeing.

5. Add your conclusion (with recommendations, if any)

Conclude your report by summarizing the key points and insights. This section acts as a wrap-up and may include recommendations based on your findings, which can serve as actionable steps for the reader. Leave the reader with a strong final impression that highlights the importance of the information shared.

Wrapping it up

By using the methods and tips detailed in this article, you’ll be able to speed up the process and produce professional-looking business reports. Plus, AI can help you format your reports consistently, which improves their readability and impact. So, whether you’re compiling analytics or looking to repurpose existing content, AI-powered solutions can take your business report writing to the next level. Try it out for yourself today.

Akshita is a content creator, with a penchant for turning complex topics into engaging and informative articles. As a wordsmith with a knack for storytelling, she is constantly looking for an opportunity to create something new.

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How to Make Winning Dream 11 Predictions

Dream 11 has become one of the most popular fantasy sports platforms, allowing players to use their sports knowledge to create teams and win cash prizes. However, making winning Dream 11 predictions requires strategy, insight, and understanding of the game. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to make winning predictions and enhance your chances of success.

Dream 11 Winning Predictions

1. Understand the Game Format

Before diving into Dream 11 predictions , it’s essential to understand the format of Dream 11. Each sport, be it cricket, football, or basketball, has specific rules for scoring, selecting players, and managing team combinations. Make sure to:

• Read the points system for each sport.
• Understand how captain and vice-captain choices affect your total score.
• Know the limits on player selection from each team.

2. Research Team and Player Form

Success in Dream 11 depends on selecting players in good form. To make accurate predictions:

• Check recent performances : Analyze how players have performed in their last 5-6 matches.
• Team dynamics : Look at how well players are syncing with their teammates.
• Injury updates : Stay updated on injuries, as a missing player could heavily affect your team’s chances.

3. Analyze Pitch and Weather Conditions

For sports like cricket and football, pitch and weather conditions play a significant role in influencing the outcome of the game.

• Pitch Report : Is the pitch favorable for batsmen or bowlers? This will help you balance your team.
• Weather Forecast : Rain can affect overs in cricket or make the football ground slippery. Plan accordingly.

4. Choose the Right Captain and Vice-Captain

In Dream 11, your captain gets 2x points, and the vice-captain gets 1.5x points, making this decision critical. To select the right captain and vice-captain:

• Pick consistent performers : Players with a good track record are safer choices.
• Focus on all-rounders : In cricket, all-rounders often perform with both bat and ball, increasing their scoring potential.

5. Leverage Expert Predictions

Many platforms and experts provide Dream 11 predictions. While you should do your research, consulting these expert opinions can be a valuable resource. They often provide insights into:

• Probable team lineups.
• Player statistics and match analysis.
• Tips on underdog players who could outperform expectations.

6. Balance Your Team Wisely

A winning Dream 11 team has a mix of star performers and smart budget picks. To ensure your team is balanced:

• Avoid picking all star players : Expensive players will eat up your budget quickly. Instead, choose a few star players and fill the remaining spots with undervalued but in-form players.
• Focus on all-rounders : All-rounders offer great flexibility and are more likely to score across different aspects of the game.
• Select the right balance : Ensure your team has a good mix of batsmen, bowlers, and all-rounders to cover all game phases.

7. Stay Updated Until the Last Minute

Dream 11 allows changes to your team until the match begins. Keep checking:

• Playing XI : Confirm the final playing XI as lineups can change due to injuries or tactical decisions.
• Toss results : The toss can influence how a match unfolds, especially in cricket. Use this to fine-tune your strategy.

8. Take Calculated Risks

To stand out from the crowd, you need to take risks. However, these risks should be calculated. Here’s how:

• Pick lesser-known players : Sometimes underdogs can outperform star players, especially in less predictable matches.
• Rotate players : Don’t stick to the same team for every match. Update your lineup based on match conditions and player form.

Earn More from Dream11

To maximize your earnings on Dream11 , focus on building a strong strategy that incorporates all of the above tips. Regular participation and staying updated with match conditions and player form can significantly increase your chances of winning. Moreover, consider joining Dream11 contests with larger prize pools and participating in leagues to enhance your earning potential. Combining strategic team selection with a well-researched approach will help you become a more successful fantasy player.

Finally, to withdraw your winnings on Dream11 , go to the “My Account” section and select the “Withdraw” option. Follow the instructions to transfer your funds to your linked bank account or e-wallet. By integrating these strategies, you can improve your chances of making winning Dream11 predictions and enhance your overall gaming experience. Consistency and continuous learning are key to mastering fantasy sports.

Making winning Dream 11 predictions involves a strategic mix of research, analysis, and a bit of intuition. Staying informed about team form, pitch conditions, player injuries, and expert opinions can significantly boost your chances of assembling a top-performing fantasy team. Remember, while fantasy sports require knowledge and strategy, a touch of luck also plays a role.

To refine your predictions and enhance your chances of success, consider leveraging platforms like Fantasy Khiladi . They offer valuable insights and expert predictions to guide you in making informed decisions. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting, Fantasy Khiladi can provide you with the edge you need to excel in Dream 11.

With these tips and resources at your disposal, you’re well on your way to crafting winning Dream 11 teams. Enjoy the game and keep honing your skills for the best results. 

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• Open access
• Published: 07 September 2024

Place identity: a generative AI’s perspective

• Kee Moon Jang 1 ,
• Junda Chen 2 ,
• Yuhao Kang   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-3810-9450 1 , 3 , 4 ,
• Junghwan Kim   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-7275-769X 5 ,
• Jinhyung Lee 6 ,
• Fabio Duarte 1 &
• Carlo Ratti 1  

Humanities and Social Sciences Communications volume  11 , Article number:  1156 ( 2024 ) Cite this article

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• Science, technology and society

Do cities have a collective identity? The latest advancements in generative artificial intelligence (AI) models have enabled the creation of realistic representations learned from vast amounts of data. In this study, we test the potential of generative AI as the source of textual and visual information in capturing the place identity of cities assessed by filtered descriptions and images. We asked questions on the place identity of 64 global cities to two generative AI models, ChatGPT and DALL·E2. Furthermore, given the ethical concerns surrounding the trustworthiness of generative AI, we examined whether the results were consistent with real urban settings. In particular, we measured similarity between text and image outputs with Wikipedia data and images searched from Google, respectively, and compared across cases to identify how unique the generated outputs were for each city. Our results indicate that generative models have the potential to capture the salient characteristics of cities that make them distinguishable. This study is among the first attempts to explore the capabilities of generative AI in simulating the built environment in regard to place-specific meanings. It contributes to urban design and geography literature by fostering research opportunities with generative AI and discussing potential limitations for future studies.

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Introduction.

Place identity, as introduced by Proshansky et al. ( 1983 : p.59), refers to the “sub-structure of the self-identity of the person consisting of broadly conceived cognitions about the physical world in which the individual lives”. Emerging from an environmental psychology standpoint, such a traditional definition emphasizes an individual’s socialization with the physical environment through a complex interaction of cognition, perception, and behavior to form an identity within their surroundings. Since its introduction, the notion of place identity has expanded to describe the people-place relationship, resulting in parallel terms such as place attachment, place uniqueness or sense of place. In particular, an important distinction has been made between people’s identity with place and identity of place, which refers to properties that distinguish a place from others (Peng et al. 2020 ; Relph 1976 ). Further, a shifted focus toward the latter has offered insights into what features construct distinctive place identities in fields of urban design, geography and tourism (Larsen 2004 ; Lewicka 2008 ; Paasi 2003 ; Wang & Chen 2015 ). Despite the inherent vagueness in formalizing these concepts, prior studies have pointed out that physical settings, events that take in space, and associated individual (or group) meanings are key elements that shape distinctive place identities (Relph 1976 ; Seamon & Sowers 2008 ).

As an attempt to establish the theoretical foundation of place research, the notion of place has been discussed in contrast to space . Tuan defined the distinction between the two important concepts in human geography; space is an abstract physical environment that lacks substantial meaning, whereas place is a “center of felt value” (Tuan 1977 ) that is given meaning through human experience. Consequently, recognizing such place characteristics has been crucial to link individual behaviors to their surrounding environment and offered indicators for measuring urban form, function, emotion, and quality of life in cities (Gao et al. 2022 ; Nasar 1990 ). Prior studies have highlighted the benefits of understanding place identity in facilitating planning processes to create livable and legible places. By designing such places, individuals may develop a sense of attachment to their urban communities and cultivate environmentally friendly attitudes that are conducive to sustainability (Hernandez et al. 2010 ; Manzo & Perkins 2006 ). Thus, an important challenge in placemaking is to build physical as well as visual features that can trigger stronger subjective attachments to a place.

Despite its significance, measuring place identity has been a difficult task due to its intrinsically obscure and subjective nature (Goodchild 2010 ; Peng et al. 2020 ). Conventional studies attempted to capture built environment characteristics and human perceptions through qualitative research techniques. For instance, Hull et al. ( 1994 ) conducted a phone interview on the damaged place identity of Charleston, South Carolina after Hurricane Hugo, and Stewart et al. ( 2004 ) employed photo-elicitation, participant-employed photography followed by interviews to understand how residents’ representation of their community identity can help shape visions for landscape change. Another stream of research explored the role of identity markers, such as towers, street signs, region names and (non)commercial establishments, in reflecting the unique identities of a place (Peng et al. 2020 ). However, such qualitative approaches pose limitations in terms of time and cost efficiency, where limited sample sizes may lead to biased results.

With the emergence of various user-generated contents, researchers have been leveraging these new data sources to understand the meaningful collective place identity of cities (Jang & Kim 2017 ). In particular, text and images have been the two most widely used data formats to advance our knowledge of place identity. Previous studies have employed natural language processing (NLP) methods such as sentiment analysis and topic modeling to process text-based datasets and understand individuals’ opinions and emotions of places from online text corpora (Gao et al. 2017 ; Hu et al. 2019 ). In parallel, computer vision (CV) approaches have been effectively used to extract visual information about places from street-level images and geotagged photos (Kang et al. 2019 ; Liu et al. 2017 ; Zhang et al. 2018 , 2019 ), which offer valuable insights to advance our understanding of place.

Recently, advancements in generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) have received significant attention due to their capabilities to generate realistic text and image outputs supported by large language models (LLM). Built on billions of inputs and parameters, researchers have noted that users can overcome the language barriers through GenAI by obtaining results that can be applied across diverse populations and settings (Gottlieb et al. 2023 ; Sajjad & Saleem 2023 ). The current advancements of GenAI have enabled people to communicate and interact with ChatGPT (OpenAI 2023 ) naturally and can generate vivid images given certain prompts with DALL·E2 (Mishkin et al. 2022 ). These GenAI models have been highlighted as powerful tools with potential for a wide variety of applications in different domains, including, transportation (Kim & Lee 2023 ), education (Latif et al. 2023 ), climate literacy (Atkins et al. 2024 ) and geospatial artificial intelligence (Mai et al. 2023 ).

In the meantime, researchers are wary of the inattentive use of GenAI tools despite its potential benefits and versatility across fields. As Shen et al. ( 2023 ) describes, LLMs may become a double-edged sword that produces plausible but logically incorrect results. For such misinformation being produced, Van Dis et al. ( 2023 ) pointed out the absence of relevant data in the training set of LLMs. The output quality in terms of accuracy and bias may heavily rely on the information that was included for training. Therefore, it is essential to acknowledge and address the ethical and societal concerns of these models that stem from the lack of transparency (Dwivedi et al. 2023 ; Kang et al. 2023 ).

While creative jobs were considered safe from technological innovations until now, compared to those of routine and repetitive tasks (Ford 2015 ), the emergence of GenAI is turning things around. Although concerns remain about the ethics and disruptive impact of their usage, generative models would inevitably replace or, at least, assist content generation in creative industries (Anantrasirichai & Bull 2022 ; Lee 2022 ; Turchi et al. 2023 ). Design fields are not an exception—architectural firms are nowadays utilizing AI-assisted tools to generate 100,000 designs per day for their building projects (see Supplementary Note). Researchers have also investigated the capability of various text-to-image generators to assist the initial process of architectural design (Paananen et al. 2023 ). Additionally, recent urban studies have explored the potential of GenAI in evaluating design qualities of the built environment scenes and obtaining optimal land-use configuration through automated urban planning process (Seneviratne et al. 2022 ; Sun & Dogan 2023 ; Wang et al. 2023 ).

Creating design alternatives, however, has been a space -making, rather than a place -making, approach; it has leaned towards the simulation of physical forms of the built environment with less consideration of the surrounding contexts. Paananen et al. ( 2023 ) argued that generative systems have mostly been used to represent the geometry of architecture, such as façade, form, and layout, while its conceptual creativity remains to be studied. DALLE-URBAN has demonstrated the potential of GenAI for effectively creating urban scenes, but fell short in depicting composition and locales for specific conditions (Seneviratne et al. 2022 ). Furthermore, Bolojan et al. ( 2022 ) called for the need to consider how human perception works in the computational design workflows with GenAI models. Motivated by their potential, we raise the question: Can GenAI contribute to our understanding of place-specific contexts in a trustworthy manner?

GenAI has the potential to revolutionize the way we perceive the world and offer a new paradigm for urban studies. In particular, we intend to suggest a more proper use of GenAI in urban studies for creating place by bringing the people and meanings intertwined with human experience to the fore. To this end, we aim to examine the potential of GenAI as new tools for understanding the place identity of different cities. In this study, we ask the following two research questions: (1) How does generative AI illustrate place identity? (2) To what extent can we trust generative models in terms of their place identity results when compared with fact-based descriptions? To address these questions, we propose a computational framework to collect place identity with GenAI and evaluate the quality and trustworthiness of the data. We first asked a mixture of questions about the place identity of 64 global cities using two GenAI models, namely, ChatGPT for texts, and DALL·E2 for images. The cities were selected across 6 continents and 49 countries that represent diverse spatial coverages and contexts in order to better evaluate the performance of GenAI models at a global scale. Then, we collected two fact-based datasets as ground-truth data, including Wikipedia texts and images retrieved from Google search for comparison. Finally, we comprehensively evaluated the similarity between the AI-generated results and their fact-based counterparts.

We present a computational framework of this study in Fig. 1 . The framework primarily involves two steps: exploring place identity with GenAI and validating results by comparing with real-world settings. For each step, two types of datasets, namely, text-based, and image-based datasets were created to investigate the potential of GenAI models in capturing place identity. In particular, we employed ChatGPT to generate text descriptions of cities; and we leveraged DALL·E2 to generate images of representative streetscapes of different cities. We further collected two datasets including a text dataset from Wikipedia and an image dataset from Google search for validating the results produced by the generative models. After that, we performed cross-validation to compare similarities among these datasets, analyzed the characteristics of place identity produced by GenAI, and evaluated whether the results provided can be trusted.

The computational framework of this paper.

Understanding place identity with generative AI

Place identity from chatgpt.

We first asked ChatGPT with a prompt “What is the meaning of place identity” to confirm that its understanding of place identity is consistent with the notion of identity of place that is to be explored from the generated outputs. Then, we created a text-based dataset by asking ChatGPT to generate descriptions of the place identity of various cities around the world. To accomplish this, we developed a set of prompts using the following format:

­ “What is the place identity of { city }? Give me in ten bullet points.”

­ “What is the urban identity of { city }? Give me in ten bullet points.”

­ “What is the place identity of streetscapes in { city }? Give me in ten bullet points.”

The { city } includes a list of 64 global cities around the world. A full list of cities is in Table 1 . The prompts we used allowed us to retrieve the specific place identity information we sought to generate from the AI model for each city. It should be noted that responses generated by ChatGPT may vary in length and style, despite using the same prompt format. To ensure consistency and comparability across different cities included in our dataset, we limited the responses to ten bullet points. By doing so, the generated outputs are concise and well-structured and can be easily analyzed and compared.

Place identity from DALL·E2

Similar to the text-based datasets, we created an image-based dataset using DALL·E2 to understand place identity. We aim to capture the visual representations of the built environment and streetscapes of each city, which are essential components of its place identity. To achieve this, we input the following prompt into DALL·E2 to generate representative streetscapes for each city:

­ “What is the place identity of streetscapes of { city }?”

We generated 20 images for each city, where each image has a size of 256*256 pixels. By combining the image-based dataset with the text-based dataset, we aim to provide a comprehensive and multi-modal understanding of the place identity of each city captured by GenAI models.

Collecting real-world settings

Text-based dataset from wikipedia.

Despite the high performance of ChatGPT in generating texts, researchers and the public have raised concerns regarding its reliability and trustworthiness (Shen et al. 2023 ). However, the subjective nature of place identity, which is intrinsically related to human experience and may vary across different individuals, poses a significant challenge in validating responses generated by ChatGPT. Moreover, the absence of a large-scale ground-truth place identity dataset further complicates the validation process. To address these challenges, we collected data from Wikipedia on the full list of cities as a source of textual introduction to each case. As Jenkins et al. describes, it is plausible to consider Wikipedia entries that are created through users’ collaborative efforts as a collective perception of places with contents on main characteristics of different locations (Jenkins et al. 2016 ).

Image-based dataset from Google search

We further employed a Python web scraper to collect images of each city via Google Images ( https://images.google.com/ ) search engine. Performing content analysis on images sampled from Google has been approved as an effective method to retrieve visual information on various places and thus represent place-specific meanings (Choi et al. 2007 ; Coghlan et al. 2017 ). In this study, this was accomplished by entering a search query in the format of “{ city }”, such as “ Singapore ”. The top returned images appear based on their relevance to the search query, which we assume to reflect the place identity of that city. We then collected the top 30 image search results among all returned images for each query. By doing so, we were able to collect a representative set of images for each city, allowing us to compare with the outputs generated by DALL·E2.

Validation of place identity by generative AI

Measuring text similarity.

To validate the place identity results generated by ChatGPT, we utilized a cross-validation approach after collecting the two text-based datasets from ChatGPT and Wikipedia. More specifically, we assessed the similarity between sentences generated by ChatGPT and the sentences in Wikipedia to determine whether the AI-generated results may capture and reflect place identity.

To achieve this, we first conducted data cleaning of the Wikipedia data to ensure that the text was in a clean format and could be processed further. We utilized the tokenizer function in the Natural Language Toolkit (NLTK) Python library to segment the corpus into individual sentences. To analyze the two text-based datasets and extract their semantics, we leveraged a sentence transformer BERT model (Devlin et al. 2018 ) based on a modified version of MiniLM (Wang et al. 2020 ). Such a model has been widely used in prior studies to convert each sentence in the Wikipedia corpus and each bullet point in ChatGPT responses into word embeddings to capture their underlying semantics. This model has been distilled for efficiency and fine-tuned on 1 trillion triples of annotated data, making it highly accurate in measuring short sentence topic similarity. By inputting each sentence from ChatGPT responses and the Wikipedia corpus into such a sentence transformer BERT model, we transformed them into embedding vectors. Then, we measured cosine similarity for sentence embeddings from ChatGPT responses and Wikipedia corpuses to assess the relevance between the two datasets. This similarity score indicates the degree of relatedness between sentences through values ranging from 0 to 1. Specifically, for a sentence pair (one from ChatGPT and one from the Wikipedia corpus), higher similarity scores indicate that the ChatGPT response is highly relevant to a particular topic within the Wikipedia corpus, while lower scores denote that the response is not closely aligned with any topic in the corpus. To quantify the similarity, we iterated each bullet point in the ChatGPT responses and compared it to every sentence in the Wikipedia corpus. We identified the sentence in the Wikipedia corpus that had the highest similarity score in response to each bullet point. This allowed us to further quantify the overall similarity between the ChatGPT responses and the Wikipedia corpus.

In addition to the text similarity measurements, we also created word cloud images of each city based on ChatGPT-generated responses and the introduction from Wikipedia. A word cloud image offers a vivid graphical representation of text data, where the size of each word corresponds to its frequency in the given text. These word cloud images serve as visual representations of the topics covered in the texts of place identity, allowing for a comparison between outputs generated by ChatGPT and their corresponding Wikipedia introductions of each city.

Measuring image similarity

Similar to the comparison between ChatGPT-generated sentences with Wikipedia corpus, we also compared images generated by DALL·E2 and those collected from Google image search. We aim to evaluate the reliability and generative capability of the text-to-image model in producing realistic representations of place-specific scenes of cities. For this purpose, we adopt the Learned Perceptual Image Patch Similarity (LPIPS) to assess the perceptual similarity between AI-generated and real-world images (Zhang et al. 2018 ). This metric was evaluated against a large-scale dataset of human judgments on image pair similarity and found to outperform other perceptual similarity metrics. LPIPS computes the Euclidean distance between feature vectors of images extracted from a pretrained deep convolutional network for image classification. We employed AlexNet as the feature extractor for LPIPS calculation, which was tested to output the best performance. Noting that a lower LPIPS score indicates greater similarity, and vice versa, we defined the image similarity score ( \({S}_{i,j}\) ) between any two images \(i\) and \(j\) as follows:

Subsequently, we compare each image generated by DALL·E2 with all images from the Google image search in the same city, and identify the three most similar images based on the image similarity scores. This allows us to quantitatively compare and determine whether the results generated by the text-to-image model are consistent with the real-world urban settings of each city.

In addition, considering the subjectivity of place identity, it is necessary to keep human-in-the-loop and involve human evaluations. Therefore, we conduct a survey specifically designed to collect human ratings on the similarity between DALL·E2-generated images and Google images. We aim to invite humans to evaluate whether the two images are similar or not. An image pair that is nearest to the mean of \({S}_{i,j}\) image similarity scores for each city is selected as the representative case to be included in the survey. Hence, respondents were provided with a total of 64 questions that asked about the similarity of a given pair rated using a 7-point Likert Scale. Then we ordered the 64 cities based on the mean values of human-rated similarity to see whether the GenAI-based images might be similar to those representative images.

Last, we measure city-by-city similarity to test whether GenAI can identify cities that are visually distinctive or similar. In order to perform this experiment, we calculate the normalized Chamfer distance (CD) between DALL·E2 generated outputs of two cities. CD is a similarity metric that measures the distance between point clouds of latent representations of images. The normalized CD value ranges between [0,1], and is subtracted from 1 so that higher value indicates higher similarity, and vice versa. Recollecting that place identity refers to properties that distinguish one place from another, we attempt to examine two hypotheses from the similarity of each city pair:

Similarity between generated outputs of the same city is greater than that of different cities;

Similarity between generated outputs is greater in cities that are geographically and culturally close than in cities that are geographically and culturally distant.

This pairwise comparison enables us to explore whether the represented traits captured by GenAI are place identity-related or generic characteristics of cities, providing valuable insights for urban design research and practice.

In the following section, we will first showcase several example results created by GenAI to illustrate its potential in capturing place identity in urban studies. Although GenAI models have demonstrated outstanding capabilities in several tasks such as communication with people and painting creation, their trustworthiness has been questioned by researchers. The nature of GenAI models is that they do not produce outputs based on explicit logic but fit statistical distributions present in the training dataset. Consequently, there is a need to evaluate the trustworthiness of GenAI outputs, particularly with respect to place identity in this study, as they may contain ‘fake’ information and lead to erroneous decisions. However, the absence of a ground-truth place identity dataset at a global level poses a challenge.

To address this issue, we employed two datasets including Wikipedia introductions and Google images of cities, under the assumption that they reflect place identity as found from previous studies (Choi et al. 2007 ; Coghlan et al. 2017 ; Jenkins et al. 2016 ). We further tested whether outputs generated by GenAI models align with information retrieved from these datasets, which could be considered as a reliable representation of a city’s place identity.

Results of place identity generated by ChatGPT

First, we explored whether ChatGPT understands place identity as the identity of place, as suggested by Relph ( 1976 ), which provides the conceptual foundation of this study to explore the place-specific meanings from generated outputs of different cities. In response to the prompt, “What is the meaning of place identity?”, we obtained an answer (see Supplementary Fig. S2 ):

“Place identity refers to the unique characteristics and meanings that individuals or groups associate with a particular location. It encompasses the social, cultural, historical, and environmental elements that shape people’s perceptions and emotions about a place. Place identity is formed through experiences, interactions, and attachments to a specific geographical area, such as a neighborhood, city, or region .

This concept suggests that places have distinct personalities or identities that are constructed through the collective experiences and memories of the people who inhabit or interact with them. These identities can influence how individuals relate to and interact with their surroundings, shaping their sense of belonging, attachment, and pride in a place .

Place identity is often closely linked to notions of community, heritage, and cultural identity, as well as to broader issues such as urban planning, environmental conservation, and tourism development. Understanding and preserving place identity is important for maintaining the unique character and authenticity of different locations and for fostering a sense of connection and belonging among residents and visitors alike.”

From this response, we were able to verify that ChatGPT introduces place identity as unique characteristics and meanings of a particular location constructed by collective experiences of people. Also, it successfully described the benefits of place identity in fostering a sense of belonging and attachment among people, which coincides with our specific focus in the definition of place identity in this study.

Then, we retrieved place identity responses generated by ChatGPT through asking three different prompt keywords, { place }, { urban } and { street } identity. Table 2 presents examples of responses in two large metropolitan cities, namely, Beijing and New York. Intuitively, GenAI models capture various aspects that align with people’s general perceptions of these cities, ranging from the economy, education, culture, and history of cities. Moreover, several proper nouns that signify unique names are highlighted, such as Olympics, Tsinghua/Peking University and Tiananmen Square for Beijing or Yankees, Broadway and Empire State Building for New York, which further demonstrates ChatGPT’s ability to generate contextually relevant place identity descriptions. To gain a better understanding into the characteristics of ChatGPT responses, we offer several basic statistics of the generated outputs. On average, each bullet point contains 11.98 words, with a standard deviation of 6.43. Descriptions of urban identity tend to be lengthier, with an average of 15.86 words per bullet point and a standard deviation of 5.83. Street identity, on the other hand, is typically presented in a paragraph format with an average of 19.65 words and a standard deviation of 5.05.

Results of place identity generated by DALL·E2

Figure 2 also demonstrates examples of place identity image outputs generated by DALL·E2 in Beijing and New York. These provide visual representations that align with people’s general perceptions and common knowledge about these cities. For instance, in images depicting Beijing in Fig. 2a , we observe a combination of metropolitan cityscapes and classic Chinese architectural styles, such as hutong and siheyuan . Regarding images of New York in Fig. 2b , they reflect high density buildings, yellow traffic lights or fire escapes that align with our common perceptions of “The Big Apple”. These differences between the two groups of images clearly illustrate the ability of GenAI models in capturing unique visual features of place identity in these cities.

a Beijing. b New York.

Comparing place identity generated by ChatGPT with Wikipedia Corpus

To assess the accuracy and reliability of place identity generated by ChatGPT, we conducted a cross-validation with Wikipedia. Here, we intend to test whether AI-generated texts can provide a reliable representation of a city’s place identity. This involves computing the cosine similarity between sentence embeddings of ChatGPT responses and Wikipedia corpuses, and presenting visual comparisons between pairs of word clouds. Overall, the average text similarity scores for { place }, { urban } and { street } identity responses were 0.59, 0.58, and 0.56, respectively. This suggests that the similarity between ChatGPT and Wikipedia descriptions of a place are non-varying with respect to the prompt used for the generative model. In this section, we particularly focus on results for the { place } prompt case while discussing the results of this study.

We first investigate the relevance between two datasets. Figure 3a is a box plot showing the distribution of cosine similarity scores, where each point denotes a comparison of each bullet point in ChatGPT responses with the most relevant match within Wikipedia. Also, note that cities are arranged in descending order of mean similarity, from left to right. Here, we observe a wide range of similarities, which reflect both similar and dissimilar descriptions of place identity by ChatGPT. Several examples of high and low similarity cases are further listed in Fig. 3b . For instance, Munich and Busan were cities with the two highest mean scores, whose contexts related to either its political importance or geographical conditions were successfully generated. In contrast, however, descriptions of Rome and Prague resulted with similarity levels that were far lower than the global average. While we requested ChatGPT to generate “in ten bullet points” and conducted a sentence-by-sentence comparison with the Wikipedia corpus to obtain uniformity in length, its descriptions for both cases were much shorter than sentences from Wikipedia. The examples suggest that low similarity results may be partially due to the length of texts being compared, and therefore, a more concrete way to minimize the discrepancy in length is crucial for the effectiveness of GenAI models in capturing the complex nuances of place identity.

a Box plot of cosine similarity scores between { place } identity responses generated by ChatGPT and Wikipedia corpuses. Each city includes ten points, each indicating the highest cosine similarity per ChatGPT sentence. From left to right, cities are in descending order of their mean cosine similarity. Red line indicates the mean similarity level of individual cities. For box plots based on { urban } and { street } prompts, see Supplementary Fig. S1 . b Examples of high (Munich and Busan) and low (Rome and Prague) text similarity scores. c Comparison of word clouds between ChatGPT’s outputs (left) and Wikipedia corpuses (right): from top to bottom, Seoul, Singapore, Barcelona and Almaty.

We also present a visual comparison between pairs of word clouds created for ChatGPT answers and Wikipedia to understand the primary contents from both textual sources. Figure 3c shows example results for four different cases: Seoul, Singapore, Barcelona, and Almaty. First, ChatGPT described Seoul’s place identity through topics including culture, vibrant , and modern , while Wikipedia introduction of Seoul covered keywords including soul, life, human, spirit and belief . We find that both results emphasize intangible aspects of the capital of South Korea, which correspond to the ‘meaning’ element of place identity models as defined in the fields of environmental psychology and geography (Canter 1977 ; Relph 1976 ). Recalling that ‘meaning’ refers to individual or group sentiments created through people’s experiences, this indicates that ChatGPT captures the subjective atmosphere and cultural values as the most salient characteristics of Seoul. From word cloud comparison for Singapore, we observe keywords such as diverse , multiculturalism and melting pot from ChatGPT responses. These are supported by keywords such as Singaporean , Malaysia , British and Chinese in Wikipedia word cloud, implying that the text-to-text model identified Singapore’s diverse and polyethnic culture. Barcelona and Almaty are the cases whose identities are described in relation to broader ethnographic or national contexts. The most notable keywords in word clouds generated based on their ChatGPT responses are Catalan and Kazakhstan , respectively. Likewise, word clouds of Wikipedia corpus also highlight both keywords, from which we infer that the place identity of Barcelona and Almaty are deeply intertwined with either the ethnographic or national contexts.

Comparing place identity generated by DALL·E2 with Google images

We measured the image similarity between images generated by DALL·E2 and those collected via Google search. Parallel to the text similarity analysis, here, we examined the generative capability of GenAI in producing realistic representation of place-specific scenes of cities. In particular, we computed the Learned Perceptual Image Patch Similarity (LPIPS) that evaluates the distance between image patches and has been widely used in previous studies for aligning well with human judgment (Cheon et al. 2021 ; Zhang et al. 2018 ). A value equivalent to 1 – LPIPS is defined as an image similarity score ( \({S}_{i,j}\) ) to quantitatively assess the perceptual similarity of images, where a higher score indicates greater similarity, and vice versa.

Figure 4a provides a box plot showing the distribution of image similarity score ( \({S}_{i,j}\) ) in ascending order, from left to right. Here, we observe variability in image similarity across different cities. Overall, the average is 0.575 and the standard deviation is 0.066. We further explore specific examples selected from two contrasting cases identified with the highest and lowest mean perceptual similarities between their generated and real-world scenes. In Fig. 4b , it is evident that DALL·E2 successfully depicted the decorative Baroque-style guildhalls on the Grand-Place in Brussels. In contrast, images generated for the place identity of Tokyo were dissimilar from real-world scenes shown in Google images. As shown in Fig. 4c , the repetitive generation of mundane streets without strong visual cues may be a sign of placelessness in the urban landscapes of Tokyo. Yet, we also point out that lighting conditions may have influenced the outcome. While DALL·E2 is strongly inclined to generate daytime images, certain cities include more images of night scenes in their Google search data. This tendency is more apparent in cities that are well known for their vibrant nighttime economy. Such differences in the time of day being illustrated in DALL·E2 outputs and Google images may contribute to low perceptual similarity.

a Box plot of LPIPS scores between DALL·E2 generated and Google search images by cities. Each city includes twenty points, each indicating the highest image similarity score (equivalent to lowest LPIPS) per DALL·E2 generated image. From left to right, cities are in descending order of their mean perceptual similarity. Red line indicates the mean similarity level of individual cities. b High image similarity example: Brussels. c Low image similarity example: Tokyo.

Furthermore, we aimed to verify if this computational approach corresponds with human responses, by conducting a survey where a total of 30 respondents rated the similarity between a given pair of generated and Google search images using a 7-point Likert Scale (see Supplementary Table S1 ). The average similarity score of all image pairs was 3.406 with a standard deviation of 0.606. At an individual city level, the top three similarities rated by human responses were Chicago (4.967), Madrid (4.867) and Montreal (4.267), whereas the bottom three results were Seoul (2.367), Auckland (2.467) and Kobe (2.467). This coincides with the previous finding in Fig. 4 , in that Chicago and Montreal are among the fourth quarter (above the third quartile) in their LPIPS-based similarity, while Seoul is among the first (below the first quartile). Yet, we also noted contrasting cases such as Madrid, Auckland and Kobe, which presented mid-level similarities in Fig. 4 . The Pearson correlation between the two similarities was 0.229, with a p-value of 0.071. While this result is not statistically significant at the conventional 0.05 level, it is significant at the 0.1 level. Given the exploratory nature and the inherent subjectivity in human survey responses with a relatively small sample size, we consider a significance level of 0.1 to be appropriate (Jackson 2006 ; Stevens 2002 ). The correlation result warrants further investigation. Despite the positive relationship, the weak correlation indicates a disparity between the two similarity scores, suggesting that LPIPS-based evaluation may not fully capture the nuances of human perception of how well GenAI represented the identity of cities. Therefore, it is necessary to involve more human opinions rather than relying on machine-based metrics. This discrepancy could be due to sample variability; the given pair might not represent the entire scenes of cities, while the 30 respondents might not represent the entire population. Meanwhile, this provides a valuable attempt to bridge the gap between quantitative and qualitative assessments of GenAI. We note that our goal was to provide a preliminary insight into the relationship between computational and human evaluations, not to conduct a comprehensive human study. Further research should incorporate a larger sample size and alternative computational techniques for a more robust estimation of the reliability of GenAI models based on human perception.

City-by-city pairwise similarity between DALL·E2 generated place identity

Finally, we compared the DALL·E2-generated outputs across different cities to examine whether GenAI can identify them distinctively. We aim to test two hypotheses throughout such comparisons: (1) Similarity between generated outputs of the same city is greater than that of different cities; and (2) similarity between generated outputs is greater in cities that are geographically and culturally close than in cities that are geographically and culturally distant. Figure 5a illustrates the similarity matrix constructed based on normalized Chamfer distance (CD) between sets of DALL·E2 generated images of a given city pair. Each cell is assigned with a value of 1–CD, so that higher value indicates higher similarity, and vice versa. We also note that cities were sorted by decreasing longitude to reveal geographical patterns of similarities represented by GenAI.

a Pairwise similarity matrix. Normalized Chamfer distance (CD) is measured for sets of DALL·E2 images of a given city pair. Cities are sorted in orders of longitude. Each cell is colored based on a value of 1-CD, where red indicates strong and blue indicates weak similarity between the generated place identity of two cities. b The West (left) vs. the non-West (right). For each city, similarity with cities in different regions are plotted against that with cities in the same region. Symbol denotes the continent in which the city is located. c Pearson correlation between 1-CD for DALL·E2 and Google images of a given city pair.

Overall, we observe two distinct results. First, relative high similarity scores (in red) appear along the diagonal. This shows that DALL·E2 outputs were more similar within itself than compared across cities, which corroborates the first hypothesis. In other words, the generative model produced images that may successfully represent the place identity of individual cities. For example, Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, Dublin, Cairo, Johannesburg, Brussels, Kyoto, Caracas, Paris and Dubai are top 10 cities with strongest identity captured by DALL·E2. In particular, the contrast between on- and off-diagonal values is most apparent for Kyoto, Abu Dhabi, Cairo and Johannesburg, indicating that DALL·E2 identified these cases as the most visually distinctive cities.

Another notable observation is the grouping of high similarity scores in the lower-right section which consists of Moscow, Istanbul, and cities from Bucharest and to the west. We view this as an indication of the dichotomy between place identity in the Western and non-Western worlds. On the one hand, cities in American and European countries are found to share visual similarities among themselves, where Amsterdam-Brussels is identified as the highest similarity pair (0.7) in all 4,160 pairwise comparisons. On the other, cities in Asia-Pacific, Middle East and African countries present relatively low similarities across most comparisons (except for the Abu Dhabi-Dubai pair with a similarity score of 0.66). This coincides with the lack of local identity in urban developments in non-Western megacities during the past decades (Choi & Reeve 2015 ; Shim & Santos 2014 ). Previous findings have pointed out the tendency of these cities to copy imported Western design, resulting in a chaotic mixture of urban and rural landscapes and failing to achieve the intended level of success (Al-Kodmany & Ali 2012 ; Yokohari et al. 2000 ). This contrast is further verified when similarity within the same region is compared against that with different regions. As illustrated in Fig. 5(b) , all cities in Americas and Europe were presented with clear intraregional similarities (plotted above the reference line), whereas their non-Western counterparts showed irregular patterns across cities. Therefore, we conclude that our second hypothesis ---pairs of cities that are geographically and culturally closer are more similar --- is partially true for American and European cities, while DALL·E2 captures evidence of placelessness (Relph 1976 ) for the rest of the world.

These findings are supported by the positive correlation in Fig. 5c , which demonstrates that the similarity between generated images of a given city pair is consistent with that between the actual urban scenes shown through Google images. This provides empirical evidence of the effectiveness of GenAI in capturing the visual distinctiveness of cities through such pairwise comparisons and verifies its capabilities in representing place identity in response to place-related prompts.

In the previous sections, we presented a computational framework that employed GenAI models to generate place identity results. We further computed text and image similarity scores between generative model responses and corresponding Wikipedia and Google image search data to test the reliability of their outputs for representing place identity in different cities. GenAI models capture salient characteristics of cities and could be utilized as a valuable data resource to advance our knowledge of place. However, their future directions as well as ethical issues and limitations should also be discussed. Here, we list several takeaways to offer implications for the future use of GenAI in urban studies pertaining to understanding place identity.

Generative AI for urban studies

In this study, we attempted to provide GenAI with prompts on place concepts that contain subjective meanings and verify its reliability in generating textual and visual outputs that capture place identity of cities. Future studies may extend this by using GenAI to construct a valuable dataset of place meanings at a larger spatiotemporal scale. For instance, we conducted a comparison among cities that best represent the countries in which they are located in. In addition, the results were obtained based on data before September 2021, the knowledge cutoff date officially announced by OpenAI ( 2023 ). Therefore, the approach in this paper can be revisited by adding more cities within the same country for an intranational study or rerunning in different years with updated data to reveal how place identity changes over time. These not only allow researchers to model the subjective nature of urban experiences (i.e., place identity, cognition, perception, etc.) but also provide a promising baseline for the use of GenAI tools in future urban studies.

GenAI can enhance our urban imagination and simulation by incorporating socioeconomic and subjective aspects of the urban environment in future studies. For instance, we can prompt GenAI to render urban scenes (or place identity) of different demographic attributes, such as age, education and race/ethnicity, leading to a question of how well the generated outputs align with different communities’ perception of the urban landscape or whether they are skewed towards certain social classes or culture. Figure 6 presents examples of generated streetscapes of Boston using the same prompts except for one keyword. In Fig. 6a , residential areas of the “white community” include brownstone houses along roads whose pavement and streetlights are well-maintained; while Fig. 6b illustrates a degraded built environment for the “black community” with bumps and cracks on the road, overgrown bushes, and building architecture that is simple to the bare minimum. This indicates that what GenAI models predict is based on social stigmatization about certain urban populations as well, with risk of reinforcing this discriminatory lens, although there is no legal or infrastructural ground for such narratives. Future studies can examine cities from low- and middle-income cities (LMICs) that often lack quality data to train GenAI models. This enables discussing the fairness of GenAI models, particularly for the social context of marginalized areas that have disproportionately low representation in the training datasets. Moreover, using query keywords that specify the perceptual qualities of the urban environment can help us understand the defining characteristics of safe, lively, wealthy, active, beautiful, and friendly cities (Dubey et al. 2016 ). While existing applications of generative models have mostly focused on automating the planning processes on a two-dimensional plane (Park et al. 2023 ; Wang et al. 2023 ), the proper use of GenAI models can help planners and designers obtain more realistic and imaginative urban scenes that are more relevant to human perception and experience.

a “white community”. b “black community”.

Finally, we also raise concerns regarding the “black-box” deep learning approaches. Our results indicated that GenAI models possess varying capabilities in representing place-specific characteristics of cities depending on their output format. However, we have minimal information on the data used for training generative models at the current stage. Wikipedia is known to be one of the sources of training data for ChatGPT (Shen et al. 2023 ), which may overlap with that used in this study, raising concerns regarding circularity in evaluating GenAI results using its own training data. Despite such limitations, Wikipedia and Google Images have been considered valuable sources of collective place-specific meanings, considering the lack of large-scale ground-truth dataset about the identity of global cities (Choi et al. 2007 ; Coghlan et al. 2017 ; Jenkins et al. 2016 ). Therefore, their usage can still be informative when particularly focused on specific domains that require qualitative assessment of generated outputs. For instance, one of our main objects of interest in this study was to identify varying degrees of similarity in representations, through which we revealed intrinsic biases and errors for different global city cases. This provides a consistent baseline for assessing the reliability of GenAI results against commonly accepted and easily accessible information. In the meantime, it remains necessary to develop more explainable AI approaches that can better elucidate the reasoning behind the generated outputs. This can be addressed in future studies in two ways. First, data from different sources that is less likely to be included in the training of generative models might be considered for their real-world counterparts. Social media or automated online surveys are two alternative platforms to crowdsource direct opinions of people at scale (Dubey et al. 2016 ; Jang & Kim 2019 ). Second, it is necessary to customize the models for domain-specific applications. Although large language models have been effective in producing general human-like responses, researchers have recently demonstrated that ‘smaller’ language models could achieve high performance with greater efficiency when fine-tuned for a particular domain or context (Fu et al. 2023 ; Schick & Schütze 2020 ; Turc et al. 2019 ).

Place-specific Scenes vs. Generic City View

By asking DALL·E2 with prompts regarding place identity of streetscapes of cities, we obtained a collection of images that depicted various street scenes. These images were then assessed to measure their similarity with images of the real-world. We could observe subtle differences among different cities regarding the architectural style, street design, or vegetation type. For instance, as shown in Fig. 7 , New York images created by DALL·E2 primarily showed prewar apartment buildings in Manhattan with wrought-iron fire escapes; images in Paris are represented by its Haussmannian architecture with stone facades, balconies, and double windows; and images in Singapore are emphasized by either its typical high-rise apartments or shophouses along with rain trees that grow in this region. All of these indicate that GenAI could capture the unique place identity, particularly related to architectural style, of each city.

a New York. b Paris. c Singapore.

However, it is worth noting that DALL·E2 has also generated a series of images that depict generic city views rather than specific to any particular place, thus failing to capture the unique characteristics of individual cities. Figure 8a shows a collection of images for New York, Tokyo, Seoul, London, Sydney, and Melbourne generated by DALL·E2. Generated images for different cities mostly depicted common urban features such as buildings, road signs, streetlights and pavements. These reflect the generic concept of a city , rather than identity , and fall short in representing the attributes that distinguish a particular city from the rest. As shown in the Sydney example in Fig. 8b , the generated place identity images do not capture landmarks of the city (Opera House and Harbour Bridge) or its scenic waterfront. Instead, a generic landscape of an urban environment is rendered, which makes it difficult to tell what the salient characteristics are from the generated images. Moreover, a pseudoword on a signpost, Hork Str Sox , hardly functions as a visual cue for the identity of streetscape in Sydney. These observations pose questions regarding the reliability of these generated images. Researchers need to carefully evaluate the quality of these AI-generated images before considering their practical use in research and real-world applications.

a Generated images for New York, Tokyo, Seoul, London, Sydney, and Melbourne. b Sydney example of comparison with Google images.

The observation of both generic and place-specific from generated images connects to the discourse of space and place that constructs the nature of geographical disciplines. As opposed to space which is an abstract and undifferentiated physical setting, place is given unique personalities over time to become locations with visual impact that brings sense of place among people (Tuan 1977 ). On the one hand, DALL·E2 produced scenes and images of placeless urban landscapes (see Fig. 8 ); “a scene may be of a place but the scene itself is not a place” (Tuan 1979 , p. 411). On the other, results in Fig. 7 showed its promising capabilities in representing the place of different cities. This is particularly intriguing because unlike places such as monument buildings, religious spaces or public plazas that are easily identifiable as ‘public symbols’ of the city, places as ‘fields of care’ in an everyday setting (e.g., park, home, drugstore street corner, marketplace) have been discussed to lack visual identity and be barely discernible through physical or structural appearances without repeated experience of the place (Tuan 1979 ; Wild 1965 ). Yet, we were able to distinguish DALL·E2-generated streetscape scenes of New York, Paris, and Singapore from elements such as streetlights, vegetation or architectural style, implying the possibility of uncovering inconspicuous places with the use of GenAI without repetitive interaction with the physical environment. This can further contribute to urban planning and design practice, considering the importance of cultural heritage and identity of a place to foster as sense of belonging among city dwellers (Hernandez et al. 2010 ; Manzo & Perkins 2006 ). Particularly, GenAI tools can be effective in collecting multiple development scenarios or design options instantly from the public that better reflect the preferences and priorities of the community. Thus, we may expect GenAI to assist in not only generating visual representations rooted in the cultural contexts of a place but also in facilitating community engagement in the urban design process and developing placemaking strategies that enhance the sense of place and attachment. Returning to Tuan’s ( 1979 ) conclusion, spatial analysis from the positivist perspective tends to simplify the underlying assumptions of people, space and place, whereas the humanist must take into account the intricacy of human nature—so must, and can, GenAI.

Opportunities and Challenges

Looking forward, we close by outlining technical challenges and opportunities to be further explored for the application of GenAI in future urban research. First, to obtain more reliable results that represent place-specific attributes of different cities, researchers may develop more careful prompt engineering. The importance of appropriate prompt designs has been commonly emphasized in previous research to enhance the consistency of GenAI models for domain-specific applications (Hase et al. 2021 ; Kang et al. 2023 ). By discussing the results of this study, we found this is more imperative for the text-to-image model compared to its text-to-text counterpart. As suggestions to design effective prompts for DALL·E2 to yield relevant responses to the place identity of cities, we can specify the point of view (POV), perspective, and captured objects in output images as in the following format:

“ What is the place identity of {city}? Show me a {perspective} focused on {object} with point of view pitch angle at {pitch} .”

As DALL·E2 produced image results with different directions and angles, parameters to set specific POV headings and pitch, { heading } and { pitch }, can be added to provide consistent viewpoints. Also, clarifying whether to show a bird-eye view or street-level scene using a { perspective } parameter can reduce variation in terms of the image perspective. Moreover, to minimize unpredictability in scenes being rendered, an { object } parameter would let resulting images focus on specific urban elements of interest. As discussed earlier in the previous section, whether to generate either day or nighttime image may also be an effective parameter to control the lighting conditions being rendered. Examples of DALL·E2 results when different parameters were used in this prompt format are shown in Fig. 9 .

a { pitch } ( b ) { perspective }. c { object }.

Another future direction lies in the improvement of methods for evaluating the reliability of generative model outputs. Here, we suggest two potential approaches for this purpose, multi-source data fusion and advanced similarity analysis. The AI-generated outputs are not always consistent with Wikipedia corpus and Google image search results as found in this study. We could incorporate social media texts and images as valuable data sources in capturing users’ various information related to places. Such data enable us to compare generative model outputs with people’s direct opinions that can better represent the identity of places (Jang & Kim 2019 ). In the meantime, we observed uncertainties in the similarity analysis results led by the subjective nature of perception. That is, why differences in similarity scores are observed, what contributes to high or low similarity results, and which scene is more relevant to the place identity of specific cities. This can be further refined by defining a more concrete threshold for interpreting the cosine similarity and LPIPS metric used in this study. Furthermore, different methods can be adopted for comparison purposes. For instance, more advanced algorithms can be applied, such as object detection and image segmentation, to retrieve object occurrences from DALL·E2 outputs and verify their correspondence with real-world urban scenes.

It is also noteworthy that prompts and outputs in this study were created only in English, overlooking the performance of GenAI models in other linguistic settings. While a few previous studies have highlighted the potential of GenAI in overcoming language barriers from being built on billions of inputs and parameters (Gottlieb et al. 2023 ; Sajjad & Saleem 2023 ), it remains important to examine the generalizability of outputs through a critical lens when conducting a multicity comparison. In its technical report, OpenAI ( 2023 ) has demonstrated the outperformance of GPT models when using English or major European languages, likely because they were designed and built primarily with data from English sources without robust multilingual testing. In addition, the English Wikipedia has both the most number articles and page views, making non-English speakers less capable of contributing to the online encyclopedia. This disproportionate representation could be a plausible explanation for the high intraregional similarities between DALL·E2-generated images of cities in the Americas and Europe in contrast to those among non-Western cities (see Fig. 5 ). Hence, this raises the question of from whose perspective are outputs being generated. For instance, in Table 2 , it is plausible to interpret that ChatGPT’s description of Beijing has a nuance toward a foreign audience, whereas that of New York assumes a US-centric audience with prior knowledge about American culture. Considering the subjective nature of place identity, we offer future research directions to inquire whether GenAI outputs paint us a picture of the local people’s knowledge, of foreign tourists and journalists’ experience, or the local authorities’ official statements by testing variations of multicultural and multilanguage prompts.

Last, acknowledging the difficulty in overcoming the limitation regarding the “black-box” nature of the generative models, a potential solution could involve comparing their outputs with actual human responses. This could be achieved by conducting a survey to how individuals assess the quality of the GenAI descriptions of different cities. GenAI outputs could be graded in terms of to what extent they are representative of people’s place identity for a certain place. Also, a focus-group interview could be helpful to gather more detailed opinions on how participants from similar demographic or experiential backgrounds perceive the validity of generated results. Meanwhile, the rapid advancements in the development of new GenAI models call for regular updates to the results for improved relevancy and contribution of the work. Potentially repeating the experiments with the latest GPT-4 or GPT-4o models and DALL·E3 may help us reveal the up-to-date performance of GenAI models in understanding and depicting place identity without relying on deliberate efforts of OpenAI targeted on these particular abilities.

Conclusions

We have recently witnessed the capabilities of GenAI models in various domains. Their capabilities in generating realistic texts and image outputs with only simple prompts have enabled collecting human-like responses in an efficient and cost-effective manner. In this study, we attempted to investigate the potential of using generative models in understanding place identity , an important concept in the field of urban design and geography. While place identity is subjective and closely tied with an individual’s perception of cities, many studies have attempted to discover the collective identity that better explains both the physical and non-physical attributes of the urban environment. We departed from two aspects, languages and visual representation, and asked two GenAI models, ChatGPT and DALL·E2, with prompts related to the place identity of different cities. We further tested the reliability of their responses by measuring their similarity with fact-based datasets, Wikipedia and Google images, that depict the real urban settings. Moreover, we conducted a pairwise comparison to verify if GenAI can also capture the visual distinctiveness or similarity between cities. Our results indicate that GenAI models have the potential to generate outputs that represent salient characteristics of cities that make them distinguishable and can serve as a valuable data source and tool for urban studies. This study is among the pioneering attempts to investigate GenAI in urban design research before applying them into planning and design practices. While exploring the capabilities of GenAI in representing the place identity of cities, we contribute to existing literature by discussing potential limitations and future research opportunities for further studies. The overall framework is expected to aid planners and designers in utilizing such tools to evaluate characteristics of cities for placemaking and city branding purposes, and in turn, shaping more imageable cities.

Data availability

All relevant data used and generated in the research are publicly available in the Figshare Repository at: https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.25041452.v1 . The detailed data management information can be found in the supplementary information.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the members of MIT Senseable City Lab who provided feedback on this project. The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support of open access from MIT Libraries. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the funders.

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KJ: Conceptualization, Methodology, Data Curation, Formal analysis, Writing—Original Draft. JC: Methodology, Software, Data Curation, Formal analysis. YK: Conceptualization, Methodology, Data Curation, Writing—Original Draft, Corresponding author. JK: Conceptualization, Resources. JL: Conceptualization, Validation. FD: Conceptualization, Supervision, Funding acquisition, Corresponding author. CR: Resources, Supervision, Funding acquisition. Writing—Review & Editing: all authors.

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Jang, K.M., Chen, J., Kang, Y. et al. Place identity: a generative AI’s perspective. Humanit Soc Sci Commun 11 , 1156 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-03645-7

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DOI : https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-03645-7

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