A conclusion is a compulsory structural part of both candidate and doctoral dissertations, and it sums up the research that has been carried out. Together with the introduction, this section is read particularly closely: it shapes the reader's initial impression of the quality and completeness of the work even before the chapters are examined in detail.
What does a dissertation conclusion consist of?
A dissertation conclusion is the section of a research project in which the candidate summarises the results obtained and sets out how the findings might be used going forward. Unlike the introduction, where the aim and objectives are stated, the conclusion provides a detailed answer to each of them.
The dissertation council and the Higher Attestation Commission under the Ministry of Science, Higher Education and Innovation of the Kyrgyz Republic (the HAC) pay close attention to how well the conclusions align with the content of the chapters and how convincingly the scientific novelty of the work has been argued.
The wording of the conclusion should not duplicate the introduction or the interim conclusions given at the end of each chapter. Information is presented in summarised form, without references or quotations – by this stage, all arguments should already have been set out in the main body of the dissertation.
Key elements of a conclusion in candidate and doctoral dissertations
The key elements of a conclusion typically include:
- a brief restatement of the aim and objectives of the research, worded differently from the introduction
- summary conclusions for each chapter, without repeating them word for word
- confirmation or refinement of the scientific hypothesis
- a statement of the scientific novelty and practical significance of the results obtained
- recommendations for applying the results in the field or in further research
- an outline of unresolved questions and areas for future study
For a doctoral dissertation, the conclusion should also set out the work's contribution to the development of the relevant academic school and its connection to priority areas in the development of science.
How does a dissertation conclusion relate to the objectives set in the introduction?
One of the main requirements for a conclusion is that its content should correspond directly to the objectives set out in the introduction. Each point made in the conclusion should read as an answer to a specific question posed at the start of the research: has the stated aim been achieved, has the hypothesis been confirmed or refined, and which results are new to the field.
When formulating conclusions, it is advisable to avoid personal pronouns and to use impersonal constructions instead – “the study was carried out”, "it was established that”, “a methodology is proposed”, “an algorithm has been developed”. This style is consistent with academic convention for writing research work and is followed by most dissertation councils.
Requirements for the length and formatting of a dissertation conclusion
Generally accepted guidelines on the length and formatting of a conclusion:
- A conclusion usually accounts for 10 to 15 per cent of the total length of the dissertation.
- For a candidate's dissertation, the conclusion is typically between 6 and 12 pages long.
- For a doctoral dissertation, the conclusion may run to 15-20 pages.
- The number of concluding points is usually no more than 10 to 15.
- The formatting of the text follows the general requirements for the dissertation: font, line spacing, margins and page numbering.
Specific standards for the length and formatting of the conclusion are not always set out in HAC regulations, so it is advisable to check them with the department or the dissertation council's academic secretary.
What mistakes are most often made when writing a dissertation conclusion?
Common mistakes include:
- recounting the content of the chapters instead of formulating independent conclusions
- an overly brief account that fails to convey the key results
- an excessively long text with repetition and minor detail
- including references or quotations in the conclusion
- using complex terminology or literary turns of phrase that are out of place in academic writing
- writing the conclusion before the chapters have been finalised
The last point deserves particular attention: a conclusion prepared before the chapters have been finalised almost always needs to be reworked, as interim conclusions may change in the course of the research.
A dissertation conclusion sums up years of research work and does much to shape the dissertation council's impression of the study as a whole. A well-thought-out structure, alignment with the stated objectives and the avoidance of common mistakes improve the chances of a successful defence and help the candidate deliver a more confident presentation to the committee.
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