Strong examples of research paper conclusions (with real samples)

Let’s start with what most students actually want first: examples of examples of research paper conclusions you can mentally copy from.

Below, you’ll see short, realistic conclusion paragraphs from different academic areas. These are not pulled from a single source, but they mirror the tone and structure you’d see in real undergraduate or early graduate research papers.

Humanities example of a research paper conclusion (literature)

Topic: Symbolism of nature in The Great Gatsby

This study has shown that Fitzgerald’s use of weather and water imagery is not decorative background but a narrative tool that tracks Gatsby’s emotional rise and fall. The rain at Gatsby and Daisy’s reunion, the sweltering heat of the Plaza Hotel confrontation, and the final chill of autumn after Gatsby’s death all mirror the shifting possibility of their relationship. While earlier scholarship has emphasized color symbolism in the novel, this analysis suggests that natural imagery is just as central to understanding the text’s emotional arc. Future research might compare these patterns with Fitzgerald’s other works or with contemporaneous novels set in New York. For readers and teachers, recognizing the novel’s climate patterns offers a more layered way to discuss hope, illusion, and loss in one of the most studied works of American fiction.

Why this works:

• Restates the main finding without repeating the thesis word-for-word.
• Connects to existing scholarship.
• Suggests a next step (future research).
• Ends with a broader takeaway for readers.

If you’re looking for examples of research paper conclusions in the humanities, notice how this one zooms out from specific scenes to a bigger interpretive claim.

Social sciences example of a research paper conclusion (psychology)

Topic: Social media use and anxiety in college students

The findings of this study indicate a moderate, positive relationship between daily social media use and self-reported anxiety symptoms among first-year college students at a large public university. Students who spent more than three hours per day on social platforms reported significantly higher scores on the GAD-7 than peers who used social media for less than one hour. Although this cross-sectional design cannot establish causation, the results align with recent work by the National Institute of Mental Health on digital media and mental health. Campuses may wish to incorporate discussions of healthy media habits into orientation and counseling services. Future longitudinal research could clarify whether reducing social media use leads to measurable decreases in anxiety over time. Overall, this study contributes to a growing body of evidence suggesting that how students engage with social media matters for their psychological well-being.

Here, the conclusion:

• Summarizes main results.
• Acknowledges a limitation (no causation).
• Connects to outside research (you might actually cite NIMH).
• Offers a practical implication for universities.

If you need examples of examples of research paper conclusions in psychology or sociology, this pattern—results → limits → implications → future research—is one of the best examples to imitate.

STEM example of a research paper conclusion (biology/health)

Topic: Effectiveness of a new sleep-hygiene workshop for undergraduates

This randomized pilot study found that students who participated in a four-week sleep-hygiene workshop reported longer sleep duration and better sleep quality compared with a waitlist control group. Average nightly sleep increased by 42 minutes, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores improved by 18%. These findings are consistent with previous work on behavioral sleep interventions among young adults and support the feasibility of delivering such programs in university settings. However, the small sample size and reliance on self-report measures limit the generalizability of the results. Future research should incorporate objective sleep tracking and follow participants across multiple semesters. Given ongoing concerns about student mental health highlighted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), scalable interventions that improve sleep may be a valuable component of campus wellness initiatives.

This is a classic STEM-style ending: data recap, connection to prior research, limitations, and a nod to real-world impact.

Education example of a research paper conclusion

Topic: Impact of flipped classrooms on high school math performance

In summary, the implementation of a flipped classroom model in two Algebra II classes was associated with higher quiz scores, increased homework completion, and more frequent student participation compared with traditional instruction. While these findings echo earlier studies from institutions such as Harvard’s Bok Center for Teaching and Learning, they also highlight practical challenges, including uneven student access to devices and the need for teacher training in video production. The results suggest that flipped learning can support deeper in-class problem solving when schools invest in both technology infrastructure and professional development. Future research might explore how flipped models affect different student subgroups, such as English learners or students with disabilities. For districts considering instructional innovation, this study provides tentative evidence that rethinking how class time is used may improve both engagement and achievement.

If you’re collecting examples of research paper conclusions in education, notice how this one balances optimism with realistic constraints.

Business example of a research paper conclusion

Topic: Remote work and employee productivity in mid-sized tech firms (2024 data)

This study of 214 employees across four mid-sized technology companies found that hybrid and fully remote workers reported equal or higher self-rated productivity compared with their in-office peers, particularly when they had control over their schedules. These results align with recent industry surveys conducted after 2020, which show that flexibility, not location alone, predicts performance. At the same time, participants identified communication breakdowns and blurred work–life boundaries as ongoing challenges. For managers, the findings suggest that investments in clear communication norms and outcome-based evaluation may yield better results than mandating a fixed number of office days. Future research should compare self-reported productivity with objective performance data and examine long-term career outcomes for remote workers. Overall, the evidence from this study adds nuance to current debates about return-to-office policies and suggests that thoughtful hybrid models can sustain productivity while supporting employee well-being.

This is one of the best examples of how to end a business or management research paper: it ties the data directly to a hot real-world debate.

Environmental science example of a research paper conclusion

Topic: Urban tree canopy and summer heat in a midwestern city

The analysis demonstrates that neighborhoods with at least 30% tree canopy coverage experienced average afternoon summer temperatures 5°F lower than neighborhoods with less than 10% coverage. These findings support recent work by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on urban heat islands and suggest that targeted tree-planting efforts could meaningfully reduce heat exposure for residents, particularly in historically redlined areas. However, tree canopy expansion alone cannot address all dimensions of climate vulnerability; it must be paired with investments in housing quality, access to cooling centers, and community engagement. Future research could integrate satellite data with health outcomes, such as heat-related emergency department visits, to better understand the public health impact of urban greening initiatives. For city planners, the results highlight urban forestry as a relatively low-cost strategy to mitigate extreme heat in the coming decades.

If you’re hunting for real examples of research paper conclusions in environmental studies, this one shows how to move from GIS data to policy recommendations.

Nursing/health sciences example of a research paper conclusion

Topic: Patient education and medication adherence in adults with hypertension

This quasi-experimental study found that adults with hypertension who participated in a structured, nurse-led education program demonstrated higher medication adherence and lower average systolic blood pressure at three-month follow-up compared with a control group receiving standard care. These results are consistent with prior research summarized by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and underscore the value of nurses as educators in outpatient settings. Limitations include a relatively short follow-up period and the use of self-reported adherence measures. Future studies should examine whether the benefits of education programs persist over longer periods and across diverse clinical settings. Nonetheless, the findings suggest that integrating brief, evidence-based education sessions into routine visits may be a practical way to improve blood pressure control and reduce cardiovascular risk.

This kind of conclusion is common in nursing journals: it highlights practice implications without overstating what the study can prove.

What all these examples of research paper conclusions have in common

If you read back through these examples of examples of research paper conclusions, you’ll notice a pattern. Strong conclusions usually do four things:

They remind, not repeat.
Each conclusion restates the core finding or argument in fresh language. You don’t copy-paste your thesis; you reframe it in light of your results.

They answer the “So what?” question.
The best examples don’t just say what happened; they say why it matters—for teachers, nurses, city planners, managers, or other researchers.

They admit limits.
Real examples of research paper conclusions almost always mention at least one limitation: small sample, self-report data, one school, one city, short time frame. This doesn’t weaken your paper; it shows you understand research.

They point forward.
Most of the examples include a sentence or two about future research or next steps. This is your way of handing the baton to the next researcher.

When you’re studying examples of research paper conclusions, look for those four ingredients. Then, adapt them to your topic.

A simple template based on the best examples

If you’re thinking, “Okay, but how do I actually write mine?” here’s a flexible template drawn from the best examples of research paper conclusions above. You can adjust the wording to sound like you.

You might structure your conclusion in this order:

• Sentence 1–2: Restate your main finding or argument.
  “This study found that…” or “Taken together, the results suggest that…”

• Sentence 3–4: Connect to the bigger picture.
  Mention a real-world issue, a policy debate, or a gap in existing research.

• Sentence 5–6: Acknowledge limitations.
  Briefly note what your study couldn’t do.

• Sentence 7–8: Point to future research or action.
  Suggest what should happen next—another study, a policy change, a classroom practice.

Here’s that template filled in with a generic example of a conclusion for a college paper:

Taken together, the findings of this study suggest that peer-led tutoring programs can improve first-year students’ confidence and performance in introductory chemistry courses. By providing structured support from more experienced students, these programs appear to address both academic and social barriers to success. However, the small number of participants and the focus on a single institution limit the extent to which these results can be generalized. Future research should examine how peer tutoring works in different types of colleges and in other gateway STEM courses. For institutions seeking to improve retention in challenging entry-level classes, peer-led programs may be a promising, low-cost strategy worth further exploration.

This is one of the clearest examples of how to end a paper without sounding repetitive or abrupt.

Common mistakes (and how the good examples avoid them)

When students look for examples of research paper conclusions, they often copy the wrong things. Here are a few traps to avoid—notice how none of the real examples above fall into these.

1. Simply repeating your introduction.
If your conclusion sounds like a slightly shorter version of your intro, you’re missing the point. By the end, you know more than you did at the beginning. Your tone should shift from “I will show” to “Here is what the evidence shows.”

2. Adding brand-new arguments or data.
You can mention a new idea for future research, but you shouldn’t drop fresh evidence or a surprise claim in the last paragraph. If it matters, it belongs in the body.

3. Getting vague and grandiose.
Lines like “Since the dawn of time, humans have…” or “This study will change how we think about education forever” sound dramatic but not persuasive. The best examples of examples of research paper conclusions are concrete and modest.

4. Ignoring limitations.
Real research is messy. Pretending your study is perfect can actually make readers trust you less. A short, honest limitations sentence is standard in published research, including work cited by organizations like Harvard University and NIH.

5. Ending abruptly.
If your last sentence could be “The end,” it’s probably too sudden. Aim for a sentence that looks outward—to practice, policy, or future studies.

How to adapt these examples to your discipline

Not every field uses the exact same tone, but you can still use these examples of research paper conclusions as a menu of options.

• In lab reports and STEM papers, lean into the data: briefly restate key numbers or patterns, then move to implications and limitations.
• In humanities papers, focus on interpretation: how your reading of a text, film, or historical event shifts the conversation.
• In social sciences, balance both: summarize results, mention theory, and nod to policy or practice.
• In professional fields (education, nursing, business), be explicit about what practitioners could do differently because of your findings.

As you collect your own mental library of the best examples, notice how the voice changes but the underlying structure stays surprisingly consistent.

FAQ about writing research paper conclusions

How long should a research paper conclusion be?
For most undergraduate papers, the conclusion is usually one well-developed paragraph, or up to about a page for longer projects. Many of the examples of research paper conclusions above are in the 150–250 word range.

What is one good example of a conclusion sentence?
A strong final sentence often looks outward. For example: “Taken together, these findings suggest that schools that invest in early, targeted reading support can significantly improve long-term academic outcomes for struggling students.” It doesn’t introduce new data, but it clearly states why the work matters.

Can I use first person in my conclusion?
That depends on your discipline and your instructor’s expectations. Many published articles, including some from NIH and major universities, use phrases like “In this study, we found…” If your paper already uses first person in the methods or discussion, it’s usually fine to keep that in the conclusion.

Where can I see more real examples of research paper conclusions?
Look at open-access articles from reputable journals or university repositories. Many U.S. universities (.edu sites) share student theses and capstone projects online, which can give you more real examples to study. You can also scan the discussion and conclusion sections of articles linked from sites like CDC, NIH, or major university research centers.

Do all conclusions need a ‘future research’ sentence?
In formal research papers, especially in the sciences and social sciences, yes—most good examples include at least a brief nod to what comes next. In shorter class essays, it’s still helpful, but you might focus more on implications for understanding the topic.

If you keep a few of these examples of examples of research paper conclusions in mind as you write, you’ll find that the last paragraph stops feeling like a mystery and starts feeling like an opportunity: one final chance to show your reader exactly why your work matters.