How to Write a Dissertation Conclusion: A Complete Guide

A dissertation is the culmination of years of study, research and intellectual development, so it’s the end of your academic journey. The conclusion is important because it’s your last chance to leave a lasting impression on your readers. Just like a great final scene in a movie, the conclusion must be memorable, concise and impactful. This is where you bring it all together: summarise the main points, reflect on your findings and reiterate the significance of your research (Smith, 2020).

But a dissertation conclusion is not just a summary; it’s a synthesis of your entire research project. It’s a chance to reflect on the research questions, evaluate the methodology and discuss the implications of your findings. The conclusion also suggests potential areas for further research, so the journey doesn’t end with your dissertation. It’s an invitation to future exploration and scholarly development (Johnson, 2018). In this guide we’ll walk you through how to write a dissertation conclusion that is clear, concise and reflective of the depth of your work.

The right conclusion ensures your dissertation leaves a lasting impression. By providing a thorough yet succinct summary of your research you present a cohesive narrative that ties all your hard work together. It’s your last chance to highlight your contributions to your field, so the readers have something to think about long after they’ve finished reading. Whether you’re discussing the broader implications of your research, making recommendations or suggesting future studies, your conclusion is the final note that can either strengthen your dissertation or leave it incomplete.

Why the Dissertation Conclusion Matters

Purpose of the Conclusion

Your dissertation conclusion is not just a summary of the research you’ve conducted; it has a critical role in synthesising your findings and contextualising them within the broader academic conversation. The conclusion is the final opportunity to present the impact of your research, so your readers understand the significance of what you’ve done. It’s where you:

• Summarise the achievement of your research goals: You summarise how your study addresses the research questions, the hypothesis or the problem posed in your introduction.* Explain the bigger picture of your findings: Why are your results important and how do they impact the field you’re working in? For example, if your research looks at the relationship between remote work and employee productivity, the conclusion should explain how these findings affect workplace dynamics, policy recommendations and future workplace models (Brown, 2021).
• Contribute to the field of study: Your dissertation should aim to fill gaps in knowledge, extend previous research or propose new perspectives. The conclusion ties these contributions back to existing literature and shows how your work builds on or challenges the work of others (Miller, 2019). It might also suggest areas for future research that could further develop the understanding of the topic.

In essence, your conclusion should answer the following for the reader:

• What did my research achieve?
• Why do these findings matter?
• How do these results push the boundaries of current knowledge in my field?

For example, if your dissertation is about the impact of remote work on employee productivity, your conclusion shouldn’t just recap the data but discuss the implications of these findings for businesses, policymakers and future researchers. You could highlight how your findings could inform the design of remote work policies, organisational practices or the next phase of academic research on the topic (Jones, 2020).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

While the conclusion is one of the most important parts of your dissertation, many students make the mistake of either summarising too much or introducing new material. Here are common pitfalls to avoid:

• Repetition: Don’t repeat what you’ve already said in your dissertation. The conclusion should synthesise, not summarise (Lee, 2018). Instead of restating everything, focus on distilling the essence of your findings and highlighting their broader significance.
• Introducing New Data: The conclusion is not the place to present new arguments, findings or data. If you introduce new content it will distract from your final message and leave your readers confused. New information should be discussed in the main body of your dissertation, not the conclusion.
• Lack of Clarity: A vague or unfocused conclusion can weaken your dissertation. Be concise but thorough, so each sentence supports your work. This is your last chance to leave a lasting impression on your readers (Harris, 2022).

How to Write a Dissertation Conclusion

A typical dissertation conclusion follows this structure:

Restate the Research Question and Objectives

Start by reiterating the research question and objectives you set out to address. But don’t copy and paste your original text. Instead, summarise it concisely.

**Example:
**Original question: *How does remote work impact employee productivity?
*Restated: This research explored the relationship between remote work and employee productivity.

Summarise Main Findings and Contributions

Highlight the key findings without repeating the analysis. Explain how these findings contribute to the field.

**Example:
**Main finding: Remote work is negatively correlated with employee productivity.

Contribution: This research adds to the body of knowledge on the impact of remote work on employee outcomes.

Discuss the Implications of Your Research

Discussing implications shows the real-world relevance of your study. What practical changes or further research could your study inspire?

Example:

• Businesses could design policies to support employees who work remotely.
• Policymakers might develop guidelines for remote work.

Suggest Areas for Further Research

No research is exhaustive. Mention gaps that future research can explore.

Example:
Future research could look at the impact of new technologies on remote work.

End with a Thought-Provoking Conclusion

Leave your reader with a reflective or impactful final sentence.

**Example:
**”As we work from anywhere, understanding the effect of distance on productivity will be crucial to designing the workplace of the future.”

How to Write a Dissertation Conclusion

Writing the conclusion of a dissertation is a critical moment, as it’s the last chance to reinforce the importance of your research. It’s essential to structure this section strategically to ensure it synthesises your research findings and their implications. Here are practical steps to help you write a strong dissertation conclusion.

Step 1: Review Your Dissertation Objectives

The first step is to review the objectives or questions you outlined in the introduction of your dissertation. This ensures your conclusion addresses the goals you set for your research. Ask yourself:

• Did you achieve what you set out to do in the beginning?
• Are your findings in line with the hypothesis or research question you posed?* Did your results answer what you set out to explore or raise new questions for further research?

For example, if your dissertation examined the impact of social media on teenagers’ self-esteem, you should ask yourself whether the data and analysis in your dissertation fully addressed this aim. If you found that increased social media usage is linked to lower self-esteem for image-based platforms, your conclusion should reiterate this finding and discuss its implications for future social media strategies.

Step 2: Synthesise, Don’t Summarise, Your Findings

In the conclusion, your task is not to repeat every detail from the body of your dissertation, but to synthesise the main points. Think of it as weaving together all the various threads of your research into a cohesive whole. To do this effectively consider:

• Synthesise key findings: Draw connections between your findings and the field. For example, if your research showed that social media usage is negatively correlated with self-esteem for image-based platforms, link this to broader adolescent mental health trends, theories or previous studies.
• Emphasise the significance: Address how your research contributes to the body of knowledge. For instance, you could say, “This research adds to the growing evidence linking visual social media consumption to adolescent mental health outcomes.”

Synthesis is the key here, not summarisation. Instead of saying, “This research found social media usage is linked to lower self-esteem”, you should say what this means in the bigger picture—how it challenges existing views, aligns with other studies or offers a new perspective on the topic.

Step 3: Be Concise Yet Comprehensive

The dissertation conclusion should strike a balance between being concise and comprehensive. A good conclusion doesn’t just summarise what you’ve done, but reinforces the broader context and importance of your work. While it shouldn’t be too long, your conclusion shouldn’t be too simplistic.

Practical tips for being concise without oversimplifying:

• Limit the length: A typical dissertation conclusion is usually about 5-10% of the total word count of your dissertation. For example, in a 10,000-word dissertation, your conclusion would likely be between 500 and 1,000 words. This gives you enough space to discuss your findings without overwhelming the reader with too much detail.* Summarise key points, not every detail: For example, if you’ve spent several chapters on case studies, your conclusion should mention how these case studies support your overall findings, but not re-explain each one in detail.
• Stay focused: Keep your sentences short and to the point. Don’t go off on tangents or introduce unrelated information that diverts from the main purpose of the conclusion.

Here’s an example of a concise yet comprehensive conclusion:

“This study found that online learning platforms can increase student engagement, especially if they include interactive features like quizzes, discussion boards and peer assessments. These findings suggest educational institutions should prioritise these tools in their digital teaching strategies to improve student outcomes. This research also provides a solid base for further studies on how different online teaching methods impact student success, particularly in higher education settings.”

This conclusion synthesises key findings, links them to the broader education field and suggests implications for future research—while being clear and brief.

Step 4: Reinforce Your Contribution to the Field

Your dissertation should make a meaningful contribution to the academic field you’re studying. In your conclusion, you should clearly state the contribution your research has made and why it matters. This is where you show how your work advances current knowledge, challenges existing theories or opens up new areas of exploration.

For example, if your dissertation looked at renewable energy policies, your conclusion should outline how your research fills a knowledge gap or offers new insights. For instance:

“This research challenges the assumption that renewable energy adoption is solely hindered by economic factors, instead highlighting the crucial role of public perception and political will in driving policy change. These findings have important implications for policymakers and researchers seeking to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy solutions.”

Step 5: Suggest Future Research

A good dissertation conclusion doesn’t just summarise; it looks ahead. In many fields there are still questions unanswered or new questions raised by your findings. This is where you propose future research areas that can build on your work. It could be studies that investigate questions you didn’t have the resources to answer or new directions that emerge from your findings.

For example, if your dissertation examined employee productivity in remote work environments, you might say:“While this study focused on small to medium-sized businesses, future research could look at large corporations. Further research could also examine the role of cultural differences in remote work outcomes across global teams.”

This shows you’ve thought about the limitations of your research and helps guide future researchers in your field.

By following these steps you’ll be able to write a dissertation conclusion that summarises your research, demonstrates its significance and leaves a lasting impact on your reader. It’s an opportunity to show the contribution your work makes to the field and how it can be built upon in the future.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Error

Why It’s a Problem

Fix

Repeating information

Adds no value and bores the reader

Synthesize findings with new insight

Adding new arguments

Confuses the reader and dilutes your message

Stick to previously discussed points

Overlooking research links

Fails to show how your findings support your objectives

Explicitly connect your findings to your research aims

Ending abruptly

Leaves the reader unsatisfied

Use a reflective or impactful closing remark

Dissertation Conclusion Example and Template

Example

“This dissertation has looked at the complex relationship between remote work and employee productivity, highlighting benefits and drawbacks. Findings show that flexibility increases job satisfaction but also blurs work-life boundaries. Future research could explore hybrid models that balance autonomy with structured support. By understanding these nuances businesses can create work environments that optimise performance and well-being.”

Template

1. Restate your research problem and objectives.
2. Summarise main findings and their contributions.
3. Discuss implications for theory, practice or policy.
4. Suggest further research.
5. End with a thought-provoking statement.

Final Tips for a Great Dissertation Conclusion

Writing a good dissertation conclusion requires attention to detail and thought. It’s not just about summarising your findings; it’s about reinforcing the significance of your research and making sure your conclusion matches the tone and objectives of your entire dissertation. Here are a few final tips to help you write a conclusion that stands out:

1. Consistency Counts: Keep the Tone and Style of Your Dissertation

Your conclusion should match the tone, style and structure of your dissertation. If your dissertation is formal and academic, your conclusion should be too, avoiding casual language or tone shifts that might feel out of place. If your dissertation has been analytical, your conclusion should remain that way too.

For example if your dissertation is about the effectiveness of a specific teaching method you would want the conclusion to be analytical and focus on the implications of your findings in an academic and measured way:

“The results of this study show that the flipped classroom model increases student engagement and understanding. These findings contribute to the ongoing debate in educational research on alternative teaching models, providing new evidence to inform educators and policymakers.”

This tone matches the analytical and scholarly nature of the dissertation and provides a polished finish to the rest of your work.

2. Get Feedback: Share Your Draft with Peers or Advisors for a Fresh Perspective

Before finalising your dissertation conclusion, share your draft with peers, mentors or academic advisors. Others can help you see areas that need more clarity or point out sections where you could strengthen your argument or explain concepts further. An external perspective can also help ensure your conclusion flows logically and that your main points are conveyed.

For example, after sharing your draft with a peer who is familiar with your research topic, they might say:

“I think you could elaborate a bit more on the practical implications of your findings for educators. You mentioned that your results could inform policy changes but it might be helpful to explain how specifically.”

This kind of feedback can help you make your conclusion more relevant and impactful.

3. Edit Thoroughly: Proofread for Clarity, Coherence and Grammatical Accuracy

Once you’ve written your conclusion, it’s essential to revise and edit multiple times. A good conclusion should be clear, coherent and error free. It should flow from the previous sections of the dissertation and reinforce the overall argument.

Here are a few things to focus on during the editing process:

• Clarity: Make sure your conclusion communicates your main points clearly. Read through your conclusion and ask yourself: Is the central message clear? Are the most important findings highlighted without ambiguity?
• Coherence: Check that each sentence follows logically from the one before it. The transition from your findings to the broader implications should feel natural and unforced.* Grammar and style: Proofread for spelling and grammar mistakes. Make your sentences concise and clear. Remove unnecessary words or phrases to make your conclusion stronger.

You can use tools like Grammarly or get a proofreader to catch errors you might have missed.

Conclusion: Finish with Impact

By following these tips—keeping tone consistent, getting feedback and editing thoroughly—you can write a conclusion that is both effective and memorable. This final section isn’t just a summary; it’s your chance to leave a lasting impression on your reader, show the value of your research and your contribution to the field.

Remember, the conclusion is your last chance to connect the dots between your research objectives, findings and the implications of your work. Approach it with purpose and your conclusion will be clear and impactful and cement the importance of your dissertation and your academic achievement.