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Conclusions and Reflection Topic

Once you have completed your field work and data collection, you will have to draw conclusions from what you have found, reflect on what those conclusions mean and finish writing your dissertation or thesis. The learning units in this topic will help you to both form conclusions from your findings and to explain them, as well as covering issues such as effective writing and presentation, defending your thesis in viva voce examinations, and thinking about what you might want to do after you have finished your research.

Finishing your paper

Tenzing Norgay on the summit of EverestOnce you have finished writing:

  • Read the paper out loud to yourself - this will help you to identify any grammatical errors
  • Give a copy to all of the co-authors so that they can check it
  • Ask a colleague or peer to check it through for you. If possible, also ask someone who is not overly familiar with the topic to check your paper for you in addition to a colleague. Someone who is not familiar with your work will approach your paper from a different perspective to someone who does know your topic or subject area quite well.
  • Apply the 5 R's below (based on the 4 R's by Lindquist 1996).

Reduce: Remove any redundant words. Reduce or replace any long or over-complicated sentences. Make necessary revisions to fit within the word count.

Replace: Replace long words or sentences with simple and clear language.

Refine: Refine your reduced version by sharpening the meaning, removing jargon, include key components of research, emphasise your findings and their implications. Ensure that you check for logic and consistency of terms used.

Rewrite: Rewrite those parts of the paper that require significant revision.

Review: Review the accuracy, conformity, punctuation and appearance of your paper.

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