{"id":3677,"date":"2025-08-05T11:31:14","date_gmt":"2025-08-05T18:31:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/edst\/?p=3677"},"modified":"2025-08-07T10:26:52","modified_gmt":"2025-08-07T17:26:52","slug":"dissertation-training-series-post-9-what-i-did-why-it-matters-writing-your-scholarly-conclusion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/edst\/2025\/08\/05\/dissertation-training-series-post-9-what-i-did-why-it-matters-writing-your-scholarly-conclusion\/","title":{"rendered":"Dissertation Training Series, Post 9 &#8211; &#8220;What I Did, Why It Matters&#8221;: Writing Your Scholarly Conclusion"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>Part 9 of the 10-part EDST Dissertation Training Series<\/em><br>By Ella Wright | Blog Editor, EDST | Insights from Dr. Autumn Knowlton<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Coming Full Circle<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>Conclusion chapter<\/strong> may feel like the finish line, but it\u2019s not just about wrapping up. It is where you <strong>return to the beginning<\/strong>, reflect on your journey, and explain <strong>why your work matters<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr. Autumn Knowlton described the Conclusion as <strong>a mirror of your Introduction<\/strong>. You began by planting seeds\u2014now you are showing what has grown. This is your chance to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Restate your <strong>research question<\/strong> and answer it clearly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Highlight your <strong>SOCK<\/strong> (Significant Original Contribution to Knowledge).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Offer <strong>implications<\/strong>, <strong>limitations<\/strong>, and <strong>future directions<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Say It Clearly: What Did You Do?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In this chapter, you tell the reader:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>This is what I did.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>This is why I did it.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>This is why it matters.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>It might feel uncomfortable to talk about your <strong>own contribution<\/strong>\u2014especially after years of citing others. But this is the moment to <strong>stand in your scholarly voice<\/strong> and claim your work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cThe Conclusion chapter is hard in a different way, because you\u2019re talking about how special you are, which is uncomfortable for many students stepping into the role of &#8216;scholar&#8217;.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>You are not boasting. You are helping future researchers, educators, and community members understand <strong>what your work offers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Makes a Good Conclusion?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A strong Conclusion chapter includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A <strong>summary of your key findings<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A clear statement of your <strong>SOCK<\/strong>\u2014what you contributed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Implications<\/strong> for your field, practice, or policy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Limitations<\/strong> of your study (what you couldn\u2019t control).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Future research directions<\/strong>\u2014what could come next.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Implications and Contributions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Ask yourself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What <strong>new theory<\/strong>, <strong>framework<\/strong>, or <strong>concept<\/strong> did I introduce or develop?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What <strong>advocacy<\/strong>, <strong>policy<\/strong>, or <strong>practice<\/strong> could be informed by my work?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What <strong>gap<\/strong> in the research did I address?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>You don\u2019t have to change the world, but you do need to show that your work <strong>matters beyond this document<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Limitations vs. Delimitations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr. Knowlton clarified the difference:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Limitations<\/strong> are factors <strong>you couldn\u2019t control<\/strong> (e.g., sample size, time constraints).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Delimitations<\/strong> are <strong>choices you made<\/strong> to narrow the scope (e.g., focusing on two case studies).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Be honest about both. This shows <strong>integrity and critical thinking<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Future Directions: Envisioning What\u2019s Next<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You might not be ready to plan your next project, but this is your chance to <strong>open the door<\/strong> for others. Consider:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What new research questions emerged?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What studies could build on your work?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How could your findings be expanded in different contexts?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Try to consider answering: \u201cHere\u2019s what I did. Here are the limitations. Another researcher might do this&#8230;\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This section shows your <strong>vision<\/strong>\u2014and it is useful for job talks, proposals, or future writing.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Ending Well<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Some students end with a formal summary. Others reflect on their research journey or call for further action. Either is fine\u2014as long as you are <strong>clear, focused, and intentional<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>It&#8217;s ok to say: \u201cThis is all I\u2019ve got now. I\u2019ll see you later.\u201d It\u2019s also okay to end with <strong>what you\u2019ve learned<\/strong> and <strong>what you hope will come next<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Takeaways<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Conclusion brings everything full circle\u2014<strong>what you did and why it matters<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>State your <strong>SOCK<\/strong> clearly\u2014this is your moment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Include <strong>implications<\/strong>, <strong>limitations<\/strong>, and <strong>future research directions<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be honest, reflective, and <strong>own your scholarly voice<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Help the reader understand what comes next\u2014<strong>for you or for others<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Explore the Full Dissertation Training Series<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/edst\/2025\/08\/03\/dissertation-writing-workshops-with-dr-autumn-knowlton-10-part-special-blog-series\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Overview Post<\/strong> \u2013 About the Workshops and Series<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/edst\/2025\/08\/05\/dissertation-training-series-post-1-not-a-book-not-a-mystery-what-your-dissertation-really-is\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Part 1<\/strong> \u2013 Not a Book, Not a Mystery: What Your Dissertation Really Is<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/edst\/2025\/08\/05\/dissertation-training-series-post-2-from-jumble-sale-to-funnel-planning-your-dissertation-for-clarity-and-flow\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Part 2<\/strong> \u2013 From Jumble Sale to Funnel: Planning Your Dissertation for Clarity and Flow<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/edst\/2025\/08\/05\/dissertation-training-series-post-3-hold-the-target-not-the-dart-crafting-and-evolving-your-research-questions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Part 3<\/strong> \u2013 Hold the Target, Not the Dart: Crafting and Evolving Your Research Questions<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/edst\/2025\/08\/05\/dissertation-training-series-post-4-conversations-not-catalogues-writing-a-literature-review-with-purpose\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Part 4<\/strong> \u2013 Conversations, Not Catalogues: Writing a Literature Review with Purpose<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/edst\/2025\/08\/05\/dissertation-training-series-post-5-kitchen-rules-conceptual-and-theoretical-frameworks-explained\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Part 5<\/strong> \u2013 Kitchen Rules: Conceptual and Theoretical Frameworks Explained<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/edst\/2025\/08\/05\/dissertation-training-series-post-6-you-are-the-method-positionality-ethics-and-making-knowledge\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Part 6<\/strong> \u2013 You Are the Method: Positionality, Ethics, and Making Knowledge<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/edst\/2025\/08\/05\/dissertation-training-series-post-7-sock-time-presenting-your-findings-with-clarity-and-confidence\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Part 7<\/strong> \u2013 Sock Time: Presenting Your Findings with Clarity and Confidence<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/edst\/2025\/08\/05\/dissertation-training-series-post-8-weaving-the-threads-discussion-and-meaning-making\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Part 8<\/strong> \u2013 Weaving the Threads: Discussion and Meaning-Making<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/edst\/2025\/08\/05\/dissertation-training-series-post-9-what-i-did-why-it-matters-writing-your-scholarly-conclusion\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Part 9<\/strong> \u2013 What I Did, Why It Matters: Writing Your Scholarly Conclusion<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/edst\/2025\/08\/05\/dissertation-training-series-post-10-dont-go-in-circles-writing-editing-and-staying-sane\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Part 10<\/strong> \u2013 Don\u2019t Go in Circles: Writing, Editing, and Staying Sane<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Resources<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Dissertation Preparation and Policies<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>UBC Grad Studies \u2013 Getting Started:<br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.grad.ubc.ca\/current-students\/dissertation-thesis-preparation\">https:\/\/www.grad.ubc.ca\/current-students\/dissertation-thesis-preparation<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Style Guides and Computer Tools:<br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.grad.ubc.ca\/current-students\/dissertation-thesis-preparation\/style-guides-computer-tools\">https:\/\/www.grad.ubc.ca\/current-students\/dissertation-thesis-preparation\/style-guides-computer-tools<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Writing Support and Self-Guided Modules<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>EDST Thesis Writing Module:<br><a href=\"https:\/\/thesismodules.edst.educ.ubc.ca\/\">https:\/\/thesismodules.edst.educ.ubc.ca\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Developing a Dissertation (EDST Module):<br><a href=\"https:\/\/thesismodules.edst.educ.ubc.ca\/module-library\/developing-a-dissertation\/\">https:\/\/thesismodules.edst.educ.ubc.ca\/module-library\/developing-a-dissertation\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>UBC Library Dissertation Guide:<br><a href=\"https:\/\/guides.library.ubc.ca\/dissertation\">https:\/\/guides.library.ubc.ca\/dissertation<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Free One-on-One Writing Support<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>UBC Writing Consultations for Graduate Students (writing and referencing help):<br><a href=\"https:\/\/writing.library.ubc.ca\/graduates\/writing-consultations\/\">https:\/\/writing.library.ubc.ca\/graduates\/writing-consultations\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Workshop Recording and Presenter<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Click to view Dr. Autumn Knowlton&#8217;s workshop <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/edst\/files\/2025\/08\/What-Is-Involved-in-Writing-a-Dissertation-final.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">presentation slides<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dr. Autumn Knowlton \u2013 (Re)Visions Website: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autumnrevisions.com\/\">https:\/\/www.autumnrevisions.com\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explore More<\/strong><br>UBC EDST students can access free tools and support through the <a href=\"https:\/\/thesismodules.edst.educ.ubc.ca\/\">Thesis Writing Module<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/thesismodules.edst.educ.ubc.ca\/module-library\/developing-a-dissertation\/\">Developing a Dissertation module<\/a>. For writing and referencing help, book a free <a href=\"https:\/\/writing.library.ubc.ca\/graduates\/writing-consultations\/\">graduate writing consultation<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Your conclusion chapter reflects on what you did, why it matters, and how your work contributes to future research, policy, or practice.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":85465,"featured_media":3648,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,139],"tags":[174,180,171,190,182,147,185,45,188,107,159,160,191,173,181,183,172,175,192,170,44],"class_list":["post-3677","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog-posts","category-dissertation-support","tag-academic-analysis","tag-academic-contribution","tag-conceptual-framework","tag-conclusion-chapter","tag-data-presentation","tag-doctoral-thesis","tag-doctoral-writing","tag-edst","tag-edst-writing","tag-educational-studies","tag-how-to-write-a-dissertation","tag-how-to-write-a-thesis","tag-research-impact","tag-research-lens","tag-significant-original-contribution-to-knowledge","tag-sock","tag-theoretical-framework","tag-thesis-help","tag-thesis-reflection","tag-thesis-resources","tag-ubc"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/edst\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3677","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/edst\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/edst\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/edst\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/85465"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/edst\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3677"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/edst\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3677\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3713,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/edst\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3677\/revisions\/3713"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/edst\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3648"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/edst\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3677"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/edst\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3677"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/edst\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3677"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}