Table of Contents
Introduction
This article tells what a budding researcher must include in Chapter 5-the Summary. It also includes the tense of the verb and the semantic markers, which are predominantly used in writing the summary, conclusions, and recommendations.
For others, writing Chapter 5 is the easiest part of thesis writing, but there are groups of students who would like to know more about it. If you are one of them, this article on how to write chapter 5 of your thesis is purposely written for you.
What to Write in Chapter 5
1. Write the Summary
Your summary in Chapter 5 may include:
- objectives of the study.
- statement of the problem.
- respondents.
- sampling procedures.
- method/s of research employed.
- statistical treatment/s applied, or hypotheses tested, if there is any; and
- results.
If you notice, all the parts mentioned above are already included in your Chapters 1- 4. So, the challenge is on how you are going to write and present it in Chapter 5 briefly.
First, you must go directly to the point of highlighting the main points. There is no need to explain the details thoroughly. You must avoid copying and pasting what you have written in the previous chapters. Just KISS (keep it short and simple)!
Then, write sentences in simple past and always use passive voice construction rather than the active voice. You must also be familiar with the different semantic markers.
When I was enrolled in Academic Writing in my master’s degree, I learned that there are semantic markers which can be used in order not to repeat the same words or phrases such as additionally, also, further, in addition to, moreover, contrary to, with regard to, as regards, however, finally, during the past ___ years, from 1996 to 2006, after 10 years, as shown in, as presented in, consequently, nevertheless, in fact, on the other hand, subsequently and nonetheless.
Next, you may use the following guide questions to check that you have not missed anything in writing the summary:
- What is the objective of the study?;
- Who/what is the focus of the study?;
- Where and when was the investigation conducted?;
- What method of research was used?;
- How were the research data gathered?;
- How were the respondents chosen?;
- What were the statistical tools applied to treat the collected data?; and
- Based on the data presented and analyzed, what findings can you summarize?
Finally, organize the summary of the results of your study according to the way the questions are sequenced in the statement of the problem.
2. Write the Conclusion or Conclusions
Once you have written the summary in Chapter 5, draw out a conclusion from each finding or result. It can be done per question, or you may arrange the questions per topic or sub-topic if there is any. But if your research is quantitative, answer the research question directly and tell if the hypothesis is rejected or accepted based on the findings.
As to grammar, make sure that you use the present tense of the verb because it comprises a general statement of the theory or the principle newly derived from the present study. So, don’t be confused because, in your summary, you use past tense, while in conclusion; you use the present tense.
3. Write the Recommendations
The recommendations must contain practical suggestions that will improve the situation or solve the problem investigated in the study.
First, it must be logical, specific, attainable, and relevant. Second, it should be addressed to persons, organizations, or agencies directly concerned with the issues or to those who can immediately implement the recommended solutions. Third, present another topic which is very relevant to the present study that can be further investigated by future researchers.
But never recommend anything that is not part of your study or not being mentioned in your findings.
The recommendations must contain practical suggestions that will improve the situation or solve the problem investigated in the study.
First, it must be logical, specific, attainable, and relevant. Second, it should be addressed to persons, organizations, or agencies directly concerned with the issues or to those who can immediately implement the recommended solutions. Third, present another topic that is very relevant to the present study that can be further investigated by future researchers.
Recommend nothing that is not part of your research or not being mentioned in your findings.
However, there are universities, especially in the Philippines, that require a specific thesis format to be followed by students. Thus, as a student, you must conform to the prescribed form of your college or university.
Reference
Nordquist, R. n.d. Imperative Mood. Retrieved July 29, 2014, from https://www.thoughtco.com/imperative-mood-grammar-1691151
© 2014 July 29 M. G. Alvior | Updated 2024 January 10
how long should a summary contain? how many pages and words does it contain?
Hello, Nicolle. A summary depends on the journal, the written requirement of the teacher or it depends on your school’s format for thesis or dissertation writing. However, when I teach Academic Writing, I usually said that it should be 1/3 or 1/4 of the original text. Thanks a lot.
Hi again.. can you please suggest 3 statement of the problem to my thesis? The title of my thesis is Architecture: For housing project in (let’s keep the place a secret 🙂 ) that will ameliorate the surroundings of the informal settlers… I hope you would help me with this because I get confuse some part of my thesis if there’s any related to my title. Thanks 🙂
Hi, Mae. It is hard for me to answer your question but I think you must determine first your purpose why you are conducting this research. Then try to read this, https://simplyeducate.me/wordpress_Y/2013/12/20/what-is-a-good-research-problem/
I think it must be you to decide for your questions and your adviser. Thank you.
Hello, Kingsley Arogunyo. I’m glad to help you. Thanks.
Hello! It helps me with your article. Hope that you can also make a guide from chapter 1 to 4 of thesis hehe.. God Bless 😀
Hello, Mae. I wish but my time is not enough to write. Please pray for me to be given good health and a huge amount of time to write.
You may buy the book of Dr. Regoniel, https://simplyeducate.me/wordpress_Y/how-to-write-a-thesis/
How can i start my recommendation? I don’t know what to do.
Hi, Maricar. I suggest that you give recommendation for every major finding/result you have.
Thank you. Timely. Starting my chapter five soon.
Welcome, Regina. God bless to your research work.
Hi, Azar. Maybe null hypothesis you are referring to and not nail. Previous studies? What do you mean? I think you are referring to the results of other researches and you want to connect it to the results of your study in the conclusion. In my own opinion, it should not be the case. In writing a conclusion, you should not mention about the work of other researchers or the results of the previous studies. Just say something on the results of your study and make a concluding statement. As to your hypothesis, it must be written negatively and so, we call it as null. Your conclusion should be based on your answer to the null hypothesis. Thank you.
Hello ,
How I can compose the previous studies to the result in conclusion, when I have hypothesis and nail hypothesis and research questions . could you you help ?? thanks
very helpful!!!
Hi, Karla Ko. Thank you.
NICE WORK Dr VERY HELPFUL
Thank you so much if I am able to help you.
Hi,Mary…am doing corrections for my thesis.Do I write my findings in point form or prose? What’s are apa guideline,can’t seem to get it
Thanks and blessinngs.
Hi, Nancy. Since you are working for Chapter 5, and writing the findings, I think it is best for you to follow the format of your university. But if I were you I will write the findings in point form and not in prose. That is if you are referring to point form as numbered or bulleted form and you highlight only the important parts of the results or findings of the study.
I realy appreciate your write up ma…You were precise and nailed everything to the point…I normally consult up to 5tips since writing my thesis but this is the first time am using just one…Love you plenty and God bless
Thanks so much, Boche from Nigeria. Please pray for me that my health is always good in order to write and answer the questions in this site. God bless to your endeavour.
Does this apply for both quantitative and qualitative study? Don’t quantitative study need to base the Chapter 5 from each table in Chapter 4? Hope you can immediately answer. Thanks a lot!
Hi, Andrea. Yes you can follow this in both qualitative and quantitative research. But if your school has its own format, please follow your format. Sorry for a much delayed reply because I’m getting sick lately and adjusting to my new job.
Thanks you very much for the procedures, i needed the information for my thesis
You are welcome, Anne. God bless.
Very helpful information.
Thankyou
Hi, Joanneh. You are welcome.
You are welcome, Priscilla.
Welcome, Priscilla.
Just what I was looking for.
thanks a million
Hello, Joanneh. You are welcome.
hello ma’am,thnks alot,with your help my work became so easy
i now understand exactly what to do
HI, Ndumbe Cheribelle. You are welcome.
Hi, Ms Mary, may I kindly know what is a difference between the abstract portion of the paper and the summary? Thank, hope you could reply on this.
Hi, Archie. In writing the Chapter 5, the summary must be longer than the abstract that you have. As to abstract, Dr. Regoniel has written articles about it. Please check this out, https://simplyeducate.me/wordpress_Y/2013/11/16/how-to-write-the-abstract/ and this, https://simplyeducate.me/wordpress_Y/2014/05/19/4-elements-of-a-good-abstract/ .
Summary is at least 1/3 of the original text. For example, if a paragraph is 100 words, you have to make it as a 30 to 35-word paragraph or (33.3 words to be exact).
Thanks a lot the article really helped
Thanks so much, Rasaq.
Waw, that’s great. It has really helped me. May God bless your works.
You are welcome Joshua, Er.