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Major Sections

Writing Introductions​

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There are many ways to introduce an academic essay or short paper. Most academic writers, however, appear to do one or more of the following in their introductions:

  • establish the context, background and/or importance of the topic
  • indicate an issue, problem, or controversy in the field of study
  • define the topic or key terms
  • state of the purpose of the essay/writing
  • provide an overview of the coverage and/or structure of the writing

Introductions to research articles and dissertations tend to be relatively short but quite complex. Some of the more common moves include:

  • establishing the context, background and/or importance of the topic
  • giving a brief synopsis of the relevant literature
  • indicating a problem, controversy or a knowledge gap in the field of study
  • establishing the desirability of the research
  • listing the research questions or hypotheses
  • providing a synopsis of the research method(s)
  • explaining the significance or value of the study
  • defining certain key terms
  • providing an overview of the dissertation or report structure
  • explaining reasons for the writer's personal interest in the topic

Establishing the importance of the topic for the world or society​

note
  • X is a fundamental property of ....
  • X is fast becoming a key instrument in ....
  • X is a common disorder characterised by ....
  • X plays an important role in the maintenance of ....
  • Xs are the most potent anti-inflammatory agents known.
  • X is a major public health problem, and the main cause of ....
  • Xs are one of the most rapidly declining groups of insects in ....
  • In the new global economy, X has become a central issue for ....

Establishing the importance of the topic for the discipline​

note
  • A key aspect of X is ....
  • X is a classic problem in ....
  • A primary concern of X is ....
  • X is at the heart of our understanding of ....
  • X is an increasingly important area in applied linguistics.
  • Investigating X is a continuing concern within ....
  • Central to the entire discipline of X is the concept of ....
  • X and Y have been an object of research since the 1960s
  • X is a major area of interest within the field of ....
  • The issue of X has received considerable critical attention.
  • X has been studied by many researchers using ....
  • One of the most significant current discussions in legal and moral philosophy is ...

Synopsis of literature​

note
  • Previous studies have reported ....
  • Recent evidence suggests that ....
  • Several attempts have been made to ....
  • Studies of X show the importance of ....
  • A number of researchers have reported ....
  • Recently investigators have examined the effects of X on Y.
  • Factors found to be influencing X have been explored in several studies.
  • In the past two decades a number of researchers have sought to determine ....
  • A considerable amount of literature has been published on X. These studies ....
  • Surveys such as that conducted by Smith (1988) showed that ....
  • The first serious discussions and analyses of X emerged during the 1970s with ....
  • There have been a number of longitudinal studies involving X that have reported ....
  • Xs were reported in the first models of Y (e.g., Smith, 1977; Smith and Patel, 1977).
  • What we know about X is largely based upon empirical studies that investigate how ....
  • Smith (1984: 217) shows how, in the past, research into X was mainly concerned with ....

Highlighting a problem​

note
  • However, a major problem with this kind of application is ....
  • Lack of X has existed as a health problem for many years.
  • However, these rapid changes are having a serious effect on ....
  • Despite its safety and efficacy, X suffers from several major drawbacks:
  • However, research has consistently shown that these students lack ....
  • There is increasing concern that some Xs are being disadvantaged ....
  • Despite its long clinical success, X has a number of problems in use.
  • Questions have been raised about the safety of prolonged use of ....
  • Along with this growth in X, however, there is increasing concern over ....

Highlighting a controversy in the field of study​

note
  • To date there has been little agreement on what ....
  • One major issue in early X research concerned ....
  • The issue has grown in importance in light of recent ....
  • One observer has already drawn attention to the paradox in ....
  • Questions have been raised about the safety of prolonged use of ....
  • Debate continues about the best strategies for the management of ....
  • In many Xs, a debate is taking place between Ys and Zs concerning ....
  • This concept has recently been challenged by X studies demonstrating ....
  • The debate about X has gained fresh prominence with many arguing that ....
  • More recently, literature has emerged that offers contradictory findings about ....
  • One of the most significant current discussions in legal and moral philosophy is ....
  • The controversy about scientific evidence for X has raged unabated for over a century.
  • The causes of X have been the subject of intense debate within the scientific community.
  • The issue of X has been a controversial and much disputed subject within the field of ....
  • In the literature on X, the relative importance of Y has been subject to considerable debate.

Indicating the focus, aim, argument of a short paper​

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  • This paper contests the claim that ....
  • This paper will review the research conducted on ....
  • This paper will focus on/examine/give an account of ....
  • This paper seeks to remedy these problems by analysing the literature of ....
  • This paper examines the significance of X in the rise of ....
  • This essay critically examines/discusses/traces ....
  • This account seeks to ....
  • In this paper I argue that ....
  • In the pages that follow, it will be argued that ....
  • This paper attempts to show that ....
  • In this essay, I attempt to defend the view that ....
  • The central thesis of this paper is that ....
  • The aim of the paper is to provide a conceptual theoretical framework based on....
  • The purpose of this paper is to review recent research into the ....

Stating the purpose of research​

note
  • The major objective of this study was to investigate .....
  • The aim of this study was to clarify several aspects of ....
  • The aim of this study is to investigate the differences between X and Y.
  • The aim of this research project has therefore been to try and establish what ....
  • The main aim of this investigation is to assess the doses and risks associated with ....
  • The aim of this study is to shine new light on these debates through an examination of ....
  • The objectives of this research are to determine whether ....
  • The main purpose of this study is to develop an understanding of ....
  • This paper investigates the usefulness of ....
  • This thesis intends to determine the extent to which .... and whether ....
  • This thesis will examine the way in which the ....
  • This research examines the emerging role of X in the context of ....
  • This case study seeks to examine the changing nature of ....
  • This dissertation seeks to explain the development of ....
  • This dissertation aims to unravel some of the mysteries surrounding ....
  • This study systematically reviews the data for...., aiming to provide ....
  • Part of the aim of this project is to develop software that is compatible with ....
  • There are two primary aims of this study: 1. To investigate .... 2. To ascertain ....
  • Drawing upon two stands of research into X, this study attempts to ....
  • One purpose of this study was to assess the extent to which these factors were ....
  • This study seeks to obtain data which will help to address these research gaps.
  • This study therefore set out to assess the effect of X ...., and the effect of ....

Research questions or hypotheses​

note
  • The central question in this dissertation asks how ....
  • This research seeks to address the following questions:
  • In particular, this dissertation will examine six main research questions: The hypothesis that will be tested is that ....
  • The key research question of this study was whether or not ....
  • This study aimed to address the following research questions:
  • Another question is whether ....

Synopsis of the research design, method, source(s) of data​

note
  • Five works will be examined, all of which ....
  • Data for this study were collected using ....
  • This dissertation follows a case-study design, with in-depth analysis of ....
  • This study was exploratory and interpretative in nature.
  • The approach to empirical research adopted for this study was one of ....
  • The methodological approach taken in this study is a mixed methodology based on ....
  • By employing qualitative modes of enquiry, I attempt to illuminate the ....
  • This work takes the form of a case-study of the ....
  • Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used in this investigation.
  • A combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches was used in the data analysis.
  • Qualitative and quantitative research designs were adopted to provide ....
  • A holistic approach is utilised, integrating X, Y and Z material to establish ....
  • The research data in this thesis is drawn from four main sources: ....
  • The study was conducted in the form of a survey, with data being gathered via ....

Indicating significance​

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  • This project provided an important opportunity to advance the understanding of .....
  • This study provides an exciting opportunity to advance our knowledge of ....
  • This is the first study to undertake a longitudinal analysis of ....
  • The findings should make an important contribution to the field of .....
  • Therefore, this study makes a major contribution to research on X by demonstrating ....
  • The study offers some important insights into ....
  • This study aims to contribute to this growing area of research by exploring ....
  • There are several important areas where this study makes an original contribution to ....

Indicating limitations​

note
  • The thesis does not engage with ....
  • Due to practical constraints, this paper cannot provide a comprehensive review of ....
  • It is beyond the scope of this study to examine the ....
  • The reader should bear in mind that the study is based on ....
  • Another potential problem is that the scope of my thesis may be too broad.
  • A full discussion of X lies beyond the scope of this study.

Giving reasons for personal Interest*​

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  • My main reason for choosing this topic is personal interest.
  • I became interested in Xs after reading ....
  • This project was conceived during my time working for X.
  • As a medical advisor, I witnessed ...
  • I have worked closely with X for many years and ....
  • It is my experience of working with X that has driven this research.

Outlining the structure​

  • The main questions/issues addressed in this paper are: a), b and c).
  • This paper has been divided into four parts. The first part deals with ....
  • The essay has been organised in the following way.
  • This paper reviews the evidence for ....
  • This paper begins by .... It will then go on to ....
  • The first section of this paper will examine ....
  • This paper first gives a brief overview of the recent history of X.
  • My thesis is composed of four themed chapters.
  • The overall structure of the study takes the form of six chapters, including this introductory chapter.
  • Chapter Two begins by laying out the theoretical dimensions of the research, and looks at how ....
  • The third chapter is concerned with the methodology used for this study.
  • The fourth section presents the findings of the research, focusing on the three key themes that ....
  • Chapter 6 analyses the results of interviews and focus group discussions undertaken during ....
  • The remaining part of the paper proceeds as follows: ....
  • The final chapter draws upon the entire thesis, tying up the various theoretical and empirical strands in order to .... .... and includes a discussion of the implication of the findings to future research into this area.
  • Finally, the conclusion gives a brief summary and critique of the findings .
  • Finally, areas for further research are identified.

Explaining Keywords​

note
  • Throughout this paper, the term X will refer to ....
  • Throughout this dissertation, the term X will be used to refer to ....
  • In this article, the acronym/abbreviation XYZ will be used.
  • According to Smith (2002), X can be defined as follows: “....”
  • The term X is a relatively new name for ...., commonly referred to as ....
  • While a variety of definitions of the term X have been suggested, this paper will use the definition first suggested by Smith (1968) who saw it as ....

Referring to Literature​

One of the distinguishing features of academic writing is that it is informed by what is already known, what work has been done before, and/or what ideas and models have already been developed. Thus, academic writers frequently make reference to external sources. In some cases, where the individual author is important, the author’s name will be the main subject of the sentence; in other cases, the source may only be mentioned in brackets ( .... ) or via a number notation system (e.g. footnotes and endnotes). The verbs and verb phrases typically used for referring to sources are listed below. Note that different referencing systems are used in different disciplines. In the examples given here, the Harvard in-text referencing system has been used.

The literature review: it is the purpose of the literature review section of a paper or dissertation to show the reader, in a systematic way, what is already known about the research topic as a whole, and to outline the key ideas and theories that help us to understand this. As well as being systematic, the review should be evaluative and critical of the studies or ideas which are relevant to the current work (refer to Being Critical). For example, you may think a particular study did not investigate some important aspect of the area you are researching, that the authors failed to notice a weakness in their methods, or that their conclusion is not well-supported.

A note on verb tenses: For general reference to the literature, the present perfect tense (have/has + verb + ed) tends to be used. For reference to specific studies carried out in the past, the simple past tense is most commonly used. This is always the case where a specific date or time in the past forms a part of the sentence. When referring to the words or ideas of writers, the present tense is often used if the ideas are still relevant, even if the author is no longer alive. The examples given below reflect these general patterns.

:::

General descriptions of the relevant literature​

note
  • A large and growing body of literature has investigated ....
  • More recent attention has focused on the provision of ....
  • Much of the current literature on X pays particular attention to ....
  • Over the past decade most research in X has emphasized the use of ....
  • There is a large volume of published studies describing the role of ....
  • In recent years, there has been an increasing amount of literature on ....
  • The generalisability of much published research on this issue is problematic.
  • During the past 30 years, much more information has become available on ....
  • A considerable amount of literature has been published on X. These studies ....
  • The first serious discussions and analyses of X emerged during the 1970s with ....
  • What we know about X is largely based upon empirical studies that investigate how ....

General reference to previous research or scholarship: normally more than one author​

note
  • Traditionally, it has been argued that .... (Smith, 1982; O’Brien, 1984).
  • Surveys such as that conducted by Smith (1988) have shown that ....
  • Many historians have argued that .... (e.g. Jones, 1987; Johnson, 1990; Smith, 1994).
  • There is a consensus among social scientists that ....(e.g. Jones, 1987; Johnson, 1990; ....
  • Recent evidence suggests that .... (Smith, 1996; Jones 1999; Johnson, 2001)
  • Recently, in vitro studies have shown that X can .... (Patel et al., 1997; Jones et al., 1998).
  • Several studies investigating X have been carried out on ....
  • Several attempts have been made to .... (Smith, 1996; Jones 1999; ....).
  • Several studies thus far have linked X with Y (Smith, 2002; Jones 2004; ....).
  • Several studies have revealed that it is not just X that acts on ..... (Smith, 1996; Jones ....
  • Several biographies of Brown have been published. Smith (2013) presents .....
  • The geology of X has been addressed in several small-scale investigations and ....
  • Data from several sources have identified the increased X and Y associated with obesity.
  • Previous studies have reported .... (Smith, 1985; Jones, 1987; Johnson, 1992).
  • Previous research has indicated that various X indicators have a positive impact on ....
  • Previous research findings into X have been inconsistent and contradictory (Smith, 1996; ....)
  • Numerous studies have attempted to explain .... (for example, Smith , 1996; Kelly, 1998; ....)
  • A number of authors have reported analyses of trends in X that demonstrated ....
  • A number of studies have found that .... (Smith , 2003; Jones, 2004).
  • A number of studies have examined X (e.g. Smith, 2003; Jones, 2005), but to date none has ....
  • Xs have been identified as major contributing factors for the decline of many species (1).
  • X has also been shown to reverse the anti-inflammatory effects of Y in murine-induced arthritis.
  • Twenty cohort study analyses have examined the relationship between ....
  • At least 152 case-control studies worldwide have examined the relationship between.....
  • Other studies have considered the relationship ....
  • The relationship between X and Y has been widely investigated (Smith, 1985; Jones, 1987, ....
  • The causes of X have been widely investigated (Jones, 1987; Johnson, 1990; Smith, 1994).
  • Factors thought to be influencing X have been explored in several studies.
  • It has been suggested that levels of X are independent of the size of the Y (Smith et al., 1995).
  • It has conclusively been shown that X and Y increase Z (Smith et al., 1999; Jones, 2001 ....).
  • It has been demonstrated that a high intake of X results in damage to .... (Smith, 1998; ....).

Reference to current state of knowledge​

note
  • There is an unambiguous relationship between X and Y (Rao, 1998).
  • X is one of the most intense reactions following CHD (Lane, 2003).
  • X has been found to oppose the anti-inflammatory actions of Y on Z (Alourfi, 2004).
  • A relationship exists between an individual’s working memory and their ability to .... (Jones, 2002).
  • GM varieties of maize are able to cross-pollinate with non-GM varieties (Smith, 1998; Jones, 1999).

Reference to single investigations or publications in the past: time frame prominent​

note
  • In 1975, Smith et al. published a paper in which they described ....
  • In 1990, Patel et al. demonstrated that replacement of H2O with heavy water led to ....
  • Thirty years later, Smith (1974) reported three cases of X which ....
  • In the 1950s, Gunnar Myrdal pointed to some of the ways in which .... (Myrdal, 1957)
  • In 1981, Smith and co-workers demonstrated that X induced in vitro resistance to ....
  • In 1990, Al-Masry et al. reported a new and convenient synthetic procedure to obtain ....
  • In 1984, Jones et al. made several amino acid esters of X and evaluated them as ....

Reference to single investigations in the past: investigation prominent​

note
  • Preliminary work on X was undertaken by Abdul Karim (1992).
  • The first systematic study of X was reported by Patel et al. in 1986.
  • The study of the structural behaviour of X was first carried out by Rao et al. (1986).....
  • Analysis of the genes involved in X was first carried out by Smith et al (1983).
  • One study by Smith (2014) examined the trend in ....
  • A recent study by Smith and Jones (2012) involved ....
  • A longitudinal study of X by Smith (2012) reports that ....
  • A small scale study by Smith (2012) reaches different conclusions, finding no increase in ....
  • Smith’s cross-country analysis (2012) showed that ....
  • Smith’s comparative study (2012) found that ....
  • Detailed examination of X by Smith and Patel (1961) showed that ....
  • Brown’s (1992) model of X assumes three main ....
  • In an analysis of X, Smith et al. (2012) found ....
  • In an investigation into X, Smith et al. (2012) found ....
  • In another major study, Zhao (1974) found that just over half of the ....
  • In a study which set out to determine X, Smith (2012) found that ....
  • In a randomised controlled study of X, Smith (2012) reported that ....
  • In a large longitudinal study, Smith et al. (2012) investigated the incidence of X in Y.
  • In one well-known recent experiment, limits on X were found to be ..... (Al-Masry, 2013)

Reference to single investigations in the past: research topic as main focus​

note
  • To determine the effects of X, Zhao et al (2005) compared ....
  • X was originally isolated from Y in a soil sample from .... (Wang et al., 1952).
  • The electronic spectroscopy of X was first studied by Smith and Jones1 in 1970
  • X formed the central focus of a study by Smith (2002) in which the author found ....
  • X was first demonstrated experimentally by Pavlov (Smith, 2002). In his seminal study ....
  • The acid-catalyzed condensation reaction between X and Y was first reported by Smith in 1872 To better understand the mechanisms of X and its effects, Al-Masry (2013) analysed the ....
  • The way in which the X gene is regulated was studied extensively by Ho and colleagues (Ho et al. 1995 and 1998).

Reference to what other writers do in their text: author as subject​

note
  • Smith (2013) identifies X, Y, and Z as the major causes of ....
  • Perez (2013) draws on an extensive range of sources to assess ....
  • Toh (2013) mentions the special situation of Singapore as an example of ....
  • Al-Masry (2013) uses examples of these various techniques as evidence that ....
  • Smith (2013) questions whether mainstream schools are the best environment for ....
  • Jones (2013) draws our attention to distinctive categories of X often observed in ....
  • Brown (2013) considers whether countries work well on cross-border issues such as ....
  • Smith (2013) discusses the challenges and strategies for facilitating and promoting ....
  • Jones (2013) provides in-depth analysis of the work of Aristotle showing its relevance to ....
  • Rao (2013) lists three reasons why the English language has become so dominant.
  • These are: .... Smith (2013) traces the development of Japanese history and philosophy during the 19th century.
  • Smith (2013) defines evidence based medicine as the conscious, explicit and judicious use of .....
  • Rao (2013) highlights the need to break the link between economic growth and transport growth .....
  • By drawing on the concept of X, Smith has been able to show that ....
  • Drawing on an extensive range of sources, the authors set out the different ways in which ....
  • In Chapter 2, Smith provides us with a number of important ....
  • In the subsequent chapter, Smith examines the extent to which ....
  • Some analysts (e.g. Carnoy, 2002) have attempted to draw fine distinctions between ....
  • Other authors (see Harbison, 2003; Kaplan, 2004) question the usefulness of such an approach.

Reference to another writer’s ideas or position (author as subject)​

note
  • According to Smith (2003), preventative medicine is far more cost effective, and therefore ....
  • As noted by Smith (2003) X is far more cost effective, and therefore ....

Synthesising sources​

note
  • Similarly, Nicoladis (2006) found that X ....
  • In the same vein, Smith (1994) in his book XYZ notes ....
  • This view is supported by Jones (2000) who writes that ....
  • Smith argues that her data support O’Brien’s (1988) view that ....
  • Al-Masry’s (1986) work on X is complemented by Smith’s (2009) study of ....
  • Almost every paper that has been written on X includes a section relating to ....
  • Unlike Smith, Jones (2013) argues that ....
  • In contrast to Smith, Jones (2013) argues that ....
  • A broader perspective has been adopted by Smith (213) who argues that ....
  • Conversely, Wang (2010) reported no significant difference in mortality between X and Y.

Some ways of introducing quotations​

note
  • Commenting on X, Smith (2003) argues: ‘…. ….’
  • As Smith argues: ‘In the past, the purpose of education was to ….’ (Smith , 2000:150).
  • As Carnoy (2004: 215) states: ‘there are many good reasons to be sceptical’.
  • In the final part of the Theses, Marx writes: ‘Philosophers have hitherto only interpreted the world in various ways; the point ….’
  • Sachs concludes: ‘The idea of development stands today like a ruin in the intellectual landscape…’ (Sachs, 1992a: 156).

Summarising the review or parts of the review​

note
  • Together, these studies outline that ….
  • Overall, these studies highlight the need for ….
  • Collectively, these studies outline a critical role for…
  • The evidence presented in this section suggests that ….
  • The studies presented thus far provide evidence that ….
  • Overall, there seems to be some evidence to indicate that ….
  • Together these studies provide important insights into the ….
  • In view of all that has been mentioned so far, one may suppose that ….

Describing Methods​

In the Methods section of a dissertation or research article, writers give an account of how they carried out their research. The Methods section should be clear and detailed enough for another experienced person to repeat the research and reproduce the results. Where the methods chosen are new, unfamiliar or perhaps even controversial, or where the intended audience is from many disciplines, the Methods section will tend to be much more extensive. Typical stretches of text found in this section of a research article or dissertation along with examples of the kind of language used for these are listed below. Note that for most of the functional categories in this section, the verbs are written in the simple past tense.

Describing previously used methods​

note
  • To date various methods have been developed and introduced to measure X:
  • In most recent studies, X has been measured in four different ways.
  • Traditionally, X has been assessed by measuring….
  • Different authors have measured X in a variety of ways.
  • Previous studies have based their criteria for selection on ….
  • The use of qualitative case studies is a well-established approach in ….
  • This test is widely available, and has been used in many investigational studies.
  • Case studies have been long established in X to present detailed analysis of ….
  • Recently, simpler and more rapid tests of X have been developed.
  • Radiographic techniques are the main non-invasive method used to determine ….
  • A variety of methods are used to assess X. Each has its advantages and drawbacks.
  • Data were gathered from multiple sources at various time points during ….

Giving reasons why a particular method was adopted or rejected​

note
  • A case study approach was used to allow a ….
  • Qualitative methods offer an effective way of ….
  • A quantitative approach was employed since ….
  • The design of the questionnaires was based on ….
  • The X method is one of the more practical ways of … .
  • The semi-structured approach was chosen because ….
  • The X approach has a number of attractive features: ….
  • The second advantage of using the multivariate method is ….
  • For this study, the X was used to explore the subsurface ….
  • Smith et al. (1994) identify several advantages of the case study, ….
  • It was decided that the best method to adopt for this investigation was to ….
  • The study uses qualitative analysis in order to gain insights into ….
  • It was considered that quantitative measures would usefully supplement and extend the ….
  • Many of the distributions were not normal so non-parametric signed rank tests were run.
  • One advantage of the X analysis is that it avoids the problem of ….
  • The sensitivity of the X technique has been demonstrated in a report by Smith et al (2011).
  • However, there are certain drawbacks associated with the use of ….
  • The main disadvantage of the experimental method is that ….
  • A major problem with the experimental method is that ….
  • There are certain problems with the use of focus groups.
  • One of these is that there is less ….

Indicating a specific method​

note
  • X was prepared according to the procedure used by Patel et al. (1957).
  • The synthesis of X was done according to the procedure of Smith (1973).
  • X was synthesised using the same method that was detailed for Y, using ….
  • This compound was prepared by adapting the procedure used by Zhao et al. (1990).
  • An alternative method for making scales homogenous is by using ….
  • Samples were analysed for X as previously reported by Smith et al. (2012)

Describing the process: infinitive of purpose​

note
  • In order to identify the T10 and T11 spinous processes, the subjects were asked to ….
  • In order to understand how X regulates Y, a series of transfections was performed.
  • To establish whether ….,
  • To measure X, a question asking …. was used.
  • To see if the two methods gave the same measurement, the data was plotted and ….
  • To control for bias, measurements were carried out by another person.
  • To rule out the possibility that X, the participants were ….
  • To determine whether …, the cells were incubated for ….
  • To enable the subjects to see the computer screen clearly, the laptop was configured with ….
  • To increase the reliability of measures, each X was tested twice with a 4-minute break between ….
  • To compare the scores three weeks after initial screening, a global ANOVA F-test was used
  • The vials were capped with …. to prevent ….
  • The process was repeated several times in order to remove ….
  • In an attempt to make each interviewee feel as comfortable as possible, the interviewer ….

Describing the process: other phrases expressing purpose​

note
  • For the purpose of height measurement, subjects were asked to stand ….
  • For the purpose of analysis, 2 segments were extracted from each ….
  • For the estimation of protein concentration, 100 µL of protein sample was mixed with ….

Describing the process: typical verbs in the passive form​

note
  • The data were normalised using ….
  • Descriptive data were generated for all variables.
  • The procedures of this study were approved by ….
  • Data for this study were retrospectively collected from ….
  • Prompts were used as an aid to question two so that ….
  • The experiments were run using custom software written in….
  • Two sets of anonymised questionnaires were completed by ….
  • The solution was washed three times with deionized water and ….
  • A total of 256 samples were taken from 52 boreholes (Figure 11).
  • Significance levels were set at the 1% level using the student t-test.
  • Data management and analysis were performed using SPSS 16.0 (2010).
  • Published studies were identified using a search strategy developed in ….
  • The experiments were carried out over the course of the growing period from ….
  • Injection solutions were coded by a colleague to reduce experimenter bias.
  • Drugs were administered by icv injection under brief CO2 narcosis;
  • The subjects were asked to pay close attention to the characters whenever ….
  • The pilot interviews were conducted informally by the trained interviewer ….
  • Blood samples were obtained with consent, from 256 Caucasian male patients ….
  • Independent tests were carried out on the x and y scores for the four years from ….
  • This experiment was repeated under conditions in which the poor signal/noise ratio was improved.
  • Article references were searched further for additional relevant publications.
  • The mean score for the two trials was subjected to multivariate analysis of variance to determine ….

Describing the process: sequence words and phrases​

note
  • Prior to commencing the study, ethical clearance was sought from ….
  • Prior to undertaking the investigation, ethical clearance was obtained from ….
  • In the end, the EGO was selected as the measurement tool for the current study.
  • After ‘training’, the subjects were told that ….
  • After collection, the samples were shipped back to X in ….
  • After conformational analysis of X, it was necessary to ….
  • After the appliance was fitted, the patients attended X every four weeks.
  • After obtaining written informed consent from the patients, a questionnaire regarding the ….
  • Once the Xs were located and marked, a thin clear plastic ruler ….
  • Once the positions had been decided upon, the Xs were removed from each Y and replaced by ….
  • Once the exposures were completed, the X was removed from the Y and placed in ……
  • On completion of X, the process of model specification and parameter estimation was carried out.
  • On arrival at the clinic, patients were asked to ….
  • Following this, the samples were recovered and stored overnight at ….
  • Following correction for …., X was reduced to ….
  • These ratings were then made for the ten stimuli to which the subject had been exposed ….
  • The analysis was checked when initially performed and then checked again at the end of ….
  • The subjects were then shown a film individually and were asked to ….
  • The soil was then weighed again, and this weight was recorded as ….
  • The results were corrected for the background readings and then averaged before
  • Finally, questions were asked as to the role of ….
  • In the follow-up phase of the study, participants were asked ….

Describing the process: adverbs of manner​

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  • The soil was then placed in a furnace and gradually heated up to ….
  • The vials were shaken manually to allow the soil to mix well with the water.
  • The medium was then aseptically transferred to a conical flask.
  • The resulting solution was gently mixed at room temperature for ten minutes and …. A sample of the concentrate was then carefully injected into ….
  • The tubes were accurately reweighed to six decimal places using ….

Describing the process: using + instrument​

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  • 15 subjects were recruited using email advertisements requesting healthy students from …. All the work on the computer was carried out using Quattro Pro for Windows and ….
  • Data were collected using two high spectral resolution Xs.
  • The data was recorded on a digital audio recorder and transcribed using a ….
  • Semi-automated genotyping was carried out using X software and ….
  • Statistical significance was analysed using analysis of variance and t-tests as appropriate. Comparisons between the two groups were made using unrelated t-tests.
  • Using the X-ray and looking at the actual X, it was possible to identify ….
  • Using an Anthos Micro plate Reader, we were able to separate single cells into different ….

Describing the process: giving detailed information​

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  • Compounds 3 and 5 were dissolved in X at apparent pH 2.5 to give concentrations of 4mM …. …. and the solutions were degraded at 55°C or 37°C for a total time of 42 hours.
  • At intervals of 0.5 min, 50 µLof the X was aliquoted into 0.5mL of Y (pH 7.5) to ….

Indicating problems or limitations​

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  • In this investigation there are several sources for error. The main error is ….
  • Another major source of uncertainty is in the method used to calculate X.
  • In particular, the analysis of X was problematic.
  • Further data collection is required to determine exactly how X affects Y.
  • It was not possible to investigate the significant relationships of X and Y further because the sample size was too small.

Reporting Results​

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  • The standard approach to this section of a research article or dissertation is to present and describe the results in a systematic and detailed way. When reporting qualitative results, the researcher will highlight and comment on the themes that emerge from the analysis. These comments will often be illustrated with excerpts from the raw data. In text based studies, this may comprise quotations from the primary sources. In quantitative studies, the results section is likely to consist of tables and figures, and writers comment on the significant data shown in these. This often takes the form of the location or summary statement, which identifies the table or figure and indicates its content, and a highlighting statement or statements, which point out and describe the relevant or significant data. All figures and tables should be numbered and given a title.
  • More elaborate commentary on the results is normally restricted to the Discussion section. In research articles, however, authors may comment extensively on their results as they are presented, and it is not uncommon for the Results section to be combined with the Discussion section under the heading: Results and Discussion.

Reference to aim or method​

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  • Changes in X and Y were compared using ….
  • Simple statistical analysis was used to ….
  • To assess X, the Y questionnaire was used.
  • To distinguish between these two possibilities, ….
  • T-tests were used to analyse the relationship between ….
  • In order to assess Z, repeated-measures ANOVAs were used.
  • Regression analysis was used to predict the ….
  • The average scores of X and Y were compared in order to ….
  • Nine items on the questionnaire measured the extent to which ….
  • The correlation between X and Y was tested.
  • The first set of analyses examined the impact of ….
  • To compare the scores three weeks after initial screening, a global ANOVA F-test was used. A scatter diagram and a Pearson’s product moment correlation were used to determine the relationship between ….
  • Highlighting significant data in a table or chart
  • It is apparent from this table that very few ….
  • This table is quite revealing in several ways. First, unlike the other tables …..
  • What is interesting in this data is that ….
  • In Fig.10 there is a clear trend of decreasing ….
  • As Table III shows, there is a significant difference (t = -2.15, p = 0.03) between the two groups.
  • The differences between X and Y are highlighted in Table 4
  • From the chart, it can be seen that by far the greatest demand is for ….
  • From the data in Figure 9, it is apparent that the length of time left between ….
  • From this data, we can see that Study 2 resulted in the lowest value of ….
  • Data from this table can be compared with the data in Table 4.6 which shows ….

  • Statements of positive result​

  • Strong evidence of X was found when ….
  • This result is significant at the p = 0.05 level.
  • There was a significant positive correlation between ….
  • There was a significant difference between the two conditions ….
  • On average, Xs were shown to have ….
  • The mean score for X was ….
  • Interestingly, for those subjects with X, ….
  • A positive correlation was found between X and Y.
  • The results, as shown in Table 1, indicate that ….
  • A two-way ANOVA revealed that ….
  • Post hoc analysis revealed that during ….
  • Further analysis showed that ….
  • Further statistical tests revealed ….
  • Statements of negative result
  • There was no increase of X associated with …..
  • There were no significant differences between ….
  • No significant differences were found between ….
  • No increase in X was detected.
  • No difference greater than X was observed.
  • No significant reduction in X was found compared with placebo.
  • None of these differences were statistically significant.
  • Overall, X did not affect males and females differently in these measures.
  • The Chi-square test did not show any significant differences between ….
  • A clear benefit of X in the prevention of Y could not be identified in this analysis.
  • Only trace amounts of X were detected in ….
  • Highlighting significant, interesting or surprising results
  • Interestingly, the X was observed to ….
  • Interestingly, this correlation is related to ….
  • The more surprising correlation is with the ….
  • The most surprising aspect of the data is in the ….
  • The most striking result to emerge from the data is that ….
  • The correlation between X and Y is interesting because ….
  • Interestingly, there were also differences in the ratios of ….
  • The single most striking observation to emerge from the data comparison was ….

Reporting a reaction​

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  • When X cells were stimulated with Y, no significant difference in the number of Z was detected.
  • However, stimulation of X cells with Y did not increase the ….
  • Following the addition of X, a significant increase (P<0.05) in the Y was recorded.
  • With successive increases in intensity of the X, the Y moved further to ….

Reporting results from questionnaires and interviews​

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  • The response rate was 60% at six months and 56% at 12 months.
  • Of the study population, 90 subjects completed and returned the questionnaire.
  • Thirty-two individuals returned the questionnaires.
  • By the end of the survey period, data had been collected from 64 individuals, 23 of whom were ….
  • This section of the questionnaire required respondents to give information on ….
  • Respondents were asked to indicate whether ….
  • Respondents were asked to suggest other reasons for ….
  • There were 53 responses to the question: ‘….?’
  • The total number of responses for this question was ….
  • The overall response to this question was poor.
  • In response to the question: ‘….?’, a range of responses was elicited.
  • In response to Question 1, most of those surveyed indicated that ….
  • The overall response to this question was very positive.
  • When the participants were asked ……, the majority commented that ….
  • Other responses to this question included ….
  • The majority of those who responded to this item felt that ….
  • 70% of those who were interviewed indicated that …..
  • Almost two-thirds of the participants (64%) said that …..
  • Just over half of those who answered this question reported that ….
  • Over half of those surveyed reported that ….
  • Approximately half of those surveyed did not comment on …..
  • Of the 62 participants who responded to this question, 30 reported an increase in ….
  • Of the 148 patients who completed the questionnaire, just over half indicated that ….
  • A small number of those interviewed suggested that …..
  • Only a small number of respondents indicated that … .
  • Some participants expressed the belief that …..
  • One individual stated that ‘….’ And another commented ‘….’
  • A minority of participants (17%) indicated that ….
  • One participant commented: ‘ ….’
  • Another interviewee alluded to the notion of ….

  • Observations about qualitative data​

  • The themes of X and Y recurred throughout the dataset.
  • Five broad themes emerged from the analysis.
  • Two discrete reasons emerged from this. First …. Second .…
  • A number of issues were identified .…
  • This theme came up for example in discussions of .…
  • A recurrent theme in the interviews was a sense amongst interviewees that …
  • These views surfaced mainly in what respects .…
  • There was a sense of X amongst interviewees .…
  • A variety of perspectives were expressed .…
  • A common view amongst interviewees was that .…
  • Issues related to X were not particularly prominent in the interview data.
  • In their accounts of the events surrounding ….
  • As one interviewee said: ….
  • As one interviewee put it: ….
  • For example, one interviewee said: ….
  • Talking about this issue an interviewee said: ….
  • Another interviewee, when asked …, said: ….
  • The extract/comment below shows ….
  • Some interviewees argued that .… while others .…
  • Some felt that .… while others considered that .…
  • Two divergent and often conflicting discourses emerged .…
  • Whilst a minority mentioned that… all agreed that…

Transition statements​

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  • If we now turn to ….
  • A comparison of the two results reveals ….
  • Turning now to the experimental evidence on ….
  • Comparing the two results, it can be seen that ….
  • The next section of the survey was concerned with … .
  • In the final part of the survey, respondents were asked ….

Summary and transition​

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  • These results suggest that ….
  • Overall, these results indicate that ….
  • Together these results provide important insights into ….
  • Taken together, these results suggest that there is an association between ….
  • In summary, these results show that ….
  • The results in this Chapter indicate that …. The next Chapter, therefore, moves on to discuss the ….

Discussing Findings​

The term ‘discussion’ has a variety of meanings in English. In academic writing, however, it usually refers to two types of activity: a) considering both sides of an issue, or question before reaching a conclusion; b) considering the results of research and the implications of these. Discussion sections in dissertations and research articles are probably the most complex sections in terms of their elements. They normally centre around a 'statement of result' or an important 'finding'. As there is usually more than one result, discussion sections are often structured into a series of discussion cycles. The most common elements in these cycles, and some of the language that is typically associated with them, are listed below.

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Note that when offering explanations and suggesting implications the language used is very tentative or cautious (refer to the section entitled Expressing Caution).

Background information: reference to literature or to research aim/question​

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  • As mentioned in the literature review, ….
  • The third question in this research was ….
  • Prior studies that have noted the importance of ….
  • An initial objective of the project was to identify ….
  • Very little was found in the literature on the question of ….
  • This study set out with the aim of assessing the importance of X in ….
  • The first question in this study sought to determine ….
  • It was hypothesized that participants with a history of ….
  • The present study was designed to determine the effect of ….
  • A strong relationship between X and Y has been reported in the literature.
  • In reviewing the literature, no data was found on the association between X and Y.

Statements of result: usually with reference to results section​

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  • The current study found that ….
  • The most interesting finding was that ….
  • In this study, Xs were found to cause ….
  • The results of this study show/indicate that ….
  • This experiment did not detect any evidence for ….
  • On the question of X, this study found that ….
  • The most important clinically relevant finding was ….
  • Another important finding was that ….
  • In the current study, comparing X with Y showed that the mean degree of ….
  • X provided the largest set of significant clusters of ….
  • It is interesting to note that in all seven cases of this study ….
  • The results of this study did not show that …/did not show any significant increase in ….

Unexpected outcome​

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  • Surprisingly, X was found to ….
  • What is surprising is that ….
  • One unanticipated finding was that ….
  • Surprisingly, no differences were found in ….
  • This finding was unexpected and suggests that ….
  • It is somewhat surprising that no X was noted in this condition ….
  • Contrary to expectations, this study did not find a significant difference between ….
  • However, the observed difference between X and Y in this study was not significant.
  • However, the ANOVA (one way) showed that these results were not statistically significant.

Reference to previous research: support​

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  • These findings further support the idea of ….
  • This finding confirms the association between ….
  • This study confirms that X is associated with ….
  • These results match those observed in earlier studies.
  • The results of this study will now be compared to the findings of previous work.
  • The findings of the current study are consistent with those of Smith and Jones (2001) who ….
  • These results are consistent with those of other studies and suggest that ….
  • This finding supports previous research into this brain area which links X and Y.
  • This finding corroborates the ideas of Smith and Jones (2008), who suggested that ….
  • This finding is in agreement with Smith’s (1999) findings which showed ….
  • It is encouraging to compare this figure with that found by Jones (1993) who found that ….
  • Increased activation in the X in this study corroborates these earlier findings.
  • The present findings seem to be consistent with other research which found ….
  • This also accords with our earlier observations, which showed that ….
  • These results agree with the findings of other studies, in which ….
  • In accordance with the present results, previous studies have demonstrated that ….
  • The findings observed in this study mirror those of the previous studies that have examined the effect of ….
  • This study produced results which corroborate the findings of a great deal of the previous work in this field.
  • There are similarities between the attitudes expressed by X in this study and those described by (Smith, 1987, 1995) and Jones (1986).

  • Reference to previous research: contradict​

  • However, the findings of the current study do not support the previous research.
  • This study has been unable to demonstrate that ….
  • However, this result has not previously been described.
  • In contrast to earlier findings, however, no evidence of X was detected.
  • These results differ from X’s 2003 estimate of Y, but they are broadly consistent with earlier ….
  • Although, these results differ from some published studies (Smith, 1992; Jones, 1996), they are consistent with those of ….

Explanations for results​

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  • There are several possible explanations for this result.
  • A possible explanation for these results may be the lack of adequate ….
  • It is difficult to explain this result, but it might be related to ….
  • There are, however, other possible explanations.
  • These factors may explain the relatively good correlation between X and Y.
  • These differences can be explained in part by the proximity of X and Y.

Some authors have speculated that ….​

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  • A possible explanation for this might be that ….
  • Another possible explanation for this is that ….
  • This result may be explained by the fact that ….
  • It seems possible that these results are due to ….
  • This inconsistency may be due to ….
  • This discrepancy could be attributed to ….
  • This rather contradictory result may be due to ….
  • The observed increase in X could be attributed to … .
  • Since this difference has not been found elsewhere it is probably not due to ….
  • The observed correlation between X and Y might be explained in this way. ….
  • The reason for this is not clear but it may have something to do with ….
  • It may be that these students benefitted from ….
  • There are two likely causes for the differences between ….
  • The possible interference of X cannot be ruled out.

Advising cautious interpretation​

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  • These findings cannot be extrapolated to all patients.
  • These data must be interpreted with caution because ….
  • These results therefore need to be interpreted with caution.
  • It is important to bear in mind the possible bias in these responses.
  • However, with a small sample size, caution must be applied, as the findings might not be transferable to ….
  • Although exclusion of X did not reduce the effect on X, these results should be interpreted with caution.

Suggesting general hypotheses​

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  • The value of X suggests that a weak link may exist between ….
  • It is therefore likely that such connections exist between ….
  • It can thus be suggested that ….
  • It is possible to hypothesise that these conditions are less likely to occur in ….
  • It is possible/likely/probable therefore that ….
  • Hence, it could conceivably be hypothesised that ….
  • These findings suggest that ….
  • It may be the case therefore that these variations ….
  • In general, therefore, it seems that ….
  • It is possible, therefore, that ….
  • Therefore, X could be a major factor, if not the only one, causing ….
  • It can therefore be assumed that the ….
  • This finding, while preliminary, suggests that .…

  • Noting implications​

  • This finding has important implications for developing ….
  • An implication of this is the possibility that ….
  • One of the issues that emerges from these findings is ….
  • Some of the issues emerging from this finding relate specifically to ….
  • This combination of findings provides some support for the conceptual premise that …. These findings may help us to understand ….
  • These results provide further support for the hypothesis that ….

Commenting on findings​

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  • However, these results were not very encouraging.
  • These findings are rather disappointing.
  • The test was successful as it was able to identify students who ….
  • The present results are significant in at least major two respects.
  • These findings will doubtless be much scrutinized, but there are some immediately dependable conclusions for ….
  • The results of this study do not explain the occurrence of these adverse events.

Suggestions for future work​

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  • Further work is required to establish this.
  • This is an important issue for future research.
  • Several questions remain unanswered at present.
  • There is abundant room for further progress in determining …
  • Further research should be done to investigate the ….
  • Research questions that could be asked include ….
  • Future studies on the current topic are therefore recommended.
  • A further study with more focus on X is therefore suggested.
  • Further studies, which take these variables into account, will need to be undertaken.
  • In future investigations, it might be possible to use a different X in which ….
  • In further research, the use of this data as X could be a means of ….
  • However, more research on this topic needs to be undertaken before the association between X and Y is more clearly understood.

Writing Conclusions​

Conclusions are shorter sections of academic texts which usually serve two functions. The first is to summarise and bring together the main areas covered in the writing, which might be called ‘looking back’; and the second is to give a final comment or judgement on this. The final comment may also include making suggestions for improvement and speculating on future directions.

In dissertations and research papers, conclusions tend to be more complex and will also include sections on significance of the findings and recommendations for future work. Conclusions may be optional in research articles where consolidation of the study and general implications are covered in the Discussion section. However, they are usually expected in dissertations and essays.

Restatement of aims​

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  • This paper has argued that ….
  • This study set out to determine ….
  • This essay has discussed the reasons for ….
  • The present study was designed to determine the effect of ….
  • The main goal of the current study was to determine ….
  • In this investigation, the aim was to assess ….
  • The purpose of the current study was to determine … .
  • This project was undertaken to design …. and evaluate ….
  • Returning to the hypothesis/question posed at the beginning of this study, it is now possible to state that ….

Summarising research findings​

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  • This study has shown that ….
  • The investigation of X has shown that ….
  • These findings suggest that in general ….
  • One of the more significant findings to emerge from this study is that ….
  • It was also shown that ….
  • This study has found that generally ….
  • The relevance of X is clearly supported by the current findings.
  • This study/research has shown that ….
  • The second major finding was that ….
  • The results of this investigation show that ….
  • The most obvious finding to emerge from this study is that ….
  • X, Y and Z emerged as reliable predictors of ….
  • Multiple regression analysis revealed that the ….

Suggesting implications​

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  • The evidence from this study suggests that ….
  • The following conclusions can be drawn from the present study ….
  • The results of this study indicate that ….
  • The results of this research support the idea that ….
  • In general, therefore, it seems that ….
  • Taken together, these results suggest that ….
  • An implication of this is the possibility that ….
  • The findings of this study suggest that ….

Significance of the findings or research contribution​

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  • This research extends our knowledge of ….
  • The present study makes several noteworthy contributions to ….
  • This work contributes to existing knowledge X by providing ….
  • The present study provides additional evidence with respect to ….
  • The current findings add to a growing body of literature on ….
  • The study has confirmed the findings of Smith et al. (2001) which found that ….
  • The findings from this study make several contributions to the current literature.
  • First,… These findings enhance our understanding of ….
  • The study has gone some way towards enhancing our understanding of ….
  • The X that we have identified therefore assists in our understanding of the role of ….
  • The empirical findings in this study provide a new understanding of ….
  • The key strengths of this study are its long duration and ….
  • This is the first study reporting an advantage in those who ….
  • This is the first time that X has been used to explore ….
  • This is the largest study so far documenting a delayed onset of ….
  • This study has demonstrated, for the first time, that ….
  • The analysis of X undertaken here, has extended our knowledge of ….
  • This research will serve as a base for future studies and ….
  • The methods used for this X may be applied to other Xs elsewhere in the world.
  • Taken together, these findings suggest a role for X in promoting Y.
  • The present study confirms previous findings and contributes additional evidence that suggests ….
  • This research has several practical applications. Firstly, it points to ….
  • Significance of the findings with a qualification
  • Whilst this study did not confirm X, it did partially substantiate ….
  • Despite its exploratory nature, this study offers some insight into ….
  • Although the current study is based on a small sample of participants, the findings suggest ….
  • Notwithstanding these limitations, the study suggests that ….

Limitations of the current study​

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  • Finally, a number of important limitations need to be considered. First, ….
  • The findings in this report are subject to at least three limitations. First, ….
  • Thirdly, the study did not evaluate the use of ….
  • The generalisability of these results is subject to certain limitations.
  • For instance, ….
  • The most important limitation lies in the fact that ….

The major limitation of this study is the low response rate.​

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  • A limitation of this study is that the numbers of patients and controls were relatively small.
  • Several limitations to this pilot study need to be acknowledged. The sample size is ….
  • This limitation means that study findings need to be interpreted cautiously.
  • The current study has only examined ….
  • The current investigation was limited by ….
  • The current study was unable to analyse these variables.
  • The current research was not specifically designed to evaluate factors related to ….
  • The study is limited by the lack of information on ….
  • The scope of this study was limited in terms of ….
  • However, these findings are limited by the use of a cross sectional design.
  • The project was limited in several ways. First, the project used a convenience sample that ….
  • The sample was nationally representative of X but would tend to miss people who were
  • However, with a small sample size, caution must be applied, as the findings might not be transferable to ….
  • These results may not be applicable to ….
  • It is unfortunate that the study did not include ….
  • The main weakness of this study was the paucity of ….
  • An arguable weakness is the arbitrariness in our definition of ….
  • An issue that was not addressed in this study was whether….
  • A number of caveats need to be noted regarding the present study.
  • One source of weakness in this study which could have affected the measurements of X was ….
  • Although the study has successfully demonstrated that …., it has certain limitations in terms of ….

Recommendations for further research work​

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  • This research has thrown up many questions in need of further investigation.
  • What is now needed is a cross-national study involving ….
  • More broadly, research is also needed to determine ….
  • More research is needed to better understand when implementation ends and ….
  • More research is required to determine the efficacy of ….
  • It would be interesting to assess the effects of ….
  • It would be interesting to compare experiences of individuals within the same … .
  • It is recommended that further research be undertaken in the following areas:
  • It is suggested that the association of these factors is investigated in future studies.
  • Further work needs to be done to establish whether ….
  • Further research is needed to account for the varying ….
  • Further research might explore/investigate ….
  • Further research in this field would be of great help in ….
  • Further research regarding the role of X would be worthwhile/interesting.
  • Further investigation and experimentation into X is strongly recommended.
  • Further experimental investigations are needed to estimate ….
  • A further study could assess the long-term effects of ….
  • Further research needs to examine more closely the links between X and Y.
  • Future trials should assess the impact of ….
  • Future research should therefore concentrate on the investigation of ….
  • A future study investigating X would be very interesting.
  • A number of possible future studies using the same experimental set up are apparent.
  • Another possible area of future research would be to investigate why ….
  • A natural progression of this work is to analyse ….
  • These findings provide the following insights for future research: ….
  • The precise mechanism of X in insects remains to be elucidated.
  • Considerably more work will need to be done to determine …..
  • The issue of X is an intriguing one which could be usefully explored in further research.
  • Large randomised controlled trials could provide more definitive evidence.
  • A greater focus on X could produce interesting findings that account more for ….
  • More information on X would help us to establish a greater degree of accuracy on this matter.
  • If the debate is to be moved forward, a better understanding of X needs to be developed.
  • I suggest that before X is introduced, a study similar to this one should be carried out on ….

Implications or recommendations for practice or policy​

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  • Other types of X could include: a), b). ….
  • There is, therefore, a definite need for ….
  • Moreover, more X should be made available to ….
  • Another important practical implication is that ….
  • Unless governments adopt X, Y will not be attained.
  • These findings suggest several courses of action for ….
  • A reasonable approach to tackle this issue could be to ….
  • There are a number of important changes which need to be made.
  • Management to enhance bumble-bee populations might involve ….
  • A key policy priority should therefore be to plan for the long-term care of ….
  • This information can be used to develop targetted interventions aimed at ….
  • Taken together, these findings do not support strong recommendations to ….
  • An implication of these findings is that both X and Y should be taken into account when ….
  • The findings of this study have a number of important implications for future practice.