In our small group free webinar today we discussed Conclusions, because I believe it's always a good idea to think about endings.
Don't wait until the last few months of your doctoral journey to think about your Conclusion. Why? Well, in the first place, many researchers are frightened at the thought of writing a Conclusion, imagining that it is a complex, difficult thing to do. So they procrastinate and then don't leave enough time to write it.
Also, students may think it's premature to think about the ending when they've just started the beginning. What can possibly be done to prepare for the final chapter when the middle of the thesis isn't sorted out yet? A lot.
I always recommend a Conclusion that has several sections in it, and you can plan those sections early, from a summary of the study to a final reflection. Having a plan is very reassuring.
Planning and drafting a Conclusion is also a good activity if you're stuck in the middle of your Lit Review or can't sort out your Theoretical Framework. Changing gears to think about the end of your thesis will get you out of any rut you've fallen into and after an hour thinking about your Conclusion, you may be able to return to that thorny chapter in better spirits.
And most of all, give some thought to what final reflection you can offer at the end of your Conclusion. A line of poetry? An idea that came to you? A meaningful message. End your Conclusion with something memorable.
The next free webinar on April 27th offers 10 tips on using APA7. I love APA, so join me then.