Draw conclusions in relation to the purpose of the investigation

Understanding the Purpose of the Investigation

Every investigation is driven by a specific purpose. This could be a question it aims to answer or a hypothesis it looks to test.
The purpose often comes from existing gaps in knowledge or unresolved debates in human biology.
It’s essential to understand this clear rationale or purpose as it helps to shape the approach, methods and analyses of the investigation.

Drawing Conclusions

A conclusion is the analysis made after looking at all the evidence collected during the investigation.
It’s crucial to ensure that your conclusion directly addresses the purpose of the investigation.
Conclusions may be used to confirm or challenge existing beliefs, broaden our understanding, or suggest further areas for research.

Relating Conclusions to the Purpose of the Investigation

Firstly, establish a clear link between the collected results and the original purpose. For instance, does the evidence support or contradict the hypothesis?
If the purpose involves comparative analysis, identify if there are significant differences or similarities between the subjects or variables you investigated.
If the purpose was exploratory, your conclusion might acknowledge certain findings or trends in the data without necessarily providing an absolute answer.

Evaluating Your Conclusion

All conclusions should be evaluated critically. Ask if they fully address the purpose of the investigation, or if any limitations restrict them.
Consider the strength of the evidence backing your conclusion. Strong, clear, and abundant evidence makes for a robust conclusion.
Reflect on whether other interpretations of the data could also be valid. Different investigators may draw different conclusions from the same set of data.

Communicating Your Conclusions

It’s not enough to just form conclusions - they must be clearly communicated within the context of the investigation.
Explain whether the initial purpose or hypothesis was supported, contradicted or challenged by the results of the investigation.
Where appropriate, propose further research that can build on your results, address limitations, or test new, related hypotheses.

Drawing and relating conclusions to the purpose of an investigation is the final piece in a comprehensive research study. It complements the investigation’s evidence and provides the next generation of researchers with fuel for their inquiries.