When you complete a dissertation, the recommendations section serves as one of the most critical parts of your work. It provides an opportunity to highlight the significance of your findings and suggest practical applications, improvements, or future research areas. Writing the recommendations effectively not only strengthens your argument but also demonstrates your ability to apply your research to real-world scenarios or future academic inquiries. At DissertationAssist.com, we can guide you through crafting well-structured and impactful recommendations that align with your findings.
The recommendations section is typically located towards the end of your dissertation, after the conclusion. This part is designed to synthesize the findings of your research and offer actionable insights based on the conclusions you've drawn. While the conclusion restates your findings and their implications, the recommendations focus on what should be done next—whether by future researchers, industry practitioners, or policymakers.
It is important to understand that recommendations are different from conclusions. Conclusions summarize the research and its implications, while recommendations suggest practical steps that can be taken to build on your research findings. These can range from recommending further studies to offering specific strategies for real-world application of your findings.
A well-crafted recommendations section should be clear, actionable, and well-supported by evidence from your research. Below are the key elements that make recommendations compelling:
One of the most essential features of your recommendations is that they must be directly linked to your research findings. Your dissertation is the foundation for the recommendations you make, so it’s crucial to show a clear connection between your conclusions and the suggested actions. Each recommendation should be backed by evidence from your research.
For example, if your research reveals that a particular strategy significantly improves customer satisfaction, your recommendation might suggest that companies implement this strategy across a wider range of their products or services.
Be specific about the connection between your findings and the recommendations you make. This will ensure that your suggestions are relevant and actionable.
Your recommendations should take into account the interests and needs of the stakeholders involved. Depending on the context of your dissertation, stakeholders could include practitioners in your field, policymakers, other researchers, or even the general public. Tailor your recommendations to meet the needs of these different groups.
The effectiveness of your recommendations depends on your ability to align them with the priorities of your stakeholders. In this section, emphasize the practical value of your suggestions.
An important aspect of good recommendations is their feasibility. Recommendations should be realistic and capable of being implemented. If your recommendations are not feasible, they will lose credibility and may be ignored. You must consider the resources, time, and limitations that may affect the implementation of your suggestions.
For instance, if your research advocates for a new educational policy, but the recommendation does not consider budget constraints or current governmental priorities, it could seem out of touch. In contrast, a feasible recommendation will demonstrate that you’ve carefully considered practical limitations and have proposed solutions that can be realistically achieved within those constraints.
When writing your recommendations, it is helpful to include specific actions, such as suggesting which steps should be taken first or outlining a timeline for implementation. This will provide clarity on how your recommendations can be carried out effectively.
In many dissertations, particularly in academic research, future research recommendations are crucial. This section provides an opportunity to suggest areas where additional studies or exploration could further enhance knowledge in your field. Highlighting the gaps in current research and offering suggestions for further inquiry shows that you have a thorough understanding of the broader academic landscape.
For example, if your research focused on a specific technology, you could recommend future studies that explore its long-term effects, its application in different contexts, or how it compares to other technologies. Future research recommendations demonstrate that your dissertation is a stepping stone in an ongoing academic conversation.
Writing a strong recommendations section requires a strategic approach to ensure that your suggestions are clear, well-supported, and aligned with your research findings. Below is a step-by-step guide to writing your recommendations:
Before you begin writing your recommendations, review your research findings and the conclusions you’ve drawn from them. Identify the most important outcomes and areas where improvements or changes could be made. These findings will form the basis for your recommendations.
Think about the implications of your findings. What do they mean for the stakeholders involved? What actions need to be taken to address the issues raised by your research?
Who will benefit from your recommendations? The success of your dissertation recommendations depends on your ability to tailor them to specific stakeholders. Ask yourself the following questions:
For instance, in a business dissertation, your stakeholders may include company executives, customers, and employees, whereas in a policy-oriented dissertation, your stakeholders may include government agencies or community organizations.
Recommendations should be specific and actionable. Avoid vague statements like "more research is needed" or "companies should be more innovative." Instead, focus on clear, practical suggestions that can be implemented. For example:
In many cases, you’ll have multiple recommendations to make, and it’s essential to prioritize them. This will help the reader understand which actions are most urgent or important. Start with the recommendations that have the highest impact or that are most relevant to your stakeholders.
Each recommendation should be supported by evidence from your research. You must justify why each action is necessary and what its potential benefits are. The evidence should come from the conclusions you’ve drawn from your research findings, as well as the literature review, if applicable.
For example, if your research shows that a particular method significantly improves productivity, you might recommend that it be implemented across a company. You should justify this recommendation by referencing the data and analysis that support it.
In many cases, implementing recommendations can present challenges. Acknowledge these challenges and offer solutions or suggestions for overcoming them. This demonstrates that you have a realistic understanding of the situation and have thought about how to make your recommendations work in practice.
For instance, if you recommend implementing a new policy, but you recognize that the cost may be prohibitive, you could suggest phased implementation or alternative funding sources to address this issue.
While the recommendations section is important, it should remain concise. Avoid overly detailed descriptions of each recommendation. Stick to the most relevant points, and remember that the goal is to provide actionable steps that are grounded in your research.
To help illustrate how recommendations can be structured, here are a few examples based on different dissertation topics:
In conclusion, writing a robust recommendations section requires careful thought and a strategic approach. DissertationAssist.com is here to help you craft clear, actionable, and well-supported recommendations that are aligned with your research findings and relevant to your stakeholders. Whether you need assistance refining your suggestions or ensuring that they are feasible, we provide the support you need to ensure your dissertation concludes on a high note.
Let us help you elevate your dissertation by crafting recommendations that are practical, well-founded, and impactful. Contact us today for expert assistance on your dissertation!