Offering Resolutions, Conclusions, or Solutions Based on Evidence Chapter Notes | AP Research – AP Students - Grade 11 PDF Download

Introduction

This chapter guides you on the next steps after building an argument with strong evidence in your AP Research paper. It focuses on crafting a conclusion that explains the significance of your research and, if applicable, proposing resolutions or solutions. The chapter emphasizes summarizing your findings, discussing their implications, and addressing limitations to show the boundaries of your work. It also highlights that not every paper needs a solution or call to action, but all must include a conclusion with limitations to meet AP Research requirements.

In Conclusion

Regardless of whether you are proposing a resolution or solution, a conclusion is essential for your paper. The College Board expects not only a conclusion but also an explanation of the "limitations of the conclusion."

A conclusion usually consists of two main components: a summary and the implications of your findings.

Typically, conclusions will provide a brief overview of the paper, reiterating the thesis statement along with some supporting arguments. While this may not be strictly necessary, it is recommended to reinforce your main point for both your audience and yourself.

After summarizing, or even if you choose not to summarize, the conclusion should then address the question: why is this research important?

Where Do I Start?

Here are some prompts to stimulate your thinking:

• How do you feel about the research you’ve done? What shaped those feelings? Reflecting on your experience can be a great way to begin wrapping up your work.
• What have you (or others) learned—or not learned—from this research? Why do you think that happened?
• How might your findings impact your community, society, or your field of study?
• If you’re making a final judgment or call to action (a resolution), what’s your reasoning? What would it mean for others to agree with it?
• If you’re offering a solution, what might happen if it were put into action?
• Did you face any challenges during your research? Including these in your conclusion can help show areas where future research is needed or highlight problems in the field.
• Now that the project is done, are there other paths or topics you wish you could explore?
• Does your research raise new questions or possibilities for future investigation? Even small ideas for further research are worth mentioning.
• What final message do you want to leave with your readers? What should they continue to think about after finishing your paper?

Research Tip: It’s possible to write a successful AP Research paper even if your research does not yield the expected results. The College Board evaluates your paper based on the process and insights rather than the success of your experiment. An inconclusive or unexpected result is still a valid outcome. 

Limits to Your Conclusion

Once you have completed your writing, it is also important to address the limitations of your conclusion.

Any research, regardless of its scope, cannot encompass all the potential outcomes the topic presents. This is due to the myriad possible interpretations and conclusions that can arise from the same research project, alongside the constraints of your paper’s length.

Taking the time to identify the limitations of your conclusion—and, if relevant, the limitations of your resolution or solution—will enhance the depth of your research paper and demonstrate your awareness of its boundaries. Furthermore, acknowledging limitations is crucial when proposing a resolution or solution to ensure that your statements remain grounded and realistic.

What are the Limitations?

When thinking about the limitations of your research, here are some useful approaches. You don’t need to include all of them—just use what fits your work best:

• Recognize the value and context of your research.
  • Your conclusions or proposed solutions should be grounded in your actual findings. If you make guesses or predictions, clearly state that you’re speculating and explain what led you to those thoughts.
• Practice reflective skepticism.
  • It’s normal to feel proud after completing a long, challenging paper—but after celebrating, take time to step back and review your work critically.
• Question the assumptions in your paper and sources.
  • Look closely at the beliefs or ideas you took for granted. Challenging them might help you discover new insights about your topic, your research, or even your own thinking.
• Think about alternative paths.
  • Could there have been a different method, conclusion, or solution? It might be helpful to explore those options, even if just briefly.
• Weigh the strengths and weaknesses of your conclusions.
  • Ask yourself: Do the benefits outweigh the downsides? Or are the negatives more significant than the positives?

Key Terms

Research Question: A research question is a clearly defined inquiry that shapes the focus of a study, serving as the fundamental basis for investigation. It directs the research process by establishing the context, purpose, and scope, which helps in formulating arguments and evaluating evidence throughout the research.