How to Write Recommendations in Research

As you wrap up your research paper, one of the most critical final components to include is a well-crafted set of recommendations. Typically placed in the discussion section, these recommendations bridge your findings and real-world applications, offering guidance on addressing the issues identified in your research topic.

In academic writing, this section is crucial as it demonstrates the practical implications of your study. Your recommendations can be particularly valuable for policymakers and other stakeholders who may use your research to inform decision-making processes.

What should recommendations look like?

Practical research recommendations should be:

• Concrete and specific – Providing clear, actionable steps that can be taken.
• Supported with a clear rationale – Each recommendation should explain the logic and justification behind it.
• Directly connected to your research – The recommendations should logically flow from and align with the findings of your study.

The goal should be to highlight ways other researchers can build upon, reproduce, or extend the conclusions you have drawn. The recommendations should suggest fruitful new directions for future work, where applicable.

When crafting these recommendations, be cautious not to undermine the credibility of your own work. Instead, offer constructive suggestions for how subsequent studies can build incrementally upon your conclusions. Avoid using the recommendations as a platform for self-critique or to propose additional research needed to complete your original argument.

Instead, position the recommendations as a natural next step – a way to extend the implications and applications of your findings in productive new ways. This will allow your research to stand on its own merits while guiding the path for future scholarship.

Building your research recommendations

Numerous methods exist to structure recommendations in a research paper, yet the most straightforward approach might be to pose a main research question, present the key findings, and then provide specific recommendations based on the research. This process ensures that your recommendations are directly tied to the study findings and address the research problem.

When writing research recommendations, it’s crucial to distinguish between implications and recommendations; while implications discuss the theoretical and practical significance of your findings, recommendations are specific actions or suggestions for future research.

These recommendations, often written in the discussion section or conclusion section, should be clear, actionable, and based on the research findings, considering your study’s limitations.

Whether conducting health research, qualitative studies, or various research methods, your recommendations should contribute to the overall field of study and potentially impact future research directions. 

For instance, in academic research or when preparing an advisory report, you might suggest how your findings can address issues like the risk of social isolation among people over 65. 

Remember, research recommendations are crucial components that highlight your work’s potential impact and natural extension. They help to guide future studies and contribute meaningfully to your research field.

Here’s an illustration.

Recommendation setup example

Here’s an example of how to set up recommendations in the conclusion of your thesis or dissertation:

Research question: How can companies improve employee retention and job satisfaction within their organization?

Conclusion: Providing professional development and growth opportunities is crucial to employee engagement and loyalty. Employees who feel that their employer is invested in their long-term career growth are likelier to stay with the organization and be motivated.

Recommendation: The findings indicate that prioritizing employee development programs is an effective strategy for boosting retention and job satisfaction. Based on this, future research should explore the specific training, mentorship, and advancement initiatives that significantly improve employee engagement and reduce turnover.

Difference between implications and recommendations

In a research study, it’s important to understand the distinction between implications and recommendations. 

Aspect	Implications	Recommendations
Definition	Broader consequences of research study findings	Specific suggestions for future research
Purpose	Usually, specific research directions or actions	To write recommendations in a research paper
Nature	Theoretical outcomes of the study	Research recommendations are suggestions for action
Focus	What the findings mean for the field	How to ensure that your research study findings lead to new research
Scope	Can be broad and far-reaching	Usually specific research directions or actions
Action orientation	Less action-oriented	Aimed at improving quality of research
Future direction	May hint at future needs	Explicitly state recommendations for future research
Specificity	More general observations	Provide specific research suggestions
Application	How findings might be applied broadly	How to directly build on or extend the current study
Audience	To discuss the impact of research project results	May target specific researchers or research teams

How should your recommendations be written?

When crafting your recommendation statements, use a direct, prescriptive tone. Start each recommendation with an action verb like “implement,” “develop,” “expand,” or “investigate.”

Be specific about what should be done, by whom, and how. Provide enough detail to give the reader a clear picture of how the recommendation could be carried out. You may also include a brief rationale or justification for each recommendation, explaining why it is essential and how it addresses the identified problems or needs.

Recommendation in research examples

Here’s are examples of what well-written recommendations might look like:

Example 1 

The university should invest additional resources to double the number of peer mentors available and require all incoming freshmen to participate in the program. This will give more students the guidance and support to successfully transition to college-level academics and campus life. Our survey results indicate that students with a mentor were significantly more likely to persist into their second year than those without.

Example 2

The university should develop and deliver comprehensive training on cultural competency, implicit bias, and inclusive teaching practices. This training should be required for all current employees and incorporated into onboarding for new hires. Increasing awareness and providing concrete strategies will help address the racial disparities in student retention and graduation rates.

Tips for writing research recommendations

• Be specific: Clearly state what should be done.
• Base on findings: Link recommendations to your research results.
• Be realistic: Suggest actions that can actually be implemented.
• Prioritize: List the most important recommendations first.
• Explain why: Briefly state the potential benefit of each recommendation.
• Use action verbs: Start with words like “Implement,” “Develop,” or “Investigate.”
• Consider the audience: Tailor recommendations to those who can act on them.
• Be concise: Keep each recommendation brief and to the point.
• Provide timeframes: Suggest when actions should be taken, if applicable.
• Align with objectives: Ensure recommendations address the research goals.