tutorial 7 notes a s2 ay1213

HW0210 Technical Communication

Tutorial 7 Notes (A)Conclusion and Recommendations

1

OutlineOutline• Purpose of the conclusion• Organization • Language conventions

– Verb tenses – Modal auxiliaries– Tentative verbs– Useful expressions

• Dos & don’ts

Language & Communication Centre HW0210 Technical Communication

Tutorial 7 Notes (A)2

PurposePurpose

• To indicate whether the objective of the experiment has been achieved



OrganizationOrganizationTwo sets of information elements:1st set: inward looking1st set: inward looking• Restatement of objectives• Review of findings• Explanation for findings • Evaluation of research

22ndnd set: outward looking set: outward looking• Implication of one’s research• Recommendations for future research• Application of research



EXAMPLEEXAMPLE N.C. KRAMAKAR AND N.N. MOLLAH, “INVESTIGATIONS INTO PLANAR PHOTONIC BAND-GAP MICROSTRIP LINES,” EEE RESEARCH 2002, PP.36-37, 2002.



A novel transmission line in the form of an annular ring patterned PBG has been compared with the conventional hole PBG structure. It is seen that while the large filling factor for the hole PBG is the bottleneck for the large band operation due to the high ripples in S-parameters near the cut-off frequencies, the performance can be improved significantly using limited perturbation in the form of annular ring PBGs with the same filling factor. Thus the large bandwidth operation can be achieved using this technique. Both bandwidth and the ripple height performances can be improved and controlled with the aspect ratio of the annular ring PBG. This technique is very useful for wideband planar antennas, filters and amplifiers.

} Objective (scope &

method implied)

} Key findings

} Reason (embedded

in findings)

} Application

See Krishnan et al (2006)

pp.214-215 for

another example.

Language – verb tenses ILanguage – verb tenses I



Present Tense is used

for:

1. Explaining significant findings

2. Discussing limitations

3. Drawing implications

4. Recommending future work

ExamplesExamples

1. The results are in line with earlier

findings which suggests that …

2. Since this is only a preliminary

study, the results …

3. This study is timely for fresh

graduates who are in the job

market.

4. We recommend that the other

researchers use a bigger sample.

Language – verb tenses IILanguage – verb tenses II

7

Past Tense is used for:

1. Justifying purpose/objectives

2. Reviewing significant findings

or results

3. Explaining significant findings

4. Discussing limitations of study

ExamplesExamples

1.1. The project attempted to solve the

problem of low temperature in the

libraries.

2. The design was found to be 1.5 times

faster …

3. It is very possible that the movement was

blocked by some particles.

4. study was based on a very small sample.


Tutorial 7 Notes (A)



LANGUAGE – MODAL AUXILIARIESLANGUAGE – MODAL AUXILIARIES

Modal auxiliaries are

used for:

1. Explaining significant

findings

2. Discussing limitations


4. Recommending future

work

ExamplesExamples

1. These unfavorable results may be explained by the

gap found between the joints.

2. However, this system may only prove reliable under

the conditions specified in the study.

3. The findings may help researchers in the following

ways.

4. Future research should be carried out in order to

investigate the feasibility of using this system on a

bigger scale.



LANGUAGE – TENTATIVE VERBSLANGUAGE – TENTATIVE VERBS

Tentative verbs are used

for:

1. Explaining significant

findings


3. Recommending future work

ExamplesExamples

1. It seems that the forces acting on the bridge

are under control.

2. This approach appears to be an appropriate

and efficient alternative.

3. It looks like other researchers have to

consider the vibrations of the columns.

Useful expressions IUseful expressions ISpecific reference to studySpecific reference to study1. Restating the purpose / objective

• The aim of the study was …• In order to test …• This report is an investigation on …

2. Reviewing scope & method• The purpose was achieved through …• The study focused on …



Useful expressions IIUseful expressions II3. Reviewing significant findings

• The most significant finding was …• It was found that …• … was found to be …

4. Explaining reasons for findings• This might be due to …• It is likely that …• It is possible that …

5. Discussing limitations of study• Due to …, the study could only be …• Other studies may reveal different results if …



Useful expressions IIIUseful expressions IIIGeneral reference to studyGeneral reference to study6. Drawing implications

• The findings imply that …• The results suggest …• The findings provide evidence that …• From the findings, we infer that …

7. Making recommendations• We recommend that … • It is recommended that …• Further studies should …• Future studies could …



DosDos• Make definitive/specific statements

• Qualify your statements with your opinions

• Report specific findings of your study

• Be modest in stating the implications of your study

• Summarize findings represented in illustrations

• Use cohesive devices to string the statements together

• Select verb tenses according to the functions of the statementsRefer to examples in Krishnan et al (pp.230-231).



Don’tsDon’ts• Avoid general statements

• Avoid regurgitating findings from the results section without including your opinion

• Do not state findings without specific explanation

• Do not exaggerate the implications of your findings

• Do not include or cite illustrations

• Do not overuse cohesive devices

• Do not use the same verb tense throughout the conclusionRefer to examples in Krishnan et al (pp.230-231).



SummarySummary

The conclusion has:1.a statement that objectives were or were not

met.

2.a smooth progression from specific concerns to more general issues regarding your work.

3. your personal views of the research done & recommendations for future research work.



REFERENCESREFERENCESCheung, D., Tam, M.K. and Whisson, P.S. (Ed).

(1999) Report Writing for Engineering Students (2nd Edition). Singapore: Pearson Education Asia Pte Ltd.

Krishnan, L.A., Jong, R., Kathpalia S.S. and Tam M.K. (2006) Engineering Your Report: From Start to Finish (2nd Edition). Singapore: Pearson Education South Asia Pte Ltd.



tutorial 7 notes a s2 ay1213

Documents

recommending future work

reviewing significant findings

2nd edition

language

discussing limitations 3

discussing limitations

drawing implications

drawing implications 4