How To Write Recommendations In Research: Ultimate Guide

A perfect recommendation starts with following a clear guide. Here’s what you should follow while writing: 

1. Be clear and concise 
2. Prioritise recommendations 
3. Align with objectives 
4. Consider stakeholder perspectives 
5. Use evidence 
6. Anticipate challenges 
7. Be realistic 

This article will explain how to write recommendations in research paper, covering key aspects like definition, types, and best practices. By the end, you'll know how to apply these techniques in real-world situations.

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What Is Recommendation in Research?

Recommendations in research refer to actionable suggestions derived from a researcher's findings. These findings aim to solve specific problems, improve situations, and guide future inquiries. 

Recommendations in research serve various purposes, such as the following:

• Help provide evidence-based suggestions to initiate change.
• Address research problems based on the findings.
• Identify areas that require further investigation.
• Promote an actionable plan based on research results.

Research Recommendations And Implication: Are They the Same? 

No, they are not the same and also serve different purposes in academic works, although both help to bridge the gap between research and applications. 

• Research recommendations act as a roadmap of practical applications and actions a researcher would take for future studies. 
• Implications offer a wider knowledge of the study's practice, policy, and theoretical impact. 

What Are The Key Components Of Research Recommendations?

The recommendation in research paper includes several components, as shown in the table below. These elements help the target audience apply research findings to practice, policies, and future studies.

Research Recommendations Types 

Research recommendations come in various forms. This section explores the key types you should be familiar with.

Policy Recommendations 

Policy recommendations aim to influence policymakers. They suggest changes based on the research findings, guiding decisions that could improve policies or regulations. For example, a researcher might recommend new environmental regulations to address challenges identified in their study. These recommendations are rooted in strong evidence and highlight changes likely to yield positive outcomes.

Recommendations Based On Practice 

This type of recommendation focuses on practical actions. It provides clear steps that can be implemented based on the research findings. For example, in education, a researcher might suggest adopting a specific teaching method or, in healthcare, recommending new clinical protocols. Practical recommendations apply empirical data to real-world situations, offering solutions that can be directly applied in relevant fields.

Research Directions For Future Actions 

These recommendations highlight gaps in current knowledge and suggest areas for further research. They often call for longitudinal studies to examine the long-term effects of interventions or explore unknown aspects. Future research directions build on the current study, offering pathways to deeper understanding and new discoveries.

Contributions Based On Theories 

Theoretical contributions propose new frameworks or modifications to existing theories. Researchers may introduce fresh variables to models or reassess theoretical assumptions based on new findings. These contributions stem from discussions on how the research results align with or challenge existing theories. Theoretical recommendations enrich the academic conversation by incorporating new insights into established frameworks.

Best Practices For Writing Research Paper Recommendations 

Writing a strong recommendation in a research paper helps your findings reach more people. In addition, recommendations act as a bridge, turning your work into a plan for future use, policy changes, and practical steps. When you write clear and short recommendations, you help yourself and others improve your academic writing. Therefore, this section shows the best ways to write research recommendations so you can use them well.

1. Visit your research goals over and over again 
2. Data analysis 
3. Use research methods 
4. Crafting Actionable Recommendations
5. Clarity and Conciseness 
6. Use of Visual Aids 

Visit Your Research Goals Over And Over Again 

Revisiting your research goals is a crucial step for writing research paper recommendations. Remember, you must not deviate from research goals when you start recommendation in research. Ensure that you always fall back on your research questions and hypotheses to discover if they still align. With this, you can ascertain the significance of your recommendation and if it tackles the challenges you are conducting your research on. Always ask yourself if your findings solve the challenges. 

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Data Analysis 

If you want to know how to make recommendation in research, you must learn about data collection and analysis, which must clearly align with your recommendations. Remember that not all findings can support your recommendations. When analyzing your data, always remember to state and explain how each data led to your recommendation. 

Data analysis will also help you reinforce the originality of your findings and suggestions. Avoid making recommendations based on assumptions, but use only gathered and verified data. 

Use Research Methods 

Research methods are one of the most effective to help you create recommendation in research. However, don't underestimate the limitations of any research method you choose. 

Ensure your recommendations acknowledge the limitations of your chosen research methods while suggesting other options to execute other research in the future. For instance, if you are executing qualitative research, a quantitative recommendation may be the best to support your findings. 

Crafting Actionable Recommendations

During academic writing, you must have a SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound recommendation. Ensure that you do not use general statements in your recommendation and state who can implement them. 

More importantly, you must include how people can implement the recommendations. In some cases where you need further research to clarify some things, avoid using words like "we need more research to clarify this." Consider saying things like, "We recommend more research in the future to clarify this." 

Clarity And Conciseness 

Using clear language is one of the best practices for writing recommendations. It must be so clear that anyone can understand the message you are passing across. Avoid using jargon and words that are too difficult and technical. 

Use the best standard structure for a more logical presentation, such as bullets and numbers, for an easy presentation of information and data. Always ensure that each presentation in your recommendation is simple to understand and direct. 

Visual Aids for Recommendation Writing 

Visual aids are one of the best ways to pass meaningful information to your audience when writing recommendations. Some visual aids, such as charts and graphs, can provide clearer illustrations for your recommendation. 

For instance, you can pass or represent information about a proposed process using a flowchart to show a potential or projected outcome. As such, people who couldn't understand what they've read can have key insights into what you're saying in these charts. 

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Using AI In Research Recommendation Writing 

AI can be key in writing research recommendations. It helps spot patterns in research and suggests logical steps, making it easier to identify gaps.

Research Recommendations Examples

Research topics can cover different aspects, such as, education, healthcare, and more. Here are some research topic writing recommendations examples: 

Example 1: Education 

This student example of recommendation in research should focus on the following aspects of education:

“A study found that middle school students using interactive whiteboards scored 15% higher on standardized tests and had a 20% increase in class participation (Taylor & Green, 2023). Schools should incorporate this technology into classrooms to enhance student engagement and academic performance.

This recommendation targets school administrators, teachers, and educational policymakers. It suggests allocating a budget for technology upgrades and providing teachers with at least 10 hours of training on how to effectively use interactive whiteboards.”

Example 2: Health Care

‘Research shows that telemedicine can reduce patient wait times by 30% and increase access to healthcare by 40%, especially in rural communities (Hernandez & Lee, 2023). Therefore, healthcare providers should integrate telemedicine systems to improve patient access and reduce the burden on in-person visits.
This recommendation is aimed at healthcare providers, administrators, and policymakers. Hospitals and clinics should allocate resources for telemedicine infrastructure and provide training for healthcare staff, aiming for a 50% adoption rate within the first year.’

Example 3: Environmental Science

Here’s what a research recommendation example in environmental science could look like:

“A study revealed that urban tree planting can lower temperatures by 5-10°F and improve air quality by reducing particulate matter by up to 25% (Jackson & Singh, 2023). City planners and local governments should prioritize green initiatives, including tree planting, to combat climate change and improve urban living conditions.

This recommendation targets local governments, environmental agencies, and urban planners. It suggests incorporating tree planting into urban development plans and providing financial incentives for private businesses to plant trees, aiming to plant 500,000 trees in the next 5 years.”

Example 4: Business

A good research recommendation sample could be like the following:

“A survey found that businesses implementing sustainable practices saw a 30% increase in customer loyalty and a 25% growth in brand recognition (Davis & Clark, 2023). Therefore, companies should integrate sustainability into their business strategies to boost customer engagement and brand image.

This recommendation is directed at business owners, marketers, and brand managers. It suggests setting sustainability goals, such as reducing waste by 10% annually and using at least 50% eco-friendly products in the next 3 years, to improve brand reputation and customer retention.”

You might also be interested in the top 10 research topics for students. 

Final Words 

To write strong research recommendations, stay clear, focus on your goals, use solid evidence, and think about challenges ahead. Keep your recommendations relevant to your objectives and audience.

Use visuals for clarity and consider AI as a tool, but watch out for its drawbacks. A good recommendation links your research to real-world use. Follow these tips, and you’ll be on track to create effective recommendations.