This section should review the previous 3 chapters.  This means revisiting the argument from chapters one and two--the main ideas, NOT the topics or process, and a reminder of the question of the study. Then an outline of what is to come in chapter 4, which includes: summary of findings from chapter 3, implications for classroom practice, and suggestions for further research.

In this section you should review the findings from chapter 3--without all the details of the studies which you gave in chapter 3. Here you should discuss the finding in relation to their relative merit, strengths and weaknesses, and some definitive conclusions about the body of research AS A WHOLE--rather than piece by piece as in chapter 3. It should be approximately 5 pages or so.  You should organize this section with the SAME findings headings you used in chapter 3.

Specific questions to answer in this section include:

-What ARE the major findings for each section in chapter 3
-Which of these findings are more strong than others?  Why?
-Which of these findings are more weak than others?  Why?
-What are the TRENDS/PATTERNS in the research?

• Is there more of one design than another?
• Is there one particular test used in more than one study?  Similar results?
• Is there a particular demographic or population studied more than another?  (i.e., grade levels, ses, race/ethnicity/geography)

This section should answer the question, "So what?" AND, THE SO WHAT SHOULD BE DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE RESEARCH FINDINGS! Based on the findings stated above, what does this mean for classroom practice? What should classroom teachers be doing in practice that would reflect knowledge of what the findings suggest? Here you can include ideas of your own as well as pieces you might have found that were classroom practice-based but not research. Again, think about 5 - 10 pages worth.
 
 

This section should make note of the weaknesses identified in the body of research, and then you suggest viable research possibilities to address those weaknesses. You could suggest different ways to redo studies you critiqued, or suggest alternatives of studies not done to fill in gaps you found in the research. This is a place for you to show your knowledge about research design and how you might contribute to the field. Again, think about 5 pages worth.
 
 

The FINAL conclusion of the WHOLE paper--this means, once again, summarizing where we've been in chapter 1, 2, 3 and now 4. Then final words. Remember, in a conclusion, you CANNOT introduce new ideas that have not been addressed previously--so don't go off on a wild hair here. Stick to what you have mentioned in the previous pages and leave us with a hopeful note.