What Does the Evidence Conclude?

While accumulating information from all these sources, keep an open mind about where the material is leading. After compiling the information from all the sources, sort through the evidence. Is a conclusion evident? If it is not clear, this may be a point to discuss the material with someone from your class or participate in an online forum.

Researchers often get so immersed in their topic that they have difficulty sorting out the issue(s). It is often a good idea to take a break and let the ideas simmer, the return and begin grouping the material. Idea maps or spider graphs help organize the concepts, and often you may find several sources that provide the same concept. That is okay, they are building that web of information, supporting each other. Also, several concepts may conflict so make sure to note that there is confusion or that one has more credibility than the other.

It is important to let the evidence lead to your conclusion, learn from your research. Many times students choose an issue and have difficulty justifying their conclusion because the evidence leads elsewhere. Keep an open mind, and let the research explain the results.