A conclusion answers the question of the investigation using the evidence. It should describe the pattern and use some results: 'The bigger the canopy, the longer the parachute took to fall. The 500 cm² canopy took 5 seconds, but the 100 cm² canopy took under 2 seconds.'
A good conclusion only claims what the results show. If you tested five parachutes indoors, you cannot say every parachute in the world behaves the same way. Scientists also say how sure they are, and suggest what to test next, such as trying different shapes.
Worked example
Results show sugar dissolves faster in hotter water. Which conclusion is best: 'Hot water is good' or 'The hotter the water, the faster the sugar dissolved'?
- A conclusion should describe the pattern in the results.
- 'Hot water is good' does not say what happened.
Answer:The second conclusion is best.
Key words
- conclusion
- what the results show, answering the question
- evidence
- results that support an idea
- claim
- a statement that something is true
- support
- give reasons and results for
New questions every time.