what are research implications

• Manuscript Preparation

What are Implications in Research?

• 3 minute read
• 105.1K views

Table of Contents

Manuscripts that do not mention the implications of the study are often desk-rejected by journals. What constitutes the ‘implications’ of research, and why is it important to include research implications in your manuscript?

Research implications: An overview

Once you have laid out the key findings in your paper, you have to discuss how they will likely impact the world. What is the significance of your study to policymakers, the lay person, or other researchers? This speculation, made in good faith, constitutes your study’ implications.

A research paper that does not explain the study’s importance in light of its findings exists in a vacuum. The paper may be relevant to you, the author, and some of your co-workers. But it is unclear how others will benefit from reading it.

How can the findings of your study help create a better world? What can we infer from your conclusion about the current state of research in your field or the quality of methods you employed? These are all important implications of your study.

You cannot predict how your study will influence the world or research in the future. You can only make reasonable speculations. In order to ensure that the implications are reasonable, you have to be mindful of the limitations of your study.

In the research context, only speculations supported by data count as valid implications. If the implications you draw do not logically follow the key findings of your study, they may sound overblown or outright preposterous.

Suppose your study evaluated the effects of a new drug in the adult population. In that case, you could not honestly speculate on how the drug will impact paediatric care. Thus, the implications you draw from your study cannot exceed its scope.

Practical implications

Imagine that your study found a popular type of cognitive therapy to be ineffective in treating insomnia. Your findings imply that psychologists using this type of therapy were not seeing actual results but an expectancy effect. Studies that can potentially impact real-world problems by prompting policy change or change in treatments have practical implications.

It can be helpful to understand the difference between an implication of your study and a recommendation. Suppose your study compares two or more types of therapy, ranks them in the order of effectiveness, and explicitly asks clinicians to follow the most effective type. The suggestion made in the end constitutes a ‘recommendation’ and not an ‘implication’.

Theoretical implications

Are your findings in line with previous research? Did your results validate the methods used in previous research or invalidate them? Has your study discovered a new and helpful way to do experiments? Speculations on how your findings can potentially impact research in your field of study are theoretical implications.

The main difference between practical and theoretical implications is that theoretical implications may not be readily helpful to policymakers or the public.

How to Write Implications in Research

Implications usually form an essential part of the conclusion section of a research paper. As we have mentioned in a previous article, this section starts by summarising your work, but this time emphasises your work’s significance .

While writing the implications, it is helpful to ask, “who will benefit the most from reading my paper?”—policymakers, physicians, the public, or other researchers. Once you know your target population, explain how your findings can help them.

Think about how the findings in your study are similar or dissimilar to the findings of previous studies. Your study may reaffirm or disprove the results of other studies. This is an important implication.

Suggest future directions for research in the subject area in light of your findings or further research to confirm your findings. These are also crucial implications.

Do not try to exaggerate your results, and make sure your tone reflects the strength of your findings. If the implications mentioned in your paper are convincing, it can improve visibility for your work and spur similar studies in your field.

For more information on the importance of implications in research, and guidance on how to include them in your manuscript, visit Elsevier Author Services now!

Differentiating between the abstract and the introduction of a research paper

• Research Process

Writing a good review article

You may also like.

Page-Turner Articles are More Than Just Good Arguments: Be Mindful of Tone and Structure!

A Must-see for Researchers! How to Ensure Inclusivity in Your Scientific Writing

Make Hook, Line, and Sinker: The Art of Crafting Engaging Introductions

Can Describing Study Limitations Improve the Quality of Your Paper?

A Guide to Crafting Shorter, Impactful Sentences in Academic Writing

6 Steps to Write an Excellent Discussion in Your Manuscript

How to Write Clear and Crisp Civil Engineering Papers? Here are 5 Key Tips to Consider

The Clear Path to An Impactful Paper: ②

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

Research Implications & Recommendations

A Plain-Language Explainer With Examples + FREE Template

By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewer: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | May 2024

The research implications and recommendations are closely related but distinctly different concepts that often trip students up. Here, we’ll unpack them using plain language and loads of examples , so that you can approach your project with confidence.

Overview: Implications & Recommendations

• What are research implications ?
• What are research recommendations ?
• Examples of implications and recommendations
• The “ Big 3 ” categories
• How to write the implications and recommendations
• Template sentences for both sections
• Key takeaways

Implications & Recommendations 101

Let’s start with the basics and define our terms.

At the simplest level, research implications refer to the possible effects or outcomes of a study’s findings. More specifically, they answer the question, “ What do these findings mean?” . In other words, the implications section is where you discuss the broader impact of your study’s findings on theory, practice and future research.

This discussion leads us to the recommendations section , which is where you’ll propose specific actions based on your study’s findings and answer the question, “ What should be done next?” . In other words, the recommendations are practical steps that stakeholders can take to address the key issues identified by your study.

In a nutshell, then, the research implications discuss the broader impact and significance of a study’s findings, while recommendations provide specific actions to take, based on those findings. So, while both of these components are deeply rooted in the findings of the study, they serve different functions within the write up.

Need a helping hand?

Examples: Implications & Recommendations

The distinction between research implications and research recommendations might still feel a bit conceptual, so let’s look at one or two practical examples:

Let’s assume that your study finds that interactive learning methods significantly improve student engagement compared to traditional lectures. In this case, one of your recommendations could be that schools incorporate more interactive learning techniques into their curriculums to enhance student engagement.

Let’s imagine that your study finds that patients who receive personalised care plans have better health outcomes than those with standard care plans. One of your recommendations might be that healthcare providers develop and implement personalised care plans for their patients.

Now, these are admittedly quite simplistic examples, but they demonstrate the difference (and connection ) between the research implications and the recommendations. Simply put, the implications are about the impact of the findings, while the recommendations are about proposed actions, based on the findings.

The “Big 3” Categories

Now that we’ve defined our terms, let’s dig a little deeper into the implications – specifically, the different types or categories of research implications that exist.

Broadly speaking, implications can be divided into three categories – theoretical implications, practical implications and implications for future research .

Theoretical implications relate to how your study’s findings contribute to or challenge existing theories. For example, if a study on social behaviour uncovers new patterns, it might suggest that modifications to current psychological theories are necessary.

Practical implications , on the other hand, focus on how your study’s findings can be applied in real-world settings. For example, if your study demonstrated the effectiveness of a new teaching method, this would imply that educators should consider adopting this method to improve learning outcomes.

Practical implications can also involve policy reconsiderations . For example, if a study reveals significant health benefits from a particular diet, an implication might be that public health guidelines be re-evaluated.

Last but not least, there are the implications for future research . As the name suggests, this category of implications highlights the research gaps or new questions raised by your study. For example, if your study finds mixed results regarding a relationship between two variables, it might imply the need for further investigation to clarify these findings.

To recap then, the three types of implications are the theoretical, the practical and the implications on future research. Regardless of the category, these implications feed into and shape the recommendations , laying the foundation for the actions you’ll propose.

How To Write The  Sections

Now that we’ve laid the foundations, it’s time to explore how to write up the implications and recommendations sections respectively.

Let’s start with the “ where ” before digging into the “ how ”. Typically, the implications will feature in the discussion section of your document, while the recommendations will be located in the conclusion . That said, layouts can vary between disciplines and institutions, so be sure to check with your university what their preferences are.

For the implications section, a common approach is to structure the write-up based on the three categories we looked at earlier – theoretical, practical and future research implications. In practical terms, this discussion will usually follow a fairly formulaic sentence structure – for example:

This research provides new insights into [theoretical aspect], indicating that…

The study’s outcomes highlight the potential benefits of adopting [specific practice] in..

This study raises several questions that warrant further investigation, such as…

Moving onto the recommendations section, you could again structure your recommendations using the three categories. Alternatively, you could structure the discussion per stakeholder group – for example, policymakers, organisations, researchers, etc.

Again, you’ll likely use a fairly formulaic sentence structure for this section. Here are some examples for your inspiration: 

Based on the findings, [specific group] should consider adopting [new method] to improve…

To address the issues identified, it is recommended that legislation should be introduced to…

Researchers should consider examining [specific variable] to build on the current study’s findings.

Remember, you can grab a copy of our tried and tested templates for both the discussion and conclusion sections over on the Grad Coach blog. You can find the links to those, as well as loads of other free resources, in the description 🙂

FAQs: Implications & Recommendations

How do i determine the implications of my study.

To do this, you’ll need to consider how your findings address gaps in the existing literature, how they could influence theory, practice, or policy, and the potential societal or economic impacts.

When thinking about your findings, it’s also a good idea to revisit your introduction chapter, where you would have discussed the potential significance of your study more broadly. This section can help spark some additional ideas about what your findings mean in relation to your original research aims. 

Should I discuss both positive and negative implications?

Absolutely. You’ll need to discuss both the positive and negative implications to provide a balanced view of how your findings affect the field and any limitations or potential downsides.

Can my research implications be speculative?

Yes and no. While implications are somewhat more speculative than recommendations and can suggest potential future outcomes, they should be grounded in your data and analysis. So, be careful to avoid overly speculative claims.

How do I formulate recommendations?

Ideally, you should base your recommendations on the limitations and implications of your study’s findings. So, consider what further research is needed, how policies could be adapted, or how practices could be improved – and make proposals in this respect.

How specific should my recommendations be?

Your recommendations should be as specific as possible, providing clear guidance on what actions or research should be taken next. As mentioned earlier, the implications can be relatively broad, but the recommendations should be very specific and actionable. Ideally, you should apply the SMART framework to your recommendations.

Can I recommend future research in my recommendations?

Absolutely. Highlighting areas where further research is needed is a key aspect of the recommendations section. Naturally, these recommendations should link to the respective section of your implications (i.e., implications for future research).

Wrapping Up: Key Takeaways

We’ve covered quite a bit of ground here, so let’s quickly recap.

• Research implications refer to the possible effects or outcomes of a study’s findings.
• The recommendations section, on the other hand, is where you’ll propose specific actions based on those findings.
• You can structure your implications section based on the three overarching categories – theoretical, practical and future research implications.
• You can carry this structure through to the recommendations as well, or you can group your recommendations by stakeholder.

Remember to grab a copy of our tried and tested free dissertation template, which covers both the implications and recommendations sections. If you’d like 1:1 help with your research project, be sure to check out our private coaching service, where we hold your hand throughout the research journey, step by step.

Psst... there’s more!

This post was based on one of our popular Research Bootcamps . If you're working on a research project, you'll definitely want to check this out ...

You Might Also Like:

I am taking a Research Design and Statistical Methods class. I am wondering if I can get tutors to help me with my homework to understand more about research and statistics. I want to pass this class. I searched on YouTube and watched some videos but I still need more clarification.

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Print Friendly

• Link to facebook
• Link to linkedin
• Link to twitter
• Link to youtube
• Writing Tips

How to Write an “Implications of Research” Section

4-minute read

• 24th October 2022

When writing research papers , theses, journal articles, or dissertations, one cannot ignore the importance of research. You’re not only the writer of your paper but also the researcher ! Moreover, it’s not just about researching your topic, filling your paper with abundant citations, and topping it off with a reference list. You need to dig deep into your research and provide related literature on your topic. You must also discuss the implications of your research.

Interested in learning more about implications of research? Read on! This post will define these implications, why they’re essential, and most importantly, how to write them. If you’re a visual learner, you might enjoy this video .

What Are Implications of Research?

Implications are potential questions from your research that justify further exploration. They state how your research findings could affect policies, theories, and/or practices.

Implications can either be practical or theoretical. The former is the direct impact of your findings on related practices, whereas the latter is the impact on the theories you have chosen in your study.

Example of a practical implication: If you’re researching a teaching method, the implication would be how teachers can use that method based on your findings.

Example of a theoretical implication: You added a new variable to Theory A so that it could cover a broader perspective.

Finally, implications aren’t the same as recommendations, and it’s important to know the difference between them .

Questions you should consider when developing the implications section:

●  What is the significance of your findings?

●  How do the findings of your study fit with or contradict existing research on this topic?

●  Do your results support or challenge existing theories? If they support them, what new information do they contribute? If they challenge them, why do you think that is?

Why Are Implications Important?

You need implications for the following reasons:

● To reflect on what you set out to accomplish in the first place

● To see if there’s a change to the initial perspective, now that you’ve collected the data

● To inform your audience, who might be curious about the impact of your research

How to Write an Implications Section

Usually, you write your research implications in the discussion section of your paper. This is the section before the conclusion when you discuss all the hard work you did. Additionally, you’ll write the implications section before making recommendations for future research.

Implications should begin with what you discovered in your study, which differs from what previous studies found, and then you can discuss the implications of your findings.

Your implications need to be specific, meaning you should show the exact contributions of your research and why they’re essential. They should also begin with a specific sentence structure.

Examples of starting implication sentences:

●  These results build on existing evidence of…

●  These findings suggest that…

●  These results should be considered when…

●  While previous research has focused on x , these results show that y …

Find this useful?

Subscribe to our newsletter and get writing tips from our editors straight to your inbox.

You should write your implications after you’ve stated the results of your research. In other words, summarize your findings and put them into context.

The result : One study found that young learners enjoy short activities when learning a foreign language.

The implications : This result suggests that foreign language teachers use short activities when teaching young learners, as they positively affect learning.

 Example 2

The result : One study found that people who listen to calming music just before going to bed sleep better than those who watch TV.

The implications : These findings suggest that listening to calming music aids sleep quality, whereas watching TV does not.

To summarize, remember these key pointers:

●  Implications are the impact of your findings on the field of study.

●  They serve as a reflection of the research you’ve conducted.              

●  They show the specific contributions of your findings and why the audience should care.

●  They can be practical or theoretical.

●  They aren’t the same as recommendations.

●  You write them in the discussion section of the paper.

●  State the results first, and then state their implications.

Are you currently working on a thesis or dissertation? Once you’ve finished your paper (implications included), our proofreading team can help ensure that your spelling, punctuation, and grammar are perfect. Consider submitting a 500-word document for free.

Share this article:

Post A New Comment

Got content that needs a quick turnaround? Let us polish your work. Explore our editorial business services.

9-minute read

How to Use Infographics to Boost Your Presentation

Is your content getting noticed? Capturing and maintaining an audience’s attention is a challenge when...

8-minute read

Why Interactive PDFs Are Better for Engagement

Are you looking to enhance engagement and captivate your audience through your professional documents? Interactive...

7-minute read

Seven Key Strategies for Voice Search Optimization

Voice search optimization is rapidly shaping the digital landscape, requiring content professionals to adapt their...

Five Creative Ways to Showcase Your Digital Portfolio

Are you a creative freelancer looking to make a lasting impression on potential clients or...

How to Ace Slack Messaging for Contractors and Freelancers

Effective professional communication is an important skill for contractors and freelancers navigating remote work environments....

3-minute read

How to Insert a Text Box in a Google Doc

Google Docs is a powerful collaborative tool, and mastering its features can significantly enhance your...

Make sure your writing is the best it can be with our expert English proofreading and editing.

Implications in research: A quick guide

Last updated

11 January 2024

Reviewed by

Short on time? Get an AI generated summary of this article instead

Implications are a bridge between data and action, giving insight into the effects of the research and what it means. It's a chance for researchers to explain the  why  behind the research. 

When writing a research paper , reviewers will want to see you clearly state the implications of your research. If it's missing, they’ll likely reject your article. 

Let's explore what research implications are, why they matter, and how to include them in your next article or research paper. 

• What are implications in research?

Research implications are the consequences of research findings. They go beyond results and explore your research’s ramifications. 

Researchers can connect their research to the real-world impact by identifying the implications. These can inform further research, shape policy, or spark new solutions to old problems. 

Always clearly state your implications so they’re obvious to the reader. Never leave the reader to guess why your research matters. While it might seem obvious to you, it may not be evident to someone who isn't a subject matter expert. 

For example, you may do important sociological research with political implications. If a policymaker can't understand or connect those implications logically with your research, it reduces your impact.

• What are the key features of implications?

When writing your implications, ensure they have these key features: 

Implications should be clear, concise, and easily understood by a broad audience. You'll want to avoid overly technical language or jargon. Clearly stating your implications increases their impact and accessibility. 

Implications should link to specific results within your research to ensure they’re grounded in reality. You want them to demonstrate an impact on a particular field or research topic . 

Evidence-based

Give your implications a solid foundation of evidence. They need to be rational and based on data from your research, not conjecture. An evidence-based approach to implications will lend credibility and validity to your work.

Implications should take a balanced approach, considering the research's potential positive and negative consequences. A balanced perspective acknowledges the challenges and limitations of research and their impact on stakeholders. 

Future-oriented

Don't confine your implications to their immediate outcomes. You can explore the long-term effects of the research, including the impact on future research, policy decisions, and societal changes. Looking beyond the immediate adds more relevance to your research. 

When your implications capture these key characteristics, your research becomes more meaningful, impactful, and engaging. 

• Types of implications in research

The implications of your research will largely depend on what you are researching. 

However, we can broadly categorize the implications of research into two types: 

Practical: These implications focus on real-world applications and could improve policies and practices.

Theoretical: These implications are broader and might suggest changes to existing theories of models of the world. 

You'll first consider your research's implications in these two broad categories. Will your key findings have a real-world impact? Or are they challenging existing theories? 

Once you've established whether the implications are theoretical or practical, you can break your implication into more specific types. This might include: 

Political implications: How findings influence governance, policies, or political decisions

Social implications: Effects on societal norms, behaviors, or cultural practices

Technological implications: Impact on technological advancements or innovation

Clinical implications: Effects on healthcare, treatments, or medical practices

Commercial or business-relevant implications: Possible strategic paths or actions

Implications for future research: Guidance for future research, such as new avenues of study or refining the study methods

When thinking about the implications of your research, keep them clear and relevant. Consider the limitations and context of your research. 

For example, if your study focuses on a specific population in South America, you may not be able to claim the research has the same impact on the global population. The implication may be that we need further research on other population groups. 

• Understanding recommendations vs. implications

While "recommendations" and "implications" may be interchangeable, they have distinct roles within research.

Recommendations suggest action. They are specific, actionable suggestions you could take based on the research. Recommendations may be a part of the larger implication. 

Implications explain consequences. They are broader statements about how the research impacts specific fields, industries, institutions, or societies. 

Within a paper, you should always identify your implications before making recommendations. 

While every good research paper will include implications of research, it's not always necessary to include recommendations. Some research could have an extraordinary impact without real-world recommendations. 

• How to write implications in research

Including implications of research in your article or journal submission is essential. You need to clearly state your implications to tell the reviewer or reader why your research matters. 

Because implications are so important, writing them can feel overwhelming.

Here’s our step-by-step guide to make the process more manageable:

1. Summarize your key findings

Start by summarizing your research and highlighting the key discoveries or emerging patterns. This summary will become the foundation of your implications. 

2. Identify the implications

Think critically about the potential impact of your key findings. Consider how your research could influence practices, policies, theories, or societal norms. 

Address the positive and negative implications, and acknowledge the limitations and challenges of your research. 

If you still need to figure out the implications of your research, reread your introduction. Your introduction should include why you’re researching the subject and who might be interested in the results. This can help you consider the implications of your final research. 

3. Consider the larger impact

Go beyond the immediate impact and explore the implications on stakeholders outside your research group. You might include policymakers, practitioners, or other researchers.

4. Support with evidence

Cite specific findings from your research that support the implications. Connect them to your original thesis statement. 

You may have included why this research matters in your introduction, but now you'll want to support that implication with evidence from your research. 

Your evidence may result in implications that differ from the expected impact you cited in the introduction of your paper or your thesis statement. 

5. Review for clarity

Review your implications to ensure they are clear, concise, and jargon-free. Double-check that your implications link directly to your research findings and original thesis statement. 

Following these steps communicates your research implications effectively, boosting its long-term impact. 

Where do implications go in your research paper?

Implications often appear in the discussion section of a research paper between the presentation of findings and the conclusion. 

Putting them here allows you to naturally transition from the key findings to why the research matters. You'll be able to convey the larger impact of your research and transition to a conclusion.

• Examples of research implications

Thinking about and writing research implications can be tricky. 

To spark your critical thinking skills and articulate implications for your research, here are a few hypothetical examples of research implications: 

Teaching strategies

A study investigating the effectiveness of a new teaching method might have practical implications for educators. 

The research might suggest modifying current teaching strategies or changing the curriculum’s design. 

There may be an implication for further research into effective teaching methods and their impact on student testing scores. 

Social media impact

A research paper examines the impact of social media on teen mental health. 

Researchers find that spending over an hour on social media daily has significantly worse mental health effects than 15 minutes. 

There could be theoretical implications around the relationship between technology and human behavior. There could also be practical implications in writing responsible social media usage guidelines. 

Disease prevalence

A study analyzes the prevalence of a particular disease in a specific population. 

The researchers find this disease occurs in higher numbers in mountain communities. This could have practical implications on policy for healthcare allocation and resource distribution. 

There may be an implication for further research into why the disease appears in higher numbers at higher altitudes.

These examples demonstrate the considerable range of implications that research can generate.

Clearly articulating the implications of research allows you to enhance the impact and visibility of your work as a researcher. It also enables you to contribute to societal advancements by sharing your knowledge.

The implications of your work could make positive changes in the world around us.

Should you be using a customer insights hub?

Do you want to discover previous research faster?

Do you share your research findings with others?

Do you analyze research data?

Start for free today, add your research, and get to key insights faster

Editor’s picks

Last updated: 18 April 2023

Last updated: 27 February 2023

Last updated: 6 February 2023

Last updated: 15 January 2024

Last updated: 6 October 2023

Last updated: 5 February 2023

Last updated: 16 April 2023

Last updated: 7 March 2023

Last updated: 9 March 2023

Last updated: 12 December 2023

Last updated: 11 March 2024

Last updated: 13 May 2024

Latest articles

Related topics, .css-je19u9{-webkit-align-items:flex-end;-webkit-box-align:flex-end;-ms-flex-align:flex-end;align-items:flex-end;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:wrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:wrap;-ms-flex-wrap:wrap;flex-wrap:wrap;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;row-gap:0;text-align:center;max-width:671px;}@media (max-width: 1079px){.css-je19u9{max-width:400px;}.css-je19u9>span{white-space:pre;}}@media (max-width: 799px){.css-je19u9{max-width:400px;}.css-je19u9>span{white-space:pre;}} decide what to .css-1kiodld{max-height:56px;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;}@media (max-width: 1079px){.css-1kiodld{display:none;}} build next, decide what to build next.

Users report unexpectedly high data usage, especially during streaming sessions.

Users find it hard to navigate from the home page to relevant playlists in the app.

It would be great to have a sleep timer feature, especially for bedtime listening.

I need better filters to find the songs or artists I’m looking for.

Log in or sign up

Get started for free

• Affiliate Program

• UNITED STATES
• 台灣 (TAIWAN)
• TÜRKIYE (TURKEY)
• Academic Editing Services
• - Research Paper
• - Journal Manuscript
• - Dissertation
• - College & University Assignments
• Admissions Editing Services
• - Application Essay
• - Personal Statement
• - Recommendation Letter
• - Cover Letter
• - CV/Resume
• Business Editing Services
• - Business Documents
• - Report & Brochure
• - Website & Blog
• Writer Editing Services
• - Script & Screenplay
• Our Editors
• Client Reviews
• Editing & Proofreading Prices
• Wordvice Points
• Partner Discount
• Plagiarism Checker
• APA Citation Generator
• MLA Citation Generator
• Chicago Citation Generator
• Vancouver Citation Generator
• - APA Style
• - MLA Style
• - Chicago Style
• - Vancouver Style
• Writing & Editing Guide
• Academic Resources
• Admissions Resources

What Are Implications in Research? | Examples & Tips

As a researcher, you know you need to provide a background for your study and a clear rationale and to formulate the statement of the problem in a way that leaves no doubt that your work is relevant and important. You also need to guide the reader carefully through your story from beginning to end without leaving any methodological questions unanswered. 

But many authors, when arriving at the end of their paper, run out of steam or lose the thread a bit and struggle with finding an ending for their work. Something can then appear missing, even if the discussion section summarizes the findings clearly, relates them back to the questions raised in the introduction section , and discusses them in the context of earlier works. A tired author who just made it to the end can often not see these missing elements and may finish off their paper with a conclusion section that is more or less a repetition of what has already been stated. After all, what more is there to be said? 

But as sure as the sun will rise again the day after you finally submitted, you will get your paper back from your supervisor or the reviewers with a comment that says, “implications are missing.” For a reader who is not as invested in every little detail of your design and analyses, the main questions that a paper has to answer are “why was this study necessary?” and “why are the findings of this study significant, and for whom, and what are we supposed to do with them now?” The latter are the implications of your work. 

Didn’t I explain the implications in my introduction section?

You will hopefully have already explained why and for whom your study is important. But you now also need to clearly state how you think your actual findings (which might differ from what you expected to find at the beginning) may be relevant and/or can be used in practical or theoretical ways, for future research, or by policymakers. These implications need to be based on your study’s parameters and results, and potential limitations of your methodology or sample should be taken into account to avoid overgeneralization. 

If you make the reader guess what the significance of your work might be or let them assume you don’t think that your work will be important for anyone except yourself and your colleagues who share your enthusiasm because they are working on the same topic, then an editor or reviewer might easily see that as a reason for a desk-reject. To avoid this, in the following, we will give you an overview of the different types of implications that research findings can have, provide some examples for your inspiration, and clarify where your implications should go in your paper. 

Table of Contents:

• Types of Implications in Research

Recommendations Versus Implications 

• Research Implications Examples 
• Where Do the Implications Go in Your paper?

Types of Implications in Research 

Depending on the type of research you are doing (clinical, philosophical, political…) the implications of your findings can likewise be clinical, philosophical, political, social, ethical—you name it. The most important distinction, however, is the one between practical implications and theoretical implications, and what many reviewers immediately notice and flag as an issue is when there is no mention of any kind of practical contribution of the work described in a paper. 

Of course, if you study a mathematical theory, then your findings might simply lead to the debunking of another theory as false, and you might need to do some mental gymnastics if you really wanted to apply that to a real-world problem. But chances are, in that case, your reviewers and readers won’t ask for a real-world implication. In most other cases, however, if you really want to convince your audience that your work deserves attention, publication, prizes, and whatnot, then you need to link whatever you did in the lab or found in the library to real life and highlight how your findings might have a lasting effect on your field (for example, methodologically), common practices (e.g., patient treatment or teaching standards), society at large (maybe the way we communicate), or ethical standards (e.g., in animal research). 

The question is not whether your findings will change the world, but whether they could if they were publicized and implemented—according to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary , the essential meaning of implication is a “possible future effect or result”. This possible result is what you have to identify and describe. And while being creative is certainly allowed, make sure your assumptions stay within realistic expectations, and don’t forget to take the limitations of your methodology or your sample into account. 

If you studied the genetic basis of a disease in some animal model, then make sure you have good reason to draw conclusions about the treatment of the same disease in humans if you don’t want to put off the editor who decides whether to even send your manuscript out for review. Likewise, if you explored the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on higher education institutions in your country, then make sure the conclusions you draw hold in the context of other countries’ pandemic situations and restrictions and differences across education systems before you claim that they are relevant in a global context. 

Implications, as we already explored, state the importance of your study and how your findings may be relevant for the fine-tuning of certain practices, theoretical models, policymaking, or future research studies. As stated earlier, that does not necessarily mean that you believe your findings will change the world tomorrow, but that you have reason to believe they could have an impact in a specific way. Recommendations, on the other hand, are specific suggestions regarding the best course of action in a certain situation based on your findings. If, for example, you used three different established methods in your field to tackle the same problem, compared the outcomes, and concluded that one of these methods is, in fact, insufficient and should not be used anymore, then that is a recommendation for future research. 

Or if you analyzed how a monetary “Corona support program” in your country affected the local economy and found that most of the money the government provided went to Amazon and not to local businesses, then you can recommend that your government come up with a better plan next time. Such specific recommendations should usually follow the implications, not the other way around, because you always need to identify the implications of your work, but not every study allows the author to make practical suggestions or real-world recommendations.

Research Implications Examples

Clinical implications  .

Let’s say you discovered a new antibiotic that could eliminate a specific pathogen effectively without generating resistance (the main problem with antibiotics). The clinical implications of your findings would then be that infections with this pathogen could be more rapidly treated than before (without you predicting or suggesting any specific action to happen as a result of your findings). A recommendation would be that doctors should start using this new antibiotic, that it should be included in the official treatment guidelines, that it should be covered by the national health insurance of your country, etc.—but depending on how conclusive your findings are or how much more research or development might be needed to get from your findings to the actual medication, such recommendations might be a big stretch. The implications, however, since they state the potential of your findings, are valid in any case and should not be missing from your discussion section, even if your findings are just one small step along the way.

Social implications 

The social implications of the study are defined as the ability or potential of research to impact society in visible ways. One of the obvious fields of research that strives for a social impact through the implementation of evidence that increases the overall quality of people’s lives is psychology. Whether your research explores the new work-life-balance movement and its effect on mental well-being, psychological interventions at schools to compensate for the stress many children are experiencing since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, or how work from home is changing family dynamics, you can most likely draw conclusions that go beyond just your study sample and describe potential (theoretical or practical) effects of your findings in the real world. Be careful, however, that you don’t overgeneralize from your sample or your data to the general population without having solid reasons to do so (and explain those reasons).

Implications for future research

Even if your findings are not going to lead to societal changes, new educational policies, or an overhaul of the national pension system, they might have important implications for future research studies. Maybe you used a new technique that is more precise or more efficient or way cheaper than existing methods and this could enable more labs around the world to study a specific problem. Or maybe you found that a gene that is known to be involved in one disease might also be involved in another disease, which opens up new avenues for research and treatment options. As stated earlier, make sure you don’t confuse recommendations (which you might not be able to make, based on your findings, and don’t necessarily have to) with implications, which are the potential effect that your findings could have—independently of whether you have any influence on that. 

Where Do the Implications Go in Your Paper? 

The implications are part of your discussion section, where you summarize your findings and then put them into context—this context being earlier research but also the potential effect your findings could have in the real world, in whatever scenario you think might be relevant. There is no “implication section” and no rule as to where in the discussion section you need to include these details because the order of information depends on how you structured your methods and your results section and how your findings turned out to prove or disprove your hypotheses. You simply need to work the potential effects of your findings into your discussion section in a logical way.

But the order of information is relevant when it comes to your conclusion at the very end of your discussion section: Here, you start with a very short summary of your study and results, then provide the (theoretical, practical, ethical, social, technological…) implications of your work, and end with a specific recommendation if (and only if) your findings call for that. If you have not paid attention to the importance of your implications while writing your discussion section, then this is your chance to fix that before you finalize and submit your paper and let an editor and reviewers judge the relevance of your work. 

Make sure you do not suddenly come up with practical ideas that look like they were plucked out of the air because someone reminded you to “add some implications” at the last minute. If you don’t know where to start, then go back to your introduction section, look at your rationale and research questions, look at how your findings answered those questions, and ask yourself who else could benefit from knowing what you know now.

Consider Using English Editing Services 

And before you submit your manuscript to your target journal’s editor, be sure to get professional English editing services from Wordvice, including academic editing and manuscript editing , which are tailored to the needs of your paper’s subject area. If you need instant proofreading or paraphrasing while drafting your work, check out our online AI text editor , Wordvice AI, which is trained on millions of words of academic writing data and tailored for research writers.

For more advice on how to write all the different parts of your research paper , on how to make a research paper outline if you are struggling with putting everything you did together, or on how to write the best cover letter that will convince an editor to send your manuscript out for review, head over to the Wordvice academic resources pages, where we have dozens of helpful articles and videos on research writing and publications.

Educational resources and simple solutions for your research journey

What are Implications and Recommendations in Research? How to Write It, with Examples

Highly cited research articles often contain both implications and recommendations , but there is often some confusion around the difference between implications and recommendations in research. Implications of a study are the impact your research makes in your chosen area; they discuss how the findings of the study may be important to justify further exploration of your research topic. Research recommendations suggest future actions or subsequent steps supported by your research findings. It helps to improve your field of research or cross-disciplinary fields through future research or provides frameworks for decision-makers or policymakers. Recommendations are the action plan you propose based on the outcome.

In this article, we aim to simplify these concepts for researchers by providing key insights on the following:  

• what are implications in research 
• what is recommendation in research 
• differences between implications and recommendations 
• how to write implications in research 
• how to write recommendation in research 
• sample recommendation in research 

Table of Contents

What are implications in research

The implications in research explain what the findings of the study mean to researchers or to certain subgroups or populations beyond the basic interpretation of results. Even if your findings fail to bring radical or disruptive changes to existing ways of doing things, they might have important implications for future research studies. For example, your proposed method for operating remote-controlled robots could be more precise, efficient, or cheaper than existing methods, or the remote-controlled robot could be used in other application areas. This could enable more researchers to study a specific problem or open up new research opportunities.   

Implications in research inform how the findings, drawn from your results, may be important for and impact policy, practice, theory, and subsequent research. Implications may be theoretical or practical. 1  

• Practical implications are potential values of the study with practical or real outcomes . Determining the practical implications of several solutions can aid in identifying optimal solution results. For example, clinical research or research on classroom learning mostly has practical implications in research . If you developed a new teaching method, the implication would be how teachers can use that method based on your findings.  
• Theoretical implications in research constitute additions to existing theories or establish new theories. These types of implications in research characterize the ability of research to influence society in apparent ways. It is, at most, an educated guess (theoretical) about the possible implication of action and need not be as absolute as practical implications in research . If your study supported the tested theory, the theoretical implication would be that the theory can explain the investigated phenomenon. Else, your study may serve as a basis for modifying the theory. Theories may be partially supported as well, implying further study of the theory or necessary modifications are required.  

What are recommendations in research?

Recommendations in research can be considered an important segment of the analysis phase. Recommendations allow you to suggest specific interventions or strategies to address the issues and constraints identified through your study. It responds to key findings arrived at through data collection and analysis. A process of prioritization can help you narrow down important findings for which recommendations are developed.  

Recommendations in research examples

Recommendations in research may vary depending on the purpose or beneficiary as seen in the table below.  

Table: Recommendations in research examples based on purpose and beneficiary  

If you’re wondering how to make recommendations in research . You can use the simple  recommendation in research example below as a handy template.  

Table: Sample recommendation in research template  

Basic differences between implications and recommendations in research

Implications and recommendations in research are two important aspects of a research paper or your thesis or dissertation. Implications discuss the importance of the research findings, while recommendations offer specific actions to solve a problem. So, the basic difference between the two is in their function and the questions asked to achieve it. The following table highlights the main differences between implications and recommendations in research .  

Table: Differences between implications and recommendations in research  

Where do implications go in your research paper

Because the implications and recommendations of the research are based on study findings, both are usually written after the completion of a study. There is no specific section dedicated to implications in research ; they are usually integrated into the discussion section adding evidence as to why the results are meaningful and what they add to the field. Implications can be written after summarizing your main findings and before the recommendations and conclusion.   

Implications can also be presented in the conclusion section after a short summary of the study results.   

How to write implications in research

Implication means something that is inferred. The implications of your research are derived from the importance of your work and how it will impact future research. It is based on how previous studies have advanced your field and how your study can add to that.   

When figuring out how to write implications in research , a good strategy is to separate it into the different types of implications in research , such as social, political, technological, policy-related, or others. As mentioned earlier, the most frequently used are the theoretical and practical implications.   

Next, you need to ask, “Who will benefit the most from reading my paper?” Is it policymakers, physicians, the public, or other researchers? Once you know your target population, explain how your findings can help them.  

The implication section can include a paragraph or two that asserts the practical or managerial implications and links it to the study findings. A discussion can then follow, demonstrating that the findings can be practically implemented or how they will benefit a specific audience. The writer is given a specific degree of freedom when writing research implications , depending on the type of implication in research you want to discuss: practical or theoretical. Each is discussed differently, using different words or in separate sections. The implications can be based on how the findings in your study are similar or dissimilar to that in previous studies. Your study may reaffirm or disprove the results of other studies, which has important implications in research . You can also suggest future research directions in the light of your findings or require further research to confirm your findings, which are all crucial implications. Most importantly, ensure the implications in research are specific and that your tone reflects the strength of your findings without exaggerating your results.   

Implications in research can begin with the following specific sentence structures:  

• These findings suggest that…
• These results build on existing body of evidence of…
• These results should be considered when…
• While previous research focused on x, our results show that y…

What should recommendations in research look like?

Recommendations for future research should be:  

• Directly related to your research question or findings  
• Concrete and specific  
• Supported by a clear reasoning  

The recommendations in research can be based on the following factors:  

1. Beneficiary: A paper’s research contribution may be aimed at single or multiple beneficiaries, based on which recommendations can vary. For instance, if your research is about the quality of care in hospitals, the research recommendation to different beneficiaries might be as follows:  

• Nursing staff: Staff should undergo training to enhance their understanding of what quality of care entails.  
• Health science educators: Educators must design training modules that address quality-related issues in the hospital.  
• Hospital management: Develop policies that will increase staff participation in training related to health science.  

2. Limitations: The best way to figure out what to include in your research recommendations is to understand the limitations of your study. It could be based on factors that you have overlooked or could not consider in your present study. Accordingly, the researcher can recommend that other researchers approach the problem from a different perspective, dimension, or methodology. For example, research into the quality of care in hospitals can be based on quantitative data. The researcher can then recommend a qualitative study of factors influencing the quality of care, or they can suggest investigating the problem from the perspective of patients rather than the healthcare providers.   

3. Theory or Practice: Your recommendations in research could be implementation-oriented or further research-oriented.   

4. Your research: Research recommendations can be based on your topic, research objectives, literature review, and analysis, or evidence collected. For example, if your data points to the role of faculty involvement in developing effective programs, recommendations in research can include developing policies to increase faculty participation. Take a look at the evidence-based recommendation in research example s provided below.   

Table: Example of evidence-based research recommendation  

Avoid making the following mistakes when writing research recommendations :  

• Don’t undermine your own work: Recommendations in research should offer suggestions on how future studies can be built upon the current study as a natural extension of your work and not as an entirely new field of research.  
• Support your study arguments: Ensure that your research findings stand alone on their own merits to showcase the strength of your research paper.   

How to write recommendations in research

When writing research recommendations , your focus should be on highlighting what additional work can be done in that field. It gives direction to researchers, industries, or governments about changes or developments possible in this field. For example, recommendations in research can include practical and obtainable strategies offering suggestions to academia to address problems. It can also be a framework that helps government agencies in developing strategic or long-term plans for timely actions against disasters or aid nation-building.  

There are a few SMART 2 things to remember when writing recommendations in research. Your recommendations must be: 

• S pecific: Clearly state how challenges can be addressed for better outcomes and include an action plan that shows what can be achieved. 
• M easurable: Use verbs denoting measurable outcomes, such as identify, analyze, design, compute, assess, evaluate, revise, plan, etc., to strengthen recommendations in research .   
• A ttainable: Recommendations should offer a solution-oriented approach to problem-solving and must be written in a way that is easy to follow.  
• R elevant: Research recommendations should be reasonable, realistic, and result-based. Make sure to suggest future possibilities for your research field.  
• T imely: Time-based or time-sensitive recommendations in research help divide the action plan into long-term or short-term (immediate) goals. A timeline can also inform potential readers of what developments should occur over time.  

If you are wondering how many words to include in your research recommendation , a general rule of thumb would be to set aside 5% of the total word count for writing research recommendations . Finally, when writing the research implications and recommendations , stick to the facts and avoid overstating or over-generalizing the study findings. Both should be supported by evidence gathered through your data analysis.  

References:  

• Schmidt, F. L., & Hunter, J. E. (1998). The validity and utility of selection methods in personnel psychology: Practical and theoretical implications of 85 years of research findings.  Psychological bulletin ,  124 (2), 262.
• Doran, G. T. (1981). There’s a S.M.A.R.T. way to write management’s goals and objectives.  Manag Rev ,  70 (11), 35-36.

Researcher.Life is a subscription-based platform that unifies the best AI tools and services designed to speed up, simplify, and streamline every step of a researcher’s journey. The Researcher.Life All Access Pack is a one-of-a-kind subscription that unlocks full access to an AI writing assistant, literature recommender, journal finder, scientific illustration tool, and exclusive discounts on professional publication services from Editage.  

Based on 21+ years of experience in academia, Researcher.Life All Access empowers researchers to put their best research forward and move closer to success. Explore our top AI Tools pack, AI Tools + Publication Services pack, or Build Your Own Plan. Find everything a researcher needs to succeed, all in one place –  Get All Access now starting at just $17 a month !    

Related Posts

What is Research? Definition, Types, Methods, and Examples

Turabian Format: A Beginner’s Guide

Implications or Recommendations in Research: What's the Difference?

• Peer Review

High-quality research articles that get many citations contain both implications and recommendations. Implications are the impact your research makes, whereas recommendations are specific actions that can then be taken based on your findings, such as for more research or for policymaking.

Updated on August 23, 2022

That seems clear enough, but the two are commonly confused.

This confusion is especially true if you come from a so-called high-context culture in which information is often implied based on the situation, as in many Asian cultures. High-context cultures are different from low-context cultures where information is more direct and explicit (as in North America and many European cultures).

Let's set these two straight in a low-context way; i.e., we'll be specific and direct! This is the best way to be in English academic writing because you're writing for the world.

Implications and recommendations in a research article

The standard format of STEM research articles is what's called IMRaD:

• Introduction
• Discussion/conclusions

Some journals call for a separate conclusions section, while others have the conclusions as the last part of the discussion. You'll write these four (or five) sections in the same sequence, though, no matter the journal.

The discussion section is typically where you restate your results and how well they confirmed your hypotheses. Give readers the answer to the questions for which they're looking to you for an answer.

At this point, many researchers assume their paper is finished. After all, aren't the results the most important part? As you might have guessed, no, you're not quite done yet.

The discussion/conclusions section is where to say what happened and what should now happen

The discussion/conclusions section of every good scientific article should contain the implications and recommendations.

The implications, first of all, are the impact your results have on your specific field. A high-impact, highly cited article will also broaden the scope here and provide implications to other fields. This is what makes research cross-disciplinary.

Recommendations, however, are suggestions to improve your field based on your results.

These two aspects help the reader understand your broader content: How and why your work is important to the world. They also tell the reader what can be changed in the future based on your results.

These aspects are what editors are looking for when selecting papers for peer review.

Implications and recommendations are, thus, written at the end of the discussion section, and before the concluding paragraph. They help to “wrap up” your paper. Once your reader understands what you found, the next logical step is what those results mean and what should come next.

Then they can take the baton, in the form of your work, and run with it. That gets you cited and extends your impact!

The order of implications and recommendations also matters. Both are written after you've summarized your main findings in the discussion section. Then, those results are interpreted based on ongoing work in the field. After this, the implications are stated, followed by the recommendations.

Writing an academic research paper is a bit like running a race. Finish strong, with your most important conclusion (recommendation) at the end. Leave readers with an understanding of your work's importance. Avoid generic, obvious phrases like "more research is needed to fully address this issue." Be specific.

The main differences between implications and recommendations (table)

Now let's dig a bit deeper into actually how to write these parts.

What are implications?

Research implications tell us how and why your results are important for the field at large. They help answer the question of “what does it mean?” Implications tell us how your work contributes to your field and what it adds to it. They're used when you want to tell your peers why your research is important for ongoing theory, practice, policymaking, and for future research.

Crucially, your implications must be evidence-based. This means they must be derived from the results in the paper.

Implications are written after you've summarized your main findings in the discussion section. They come before the recommendations and before the concluding paragraph. There is no specific section dedicated to implications. They must be integrated into your discussion so that the reader understands why the results are meaningful and what they add to the field.

A good strategy is to separate your implications into types. Implications can be social, political, technological, related to policies, or others, depending on your topic. The most frequently used types are theoretical and practical. Theoretical implications relate to how your findings connect to other theories or ideas in your field, while practical implications are related to what we can do with the results.

Key features of implications

• State the impact your research makes
• Helps us understand why your results are important
• Must be evidence-based
• Written in the discussion, before recommendations
• Can be theoretical, practical, or other (social, political, etc.)

Examples of implications

Let's take a look at some examples of research results below with their implications.

The result : one study found that learning items over time improves memory more than cramming material in a bunch of information at once .

The implications : This result suggests memory is better when studying is spread out over time, which could be due to memory consolidation processes.

The result : an intervention study found that mindfulness helps improve mental health if you have anxiety.

The implications : This result has implications for the role of executive functions on anxiety.

The result : a study found that musical learning helps language learning in children .

The implications : these findings suggest that language and music may work together to aid development.

What are recommendations?

As noted above, explaining how your results contribute to the real world is an important part of a successful article.

Likewise, stating how your findings can be used to improve something in future research is equally important. This brings us to the recommendations.

Research recommendations are suggestions and solutions you give for certain situations based on your results. Once the reader understands what your results mean with the implications, the next question they need to know is "what's next?"

Recommendations are calls to action on ways certain things in the field can be improved in the future based on your results. Recommendations are used when you want to convey that something different should be done based on what your analyses revealed.

Similar to implications, recommendations are also evidence-based. This means that your recommendations to the field must be drawn directly from your results.

The goal of the recommendations is to make clear, specific, and realistic suggestions to future researchers before they conduct a similar experiment. No matter what area your research is in, there will always be further research to do. Try to think about what would be helpful for other researchers to know before starting their work.

Recommendations are also written in the discussion section. They come after the implications and before the concluding paragraphs. Similar to the implications, there is usually no specific section dedicated to the recommendations. However, depending on how many solutions you want to suggest to the field, they may be written as a subsection.

Key features of recommendations

• Statements about what can be done differently in the field based on your findings
• Must be realistic and specific
• Written in the discussion, after implications and before conclusions
• Related to both your field and, preferably, a wider context to the research

Examples of recommendations

Here are some research results and their recommendations.

A meta-analysis found that actively recalling material from your memory is better than simply re-reading it .

• The recommendation: Based on these findings, teachers and other educators should encourage students to practice active recall strategies.

A medical intervention found that daily exercise helps prevent cardiovascular disease .

• The recommendation: Based on these results, physicians are recommended to encourage patients to exercise and walk regularly. Also recommended is to encourage more walking through public health offices in communities.

A study found that many research articles do not contain the sample sizes needed to statistically confirm their findings .

The recommendation: To improve the current state of the field, researchers should consider doing power analysis based on their experiment's design.

What else is important about implications and recommendations?

When writing recommendations and implications, be careful not to overstate the impact of your results. It can be tempting for researchers to inflate the importance of their findings and make grandiose statements about what their work means.

Remember that implications and recommendations must be coming directly from your results. Therefore, they must be straightforward, realistic, and plausible.

Another good thing to remember is to make sure the implications and recommendations are stated clearly and separately. Do not attach them to the endings of other paragraphs just to add them in. Use similar example phrases as those listed in the table when starting your sentences to clearly indicate when it's an implication and when it's a recommendation.

When your peers, or brand-new readers, read your paper, they shouldn't have to hunt through your discussion to find the implications and recommendations. They should be clear, visible, and understandable on their own.

That'll get you cited more, and you'll make a greater contribution to your area of science while extending the life and impact of your work.

The AJE Team

See our "Privacy Policy"

We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. By continuing we’ll assume you’re on board with our cookie policy

• A Research Guide
• Research Paper Guide

How to Write Implications in Research

• Implications definition
• Recommendations vs implications
• Types of implications in research
• Step-by-step implications writing guide

Research implications examples

What the implications of the research definition?

• Theoretical implications stand for all the new additions to theories that have already been presented in the past. At the same time, one can use a totally new theory that provides a background and a framework for a study.
• Practical implications are about potential consequences that show the practical side of things.

Recommendations VS Implications

• Implied content versus proposed writing. It means that an implication should provide an outcome from your study. The recommendation is always based on the outcome, along with your words as a personal opinion.
• Potential impact a study may have versus a specific act. When you are composing your research paper, your implications have the purpose of discussing how the findings of the study matter. They should tell how your research has an impact on the subject that you address. Now, unlike the implications section of the research paper, recommendations refer to peculiar actions or steps you must take. They should be based on your opinion precisely and talk about what must be done since your research findings confirm that.

What are the types of implications in research?

• Political implications. These are mostly common for Law and Political Sciences students basing implications on a certain study, a speech, or legislative standards. It is a case when implications and recommendations can also be used to achieve an efficient result.
• Technological implications. When dealing with a technological implication, it serves as special implications for future research manuals where you discuss the study with several examples. Do not use a methodology in this section, as it can only be mentioned briefly.
• Findings related to policies. When you have implemented a special policy or you are dealing with a medical or legal finding, you should add it to your policy. Adding an implications section is necessary when it must be highlighted in your research.
• Topical (subject) implications. These are based on your subject and serve as a way to clarify things or as a method to narrow things down by supporting the finding before it is linked to a thesis statement or your main scientific argument.

Step-by-step implications in research writing guide

Step 1: talk about what has been discovered in your research., step 2: name the differences compared to what previous studies have found., step 3: discuss the implications of your findings., step 4: add specific information to showcase your contributions., step 5: match it with your discussion and thesis statement..

Green energy can benefit from the use of vertical turbines versus horizontal turbines due to construction methods and saving costs. 

The use of AI-based apps that contain repetition and grammar-checking will help ESL students and learners with special needs. 

Most studies provide more research on the social emphasis that influences the problem of bullying in the village area. It points out that most people have different cultural behavior where the problem of bullying is approached differently.

If you encounter challenges in terms of precise replication, you can use a CR genetic code to follow the policies used in 1994. Considering the theoretical limitations, it is necessary to provide exact theories and practical steps. It will help to resolve the challenge and compare what has been available back then. It will help to trace the temporal backline. 

• Writing a Research Paper
• Research Paper Title
• Research Paper Sources
• Research Paper Problem Statement
• Research Paper Thesis Statement
• Hypothesis for a Research Paper
• Research Question
• Research Paper Outline
• Research Paper Summary
• Research Paper Prospectus
• Research Paper Proposal
• Research Paper Format
• Research Paper Styles
• AMA Style Research Paper
• MLA Style Research Paper
• Chicago Style Research Paper
• APA Style Research Paper
• Research Paper Structure
• Research Paper Cover Page
• Research Paper Abstract
• Research Paper Introduction
• Research Paper Body Paragraph
• Research Paper Literature Review
• Research Paper Background
• Research Paper Methods Section
• Research Paper Results Section
• Research Paper Discussion Section
• Research Paper Conclusion
• Research Paper Appendix
• Research Paper Bibliography
• APA Reference Page
• Annotated Bibliography
• Bibliography vs Works Cited vs References Page
• Research Paper Types
• What is Qualitative Research

Receive paper in 3 Hours!

• Choose the number of pages.
• Select your deadline.
• Complete your order.

Number of Pages

550 words (double spaced)

Deadline: 10 days left

By clicking "Log In", you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We'll occasionally send you account related and promo emails.

Sign Up for your FREE account

• Privacy Policy

Home » Implications – Definition, Types, and Applications

Implications – Definition, Types, and Applications

Table of Contents

Implications

Definition :

Implications refer to the consequences, outcomes, or effects of a particular action, decision, or event. It involves a careful analysis of the potential effects of something before it happens or after it has occurred. In other words, implications are the logical or practical results of something.

Implications Synonym

Following are synonyms used as implications:

• Consequences
• Ramifications
• Repercussions
• Significance
• Interpretations
• Relationship
• Correlation.

Types of Implications

Types of Implications are as follows:

Material Implication

This is the standard form of implication used in propositional logic. It is often denoted by the symbol “→” and can be read as “if-then.” For example, “If it is raining, then the ground is wet” can be written as “p → q,” where “p” represents “it is raining” and “q” represents “the ground is wet.” Material implication is also used in first-order logic.

Logical Implication

This is a more general type of implication that includes material implication as a special case. In logical implication, the truth of the antecedent implies the truth of the consequent, but the converse may not be true. For example, “All cats are mammals” logically implies “Some mammals are cats,” but the converse is not true. Logical implication is used in predicate logic.

Material Equivalence

This is a type of implication that goes in both directions. It is often denoted by the symbol “↔” and can be read as “if and only if.” For example, “Two lines are perpendicular if and only if their slopes are negative reciprocals” can be written as “p ↔ q,” where “p” represents “two lines are perpendicular” and “q” represents “their slopes are negative reciprocals.”

Causal Implication

This is a type of implication used in causal reasoning. It asserts that if one event (the cause) occurs, then another event (the effect) will necessarily follow. For example, “Smoking causes lung cancer” is a causal implication.

Modal Implication

This is a type of implication used in modal logic, which deals with concepts like possibility and necessity. Modal implication asserts that if something is necessarily true, then something else must also be true. For example, “If it is necessarily true that all bachelors are unmarried, then it is necessarily true that some unmarried men are bachelors.”

Implication in set theory

In set theory, an implication can be defined using set notation. For example, if A and B are sets, then the implication “if x is in A, then x is in B” can be written as A ⊆ B, which means “A is a subset of B.”

Material Conditional Implication

This is a type of implication that is similar to material implication, but with some subtle differences. It is often denoted by the symbol “⊢” and is used in proof theory. For example, “p, q ⊢ r” means that if p and q are true, then r must also be true.

Counterfactual Implication

This is a type of implication that deals with hypothetical or imagined situations. It asserts that if something had been true in the past or if something were different in the present, then something else would necessarily be true. For example, “If I had studied harder, I would have passed the test” is a counterfactual implication.

Psychological Implication

This is a type of implication that deals with the psychological effects of one event on another. For example, “If a child is exposed to violence at a young age, they may be more likely to exhibit violent behavior later in life” is a psychological implication.

Applications of Implications

Implications are used in a variety of fields and applications, including:

• Mathematics: In mathematical logic, implications are used to describe the relationship between propositions. An implication is a statement that connects a hypothesis to a conclusion, such as “If p, then q.” Implications are used extensively in proof writing.
• Computer Science : In computer science, implications are used to describe the behavior of algorithms and systems. Implications are used in programming languages to define logical conditions, and in databases to describe relationships between data.
• Philosophy : In philosophy , implications are used to express necessary and sufficient conditions for certain concepts or beliefs. Implications are often used to form arguments, as they can help to demonstrate the logical consistency or inconsistency of a set of beliefs.
• Law : Implications are used in legal reasoning and analysis, especially in interpreting statutes and legal precedents. Lawyers and judges use implications to determine the scope and meaning of legal concepts, and to assess the validity of legal arguments.
• Science : In science, implications are used to make predictions and test hypotheses. Scientists use implications to describe the expected outcomes of experiments and observations, and to determine whether their findings are consistent with existing theories.
• Business : In business, implications are used to make strategic decisions and assess the potential outcomes of different courses of action. Business analysts use implications to evaluate market trends and customer behavior, and to identify opportunities for growth and innovation.
• Education : In education, implications are used to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching methods and educational programs. Educators use implications to assess the impact of different teaching strategies on student learning outcomes, and to design curricula that are tailored to the needs of different learners.
• Psychology : In psychology , implications are used to study human behavior and cognition. Psychologists use implications to explore the relationships between different variables, such as personality traits, emotions, and social behaviors. Implications are also used to develop and test theories about human development and mental health.
• Marketing : In marketing, implications are used to assess the potential impact of advertising and promotional campaigns on consumer behavior. Marketers use implications to determine the most effective ways to reach and engage with target audiences, and to measure the effectiveness of different marketing strategies.
• Communication : In communication, implications are used to understand the meaning and significance of different forms of communication, such as language, nonverbal cues, and media messages. Communication scholars use implications to explore the ways in which communication shapes social relationships, identities, and cultural values.

How to Write Implications

Writing implications involves identifying the potential consequences or outcomes of a particular action, event, or decision. Here are some steps to follow when writing implications:

• Identify the relevant information: Start by analyzing the information you have and identify the key points or issues. This will help you understand the implications of the decision or action being taken.
• Determine the potential consequences: Think about the potential outcomes of the decision or action. Consider the short-term and long-term effects, as well as the positive and negative consequences.
• Consider different scenarios : Try to anticipate different scenarios that may arise as a result of the decision or action. Consider how different stakeholders may be affected and what their reactions might be.
• Evaluate the implications: Evaluate the potential implications of the decision or action based on the information you have gathered. Consider the impact on individuals, organizations, and society as a whole.
• Present your findings: Present your findings clearly and concisely. Use data and evidence to support your conclusions and provide recommendations for next steps.
• Consider potential solutions: If the implications are negative, consider potential solutions that could mitigate the negative consequences. If the implications are positive, consider how to maximize the benefits.
• Review and revise: Review your implications and make revisions as needed. Ensure that your implications are clear, concise, and supported by evidence.

Importance of Implications

Implications are important because they help us to understand the potential consequences or effects of a particular decision, action, or event. They allow us to anticipate and prepare for possible outcomes, both positive and negative, which can inform our choices and decision-making processes.

Here are some specific reasons why implications are important:

• Decision-making : Implications help us to make better decisions by providing us with a clearer understanding of the potential consequences of our choices. By considering the implications of different options, we can choose the one that is most likely to lead to a positive outcome.
• Planning : Implications are also important in the planning process. By identifying the potential consequences of different scenarios, we can develop more effective plans that take into account the risks and opportunities associated with each option.
• Risk management : Understanding the implications of a particular decision or action can help us to manage risk more effectively. By anticipating possible negative outcomes, we can take steps to minimize or mitigate those risks, and be better prepared to handle any issues that arise.
• Communication: Communicating the implications of a particular decision or action can help to ensure that everyone involved is on the same page. By sharing information about potential consequences, we can ensure that everyone understands the risks and opportunities associated with a particular course of action.

When to use Implications

Implications are useful when you want to describe the consequences or results of a particular action, event, or situation. They are commonly used in academic writing, legal documents, and scientific reports to explain the potential impact of findings, policies, or decisions.

Here are some examples of when to use implications:

• In scientific research , implications are used to explain the potential applications or limitations of the study findings.
• In legal documents , implications are used to describe the possible consequences of a court ruling or decision.
• In business reports , implications are used to explain the potential effects of a new product launch, marketing strategy, or financial decision.
• In academic writing , implications are used to discuss the broader significance of research findings and to suggest future research directions.

Advantages of Implications

Some Advantages of Implications are as follows:

• Clarity : Implications provide a clear and concise statement of what follows from a given premise. By defining the relationship between the premise and the conclusion, they eliminate ambiguity and make the argument easier to understand.
• Rigor : Implications provide a rigorous framework for reasoning. They require that the relationship between the premise and the conclusion be logical and consistent, which helps to avoid fallacious reasoning and ensures that the argument is sound.
• Consistency : Implications help to ensure that arguments are consistent. By defining the relationship between the premise and the conclusion, they ensure that the argument is coherent and that there are no contradictions.
• Predictive power: Implications can be used to make predictions. By defining the relationship between the premise and the conclusion, they allow us to make predictions about what will happen in the future if certain conditions are met.
• Applicability : Implications are widely applicable across a range of domains. They can be used in mathematics, science, philosophy, and many other areas to make logical arguments and draw conclusions based on evidence and reasoning.

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

You may also like

Scholarly Paper – Format, Example and Writing...

Predictive Analytics in Cyber Security –...

What is Science – Definition, Methods, Types

Concept – Definition, Types and Examples

Chemist – Definition, Types and Work Area

What is Archaeology – Definition and Overview

Theoretical, Empirical, and Artefactual Contributions in Information Systems Research: Implications Implied*

• First Online: 22 March 2021

Cite this chapter

• Pär J. Ågerfalk 5 &
• Fredrik Karlsson 6  

Part of the book series: Technology, Work and Globalization ((TWG))

1006 Accesses

2 Citations

In this chapter, we explore different types of research contributions and research implications. We explain why such a distinction can be useful when discussing research outcomes both when crafting and when evaluating manuscripts for publication. By taking an incremental view of knowledge development, we identify three types of research contributions: theoretical, empirical, and artefactual. Because an implication always exists in relation to a contribution, we explore what implications these contributions lead to in research practice and domain practice. This leads us to propose an analytical framework that we hope can help increase the quality of researchers’ discussions about research contributions and implications, enabling researchers to pinpoint these aspects with higher accuracy. In addition, understanding the implications of research can provide guidance to reviewers and editors in their efforts to scrutinize and develop manuscripts evaluated for journals and conferences.

*An earlier version of this chapter appeared as Ågerfalk, P. J., & Karlsson, F. (2020). Artefactual and empirical contributions in information systems research. European Journal of Information Systems, 29 (2), 109–113.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

• Available as PDF
• Read on any device
• Instant download
• Own it forever
• Available as EPUB and PDF
• Compact, lightweight edition
• Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
• Free shipping worldwide - see info
• Durable hardcover edition

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Ågerfalk, P. J. (2014). Insufficient theoretical contribution: A conclusive rationale for rejection? European Journal of Information Systems, 23 (6), 593–599.

Article   Google Scholar  

Ågerfalk, P. J., & Wiberg, M. (2018). Pragmatizing the normative artefact: Design science research in Scandinavia and beyond. Communications of the Association for Information Systems, 43 (4), 68–77.

Avison, D., & Malaurent, J. J. (2014). Is theory king? Questioning the theory fetish in information systems. Journal of Information Technology, 29 (4), 327–336.

Baskerville, R. (2004). An editor’s values. European Journal of Information Systems, 13 (1), 1–2.

Baskerville, R., & Wood-Harper, A. T. (1998). Diversity in information systems action research methods. European Journal of Information Systems, 7 (2), 90–107.

Benbasat, I., & Zmud, R. W. (1999). Empirical research in information systems: The practice of relevance. MIS Quarterly, 23 (1), 3–16.

Corley, K. G., & Gioia, D. E. (2011). Building theory about theory building: What constitutes a theoretical contribution? Academy of Management Review, 36 (1), 12–32.

Cronen, V. (2001). Practical theory, practical art, and the pragmatic-systemic account of inquiry. Communication Theory, 11 (1), 14–35.

Davison, R. M., Martinsons, M. G., & Kock, N. (2004). Principles of canonical action research. Information Systems Journal, 14 (1), 65–86.

Geletkanycz, M., & Tepper, B. J. (2012). Publishing in AMJ-Part 6: Discussing the implications. Academy of Management Journal, 50 (2), 256–260.

Germonprez, M., Hovorka, D. I., & Collopy, F. (2007). A theory of tailorable technology design. Journal of the Association for Information Systems, 8 (6), 21.

Goldkuhl, G., & Röstlinger, A. (2003). Towards an integral understanding of organizations and information systems: Convergence of three theories. In H. W. M. Gazendam, R. J. Jorna, & R. S. Cijsouw (Eds.), Dynamics and change in organizations (pp. 133–161). Dordrecht: Springer.

Chapter   Google Scholar  

Gregor, S. (2006). The nature of theory in information systems. MIS Quarterly, 30 (3), 611c642.

Google Scholar  

Gregor, S., & Baskerville, R. (2012). The fusion of design science and social science research . Paper presented at the Information Systems Foundation Workshop, Canberra, Australia.

Hassan, N. R., Mathiassen, L., & Lowry, P. B. (2019). The process of information systems theorizing as a discursive practice. Journal of Information Technology, 34 (3), 198–220.

Hevner, A. R., March, S. T., Park, J., & Ram, S. (2004). Design science in information systems research. MIS Quarterly, 28 (1), 75–105.

Karlsson, F., & Hedström, K. (2013). Evaluating end user development as a requirements engineering technique for communicating across social worlds during systems development. Scandinavian Journal of Information Systems, 25 (2), 1–26.

Kolkowska, E., Karlsson, F., & Hedström, K. (2017). Towards analysing the rationale of information security noncompliance: Devising a Value-Based Compliance analysis method. Journal of Strategic Information Systems, 26 (1), 39–57.

Lee, A. S. (1999). Rigor and relevance in MIS research: Beyond the approach of positivism alone. MIS Quarterly, 23 (1), 29–33.

Lee, A. S., & Baskerville, R. (2003). Generalizing generalizability in information system research. Information Systems Research, 14 (3), 221–243.

Lewin, K. (1943). Psychology and the process of group living. Journal of Social Psychology, 17 (1), 113–131.

Lewin, K. (1945). The research centre for group dynamics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Sociometry, 8 , 126–135.

Morschheuser, B., Hassan, L., Werder, K., & Hamari, J. (2018). How to design gamification? A method for engineering gamified software. Information and Software Technology, 95 (March), 219–237.

Muntermann, J. (2009). Towards ubiquitous information supply for individual investors: A decision support system design. Decision Support Systems, 47 (2), 82–92.

Niederman, F., & March, S. (2019). The “theoretical lens” concept: We all know what it means, but do we all know the same thing? Communications of the Association for Information Systems, 44 (1), 1.

Oinas-Kukkonen, H. (1998). Evaluating the usefulness of design rationale in CASE. European Journal of Information Systems, 7 (3), 185–191.

Riemer, K., & Vehring, N. (2010). It’s not a property! Exploring the sociomateriality of software usability . Paper presented at the 31st International Conference of Information Systems (ICIS 2010), St. Louis, USA.

Schatzki, T. R. (2001). Introduction: Practice theory. In T. R. Schatzki, K. Knorr Cetina, & E. von Savigny (Eds.), The practice turn in contemporary theory (pp. 1–14). London: Routledge.

Schultze, U., & Leahy, M. M. (2009). The avatar-self relationship: Enacting presence in second life . Paper presented at the 30th International Conference of Information Systems (ICIS 2009), Phoenix, AZ, USA.

Sein, M. K., Henfridsson, O., Purao, S., Rossi, M., & Lindgren, R. (2011). Action design research. MIS Quarterly, 35 (1), 37–56.

Simon, H. A. (1961). The sciences of the artificial . Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

Siponen, M., & Vance, A. (2014). Guidelines for improving the contextual relevance of field surveys: The case of information security policy violations. European Journal of Information Systems, 23 (3), 289–305.

Smolander, K., Lyytinen, K., Tahvanainen, V. P., & Marttiin, P. (1991). MetaEdit – A flexible graphical environment for methodology modelling. In R. Andersen, J. A. Bubenko, & A. Sølvberg (Eds.), Advanced information systems engineering. CAiSE 1991. Lecture notes in Computer Science, vol 498 (pp. 168–193). Berlin: Springer.

Straub, D. W. (2009). Editor’s comments: Why top journals accept your paper. MIS Quarterly, 33 (3), iii–ix.

Sutton, R. I., & Staw, B. M. (1995). ASQ forum: What theory is not. Administrative Science Quarterly, 40 (3), 371–384.

Tsang, E. W. K. (2013). Case study methodology: Causal explanation, contextualization, and theorizing. Journal of International Management, 19 (2), 195–202.

van de Ven, A. H. (1989). Nothing is quite so practical as a good theory. Academy of Management Review, 14 (4), 486–489.

van de Ven, A. H., & Johnson, P. E. (2006). Knowledge for theory and practice. Academy of Management Review, 31 (4), 802–821.

Venkatesh, V. (2006). Where to go from here? Thoughts on future directions for research on individual-level technology adoption with a focus on decision making. Decision Sciences, 37 (4), 497–518.

Walls, J. G., Widmeyer, G. R., & El Sawy, O. A. (1992). Building information system design theory for vigilant EIS. Information Systems Research, 3 (1), 36–59.

Walsham, G. (1995). Interpretive case studies in IS research: Nature and method. European Journal of Information Systems, 4 (2), 74–81.

Walsham, G. (2006). Doing interpretive research. European Journal of Information Systems, 15 (3), 320–330.

Weick, K. E. (1995). What theory is not, theorizing is. Administrative Science Quarterly, 40 (3), 371–384.

Yang, T.-M., & Maxwell, T. A. (2011). Information-sharing in public organizations: A literature review of interpersonal, intra-organizational and inter-organizational success factors. Government Information Quarterly, 28 (2), 164–175.

Download references

Author information

Authors and affiliations.

Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden

Pär J. Ågerfalk

Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden

Fredrik Karlsson

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Pär J. Ågerfalk .

Editor information

Editors and affiliations.

Department of Management Studies, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, MN, USA

Nik Rushdi Hassan

Department of Management, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK

Leslie P. Willcocks

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2021 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Ågerfalk, P.J., Karlsson, F. (2021). Theoretical, Empirical, and Artefactual Contributions in Information Systems Research: Implications Implied*. In: Hassan, N.R., Willcocks, L.P. (eds) Advancing Information Systems Theories. Technology, Work and Globalization. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-64884-8_2

Download citation

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-64884-8_2

Published : 22 March 2021

Publisher Name : Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

Print ISBN : 978-3-030-64883-1

Online ISBN : 978-3-030-64884-8

eBook Packages : Business and Management Business and Management (R0)

Share this chapter

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:

Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article.

Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative

• Publish with us

Policies and ethics

• Find a journal
• Track your research

When you choose to publish with PLOS, your research makes an impact. Make your work accessible to all, without restrictions, and accelerate scientific discovery with options like preprints and published peer review that make your work more Open.

• PLOS Biology
• PLOS Climate
• PLOS Complex Systems
• PLOS Computational Biology
• PLOS Digital Health
• PLOS Genetics
• PLOS Global Public Health
• PLOS Medicine
• PLOS Mental Health
• PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
• PLOS Pathogens
• PLOS Sustainability and Transformation
• PLOS Collections
• How to Write Discussions and Conclusions

The discussion section contains the results and outcomes of a study. An effective discussion informs readers what can be learned from your experiment and provides context for the results.

What makes an effective discussion?

When you’re ready to write your discussion, you’ve already introduced the purpose of your study and provided an in-depth description of the methodology. The discussion informs readers about the larger implications of your study based on the results. Highlighting these implications while not overstating the findings can be challenging, especially when you’re submitting to a journal that selects articles based on novelty or potential impact. Regardless of what journal you are submitting to, the discussion section always serves the same purpose: concluding what your study results actually mean.

A successful discussion section puts your findings in context. It should include:

• the results of your research,
• a discussion of related research, and
• a comparison between your results and initial hypothesis.

Tip: Not all journals share the same naming conventions.

You can apply the advice in this article to the conclusion, results or discussion sections of your manuscript.

Our Early Career Researcher community tells us that the conclusion is often considered the most difficult aspect of a manuscript to write. To help, this guide provides questions to ask yourself, a basic structure to model your discussion off of and examples from published manuscripts. 

Questions to ask yourself:

• Was my hypothesis correct?
• If my hypothesis is partially correct or entirely different, what can be learned from the results? 
• How do the conclusions reshape or add onto the existing knowledge in the field? What does previous research say about the topic? 
• Why are the results important or relevant to your audience? Do they add further evidence to a scientific consensus or disprove prior studies? 
• How can future research build on these observations? What are the key experiments that must be done? 
• What is the “take-home” message you want your reader to leave with?

How to structure a discussion

Trying to fit a complete discussion into a single paragraph can add unnecessary stress to the writing process. If possible, you’ll want to give yourself two or three paragraphs to give the reader a comprehensive understanding of your study as a whole. Here’s one way to structure an effective discussion:

Writing Tips

While the above sections can help you brainstorm and structure your discussion, there are many common mistakes that writers revert to when having difficulties with their paper. Writing a discussion can be a delicate balance between summarizing your results, providing proper context for your research and avoiding introducing new information. Remember that your paper should be both confident and honest about the results! 

• Read the journal’s guidelines on the discussion and conclusion sections. If possible, learn about the guidelines before writing the discussion to ensure you’re writing to meet their expectations. 
• Begin with a clear statement of the principal findings. This will reinforce the main take-away for the reader and set up the rest of the discussion. 
• Explain why the outcomes of your study are important to the reader. Discuss the implications of your findings realistically based on previous literature, highlighting both the strengths and limitations of the research. 
• State whether the results prove or disprove your hypothesis. If your hypothesis was disproved, what might be the reasons? 
• Introduce new or expanded ways to think about the research question. Indicate what next steps can be taken to further pursue any unresolved questions. 
• If dealing with a contemporary or ongoing problem, such as climate change, discuss possible consequences if the problem is avoided. 
• Be concise. Adding unnecessary detail can distract from the main findings. 

Don’t

• Rewrite your abstract. Statements with “we investigated” or “we studied” generally do not belong in the discussion. 
• Include new arguments or evidence not previously discussed. Necessary information and evidence should be introduced in the main body of the paper. 
• Apologize. Even if your research contains significant limitations, don’t undermine your authority by including statements that doubt your methodology or execution. 
• Shy away from speaking on limitations or negative results. Including limitations and negative results will give readers a complete understanding of the presented research. Potential limitations include sources of potential bias, threats to internal or external validity, barriers to implementing an intervention and other issues inherent to the study design. 
• Overstate the importance of your findings. Making grand statements about how a study will fully resolve large questions can lead readers to doubt the success of the research. 

Snippets of Effective Discussions:

Consumer-based actions to reduce plastic pollution in rivers: A multi-criteria decision analysis approach

Identifying reliable indicators of fitness in polar bears

• How to Write a Great Title
• How to Write an Abstract
• How to Write Your Methods
• How to Report Statistics
• How to Edit Your Work

The contents of the Peer Review Center are also available as a live, interactive training session, complete with slides, talking points, and activities. …

The contents of the Writing Center are also available as a live, interactive training session, complete with slides, talking points, and activities. …

There’s a lot to consider when deciding where to submit your work. Learn how to choose a journal that will help your study reach its audience, while reflecting your values as a researcher…

• Archives & Special Collections home
• Art Library home
• Ekstrom Library home
• Kornhauser Health Sciences Library home
• Law Library home
• Music Library home
• University of Louisville Hospital home
• Interlibrary Loan
• Off-Campus Login
• Renew Books
• Cardinal Card
• My Print Center
• Business Ops
• Cards Career Connection

Search Site

Search catalog, critical thinking and academic research: implications.

• Information
• Point of View
• Assumptions
• Implications

Think through the Implications

According to Linda Elder and Richard Paul, "An implication is that to which our thinking is leading us. When you say things, you imply certain other things. For example, if you make a promise, you imply that you will keep it" ( The Aspiring Thinker's Guide to Critical Thinking , 2009, p. 28). In academic research, you should consider the implications of what your sources are saying. You should also consider the implications of your own arguments.

Research involves critical interaction with information sources. Don't just accept an argument because it seems correct on the surface or because it matches your point of view. Instead, think through the implications of the argument. What would it mean to accept this argument? What effects would it have? What are the implications and/or consequences of agreeing or disagreeing with this argument?

Critical Questions

• What are the implications of my argument or interpretation of this source?
• What would happen if I agreed or disagreed with this source?
• What implications or consequences haven't been considered?
• << Previous: Assumptions
• Last Updated: Jul 10, 2023 11:50 AM
• Librarian Login

What are the Academic Implications of a Research Study?

Gain knowledge about the distinction between academic limitations and recommendations to successfully incorporate them into your research.

If you intend to write a research paper, you should be aware that you must provide a background story that will lead to the rationale behind the research, providing context and assisting in the formulation of the issue statement, aiming to leave no doubt about your work, demonstrating its relevance and importance, and stating all possible methodological questions.

However, it is not uncommon for researchers to lose momentum at the end and struggle to find the correct conclusion for their research. Despite the fact that the discussion properly explains the findings, connects them to the issues raised in the introduction, and investigates them in the context of past research, something may appear to be lacking. This frequently leads to the conclusion of a research that is similar to one that has already been expressed.

This results in a lack of academic implications when readers or reviewers fail to recognize the significance of your research. To avoid this, continue reading this article to learn more about the academic implications .

What are the academic implications?

Implications are the consequences of your research; you must describe exactly why you assume your actual results are relevant and/or might be employed in future research. Most importantly, your implications must be supported by evidence. 

These implications must be based on the details and outcomes of your research, and any limitations of your approach or sample should be recognized in order to avoid gross generalization.

Depending on the type of research you perform, the implications of your findings can be clinical, philosophical, political, social, or ethical. It is crucial to understand that the most essential distinction is between practical implications, theoretical implications and implications for future research.

Practical Implications

The term “practical” literally means “real outcomes.” The reality that would occur if certain circumstances were met is referred to as practical implication. Determining the practical implications of several solutions can aid in determining which ones deliver the intended results.

For example, when doing clinical research, these outcomes are more likely to be practical. Assume you’re doing a trial for a medicine that treats infection without generating organism resistance; the consequences in this situation are that illnesses can be treated more promptly than in the past.

Theoretical Implications

In contrast, the theoretical implication is a newly discovered addition(s) to current theories or establishing elements for new theories. Theory’s role in research is to propose fascinating and potentially promising subjects to focus on.

The ability or possibility of research to affect society in apparent ways is characterized by theoretical implications. For example, research on human relationships and how COVID affects them can theorize that humans are less likely to interact now they’ve been through COVID. 

However, be cautious not to extrapolate your sampling or data to the broader population unless you have compelling reasons for it.

Implications that require future research

If you discover that your findings do not result in social reforms, innovative pedagogical policies or medical changes, they may have vital implications for future research projects. 

This implies that if you discover anything that may have an impact on other research, you should discuss the implications. Just be careful not to mistake an implication as a recommendation.

Implications vs. Recommendations

In a research paper, an implication is a conclusion that can be deduced from the research findings and the significance of these findings; this does not immediately imply that you think your findings will change everything by tomorrow, but that you have reason to expect they could have an impact in a particular way.

Recommendations, on the other hand, are precise ideas based on your findings about the best way to proceed in a certain scenario. For example, if you discovered a better approach to deal with a certain type of data (that may be utilized in other topics), you would recommend they discard the previous method.

Simply defined, an implication is an implicit conclusion of your research, whereas a recommendation is what you recommend based on the facts. 

Start creating infographics and scientific illustrations

Create infographics and illustrations to help you make the most of your research. Articles with visual assets are simpler to grasp since readers may pick up on the content by visualizing assets, and therefore they are more likely to be downloaded. Mind The Graph tool makes it easy for you, to search through a huge number of templates to select one that is appropriate for your work.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Exclusive high quality content about effective visual communication in science.

About Jessica Abbadia

Jessica Abbadia is a lawyer that has been working in Digital Marketing since 2020, improving organic performance for apps and websites in various regions through ASO and SEO. Currently developing scientific and intellectual knowledge for the community's benefit. Jessica is an animal rights activist who enjoys reading and drinking strong coffee.

Content tags

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

• Knowledge Base
• Starting the research process
• How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

Published on October 12, 2022 by Shona McCombes and Tegan George. Revised on November 21, 2023.

A research proposal describes what you will investigate, why it’s important, and how you will conduct your research.

The format of a research proposal varies between fields, but most proposals will contain at least these elements:

Introduction

Literature review.

• Research design

Reference list

While the sections may vary, the overall objective is always the same. A research proposal serves as a blueprint and guide for your research plan, helping you get organized and feel confident in the path forward you choose to take.

Table of contents

Research proposal purpose, research proposal examples, research design and methods, contribution to knowledge, research schedule, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about research proposals.

Academics often have to write research proposals to get funding for their projects. As a student, you might have to write a research proposal as part of a grad school application , or prior to starting your thesis or dissertation .

In addition to helping you figure out what your research can look like, a proposal can also serve to demonstrate why your project is worth pursuing to a funder, educational institution, or supervisor.

Research proposal length

The length of a research proposal can vary quite a bit. A bachelor’s or master’s thesis proposal can be just a few pages, while proposals for PhD dissertations or research funding are usually much longer and more detailed. Your supervisor can help you determine the best length for your work.

One trick to get started is to think of your proposal’s structure as a shorter version of your thesis or dissertation , only without the results , conclusion and discussion sections.

Download our research proposal template

Here's why students love Scribbr's proofreading services

Discover proofreading & editing

Writing a research proposal can be quite challenging, but a good starting point could be to look at some examples. We’ve included a few for you below.

• Example research proposal #1: “A Conceptual Framework for Scheduling Constraint Management”
• Example research proposal #2: “Medical Students as Mediators of Change in Tobacco Use”

Like your dissertation or thesis, the proposal will usually have a title page that includes:

• The proposed title of your project
• Your supervisor’s name
• Your institution and department

The first part of your proposal is the initial pitch for your project. Make sure it succinctly explains what you want to do and why.

Your introduction should:

• Introduce your topic
• Give necessary background and context
• Outline your  problem statement  and research questions

To guide your introduction , include information about:

• Who could have an interest in the topic (e.g., scientists, policymakers)
• How much is already known about the topic
• What is missing from this current knowledge
• What new insights your research will contribute
• Why you believe this research is worth doing

As you get started, it’s important to demonstrate that you’re familiar with the most important research on your topic. A strong literature review  shows your reader that your project has a solid foundation in existing knowledge or theory. It also shows that you’re not simply repeating what other people have already done or said, but rather using existing research as a jumping-off point for your own.

In this section, share exactly how your project will contribute to ongoing conversations in the field by:

• Comparing and contrasting the main theories, methods, and debates
• Examining the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches
• Explaining how will you build on, challenge, or synthesize prior scholarship

Following the literature review, restate your main  objectives . This brings the focus back to your own project. Next, your research design or methodology section will describe your overall approach, and the practical steps you will take to answer your research questions.

To finish your proposal on a strong note, explore the potential implications of your research for your field. Emphasize again what you aim to contribute and why it matters.

For example, your results might have implications for:

• Improving best practices
• Informing policymaking decisions
• Strengthening a theory or model
• Challenging popular or scientific beliefs
• Creating a basis for future research

Last but not least, your research proposal must include correct citations for every source you have used, compiled in a reference list . To create citations quickly and easily, you can use our free APA citation generator .

Some institutions or funders require a detailed timeline of the project, asking you to forecast what you will do at each stage and how long it may take. While not always required, be sure to check the requirements of your project.

Here’s an example schedule to help you get started. You can also download a template at the button below.

Download our research schedule template

If you are applying for research funding, chances are you will have to include a detailed budget. This shows your estimates of how much each part of your project will cost.

Make sure to check what type of costs the funding body will agree to cover. For each item, include:

• Cost : exactly how much money do you need?
• Justification : why is this cost necessary to complete the research?
• Source : how did you calculate the amount?

To determine your budget, think about:

• Travel costs : do you need to go somewhere to collect your data? How will you get there, and how much time will you need? What will you do there (e.g., interviews, archival research)?
• Materials : do you need access to any tools or technologies?
• Help : do you need to hire any research assistants for the project? What will they do, and how much will you pay them?

If you want to know more about the research process , methodology , research bias , or statistics , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Methodology

• Sampling methods
• Simple random sampling
• Stratified sampling
• Cluster sampling
• Likert scales
• Reproducibility

 Statistics

• Null hypothesis
• Statistical power
• Probability distribution
• Effect size
• Poisson distribution

Research bias

• Optimism bias
• Cognitive bias
• Implicit bias
• Hawthorne effect
• Anchoring bias
• Explicit bias

Once you’ve decided on your research objectives , you need to explain them in your paper, at the end of your problem statement .

Keep your research objectives clear and concise, and use appropriate verbs to accurately convey the work that you will carry out for each one.

I will compare …

A research aim is a broad statement indicating the general purpose of your research project. It should appear in your introduction at the end of your problem statement , before your research objectives.

Research objectives are more specific than your research aim. They indicate the specific ways you’ll address the overarching aim.

A PhD, which is short for philosophiae doctor (doctor of philosophy in Latin), is the highest university degree that can be obtained. In a PhD, students spend 3–5 years writing a dissertation , which aims to make a significant, original contribution to current knowledge.

A PhD is intended to prepare students for a career as a researcher, whether that be in academia, the public sector, or the private sector.

A master’s is a 1- or 2-year graduate degree that can prepare you for a variety of careers.

All master’s involve graduate-level coursework. Some are research-intensive and intend to prepare students for further study in a PhD; these usually require their students to write a master’s thesis . Others focus on professional training for a specific career.

Critical thinking refers to the ability to evaluate information and to be aware of biases or assumptions, including your own.

Like information literacy , it involves evaluating arguments, identifying and solving problems in an objective and systematic way, and clearly communicating your ideas.

The best way to remember the difference between a research plan and a research proposal is that they have fundamentally different audiences. A research plan helps you, the researcher, organize your thoughts. On the other hand, a dissertation proposal or research proposal aims to convince others (e.g., a supervisor, a funding body, or a dissertation committee) that your research topic is relevant and worthy of being conducted.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

McCombes, S. & George, T. (2023, November 21). How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved June 18, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/research-process/research-proposal/

Is this article helpful?

Shona McCombes

Other students also liked, how to write a problem statement | guide & examples, writing strong research questions | criteria & examples, how to write a literature review | guide, examples, & templates, get unlimited documents corrected.

✔ Free APA citation check included ✔ Unlimited document corrections ✔ Specialized in correcting academic texts

• The Scientist University

How to Present a Research Study’s Limitations

All studies have imperfections, but how to present them without diminishing the value of the work can be tricky..

Nathan Ni holds a PhD from Queens University. He is a science editor for The Scientist’s Creative Services Team who strives to better understand and communicate the relationships between health and disease.

View full profile.

Learn about our editorial policies.

Scientists work with many different limitations. First and foremost, they navigate informational limitations, work around knowledge gaps when designing studies, formulating hypotheses, and analyzing data. They also handle technical limitations, making the most of what their hands, equipment, and instruments can achieve. Finally, researchers must also manage logistical limitations. Scientists will often experience sample scarcity, financial issues, or simply be unable to access the technology or materials that they want.

All scientific studies have limitations, and no study is perfect. Researchers should not run from this reality, but engage it directly. It is better to directly address the specific limitations of the work in question, and doing so is actually a way to demonstrate an author’s proficiency and aptitude.

Do: Be Transparent

From a practical perspective, being transparent is the main key to directly addressing the specific limitations of a study. Was there an experiment that the researchers wanted to perform but could not, or a sample that existed that the scientists could not obtain? Was there a piece of knowledge that would explain a question raised by the data presented within the current study? If the answer is yes, the authors should mention this and elaborate upon it within the discussion section.

Asking and addressing these questions demonstrates that the authors have knowledge, understanding, and expertise of the subject area beyond what the study directly investigated. It further demonstrates a solid grasp of the existing literature—which means a solid grasp of what others are doing, what techniques they are using, and what limitations impede their own studies. This information helps the authors contextualize where their study fits within what others have discovered, thereby mitigating the perceived effect of a given limitation on the study’s legitimacy. In essence, this strategy turns limitations, often considered weaknesses, into strengths.

For example, in their 2021 Cell Reports study on macrophage polarization mechanisms, dermatologist Alexander Marneros and colleagues wrote the following. 1

A limitation of studying macrophage polarization in vitro is that this approach only partially captures the tissue microenvironment context in which many different factors affect macrophage polarization. However, it is likely that the identified signaling mechanisms that promote polarization in vitro are also critical for polarization mechanisms that occur in vivo. This is supported by our observation that trametinib and panobinostat inhibited M2-type macrophage polarization not only in vitro but also in skin wounds and laser-induced CNV lesions.

This is a very effective structure. In the first sentence ( yellow ), the authors outlined the limitation. In the next sentence ( green ), they offered a rationalization that mitigates the effect of the limitation. Finally, they provided the evidence ( blue ) for this rationalization, using not just information from the literature, but also data that they obtained in their study specifically for this purpose. 

Don't: Be Defensive

It can feel natural to avoid talking about a study’s limitations. Scientists may believe that mentioning the drawbacks still present in their study will jeopardize their chances of publication. As such, researchers will sometimes skirt around the issue. They will present “boilerplate faults”—generalized concerns about sample size/diversity and time limitations that all researchers face—rather than honestly discussing their own study. Alternatively, they will describe their limitations in a defensive manner, positioning their problems as something that “could not be helped”—as something beyond what science can currently achieve.

However, their audience can see through this, because they are largely peers who understand and have experienced how modern research works. They can tell the difference between global challenges faced by every scientific study and limitations that are specific to a single study. Avoiding these specific limitations can therefore betray a lack of confidence that the study is good enough to withstand problems stemming from legitimate limitations. As such, researchers should actively engage with the greater scientific implications of the limitations that they face. Indeed, doing this is actually a way to demonstrate an author’s proficiency and aptitude.

In an example, neurogeneticist Nancy Bonini and colleagues, in their publication in Nature , discussed a question raised by their data that they have elected not to directly investigate in this study, writing “ Among the intriguing questions raised by these data is how senescent glia promote LDs in other glia. ” To show both the legitimacy of the question and how seriously they have considered it, the authors provided a comprehensive summary of the literature in the following seven sentences, offering two hypotheses backed by a combined eight different sources. 2 Rather than shying away from a limitation, they attacked it as something to be curious about and to discuss. This is not just a very effective way of demonstrating their expertise, but it frames the limitation as something that, when overcome, will build upon the present study rather than something that negatively affects the legitimacy of their current findings.

Striking the Right Balance

Scientists have to navigate the fine line between acknowledging the limitations of their study while also not diminishing the effect and value of their own work. To be aware of legitimate limitations and properly assess and dissect them shows a profound understanding of a field, where the study fits within that field, and what the rest of the scientific community are doing and what challenges they face.

All studies are parts of a greater whole. Pretending otherwise is a disservice to the scientific community.

Looking for more information on scientific writing? Check out  The Scientist’ s  TS SciComm  section. Looking for some help putting together a manuscript, a figure, a poster, or anything else?  The Scientist ’s  Scientific Services  may have the professional help that you need.

• He L, et al. Global characterization of macrophage polarization mechanisms and identification of M2-type polarization inhibitors . Cell Rep . 2021;37(5):109955.
• Byrns CN, et al. Senescent glia link mitochondrial dysfunction and lipid accumulation . Nature . 2024.

An official website of the United States government

The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

• Publications
• Account settings

Preview improvements coming to the PMC website in October 2024. Learn More or Try it out now .

• Advanced Search
• Journal List
• Ann Med Surg (Lond)
• v.86(5); 2024 May
• PMC11060189

Ethics in scientific research: a lens into its importance, history, and future

Associated data.

Not applicable.

Introduction

Ethics are a guiding principle that shapes the conduct of researchers. It influences both the process of discovery and the implications and applications of scientific findings 1 . Ethical considerations in research include, but are not limited to, the management of data, the responsible use of resources, respect for human rights, the treatment of human and animal subjects, social responsibility, honesty, integrity, and the dissemination of research findings 1 . At its core, ethics in scientific research aims to ensure that the pursuit of knowledge does not come at the expense of societal or individual well-being. It fosters an environment where scientific inquiry can thrive responsibly 1 .

The need to understand and uphold ethics in scientific research is pertinent in today’s scientific community. First, the rapid advancement of technology and science raises ethical questions in fields like biotechnology, biomedical science, genetics, and artificial intelligence. These advancements raise questions about privacy, consent, and the potential long-term impacts on society and its environment 2 . Furthermore, the rise in public perception and scrutiny of scientific practices, fueled by a more informed and connected populace, demands greater transparency and ethical accountability from researchers and institutions.

This commentary seeks to bring to light the need and benefits associated with ethical adherence. The central theme of this paper highlights how upholding ethics in scientific research is a cornerstone for progress. It buttresses the fact that ethics in scientific research is vital for maintaining the trust of the public, ensuring the safety of participants, and legitimizing scientific findings.

Historical perspective

Ethics in research is significantly shaped by past experiences where a lack of ethical consideration led to negative consequences. One of the most striking examples of ethical misconduct is the Tuskegee Syphilis Study 3 conducted between 1932 and 1972 by the U.S. Public Health Service. In this study, African American men in Alabama were used as subjects to study the natural progression of untreated syphilis. They were not informed of their condition and were denied effective treatment, even after penicillin became available as a cure in the 1940s 3 .

From an ethical lens today, this is a gross violation of informed consent and an exploitation of a vulnerable population. The public outcry following the revelation of the study’s details led to the establishment of the National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioural Research 4 . This commission eventually produced the Belmont Report in 1979 4 , setting forth principles such as respect for persons, beneficence, and justice, which now underpin ethical research practices 4 .

Another example that significantly impacted ethical regulations was the thalidomide tragedy of the late 1950s and early 1960s 5 . Thalidomide was marketed as a safe sedative for pregnant women to combat morning sickness in Europe. Thalidomide resulted in the birth of approximately ten thousand children with severe deformities due to its teratogenic effects 5 , which were not sufficiently researched prior to the drug’s release. This incident underscored the critical need for comprehensive clinical testing and highlighted the ethical imperative of understanding and communicating potential risks, particularly for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women. In response, drug testing regulations became more rigorous, and the importance of informed consent, especially in clinical trials, was emphasized.

The Stanford Prison Experiment of 1971, led by psychologist Philip Zimbardo is another prime example of ethical oversight leading to harmful consequences 6 . The experiment, which aimed to study the psychological effects of perceived power, resulted in emotional trauma for participants. Underestimating potential psychological harm with no adequate systems to safeguard human participants from harm was a breach of ethics in psychological studies 6 . This case highlighted the necessity for ethical guidelines that prioritize the mental and emotional welfare of participants, especially in psychological research. It led to stricter review processes and the establishment of guidelines to prevent psychological harm in research studies. It influenced the American Psychological Association and other bodies to refine their ethical guidelines, ensuring the protection of participants’ mental and emotional well-being.

Impact on current ethical standards

These historical, ethical oversights have been instrumental in shaping the current landscape of ethical standards in scientific research. The Tuskegee Syphilis Study led to the Belmont Report in 1979, which laid out key ethical principles such as respect for persons, beneficence, and justice. It also prompted the establishment of Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) to oversee research involving human subjects. The thalidomide tragedy catalyzed stricter drug testing regulations and informed consent requirements for clinical trials. The Stanford Prison Experiment influenced the American Psychological Association to refine its ethical guidelines, placing greater emphasis on the welfare and rights of participants.

These historical episodes of ethical oversights have been pivotal in forging the comprehensive ethical frameworks that govern scientific research today. They serve as stark reminders of the potential consequences of ethical neglect and the perpetual need to prioritize the welfare and rights of participants in any research endeavor.

One may ponder on the reason behind the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, where African American men with syphilis were deliberately left untreated. What led scientists to prioritize research outcomes over human well-being? At the time, racial prejudices, lack of understanding of ethical principles in human research, and regulatory oversight made such studies pass. Similarly, the administration of thalidomide to pregnant women initially intended as an antiemetic to alleviate morning sickness, resulted in unforeseen and catastrophic birth defects. This tragedy highlights a critical lapse in the pre-marketing evaluation of drugs’ safety.

Furthermore, the Stanford prison experiment, designed to study the psychological effects of perceived power, spiraled into an ethical nightmare as participants suffered emotional trauma. This begs the question on how these researchers initially justified their methods. From today’s lens of ethics, the studies conducted were a complete breach of misconduct, and I wonder if there were any standards that guided primitive research in science.

Current ethical standards and guidelines in research

Informed consent.

This mandates that participants are fully informed about the nature of the research, including its objectives, procedures, potential risks, and benefits 7 , 8 . They must be given the opportunity to ask questions and must voluntarily agree to participate without coercion 7 , 8 . This ensures respect for individual autonomy and decision-making.

Confidentiality and privacy

Confidentiality is pivotal in research involving human subjects. Participants’ personal information must be protected from unauthorized access or disclosure 7 , 8 . Researchers are obliged to take measures to preserve the anonymity and privacy of participants, which fosters trust and encourages participation in research 7 , 8 .

Non-maleficence and beneficence

These principles revolve around the obligation to avoid harm (non-maleficence) and to maximize possible benefits while minimizing potential harm (beneficence) 7 , 8 . Researchers must ensure that their studies do not pose undue risks to participants and that any potential risks are outweighed by the benefits.

Justice in research ethics refers to the fair selection and treatment of research participants 8 . It ensures that the benefits and burdens of research are distributed equitably among different groups in society, preventing the exploitation of vulnerable populations 8 .

The role of Institutional Review Boards (IRB)

Institutional Review Boards play critical roles in upholding ethical standards in research. An IRB is a committee established by an institution conducting research to review, approve, and monitor research involving human subjects 7 , 8 . Their primary role is to ensure that the rights and welfare of participants are protected.

Review and approval

Before a study commences, the IRB reviews the research proposal to ensure it adheres to ethical guidelines. This includes evaluating the risks and benefits, the process of obtaining informed consent, and measures for maintaining confidentiality 7 , 8 .

Monitoring and compliance

IRB also monitors ongoing research projects to ensure compliance with ethical standards. They may require periodic reports and can conduct audits to ensure ongoing adherence to ethical principles 7 , 8 .

Handling ethical violations

In cases where ethical standards are breached, IRB has the authority to impose sanctions, which can range from requiring modifications to the study to completely halting the research project 7 , 8 .

Other agencies and boards enforcing standards

Beyond IRB, there are other regulatory bodies and agencies at national and international levels that enforce ethical standards in research. These include:

The Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) in the United States, which oversees compliance with the Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects.

The World Health Organization (WHO) , which provides international ethical guidelines for biomedical research.

The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) , which sets ethical standards for the publication of biomedical research.

These organizations, along with IRB, form a comprehensive network that ensures the ethical conduct of scientific research. They safeguard the integrity of research using the reflections and lesson learnt from the past.

Benefits of ethical research

Credible and reliable outcomes, why is credibility so crucial in research, and how do ethical practices contribute to it.

Ethical practices such as rigorous peer review, transparent methodology, and adherence to established protocols ensure that research findings are reliable and valid 9 . When studies are conducted ethically, they are less likely to be marred by biases, fabrications, or errors that could compromise credibility. For instance, ethical standards demand accurate data reporting and full disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest 9 , which directly contribute to the integrity and trustworthiness of research findings.

How do ethical practices lead to socially beneficial outcomes?

Ethical research practices often align with broader societal values and needs, leading to outcomes that are not only scientifically significant but also socially beneficial. By respecting principles like justice and beneficence, researchers ensure that their work with human subjects contributes positively to society 7 , 8 . For example, ethical guidelines in medical research emphasize the need to balance scientific advancement with patient welfare, ensuring that new treatments are both effective and safe. This balance is crucial in addressing pressing societal health concerns while safeguarding individual rights and well-being.

Trust between the public and the scientific community

The relationship between the public and the scientific community is heavily reliant on trust, which is fostered through consistent ethical conduct in research. When the public perceives that researchers are committed to ethical standards, it reinforces their confidence in the scientific process and its outcomes. Ethical research practices demonstrate a respect for societal norms and values, reinforcing the perception that science serves the public good.

Case studies

Case study 1: the development and approval of covid-19 vaccines.

The development and approval of COVID-19 vaccines within a short time is a testament to how adherence to ethical research practices can achieve credible and beneficial outcomes. Strict adherence to ethical guidelines, even in the face of a global emergency, ensured that the vaccines were developed swiftly. However, safety standards were compromised to some extent as no animal trials were done before humans. The vaccine development was not transparent to the public, and this fuelled the anti-vaccination crowd in some regions. Ethical compliance, including rigorous testing and transparent reporting, should expedite scientific innovation while maintaining public trust.

Case study 2: The CRISPR babies

What ethical concerns were raised by the creation of the crispr babies, and what were the consequences.

The creation of the first genetically edited babies using CRISPR technology in China raised significant ethical concerns 10 . The lack of transparency, inadequate consent process, and potential risks to the children can be likened to ethical misconduct in genetic engineering research. This case resulted in widespread condemnation from the scientific community and the public, as well as international regulatory frameworks and guidelines for genetic editing research 10 .

Recommendation and conclusion

Continuous education and training.

The scientific community should prioritize ongoing education and training in ethics for researchers at all levels, ensuring awareness and understanding of ethical standards and their importance.

Enhanced dialogue and collaboration

Encourage multidisciplinary collaborations and dialogues between scientists, ethicists, policymakers, and the public to address emerging ethical challenges and develop adaptive guidelines.

Fostering a culture of ethical responsibility

Institutions and researchers should cultivate an environment where ethical considerations are integral to the research process, encouraging transparency, accountability, and social responsibility.

Global standards and cooperation

Work toward establishing and harmonizing international ethical standards and regulatory frameworks, particularly in areas like genetic engineering and AI, where the implications of research are global.

Ethics approval

Ethics approval was not required for this editorial.

Informed consent was not required for this editorial

Sources of funding

No funding was received for this research.

Author contribution

G.D.M. wrote this paper.

Conflicts of interest disclosure

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Research registration unique identifying number (UIN)

Goshen David Miteu.

Data availability statement

Provenance and peer review.

Not commissioned, externally peer-reviewed.

Sponsorships or competing interests that may be relevant to content are disclosed at the end of this article.

Published online 21 March 2024

An official website of the United States government

The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

• Publications
• Account settings
• My Bibliography
• Collections
• Citation manager

Save citation to file

Email citation, add to collections.

• Create a new collection
• Add to an existing collection

Add to My Bibliography

Your saved search, create a file for external citation management software, your rss feed.

• Search in PubMed
• Search in NLM Catalog
• Add to Search

Cysteine and resistance to oxidative stress: implications for virulence and antibiotic resistance

Affiliations.

• 1 Monash University, Department of Microbiology, Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia.
• 2 University of Kentucky, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, Lexington, KY, USA.
• 3 University of Adelaide, Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; University of Adelaide, Research Centre for Infectious Disease (RCID) and Australian Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Ecology (ACARE), Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.
• 4 Monash University, Department of Microbiology, Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia; Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia; Monash University, Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia.
• 5 Monash University, Department of Microbiology, Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia; Monash University, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].
• PMID: 37479622
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2023.06.010

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), including the superoxide radical anion (O 2 •- ), hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), and the hydroxyl radical ( • HO), are inherent components of bacterial metabolism in an aerobic environment. Bacteria also encounter exogenous ROS, such as those produced by the host cells during the respiratory burst. As ROS have the capacity to damage bacterial DNA, proteins, and lipids, detoxification of ROS is critical for bacterial survival. It has been recently recognised that low-molecular-weight (LMW) thiols play a central role in this process. Here, we review the emerging role of cysteine in bacterial resistance to ROS with a link to broader elements of bacterial lifestyle closely associated with cysteine-mediated oxidative stress response, including virulence and antibiotic resistance.

Keywords: antibiotic resistance; cysteine; oxidative stress; reactive oxygen species; virulence.

Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of interests No interests are declared.

Similar articles

• Chemical and Cellular Formation of Reactive Oxygen Species from Secondary Organic Aerosols in Epithelial Lining Fluid. Shiraiwa M, Fang T, Wei J, Lakey P, Hwang B, Edwards KC, Kapur S, Mena J, Huang YK, Digman MA, Weichenthal SA, Nizkorodov S, Kleinman MT. Shiraiwa M, et al. Res Rep Health Eff Inst. 2023 Dec;(215):1-56. Res Rep Health Eff Inst. 2023. PMID: 38420854
• Mycobacterium smegmatis strains genetically resistant to moxifloxacin emerge de novo from the moxifloxacin-surviving population containing high levels of superoxide, H 2 O 2 , hydroxyl radical, and Fe (II). Paul A, Nair RR, Jakkala K, Ajitkumar P. Paul A, et al. Int J Mycobacteriol. 2022 Apr-Jun;11(2):150-158. doi: 10.4103/ijmy.ijmy_58_22. Int J Mycobacteriol. 2022. PMID: 35775547
• Insights into the respiratory chain and oxidative stress. Larosa V, Remacle C. Larosa V, et al. Biosci Rep. 2018 Oct 2;38(5):BSR20171492. doi: 10.1042/BSR20171492. Print 2018 Oct 31. Biosci Rep. 2018. PMID: 30201689 Free PMC article. Review.
• Absence of Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase BCSOD1 reduces Botrytis cinerea virulence in Arabidopsis and tomato plants, revealing interplay among reactive oxygen species, callose and signalling pathways. López-Cruz J, Óscar CS, Emma FC, Pilar GA, Carmen GB. López-Cruz J, et al. Mol Plant Pathol. 2017 Jan;18(1):16-31. doi: 10.1111/mpp.12370. Epub 2016 May 3. Mol Plant Pathol. 2017. PMID: 26780422 Free PMC article.
• [Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in inflammatory process]. Rutkowski R, Pancewicz SA, Rutkowski K, Rutkowska J. Rutkowski R, et al. Pol Merkur Lekarski. 2007 Aug;23(134):131-6. Pol Merkur Lekarski. 2007. PMID: 18044345 Review. Polish.
• Dissecting hair breakage in alopecia areata: the central role of dysregulated cysteine homeostasis. Xu W, Xie B, Wei D, Song X. Xu W, et al. Amino Acids. 2024 May 21;56(1):36. doi: 10.1007/s00726-024-03395-5. Amino Acids. 2024. PMID: 38772922 Free PMC article. Review.
• Regulation of Cysteine Homeostasis and Its Effect on Escherichia coli Sensitivity to Ciprofloxacin in LB Medium. Smirnova G, Tyulenev A, Sutormina L, Kalashnikova T, Muzyka N, Ushakov V, Samoilova Z, Oktyabrsky O. Smirnova G, et al. Int J Mol Sci. 2024 Apr 17;25(8):4424. doi: 10.3390/ijms25084424. Int J Mol Sci. 2024. PMID: 38674008 Free PMC article.

Publication types

• Search in MeSH

Related information

• PubChem Compound (MeSH Keyword)

LinkOut - more resources

Full text sources.

• Elsevier Science

Research Materials

• NCI CPTC Antibody Characterization Program
• Citation Manager

NCBI Literature Resources

MeSH PMC Bookshelf Disclaimer

The PubMed wordmark and PubMed logo are registered trademarks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Unauthorized use of these marks is strictly prohibited.

• Alzheimer's disease & dementia
• Arthritis & Rheumatism
• Attention deficit disorders
• Autism spectrum disorders
• Biomedical technology
• Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes
• Endocrinology & Metabolism
• Gastroenterology
• Gerontology & Geriatrics
• Health informatics
• Inflammatory disorders
• Medical economics
• Medical research
• Medications
• Neuroscience
• Obstetrics & gynaecology
• Oncology & Cancer
• Ophthalmology
• Overweight & Obesity
• Parkinson's & Movement disorders
• Psychology & Psychiatry
• Radiology & Imaging
• Sleep disorders
• Sports medicine & Kinesiology
• Vaccination
• Breast cancer
• Cardiovascular disease
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Colon cancer
• Coronary artery disease
• Heart attack
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Kidney disease
• Lung cancer
• Multiple sclerosis
• Myocardial infarction
• Ovarian cancer
• Post traumatic stress disorder
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Schizophrenia
• Skin cancer
• Type 2 diabetes
• Full List »

share this!

June 18, 2024

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

fact-checked

peer-reviewed publication

When does a melanoma metastasize? Implications for management

by Impact Journals LLC

A new research perspective titled "When does a melanoma metastasize? Implications for management" has been published in Oncotarget .

In this new perspective, researchers John F. Thompson and Gabrielle J. Williams from The University of Sydney, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, and the University of Western Australia discussed melanoma and timing treatment . Selecting which patients with clinically localized melanoma require treatment other than wide excision of the primary tumor is based on the risk or presence of metastatic disease. This, in turn, is linked to survival.

"Knowing if and when a melanoma is likely to metastasize is therefore of great importance," the researchers emphasize.

Several studies employing a range of different methodologies have suggested that many melanomas metastasize long before the primary lesion is diagnosed. Therefore, waiting for dissemination of metastatic disease to become evident before making systemic therapy available to these patients may be less effective than giving them post-operative adjuvant therapy initially if the metastatic risk is high. The identification of these high-risk patients will assist in selecting those to whom adjuvant systemic therapy can most appropriately be offered.

"Further studies are required to better identify high-risk patients whose primary melanoma is likely to have already metastasized," the researchers write.

Explore further

Feedback to editors

Study shows AI can predict anxiety levels with picture tasks

Rigorous new study debunks misconceptions about anemia and school attendance

Novel use of existing drug could significantly cut heart attack risk

Existing high blood pressure drugs may prevent epilepsy, study finds

2 hours ago

Study shows treatment for autoimmune disorder shifts balance of immune cell types

Why mental health care providers decide to practice in rural communities

New technique uses sound to influence brain waves and sleep in dementia

3 hours ago

New 3D technique reveals precancerous pancreatic lesions

4 hours ago

Study indicates rates of problem marijuana use are rising among seniors

5 hours ago

New Alzheimer's drug's potentially fatal side effects obscured by 'soothing acronym,' doctors say

Related stories.

Impact of COVID-19 on the management of patients with metastatic melanoma

Jan 11, 2023

Neoadjuvant immunotherapy for early stage melanoma shows positive results

Jun 3, 2024

International study designed to identify melanoma patients with high-risk disease

Aug 23, 2022

Lymph node dissection declining in SLN-positive melanoma

Mar 9, 2022

Biomarker could improve prediction of response to immunotherapy in melanoma

May 16, 2024

Shift in treatment modalities associated with improved outcomes in uveal melanoma patients with live

Feb 3, 2020

Recommended for you

Surprising origins for a rare cancer: Study finds overexpression of PKA protein causes fibrolamellar carcinoma

7 hours ago

Drug reprograms immune responses to target glioblastoma

8 hours ago

Researchers uncover mechanism that fuels growth of aggressive B-cell lymphoma

Rapid test of cerebrospinal fluid found to decrease time to diagnosis for brain tumors

9 hours ago

New global research aims to improve survival rates for pancreatic cancer patients

Let us know if there is a problem with our content.

Use this form if you have come across a typo, inaccuracy or would like to send an edit request for the content on this page. For general inquiries, please use our contact form . For general feedback, use the public comments section below (please adhere to guidelines ).

Please select the most appropriate category to facilitate processing of your request

Thank you for taking time to provide your feedback to the editors.

Your feedback is important to us. However, we do not guarantee individual replies due to the high volume of messages.

E-mail the story

Your email address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the email. Neither your address nor the recipient's address will be used for any other purpose. The information you enter will appear in your e-mail message and is not retained by Medical Xpress in any form.

Newsletter sign up

Get weekly and/or daily updates delivered to your inbox. You can unsubscribe at any time and we'll never share your details to third parties.

More information Privacy policy

Donate and enjoy an ad-free experience

We keep our content available to everyone. Consider supporting Science X's mission by getting a premium account.

E-mail newsletter

An official website of the United States government

Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS. A lock ( Lock Locked padlock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

• Search Awards
• Recent Awards
• Presidential and Honorary Awards
• About Awards
• How to Manage Your Award
• Grant General Conditions
• Cooperative Agreement Conditions
• Special Conditions
• Federal Demonstration Partnership
• Policy Office Website

Please report errors in award information by writing to: [email protected] .