A legal dissertation represents a significant undertaking in which a student must demonstrate sustained research and analytical ability. While the main body chapters are essential for developing the core argument, the final sections of the dissertation are critical for communicating the value and findings of the research. A dissertation that is well-argued throughout can be significantly weakened by a poorly constructed ending. The summary (or abstract), conclusion, and recommendations are three distinct components, each with a specific function. This essay will examine the necessary components of each of these sections. It will explain their individual purposes, what information they should contain, and how they relate to one another to provide a coherent and complete end to a legal dissertation. The aim is to provide a clear guide to the structure and content of these final elements, which are fundamental to the successful presentation of a postgraduate legal research project.
THE SUMMARY OR ABSTRACT
The summary, more commonly referred to as the abstract in an academic context, is a vital component of the dissertation, yet it is often misunderstood. Its primary purpose is to provide a concise and self-contained overview of the entire research project (Walliman, 2017). It is typically the first part of the dissertation that an examiner, or any other reader, will encounter. Therefore, it must be clear, accurate, and comprehensive enough to stand alone, allowing the reader to grasp the essence of the dissertation without needing to read the full text. The abstract is not an introduction; rather, it is a condensed version of the whole work, from the initial question to the final answer.
The content of a well-written abstract can be broken down into several key elements. Firstly, it must state the central research question or the problem that the dissertation addresses. This sets the context and informs the reader of the project’s focus. Secondly, it should briefly outline the methodology or approach taken in the research. For a doctrinal legal dissertation, this might involve mentioning the analysis of case law and legislation, whereas for a socio-legal project, it might refer to the theoretical framework used. Thirdly, the abstract must summarise the main findings and principal arguments of the dissertation. This is the core of the abstract and should directly reflect the arguments developed in the body of the work. Finally, it should state the overall conclusion or the main takeaway from the research (Murray, 2017). It is important that the abstract does not contain information or arguments that are not present in the main dissertation. It should also avoid including citations or detailed explanations, as its purpose is brevity and overview. Although placed at the beginning of the bound document, it is widely advised that the abstract should be written last, once the rest of the dissertation, including the conclusion, is complete, to ensure it is an accurate reflection of the final work (Finch and Fafinski, 2019).
THE CONCLUSION CHAPTER
The conclusion chapter is fundamentally different from the abstract. While the abstract describes the dissertation from an external perspective, the conclusion is the final part of the dissertation’s internal argument. Its function is not merely to summarise the preceding chapters, but to synthesise their findings and provide a definitive answer to the research question posed in the introduction (Biggam, 2018). It is the section where the author brings all the threads of the argument together to demonstrate how they collectively support the dissertation’s central thesis. A conclusion that simply repeats earlier points fails in its primary purpose, which is to provide a sense of finality and to leave the reader with a clear understanding of the research’s overall significance.
A robust conclusion chapter has several distinct components. It should begin by restating the dissertation’s central thesis or research question, reminding the reader of the project’s objective. Following this, it must synthesise, not just summarise, the main arguments from the body chapters. This means explaining how the findings of each chapter connect and build upon one another to form a coherent and persuasive overall argument. The author should explicitly state the final conclusion, which is the direct answer to the research question. This is the ultimate claim of the dissertation. Furthermore, a strong conclusion will often acknowledge the limitations of the research. No study can cover every possible aspect of a topic, and demonstrating an awareness of the scope and boundaries of the research shows academic maturity (Walliman, 2017). Finally, it is common for the conclusion to suggest avenues for future research. By identifying unanswered questions or areas that the dissertation did not explore, the author places their work within a broader academic conversation and points the way forward for other scholars. This part demonstrates the contribution of the work to the field and its potential to stimulate further inquiry.
FORMULATING RECOMMENDATIONS
The recommendations section is a distinct element that may or may not be required, depending on the nature of the dissertation. Unlike the conclusion, which establishes the findings of the research, the recommendations propose specific actions based on those findings. A dissertation that is purely historical or theoretical in nature may not have a recommendations section, as its contribution is to understanding rather than to practical change. However, for dissertations focused on law reform, policy analysis, or socio-legal issues, a recommendations section is often essential (Biggam, 2018). This section translates the academic findings of the dissertation into practical, forward-looking proposals.
For recommendations to be effective, they must be directly and logically derived from the analysis presented in the main body of the dissertation. They should not appear arbitrary or be based on personal opinion that is unsupported by the research evidence. Each recommendation should be clearly linked back to a specific finding or conclusion. For example, if a dissertation concludes that a particular piece of legislation is creating ambiguity in practice, a logical recommendation would be to propose a specific amendment to the statutory text. Good recommendations are also characterised by their specificity and feasibility. Vague proposals such as “the law should be improved” are unhelpful. Instead, a recommendation should be concrete, outlining what should be done, who should do it, and potentially how it could be implemented (Finch and Fafinski, 2019). This section allows the author to demonstrate the practical implications and relevance of their research, showing how academic inquiry can inform real-world developments in law and policy. It thereby serves to bridge the gap between academic analysis and practical application.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the summary (or abstract), the conclusion chapter, and the recommendations section are distinct and non-interchangeable components of a legal dissertation. Each has a unique purpose and a specific set of required elements that contribute to the overall quality and impact of the research project. The abstract serves as a concise, standalone overview designed to inform the reader about the dissertation’s content and findings quickly. The conclusion chapter provides a synthesis of the entire argument, delivering a final, reasoned answer to the dissertation’s central question and confirming the work’s academic contribution. The recommendations section, where appropriate, builds upon the conclusion by proposing specific, actionable steps for law or policy reform that are logically derived from the research. Understanding the different functions of these three sections is crucial for any postgraduate law student. Properly executing each one ensures that the findings of the research are communicated clearly, the argument is brought to a satisfying close, and the potential impact of the work is fully realised.
References
- Biggam, J. (2018) Succeeding with your Master’s Dissertation: A Step-by-Step Handbook. 4th edn. Red Globe Press.
- Finch, E. and Fafinski, S. (2019) Legal Skills. 7th edn. Oxford University Press.
- Murray, R. (2017) How to Write a Thesis. 4th edn. Open University Press.
- Walliman, N. (2017) Research Methods: The Basics. 2nd edn. Routledge.
