Skip to main content
CABI Digital Library logo

Drawing conclusions

Drawing conclusions

Copyright ©2025 CABI

Plants growing in a field

Drawing conclusions involves synthesizing and integrating the data from included studies to answer the research question and assess the overall strength and consistency of the evidence.

This step goes beyond simply summarizing findings. It requires identifying patterns, evaluating the reliability of results, and considering the implications for practice or policy.

Conclusions may highlight robust evidence, point out uncertainties, or recommend areas for future research, ultimately providing clear and actionable insights based on the body of evidence reviewed.

The process is guided by the planned synthesis approach and aims to ensure that conclusions are well-founded, transparent, and relevant to the intended audience.

Level descriptors

Expand all

Understands that conclusions should be drawn from the evidence presented.

Uses synthesized data as a basis to draw conclusions for the evidence synthesis.

Draws conclusions from synthesized data and results from critical appraisal, acknowledging limitations and uncertainties perhaps using a tool that brings together risk of bias and outcome data such as GRADE.

Assesses the certainty and quality of the evidence (internal validity) and considers how generalizable it is (external validity).

Makes decisions that prioritize integrity and transparency throughout the evidence synthesis process.

Designs and/or delivers training programmes for people in your organization or externally on drawing conclusions from evidence synthesis.

Takes overall responsibility for the final evidence synthesis (all authors are responsible for approving reports for publication).

Shares conclusions from evidence synthesis with the research community e.g. through publications, posters, or presentations.

Translates complex scientific findings into clear implications for policy and management and for future research for diverse audiences.

Download entire framework

Feedback

Contribute your ideas to the skills framework to help it grow and improve based on your experience.

Get involved