Writing Conclusions for Research Papers What is the purpose of a conclusion? A conclusion is supposed to provide the “final verdict,” or the “moral of the story” for the essay. It is the writer’s last attempt at providing a memorable ending to the paper. It explains why the topic is important and what the reader should learn from it. A conclusion is not… A repetition of the thesis statement and its points Only a summary of the paper’s main points A paragraph so detailed is resembles a body paragraph A paragraph that goes into a new or unrelated topic Two or three sentences long (i.e. “two sentences plus a catchy quote.” Example of good conclusions Making a recommendation or offering a solution to the problem In conclusion, social media is not only responsible in many cases for ruining a marriage, sometimes it is responsible for ruining the entire family balance. These social platforms affect the stability of the couple creating a detachment in the everyday life; once the stability is broken and the distance starts to increase, most likely a sense of jealousy will generate and possibly lead to infidelity. It is easy for many users to blame social media for the end of their marriage, and because of this, it is important to use social media for a limited time with non-malicious intentions. The responsible use of the platforms may protect marriages from being permanently damaged and give a couple the possibility to live a much happier life together. Painting a picture of the future if the problem is solved or handled correctly Modern technology continues to prove its merit within the medical field furthering our understanding of ADHD as well as providing invaluable resources available to the public and educational institutions in which to simplify the management of this troublesome condition. It’s used to aid children throughout their academic endeavors, which, will dictate how they enter society and cope with symptoms that will be with them until future technology can find a cure. Data collection will only grow as technology is further implemented in ADHD treatment and is the key to developing the individual treatment plans that will help future generations thrive. The benefits of modern technology towards adolescents suffering from ADHD are plentiful and may one day eliminate the condition. This future is welcomed and one with great promise. Painting a picture of the future if the problem is NOT solved or handled correctly All in all, technology is growing at an extraordinarily exponential pace allowing us to be more connected and in tune than ever before. However, while we grow more connected online, we grow more apart in real life which in turn hurts our social skills, disconnects us from each other, degrades our interpersonal skills, makes it easier to commit crimes, and pulls friends and family apart. With almost everything in life there is undoubtedly an equal number of cons.

1. Writing Conclusions for Research Papers
What is the purpose of a conclusion?
A conclusion is supposed to provide the “final verdict,” or the
“moral of the story” for the essay.
It is the writer’s last attempt at providing a memorable ending
to the paper.
It explains why the topic is important and what the reader
should learn from it.
A conclusion is not…
A repetition of the thesis statement and its points
Only a summary of the paper’s main points
A paragraph so detailed is resembles a body paragraph
A paragraph that goes into a new or unrelated topic
Two or three sentences long (i.e. “two sentences plus a catchy
quote.”
Example of good conclusions
Making a recommendation or offering a solution to the problem
In conclusion, social media is not only responsible in
many cases for ruining a marriage, sometimes it is responsible
for ruining the entire family balance. These social platforms
affect the stability of the couple creating a detachment in the
everyday life; once the stability is broken and the distance starts
to increase, most likely a sense of jealousy will generate and
possibly lead to infidelity. It is easy for many users to blame
social media for the end of their marriage, and because of this,

2. it is important to use social media for a limited time with non-
malicious intentions. The responsible use of the platforms may
protect marriages from being permanently damaged and give a
couple the possibility to live a much happier life together.
Painting a picture of the future if the problem is solved or
handled correctly
Modern technology continues to prove its merit
within the medical field furthering our understanding of ADHD
as well as providing invaluable resources available to the public
and educational institutions in which to simplify the
management of this troublesome condition. It’s used to aid
children throughout their academic endeavors, which, will
dictate how they enter society and cope with symptoms that will
be with them until future technology can find a cure. Data
collection will only grow as technology is further implemented
in ADHD treatment and is the key to developing the individual
treatment plans that will help future generations thrive. The
benefits of modern technology towards adolescents suffering
from ADHD are plentiful and may one day eliminate the
condition. This future is welcomed and one with great promise.
Painting a picture of the future if the problem is NOT solved or
handled correctly
All in all, technology is growing at an extraordinarily
exponential pace allowing us to be more connected and in tune
than ever before. However, while we grow more connected
online, we grow more apart in real life which in turn hurts our
social skills, disconnects us from each other, degrades our
interpersonal skills, makes it easier to commit crimes, and pulls
friends and family apart. With almost everything in life there is

3. undoubtedly an equal number of cons to go along with the
benefits, but for all the good technology does, sometimes we
just must set it down and take it back to the basics.
Focusing on possible consequences or outcomes if the problem
is not solved or handled correctly
All things considered, social media is not only used by
political candidates to promote themselves and reach a much
larger audience, but also as a technique to win elections by
attacking their political rivals and polarizing voters.
Technology is altering American’s politic in a dreadful way.
The citizens of this country are being used as pawn by
politicians so they can acquire more power. And If the
American people continue to ignore this matter, they will suffer
the consequences of not holding their leaders or future leaders
accountable.
Raising awareness or calling for actions to solve the issue or
problem
Overall, digital technology, mainly social media, has
its negative effects on the mental well-being of its young adult
users. The chronic use of the platforms accessed can cause an
addiction to them that initially may not even present as a threat,
pulling users away from important tasks and responsibilities.
Both men and women are affected psychologically by the
content that they see on their social media pages, as well as
marketing advertisements that model what their ideal physique
should be. These digital platforms also make it easy for
cyberbullies to attack users in various social media or gaming
communities and remain anonymous, jarring the mental health
of the users being bullied and causing them to develop
conditions such as depression and anxiety. Users of digital
technology should make themselves aware of the negative
aspects that they are exposing themselves to when they spend

4. substantial amounts of time on social media platforms, video
games, and certain online advertisements. The best way to help
users decrease or control these effects are through usage
moderation or management, and in more serious cases,
counseling.
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Thesis Templates
Research Paper on Career Issues and Stereotypes
You can write your thesis if you choose from
two options:
Option A
(Stereotypes or myths
about professionals in
a career)
Option B
(A specific issue or
problem in a chosen
career)
OR
If you are focusing on Option A, there are two ways

5. you can write your thesis:
Although professionals in ______ field are
often believed to be stereotype 1,
stereotype 2, and stereotype 3, this is far
from the truth. Professionals in _____ field
are actually ______, ______, and ______.
Although professionals in accounting are
often believed to be non-social, unethical,
and expensive to clients, this is far from
the truth. Professionals in accounting are
savvy networkers, ethical in their jobs,
and decent when charging client fees.
Example Thesis:
Trial lawyers are often perceived as
aggressive, competitive, and bossy.
However, these are necessary traits that
most in this field need to get through
tough cases and persuade judges and
juries.
Professionals in _____ industry are often
perceived as ______, _____, and ____.
However, these are necessary traits that
most in this field need to get through
_____, and _____.
Example Thesis:
If you are focusing on Option B, there are two
ways you can write your thesis:

6. Although many are not aware, Problem X
in the _____ field is caused by ______,
______, and ______.
Example Thesis:
Three solutions must be implemented
to solve Problem X in the _____ field.
These are _______, _______, and
_____.
Example Thesis:
Although many are not aware, burnout in
the nursing field is caused by high
patient-to-nurse ratios, lack of flexible
work schedules, and low pay.
Three solutions must be implemented to solve
the problem of low wages in the clothing retail
industry. These are passing legislation to
unionize retail workers, rewarding bonuses
besides wages for those who work holidays,
and raising standard wages for these workers.
Last Name 1
Student Name
Professor Leon

7. ENC 1102
5 November 2016
It’s More than Punching in and Punching Out:
The Problems of Irregular Scheduling in the Retail Sales
Industry
Entrepreneur Richard Branson said: “Success in business is all
about people, people,
people. Whatever industry a company is in, its employees are its
biggest competitive advantage”
(qtd. in Hartfield). And Branson is right. In order for a company
to succeed, its leaders have to
focus and prioritize its employees so that those employees give
their best to make the company
grow. One job that heavily influences the success of its
employers is the job of sales associates.
Sales associates (SAs) are the front lines of their companies,
and the demand for this job is
growing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, retail jobs
for SAs are expected to grow
“7%,” from 2014 to 2024. The role of SAs influences the
success of their employers since SAs
are the bridge that connects consumers with retail businesses.
However, these very important

8. workers are negatively affected by irregular scheduling that
characterizes retail. Retail companies
should be looking for solutions to this problem that in the long
term will affect their sales and
reputation. In order to solve the problem of irregular schedules
that SAs face, retail companies
should implement the following remedies: assign a constant
number of hours per week to its
employees, advise associates of any change in the schedule at
least two weeks ahead, and
guarantee that SAs can enjoy better store hours or shift
compensation.
Last Name 2
Retail SAs have always dealt with issues like irregular
schedules. Historian Daniel A.
Graff in his article “Retail Workers,” writes that “[retail]
workers faced poor working conditions
and pay, especially before the passage of the Fair Labor
Standards Act in 1938. Sales clerks
served unusually long hours, toiling from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily,
plus a half-day on Sundays.”
Issues like long shifts, irregular schedules, and inconvenient

9. store hours are characteristic
problems that SAs have faced. Many were the attempts of SAs
to unite forces and fight against
these problems that affect their working conditions. However,
in the 21st Century, issues like
irregular schedules in retail continue affecting SAs. These
problems are far from being solved,
and SAs keep facing the consequences of these irregularities.
Irregular schedules are characterized by the lack of weekly
hours for SAs, the absence of
a reasonable time period to change or post schedules, and the
presence of inopportune store hours
that brings with it inconvenient shifts. SAs are victims of
irregular schedules because they are not
given as many hours as promised to them during the hiring
process. Retail workers do not have a
fixed schedule, and SAs are not exempt from these irregular
schedules that lead to internal
issues. In their article “Hours Equity is the New Pay Equity,”
Professors Nantiya Ruan and
Nancy Reichman provide a scenario where they expose a
“realistic representation” of SAs who
start the job thinking that they will get a certain number of
hours because the company promised

10. them so; however, they realize, at the end, that those hours are
not guaranteed to them (37-38).
This false promise can cause discontent among SA’s, who will
then lose their trust in the
company that hired them.
Retail companies can give a solution to the irregular work hours
by guaranteeing their
SAs at least twenty to twenty-five hours a week in spite of low
retail seasons. Journalist Michelle
Chen points out in her article “Just Hours” that in stores like
Bloomingdale, located in New
Last Name 3
York, this measurement of twenty to twenty-five hours was
adopted, and employees were
guaranteed with a minimum of twenty-one hours a week, and it
is actually working. This remedy
will be beneficial for SAs because it will guarantee that SAs
have a consistent weekly schedule.
Also, a fixed number of hours will not leave holes in their
paychecks from one week to another.
In other words, retail companies need to balance the hours

11. available to avoid shortage periods.
Giving twenty to twenty-five weekly hours to SAs, no matter
the season, will allow the company
to keep its promise and avoid upsetting employees.
Another issue that SAs face is that their shifts are very
inconsistent. One day they can be on
the schedule to start their shifts at 3:00 p.m.; the next day they
find out their clock-in time
changed to 5:00 p.m. These sudden changes directly affect SAs,
who have to rearrange their
plans based upon that alteration of their schedules. Researchers
Francoise J. Carré and Chris
Tilly make an analysis of this topic. In their article “Work
Hours in Retail: Room for
Improvement,” they state that due to the debilitation of
“institutional features that historically
had maintained hour levels and predictability” it is common for
U.S Retail companies to provide
employees with their schedules “three days” in advance, and
rarely “two weeks in advance”
(9,12). An issue of this magnitude is very prejudicial for SAs
because not being able to have a
schedule on time or not being able to predict a change in the
schedule causes frustration among

12. employees.
A solution for this issue would be for retail companies to
implement policies that do not
allow managers to change employees’ schedules within two
weeks prior to the day that needs to
be changed, unless there is an emergency or the employee
agrees with the change. Following
ordinances like the one passed by the San Francisco Formula
Retail Employee Rights
Last Name 4
Ordinances would ensure more predictability of the SAs’
schedules. According to the Office of
Labor Standards Enforcement website, the ordinance states that
“[employers] must provide
employees with their schedules two weeks in advance [. . . .] If
changes are made to an
employee’s schedule with less than seven days’ notice, the
employer must pay the employee a
premium of 1 to 4 hours of pay at the employee's regular hourly
rate.” Following these policies
would ensure that SAs can enjoy a schedule that would not be

13. changed with little or no notice.
Having to pay a fee for any change to the schedules outside the
period allowed by the law would
be an incentive for retail companies to optimize their scheduling
tools. SAs’ jobs deserve to be
rearranged in a way in which employees can feel calm because
there won’t be any surprise when
they try to clock in the next day.
Other issues that affect SAs are the sometimes-uncomfortable
shifts that include night shifts
and holiday shifts. As everybody knows, most retail stores
remain open to the public until late at
night, and other stores like Walmart remain open twenty-four
hours, seven days of the week. Erin
Johansson, Research Director of the organization American
Rights at Work, makes an important
point about this issue. He speaks about how SAs from Walmart
are directly affected by the
store’s overnight hours. Johansson supports his claim by using
as a reference a Walmart
associate whose “overnight premium rate" was not enough to
pay for taxis cabs, the only
transportation available to her during overnight shifts (21).
Such cases like this Walmart

14. associate indicate that SAs are affected by a store’s hours of
operation, which can also represent
the cause of financial problems.
Solution
s have to be found to avoid conflicts between
companies’ needs and the scheduling of retail SAs.
A solution that can solve the irregularity of the SAs’ schedules
is by retail companies
offering better hours of operations. This practice of restricting
store hours could be beneficial for
Last Name 5
SAs because they could balance their jobs and personal lives. A
store that works from 8:00 a.m.

15. to 8:00 p.m. gives night shift employees the opportunity to
make plans after work or go home
early to be ready for the next day. On the other hand, in case
that the store needs to maintain its
hours of operations, better wages should be offered to SAs
whose shifts take place overnight, on
weekends, or holidays. Francoise and Tilly also comment on
this issue: “Mandating shift
differentials in pay for Sundays and holidays as well as for late-
night hours might compel
changes in store hours and scheduling practices” (12). If retail
companies do not want to take the
risk, more monetary benefits could be a compensation for SAs
who, either by choice or force,
work late at night, offer their labor on weekends, or cannot
spend holidays with their families.
These solutions are not only beneficial to SAs but also to retail

16. companies. Researchers Nicolas
Chapados, Marc Joliveau, Pierre L’Ecuyer, and Louis-Martin
Rousseau explain why. They state
in their article “Retail store scheduling for profit” that positive
enhancement of employees’
schedules results in a “3%” sales increase for companies (2).
This percentage can make a
difference for retail companies and therefore could be an
incentive for them to offer better
schedules to their associates.
SAs are professionals who try their best to please their
employers and customers. However,
this desire is not requited, and as a consequence, many issues
arise surrounding the profession.
Bad scheduling practices implemented by retail companies have
been inherit in retail businesses

17. for a long time. Retail companies are failing to recognize the
value of their associates and
therefore hurting their rights. Remedies as assigning a fixed
number of hours to their employees,
advising, in a timely manner, of any change in the schedule, and
offering monetary compensation
for certain shifts could help to solve many of the problems that
SAs have. Richard Branson made
an interesting point: employees, such as SAs, must be the
priority of retail businesses. A failure
Last Name 6
in doing so will be a loss of the primary source of income for
retail industries and their own
customers.

19. Last Name 7
Works Cited
Carré, Françoise and Tilly, Chris. “Work Hours in Retail: Room
for Improvement” Upjhon
Institute for Employment Research, W.E. Upjohn Institute for
Employment Research,
Policy Paper No. 2012-012, Apr. 2012.
https://doi.org/10.17848/pol2015-012
Chapados, Nicolas et al. “Retail Store Scheduling For Profit.”
European Journal of Operational
Research. vol. 239, no. 3, June 2014, pp. 609-624.
ScienceDirect,
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2014.05.033. Accessed on 15 Nov.
2016.
Chen, Michelle. "Just Hours." Nation, vol. 298, no. 15, 14 Apr.

20. 2014, pp. 6-8. EBSCOhost,
db03.linccweb.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.
aspx?direct=true&db=a9
h&AN=95114312&site=ehost-live.
“Formula Retail Employee Rights Ordinances.” Office of Labor
Standards Enforcement, City
and County of San Francisco, http://sfgov.org/olse/formula-
retail-employee-
rightsordinances. Accessed on 29 Nov. 2016.
Graff, Daniel. “Retail Workers.” Encyclopedia of Chicago.
Chicago Historical
Society,
http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/1069.html.
Accessed on 4
Dec. 2016.
Hartfield, Gary. “Business Success.” Gary Hartfield Stand,

21. http://garyhartfieldstand.com/business-success/. Accessed on 1
Dec. 2016.
Johansson, Erin. “Fighting For a Voice Walmart Workers Speak
Out Despite Systematic Labor
Abuse.” Jobs with Justice, Jobs with Justice Education Fund, 20
May. 2013.
http://www.jwj.org/fighting-for-a-voice-walmart-workers-
speak-out-despite-
systematiclabor-abuse.
Last Name 8
Ruan, Nantiya and Nancy Reichman. “Hours Equity is the New
Pay Equity” Villanova Law
Review, vol. 59, no. 1, Jan. 2014, pp. 35-82,

22. http://digitalcommons.law.villanova.edu/vlr/vol59/iss1/2.
United States, Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Retails Sales
Workers.” Occupational Outlook
Handbook, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 17 Dec. 2015,
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/retail-sales-workers.htm.