How should conclusions relate findings to theory?

• A. Refer to theory and state whether findings align or conflict with it
• B. Ignore theory completely
• C. Present new theory without data
• D. Only present data with no interpretation

Answer: (A)

The main idea is to show how your results connect with existing theory. Conclusions should state whether the findings support, contradict, or partially align with the theory you’re testing, and explain what that means for that theory. This places your work within the broader knowledge of geography and demonstrates how data help refine understanding.

Referencing theory in conclusions also helps you explain why results occurred and what discrepancies might indicate—perhaps limitations of the study, context-specific factors, or areas where the theory could be expanded.

Choosing to ignore theory misses the opportunity to evaluate ideas against established ideas. Presenting a completely new theory without data is speculative, and giving data with no interpretation leaves the reader without understanding its significance. So the best approach is to relate findings to theory and clearly indicate alignment or conflict.