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Research Recommendations – Examples and Writing Guide

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Research Recommendations

Research Recommendations

Definition:

Research recommendations refer to suggestions or advice given to someone who is looking to conduct research on a specific topic or area. These recommendations may include suggestions for research methods, data collection techniques, sources of information, and other factors that can help to ensure that the research is conducted in a rigorous and effective manner. Research recommendations may be provided by experts in the field, such as professors, researchers, or consultants, and are intended to help guide the researcher towards the most appropriate and effective approach to their research project.

Parts of Research Recommendations

Research recommendations can vary depending on the specific project or area of research, but typically they will include some or all of the following parts:

  • Research question or objective : This is the overarching goal or purpose of the research project.
  • Research methods : This includes the specific techniques and strategies that will be used to collect and analyze data. The methods will depend on the research question and the type of data being collected.
  • Data collection: This refers to the process of gathering information or data that will be used to answer the research question. This can involve a range of different methods, including surveys, interviews, observations, or experiments.
  • Data analysis : This involves the process of examining and interpreting the data that has been collected. This can involve statistical analysis, qualitative analysis, or a combination of both.
  • Results and conclusions: This section summarizes the findings of the research and presents any conclusions or recommendations based on those findings.
  • Limitations and future research: This section discusses any limitations of the study and suggests areas for future research that could build on the findings of the current project.

How to Write Research Recommendations

Writing research recommendations involves providing specific suggestions or advice to a researcher on how to conduct their study. Here are some steps to consider when writing research recommendations:

  • Understand the research question: Before writing research recommendations, it is important to have a clear understanding of the research question and the objectives of the study. This will help to ensure that the recommendations are relevant and appropriate.
  • Consider the research methods: Consider the most appropriate research methods that could be used to collect and analyze data that will address the research question. Identify the strengths and weaknesses of the different methods and how they might apply to the specific research question.
  • Provide specific recommendations: Provide specific and actionable recommendations that the researcher can implement in their study. This can include recommendations related to sample size, data collection techniques, research instruments, data analysis methods, or other relevant factors.
  • Justify recommendations : Justify why each recommendation is being made and how it will help to address the research question or objective. It is important to provide a clear rationale for each recommendation to help the researcher understand why it is important.
  • Consider limitations and ethical considerations : Consider any limitations or potential ethical considerations that may arise in conducting the research. Provide recommendations for addressing these issues or mitigating their impact.
  • Summarize recommendations: Provide a summary of the recommendations at the end of the report or document, highlighting the most important points and emphasizing how the recommendations will contribute to the overall success of the research project.

Example of Research Recommendations

Example of Research Recommendations sample for students:

  • Further investigate the effects of X on Y by conducting a larger-scale randomized controlled trial with a diverse population.
  • Explore the relationship between A and B by conducting qualitative interviews with individuals who have experience with both.
  • Investigate the long-term effects of intervention C by conducting a follow-up study with participants one year after completion.
  • Examine the effectiveness of intervention D in a real-world setting by conducting a field study in a naturalistic environment.
  • Compare and contrast the results of this study with those of previous research on the same topic to identify any discrepancies or inconsistencies in the findings.
  • Expand upon the limitations of this study by addressing potential confounding variables and conducting further analyses to control for them.
  • Investigate the relationship between E and F by conducting a meta-analysis of existing literature on the topic.
  • Explore the potential moderating effects of variable G on the relationship between H and I by conducting subgroup analyses.
  • Identify potential areas for future research based on the gaps in current literature and the findings of this study.
  • Conduct a replication study to validate the results of this study and further establish the generalizability of the findings.

Applications of Research Recommendations

Research recommendations are important as they provide guidance on how to improve or solve a problem. The applications of research recommendations are numerous and can be used in various fields. Some of the applications of research recommendations include:

  • Policy-making: Research recommendations can be used to develop policies that address specific issues. For example, recommendations from research on climate change can be used to develop policies that reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainability.
  • Program development: Research recommendations can guide the development of programs that address specific issues. For example, recommendations from research on education can be used to develop programs that improve student achievement.
  • Product development : Research recommendations can guide the development of products that meet specific needs. For example, recommendations from research on consumer behavior can be used to develop products that appeal to consumers.
  • Marketing strategies: Research recommendations can be used to develop effective marketing strategies. For example, recommendations from research on target audiences can be used to develop marketing strategies that effectively reach specific demographic groups.
  • Medical practice : Research recommendations can guide medical practitioners in providing the best possible care to patients. For example, recommendations from research on treatments for specific conditions can be used to improve patient outcomes.
  • Scientific research: Research recommendations can guide future research in a specific field. For example, recommendations from research on a specific disease can be used to guide future research on treatments and cures for that disease.

Purpose of Research Recommendations

The purpose of research recommendations is to provide guidance on how to improve or solve a problem based on the findings of research. Research recommendations are typically made at the end of a research study and are based on the conclusions drawn from the research data. The purpose of research recommendations is to provide actionable advice to individuals or organizations that can help them make informed decisions, develop effective strategies, or implement changes that address the issues identified in the research.

The main purpose of research recommendations is to facilitate the transfer of knowledge from researchers to practitioners, policymakers, or other stakeholders who can benefit from the research findings. Recommendations can help bridge the gap between research and practice by providing specific actions that can be taken based on the research results. By providing clear and actionable recommendations, researchers can help ensure that their findings are put into practice, leading to improvements in various fields, such as healthcare, education, business, and public policy.

Characteristics of Research Recommendations

Research recommendations are a key component of research studies and are intended to provide practical guidance on how to apply research findings to real-world problems. The following are some of the key characteristics of research recommendations:

  • Actionable : Research recommendations should be specific and actionable, providing clear guidance on what actions should be taken to address the problem identified in the research.
  • Evidence-based: Research recommendations should be based on the findings of the research study, supported by the data collected and analyzed.
  • Contextual: Research recommendations should be tailored to the specific context in which they will be implemented, taking into account the unique circumstances and constraints of the situation.
  • Feasible : Research recommendations should be realistic and feasible, taking into account the available resources, time constraints, and other factors that may impact their implementation.
  • Prioritized: Research recommendations should be prioritized based on their potential impact and feasibility, with the most important recommendations given the highest priority.
  • Communicated effectively: Research recommendations should be communicated clearly and effectively, using language that is understandable to the target audience.
  • Evaluated : Research recommendations should be evaluated to determine their effectiveness in addressing the problem identified in the research, and to identify opportunities for improvement.

Advantages of Research Recommendations

Research recommendations have several advantages, including:

  • Providing practical guidance: Research recommendations provide practical guidance on how to apply research findings to real-world problems, helping to bridge the gap between research and practice.
  • Improving decision-making: Research recommendations help decision-makers make informed decisions based on the findings of research, leading to better outcomes and improved performance.
  • Enhancing accountability : Research recommendations can help enhance accountability by providing clear guidance on what actions should be taken, and by providing a basis for evaluating progress and outcomes.
  • Informing policy development : Research recommendations can inform the development of policies that are evidence-based and tailored to the specific needs of a given situation.
  • Enhancing knowledge transfer: Research recommendations help facilitate the transfer of knowledge from researchers to practitioners, policymakers, or other stakeholders who can benefit from the research findings.
  • Encouraging further research : Research recommendations can help identify gaps in knowledge and areas for further research, encouraging continued exploration and discovery.
  • Promoting innovation: Research recommendations can help identify innovative solutions to complex problems, leading to new ideas and approaches.

Limitations of Research Recommendations

While research recommendations have several advantages, there are also some limitations to consider. These limitations include:

  • Context-specific: Research recommendations may be context-specific and may not be applicable in all situations. Recommendations developed in one context may not be suitable for another context, requiring adaptation or modification.
  • I mplementation challenges: Implementation of research recommendations may face challenges, such as lack of resources, resistance to change, or lack of buy-in from stakeholders.
  • Limited scope: Research recommendations may be limited in scope, focusing only on a specific issue or aspect of a problem, while other important factors may be overlooked.
  • Uncertainty : Research recommendations may be uncertain, particularly when the research findings are inconclusive or when the recommendations are based on limited data.
  • Bias : Research recommendations may be influenced by researcher bias or conflicts of interest, leading to recommendations that are not in the best interests of stakeholders.
  • Timing : Research recommendations may be time-sensitive, requiring timely action to be effective. Delayed action may result in missed opportunities or reduced effectiveness.
  • Lack of evaluation: Research recommendations may not be evaluated to determine their effectiveness or impact, making it difficult to assess whether they are successful or not.

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Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

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Research Recommendations – Guiding policy-makers for evidence-based decision making

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Research recommendations play a crucial role in guiding scholars and researchers toward fruitful avenues of exploration. In an era marked by rapid technological advancements and an ever-expanding knowledge base, refining the process of generating research recommendations becomes imperative.

But, what is a research recommendation?

Research recommendations are suggestions or advice provided to researchers to guide their study on a specific topic . They are typically given by experts in the field. Research recommendations are more action-oriented and provide specific guidance for decision-makers, unlike implications that are broader and focus on the broader significance and consequences of the research findings. However, both are crucial components of a research study.

Difference Between Research Recommendations and Implication

Although research recommendations and implications are distinct components of a research study, they are closely related. The differences between them are as follows:

Difference between research recommendation and implication

Types of Research Recommendations

Recommendations in research can take various forms, which are as follows:

These recommendations aim to assist researchers in navigating the vast landscape of academic knowledge.

Let us dive deeper to know about its key components and the steps to write an impactful research recommendation.

Key Components of Research Recommendations

The key components of research recommendations include defining the research question or objective, specifying research methods, outlining data collection and analysis processes, presenting results and conclusions, addressing limitations, and suggesting areas for future research. Here are some characteristics of research recommendations:

Characteristics of research recommendation

Research recommendations offer various advantages and play a crucial role in ensuring that research findings contribute to positive outcomes in various fields. However, they also have few limitations which highlights the significance of a well-crafted research recommendation in offering the promised advantages.

Advantages and limitations of a research recommendation

The importance of research recommendations ranges in various fields, influencing policy-making, program development, product development, marketing strategies, medical practice, and scientific research. Their purpose is to transfer knowledge from researchers to practitioners, policymakers, or stakeholders, facilitating informed decision-making and improving outcomes in different domains.

How to Write Research Recommendations?

Research recommendations can be generated through various means, including algorithmic approaches, expert opinions, or collaborative filtering techniques. Here is a step-wise guide to build your understanding on the development of research recommendations.

1. Understand the Research Question:

Understand the research question and objectives before writing recommendations. Also, ensure that your recommendations are relevant and directly address the goals of the study.

2. Review Existing Literature:

Familiarize yourself with relevant existing literature to help you identify gaps , and offer informed recommendations that contribute to the existing body of research.

3. Consider Research Methods:

Evaluate the appropriateness of different research methods in addressing the research question. Also, consider the nature of the data, the study design, and the specific objectives.

4. Identify Data Collection Techniques:

Gather dataset from diverse authentic sources. Include information such as keywords, abstracts, authors, publication dates, and citation metrics to provide a rich foundation for analysis.

5. Propose Data Analysis Methods:

Suggest appropriate data analysis methods based on the type of data collected. Consider whether statistical analysis, qualitative analysis, or a mixed-methods approach is most suitable.

6. Consider Limitations and Ethical Considerations:

Acknowledge any limitations and potential ethical considerations of the study. Furthermore, address these limitations or mitigate ethical concerns to ensure responsible research.

7. Justify Recommendations:

Explain how your recommendation contributes to addressing the research question or objective. Provide a strong rationale to help researchers understand the importance of following your suggestions.

8. Summarize Recommendations:

Provide a concise summary at the end of the report to emphasize how following these recommendations will contribute to the overall success of the research project.

By following these steps, you can create research recommendations that are actionable and contribute meaningfully to the success of the research project.

Download now to unlock some tips to improve your journey of writing research recommendations.

Example of a Research Recommendation

Here is an example of a research recommendation based on a hypothetical research to improve your understanding.

Research Recommendation: Enhancing Student Learning through Integrated Learning Platforms

Background:

The research study investigated the impact of an integrated learning platform on student learning outcomes in high school mathematics classes. The findings revealed a statistically significant improvement in student performance and engagement when compared to traditional teaching methods.

Recommendation:

In light of the research findings, it is recommended that educational institutions consider adopting and integrating the identified learning platform into their mathematics curriculum. The following specific recommendations are provided:

  • Implementation of the Integrated Learning Platform:

Schools are encouraged to adopt the integrated learning platform in mathematics classrooms, ensuring proper training for teachers on its effective utilization.

  • Professional Development for Educators:

Develop and implement professional programs to train educators in the effective use of the integrated learning platform to address any challenges teachers may face during the transition.

  • Monitoring and Evaluation:

Establish a monitoring and evaluation system to track the impact of the integrated learning platform on student performance over time.

  • Resource Allocation:

Allocate sufficient resources, both financial and technical, to support the widespread implementation of the integrated learning platform.

By implementing these recommendations, educational institutions can harness the potential of the integrated learning platform and enhance student learning experiences and academic achievements in mathematics.

This example covers the components of a research recommendation, providing specific actions based on the research findings, identifying the target audience, and outlining practical steps for implementation.

Using AI in Research Recommendation Writing

Enhancing research recommendations is an ongoing endeavor that requires the integration of cutting-edge technologies, collaborative efforts, and ethical considerations. By embracing data-driven approaches and leveraging advanced technologies, the research community can create more effective and personalized recommendation systems. However, it is accompanied by several limitations. Therefore, it is essential to approach the use of AI in research with a critical mindset, and complement its capabilities with human expertise and judgment.

Here are some limitations of integrating AI in writing research recommendation and some ways on how to counter them.

1. Data Bias

AI systems rely heavily on data for training. If the training data is biased or incomplete, the AI model may produce biased results or recommendations.

How to tackle: Audit regularly the model’s performance to identify any discrepancies and adjust the training data and algorithms accordingly.

2. Lack of Understanding of Context:

AI models may struggle to understand the nuanced context of a particular research problem. They may misinterpret information, leading to inaccurate recommendations.

How to tackle: Use AI to characterize research articles and topics. Employ them to extract features like keywords, authorship patterns and content-based details.

3. Ethical Considerations:

AI models might stereotype certain concepts or generate recommendations that could have negative consequences for certain individuals or groups.

How to tackle: Incorporate user feedback mechanisms to reduce redundancies. Establish an ethics review process for AI models in research recommendation writing.

4. Lack of Creativity and Intuition:

AI may struggle with tasks that require a deep understanding of the underlying principles or the ability to think outside the box.

How to tackle: Hybrid approaches can be employed by integrating AI in data analysis and identifying patterns for accelerating the data interpretation process.

5. Interpretability:

Many AI models, especially complex deep learning models, lack transparency on how the model arrived at a particular recommendation.

How to tackle: Implement models like decision trees or linear models. Provide clear explanation of the model architecture, training process, and decision-making criteria.

6. Dynamic Nature of Research:

Research fields are dynamic, and new information is constantly emerging. AI models may struggle to keep up with the rapidly changing landscape and may not be able to adapt to new developments.

How to tackle: Establish a feedback loop for continuous improvement. Regularly update the recommendation system based on user feedback and emerging research trends.

The integration of AI in research recommendation writing holds great promise for advancing knowledge and streamlining the research process. However, navigating these concerns is pivotal in ensuring the responsible deployment of these technologies. Researchers need to understand the use of responsible use of AI in research and must be aware of the ethical considerations.

Exploring research recommendations plays a critical role in shaping the trajectory of scientific inquiry. It serves as a compass, guiding researchers toward more robust methodologies, collaborative endeavors, and innovative approaches. Embracing these suggestions not only enhances the quality of individual studies but also contributes to the collective advancement of human understanding.

Frequently Asked Questions

The purpose of recommendations in research is to provide practical and actionable suggestions based on the study's findings, guiding future actions, policies, or interventions in a specific field or context. Recommendations bridges the gap between research outcomes and their real-world application.

To make a research recommendation, analyze your findings, identify key insights, and propose specific, evidence-based actions. Include the relevance of the recommendations to the study's objectives and provide practical steps for implementation.

Begin a recommendation by succinctly summarizing the key findings of the research. Clearly state the purpose of the recommendation and its intended impact. Use a direct and actionable language to convey the suggested course of action.

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How to write recommendations in a research paper

Many students put in a lot of effort and write a good report however they are not able to give proper recommendations. Recommendations in the research paper should be included in your research. As a researcher, you display a deep understanding of the topic of research. Therefore you should be able to give recommendations. Here are a few tips that will help you to give appropriate recommendations. 

Recommendations in the research paper should be the objective of the research. Therefore at least one of your objectives of the paper is to provide recommendations to the parties associated or the parties that will benefit from your research. For example, to encourage higher employee engagement HR department should make strategies that invest in the well-being of employees. Additionally, the HR department should also collect regular feedback through online surveys.

Recommendations in the research paper should come from your review and analysis For example It was observed that coaches interviewed were associated with the club were working with the club from the past 2-3 years only. This shows that the attrition rate of coaches is high and therefore clubs should work on reducing the turnover of coaches.

Recommendations in the research paper should also come from the data you have analysed. For example, the research found that people over 65 years of age are at greater risk of social isolation. Therefore, it is recommended that policies that are made for combating social isolation should target this specific group.

Recommendations in the research paper should also come from observation. For example, it is observed that Lenovo’s income is stable and gross revenue has displayed a negative turn. Therefore the company should analyse its marketing and branding strategy.

Recommendations in the research paper should be written in the order of priority. The most important recommendations for decision-makers should come first. However, if the recommendations are of equal importance then it should come in the sequence in which the topic is approached in the research. 

Recommendations in a research paper if associated with different categories then you should categorize them. For example, you have separate recommendations for policymakers, educators, and administrators then you can categorize the recommendations. 

Recommendations in the research paper should come purely from your research. For example, you have written research on the impact on HR strategies on motivation. However, nowhere you have discussed Reward and recognition. Then you should not give recommendations for using rewards and recognition measures to boost employee motivation.

The use of bullet points offers better clarity rather than using long paragraphs. For example this paragraph “ It is recommended  that Britannia Biscuit should launch and promote sugar-free options apart from the existing product range. Promotion efforts should be directed at creating a fresh and healthy image. A campaign that conveys a sense of health and vitality to the consumer while enjoying biscuit  is recommended” can be written as:

  • The company should launch and promote sugar-free options
  • The company should work towards creating s fresh and healthy image
  • The company should run a campaign to convey its healthy image

The inclusion of an action plan along with recommendation adds more weightage to your recommendation. Recommendations should be clear and conscience and written using actionable words. Recommendations should display a solution-oriented approach and in some cases should highlight the scope for further research. 

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How to formulate research recommendations

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  • Peer review
  • Polly Brown ( pbrown{at}bmjgroup.com ) , publishing manager 1 ,
  • Klara Brunnhuber , clinical editor 1 ,
  • Kalipso Chalkidou , associate director, research and development 2 ,
  • Iain Chalmers , director 3 ,
  • Mike Clarke , director 4 ,
  • Mark Fenton , editor 3 ,
  • Carol Forbes , reviews manager 5 ,
  • Julie Glanville , associate director/information service manager 5 ,
  • Nicholas J Hicks , consultant in public health medicine 6 ,
  • Janet Moody , identification and prioritisation manager 6 ,
  • Sara Twaddle , director 7 ,
  • Hazim Timimi , systems developer 8 ,
  • Pamela Young , senior programme manager 6
  • 1 BMJ Publishing Group, London WC1H 9JR,
  • 2 National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, London WC1V 6NA,
  • 3 Database of Uncertainties about the Effects of Treatments, James Lind Alliance Secretariat, James Lind Initiative, Oxford OX2 7LG,
  • 4 UK Cochrane Centre, Oxford OX2 7LG,
  • 5 Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, York YO10 5DD,
  • 6 National Coordinating Centre for Health Technology Assessment, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 7PX,
  • 7 Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network, Edinburgh EH2 1EN,
  • 8 Update Software, Oxford OX2 7LG
  • Correspondence to: PBrown
  • Accepted 22 September 2006

“More research is needed” is a conclusion that fits most systematic reviews. But authors need to be more specific about what exactly is required

Long awaited reports of new research, systematic reviews, and clinical guidelines are too often a disappointing anticlimax for those wishing to use them to direct future research. After many months or years of effort and intellectual energy put into these projects, authors miss the opportunity to identify unanswered questions and outstanding gaps in the evidence. Most reports contain only a less than helpful, general research recommendation. This means that the potential value of these recommendations is lost.

Current recommendations

In 2005, representatives of organisations commissioning and summarising research, including the BMJ Publishing Group, the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, the National Coordinating Centre for Health Technology Assessment, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network, and the UK Cochrane Centre, met as members of the development group for the Database of Uncertainties about the Effects of Treatments (see bmj.com for details on all participating organisations). Our aim was to discuss the state of research recommendations within our organisations and to develop guidelines for improving the presentation of proposals for further research. All organisations had found weaknesses in the way researchers and authors of systematic reviews and clinical guidelines stated the need for further research. As part of the project, a member of the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination under-took a rapid literature search to identify information on research recommendation models, which found some individual methods but no group initiatives to attempt to standardise recommendations.

Suggested format for research recommendations on the effects of treatments

Core elements.

E Evidence (What is the current state of the evidence?)

P Population (What is the population of interest?)

I Intervention (What are the interventions of interest?)

C Comparison (What are the comparisons of interest?)

O Outcome (What are the outcomes of interest?)

T Time stamp (Date of recommendation)

Optional elements

d Disease burden or relevance

t Time aspect of core elements of EPICOT

s Appropriate study type according to local need

In January 2006, the National Coordinating Centre for Health Technology Assessment presented the findings of an initial comparative analysis of how different organisations currently structure their research recommendations. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence and the National Coordinating Centre for Health Technology Assessment request authors to present recommendations in a four component format for formulating well built clinical questions around treatments: population, intervention, comparison, and outcomes (PICO). 1 In addition, the research recommendation is dated and authors are asked to provide the current state of the evidence to support the proposal.

Clinical Evidence , although not directly standardising its sections for research recommendations, presents gaps in the evidence using a slightly extended version of the PICO format: evidence, population, intervention, comparison, outcomes, and time (EPICOT). Clinical Evidence has used this inherent structure to feed research recommendations on interventions categorised as “unknown effectiveness” back to the National Coordinating Centre for Health Technology Assessment and for inclusion in the Database of Uncertainties about the Effects of Treatments ( http://www.duets.nhs.uk/ ).

We decided to propose the EPICOT format as the basis for its statement on formulating research recommendations and tested this proposal through discussion and example. We agreed that this set of components provided enough context for formulating research recommendations without limiting researchers. In order for the proposed framework to be flexible and more widely applicable, the group discussed using several optional components when they seemed relevant or were proposed by one or more of the group members. The final outcome of discussions resulted in the proposed EPICOT+ format (box).

A recent BMJ article highlighted how lack of research hinders the applicability of existing guidelines to patients in primary care who have had a stroke or transient ischaemic attack. 2 Most research in the area had been conducted in younger patients with a recent episode and in a hospital setting. The authors concluded that “further evidence should be collected on the efficacy and adverse effects of intensive blood pressure lowering in representative populations before we implement this guidance [from national and international guidelines] in primary care.” Table 1 outlines how their recommendations could be formulated using the EPICOT+ format. The decision on whether additional research is indeed clinically and ethically warranted will still lie with the organisation considering commissioning the research.

Research recommendation based on gap in the evidence identified by a cross sectional study of clinical guidelines for management of patients who have had a stroke

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Table 2 shows the use of EPICOT+ for an unanswered question on the effectiveness of compliance therapy in people with schizophrenia, identified by the Database of Uncertainties about the Effects of Treatments.

Research recommendation based on a gap in the evidence on treatment of schizophrenia identified by the Database of Uncertainties about the Effects of Treatments

Discussions around optional elements

Although the group agreed that the PICO elements should be core requirements for a research recommendation, intense discussion centred on the inclusion of factors defining a more detailed context, such as current state of evidence (E), appropriate study type (s), disease burden and relevance (d), and timeliness (t).

Initially, group members interpreted E differently. Some viewed it as the supporting evidence for a research recommendation and others as the suggested study type for a research recommendation. After discussion, we agreed that E should be used to refer to the amount and quality of research supporting the recommendation. However, the issue remained contentious as some of us thought that if a systematic review was available, its reference would sufficiently identify the strength of the existing evidence. Others thought that adding evidence to the set of core elements was important as it provided a summary of the supporting evidence, particularly as the recommendation was likely to be abstracted and used separately from the review or research that led to its formulation. In contrast, the suggested study type (s) was left as an optional element.

A research recommendation will rarely have an absolute value in itself. Its relative priority will be influenced by the burden of ill health (d), which is itself dependent on factors such as local prevalence, disease severity, relevant risk factors, and the priorities of the organisation considering commissioning the research.

Similarly, the issue of time (t) could be seen to be relevant to each of the core elements in varying ways—for example, duration of treatment, length of follow-up. The group therefore agreed that time had a subsidiary role within each core item; however, T as the date of the recommendation served to define its shelf life and therefore retained individual importance.

Applicability and usability

The proposed statement on research recommendations applies to uncertainties of the effects of any form of health intervention or treatment and is intended for research in humans rather than basic scientific research. Further investigation is required to assess the applicability of the format for questions around diagnosis, signs and symptoms, prognosis, investigations, and patient preference.

When the proposed format is applied to a specific research recommendation, the emphasis placed on the relevant part(s) of the EPICOT+ format may vary by author, audience, and intended purpose. For example, a recommendation for research into treatments for transient ischaemic attack may or may not define valid outcome measures to assess quality of life or gather data on adverse effects. Among many other factors, its implementation will also depend on the strength of current findings—that is, strong evidence may support a tightly focused recommendation whereas a lack of evidence would result in a more general recommendation.

The controversy within the group, especially around the optional components, reflects the different perspectives of the participating organisations—whether they were involved in commissioning, undertaking, or summarising research. Further issues will arise during the implementation of the proposed format, and we welcome feedback and discussion.

Summary points

No common guidelines exist for the formulation of recommendations for research on the effects of treatments

Major organisations involved in commissioning or summarising research compared their approaches and agreed on core questions

The essential items can be summarised as EPICOT+ (evidence, population, intervention, comparison, outcome, and time)

Further details, such as disease burden and appropriate study type, should be considered as required

We thank Patricia Atkinson and Jeremy Wyatt.

Contributors and sources All authors contributed to manuscript preparation and approved the final draft. NJH is the guarantor.

Competing interests None declared.

  • Richardson WS ,
  • Wilson MC ,
  • Nishikawa J ,
  • Hayward RSA
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  • Leonardi-Bee J ,
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  • Warburton E
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  • v.333(7572); 2006 Oct 14

Health research

How to formulate research recommendations, polly brown.

1 BMJ Publishing Group, London WC1H 9JR

Klara Brunnhuber

Kalipso chalkidou.

2 National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, London WC1V 6NA

Iain Chalmers

3 Database of Uncertainties about the Effects of Treatments, James Lind Alliance Secretariat, James Lind Initiative, Oxford OX2 7LG

Mike Clarke

4 UK Cochrane Centre, Oxford OX2 7LG

Mark Fenton

Carol forbes.

5 Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, York YO10 5DD

Julie Glanville

Nicholas j hicks.

6 National Coordinating Centre for Health Technology Assessment, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 7PX

Janet Moody

Sara twaddle.

7 Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network, Edinburgh EH2 1EN

Hazim Timimi

8 Update Software, Oxford OX2 7LG

Pamela Young

Associated data, short abstract.

“More research is needed” is a conclusion that fits most systematic reviews. But authors need to be more specific about what exactly is required

Long awaited reports of new research, systematic reviews, and clinical guidelines are too often a disappointing anticlimax for those wishing to use them to direct future research. After many months or years of effort and intellectual energy put into these projects, authors miss the opportunity to identify unanswered questions and outstanding gaps in the evidence. Most reports contain only a less than helpful, general research recommendation. This means that the potential value of these recommendations is lost.

Current recommendations

In 2005, representatives of organisations commissioning and summarising research, including the BMJ Publishing Group, the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, the National Coordinating Centre for Health Technology Assessment, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network, and the UK Cochrane Centre, met as members of the development group for the Database of Uncertainties about the Effects of Treatments (see bmj.com for details on all participating organisations). Our aim was to discuss the state of research recommendations within our organisations and to develop guidelines for improving the presentation of proposals for further research. All organisations had found weaknesses in the way researchers and authors of systematic reviews and clinical guidelines stated the need for further research. As part of the project, a member of the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination under-took a rapid literature search to identify information on research recommendation models, which found some individual methods but no group initiatives to attempt to standardise recommendations.

Suggested format for research recommendations on the effects of treatments

Core elements

E Evidence (What is the current state of the evidence?)

P Population (What is the population of interest?)

I Intervention (What are the interventions of interest?)

C Comparison (What are the comparisons of interest?)

O Outcome (What are the outcomes of interest?)

T Time stamp (Date of recommendation)

Optional elements

d Disease burden or relevance

t Time aspect of core elements of EPICOT

s Appropriate study type according to local need

In January 2006, the National Coordinating Centre for Health Technology Assessment presented the findings of an initial comparative analysis of how different organisations currently structure their research recommendations. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence and the National Coordinating Centre for Health Technology Assessment request authors to present recommendations in a four component format for formulating well built clinical questions around treatments: population, intervention, comparison, and outcomes (PICO). 1 In addition, the research recommendation is dated and authors are asked to provide the current state of the evidence to support the proposal.

Clinical Evidence , although not directly standardising its sections for research recommendations, presents gaps in the evidence using a slightly extended version of the PICO format: evidence, population, intervention, comparison, outcomes, and time (EPICOT). Clinical Evidence has used this inherent structure to feed research recommendations on interventions categorised as “unknown effectiveness” back to the National Coordinating Centre for Health Technology Assessment and for inclusion in the Database of Uncertainties about the Effects of Treatments ( www.duets.nhs.uk ).

We decided to propose the EPICOT format as the basis for its statement on formulating research recommendations and tested this proposal through discussion and example. We agreed that this set of components provided enough context for formulating research recommendations without limiting researchers. In order for the proposed framework to be flexible and more widely applicable, the group discussed using several optional components when they seemed relevant or were proposed by one or more of the group members. The final outcome of discussions resulted in the proposed EPICOT+ format (box).

A recent BMJ article highlighted how lack of research hinders the applicability of existing guidelines to patients in primary care who have had a stroke or transient ischaemic attack. 2 Most research in the area had been conducted in younger patients with a recent episode and in a hospital setting. The authors concluded that “further evidence should be collected on the efficacy and adverse effects of intensive blood pressure lowering in representative populations before we implement this guidance [from national and international guidelines] in primary care.” Table 1 outlines how their recommendations could be formulated using the EPICOT+ format. The decision on whether additional research is indeed clinically and ethically warranted will still lie with the organisation considering commissioning the research.

Research recommendation based on gap in the evidence identified by a cross sectional study of clinical guidelines for management of patients who have had a stroke

Table 2 shows the use of EPICOT+ for an unanswered question on the effectiveness of compliance therapy in people with schizophrenia, identified by the Database of Uncertainties about the Effects of Treatments.

Research recommendation based on a gap in the evidence on treatment of schizophrenia identified by the Database of Uncertainties about the Effects of Treatments

Discussions around optional elements

Although the group agreed that the PICO elements should be core requirements for a research recommendation, intense discussion centred on the inclusion of factors defining a more detailed context, such as current state of evidence (E), appropriate study type (s), disease burden and relevance (d), and timeliness (t).

Initially, group members interpreted E differently. Some viewed it as the supporting evidence for a research recommendation and others as the suggested study type for a research recommendation. After discussion, we agreed that E should be used to refer to the amount and quality of research supporting the recommendation. However, the issue remained contentious as some of us thought that if a systematic review was available, its reference would sufficiently identify the strength of the existing evidence. Others thought that adding evidence to the set of core elements was important as it provided a summary of the supporting evidence, particularly as the recommendation was likely to be abstracted and used separately from the review or research that led to its formulation. In contrast, the suggested study type (s) was left as an optional element.

A research recommendation will rarely have an absolute value in itself. Its relative priority will be influenced by the burden of ill health (d), which is itself dependent on factors such as local prevalence, disease severity, relevant risk factors, and the priorities of the organisation considering commissioning the research.

Similarly, the issue of time (t) could be seen to be relevant to each of the core elements in varying ways—for example, duration of treatment, length of follow-up. The group therefore agreed that time had a subsidiary role within each core item; however, T as the date of the recommendation served to define its shelf life and therefore retained individual importance.

Applicability and usability

The proposed statement on research recommendations applies to uncertainties of the effects of any form of health intervention or treatment and is intended for research in humans rather than basic scientific research. Further investigation is required to assess the applicability of the format for questions around diagnosis, signs and symptoms, prognosis, investigations, and patient preference.

When the proposed format is applied to a specific research recommendation, the emphasis placed on the relevant part(s) of the EPICOT+ format may vary by author, audience, and intended purpose. For example, a recommendation for research into treatments for transient ischaemic attack may or may not define valid outcome measures to assess quality of life or gather data on adverse effects. Among many other factors, its implementation will also depend on the strength of current findings—that is, strong evidence may support a tightly focused recommendation whereas a lack of evidence would result in a more general recommendation.

The controversy within the group, especially around the optional components, reflects the different perspectives of the participating organisations—whether they were involved in commissioning, undertaking, or summarising research. Further issues will arise during the implementation of the proposed format, and we welcome feedback and discussion.

Summary points

No common guidelines exist for the formulation of recommendations for research on the effects of treatments

Major organisations involved in commissioning or summarising research compared their approaches and agreed on core questions

The essential items can be summarised as EPICOT+ (evidence, population, intervention, comparison, outcome, and time)

Further details, such as disease burden and appropriate study type, should be considered as required

Supplementary Material

We thank Patricia Atkinson and Jeremy Wyatt.

Contributors and sources: All authors contributed to manuscript preparation and approved the final draft. NJH is the guarantor.

Competing interests: None declared.

Research to Action

The Global Guide to Research Impact

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  • How to write actionable policy recommendations

By Nyasha Musandu 16/07/2013

When writing a policy brief, there are many things one has to consider: The language has to be just right, not too technical but professional. The length has to be brief yet informative and most of all it needs to speak to a pre-identified and targeted audience.

The policy brief has become the ‘go to’ tool in facilitating evidence based policies. The policy brief seeks to inform the decision maker of policy options that are evidence based, robust and will achieve the desired result in various scenarios. With the creation of each policy brief we hope that maybe, just maybe, we will get the right policy maker to read our compelling arguments, experience a eureka moment and spearhead the process of creating sound and effective policies with our research as their sword.  Unfortunately, policy influence rarely happens in this manner. What you have to try to do is identify your policy makers’ problems and give him/her actionable policy recommendations.

Here are some simple things to consider to ensure that your recommendations are practical and actionable.

1 .   Ensure that you have identified your target audience beforehand. Understanding who your audience is and what their job entails is crucial. What is their sphere of influence and what change can they implement?

2.   Be very clear about what the current policy you want to change is.

3.   Set the scene: Identify the shortfalls of the current policy. Where is this policy failing, why and how can your recommendations improve the status quo?

4.   Be aware of how policies are made: remember that government policy actors are interested in making decisions that are practical, cost-effective and socially acceptable.

5.   If you are suggesting change ask yourself: What specifically needs to be changed? How will this change come about? What resources will be needed? Where will these resources come from? What is the overall benefit to both the policy maker and society in general? If your recommendations include these components they are much more likely to garner the required change.

6.   The word actionable suggests that your recommendations should be active. Try using language that is active rather than passive. Words such as use, engage, incorporate etc.

7 .   Keep your policy recommendations short. Identify 3 recommendations and elaborate on these. Pick the three that are most practical and relevant for your target audience then focus on presenting these in the most actionable way.

8 .   Make sure your research supports your recommendations. This may sound very obvious but policy makers will want to know that the evidence supports your assertions. Where you are providing an opinion, not supported by research, make this very clear.

9.   Ask yourself, is my recommendation viable? Does the recommendation seem feasible?

References:

·       Global HIV/AIDS Initiatives Network, 2008. Policy Brief Guidelines.

·       Community – Based Monitoring System (CBMS) Network Coordinating Team. Guidelines for writing a policy brief.

·       FAO. Food Security Communications Toolkit .

·       MEASURE Evaluation, 2009. Making Research Findings Actionable: A quick reference to communicating health information for decision making .

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Turn your research insights into actionable recommendations

Turn your insights into actionable recommendations.

At the end of one presentation, my colleague approached me and asked what I recommended based on the research. I was a bit puzzled. I didn’t expect anyone to ask me this kind of question. By that point in my career, I wasn’t aware that I had to make recommendations based on the research insights. I could talk about the next steps regarding what other research we had to conduct. I could also relay the information that something wasn’t working in a prototype, but I had no idea what to suggest. 

how to make recommendations for

How to move from qualitative data to actionable insights

Over time, more and more colleagues asked for these recommendations. Finally, I realized that one of the key pieces I was missing in my reports was the “so what?” The prototype isn’t working, so what do we do next? Because I didn’t include suggestions, my colleagues had a difficult time marrying actions to my insights. Sure, the team could see the noticeable changes, but the next steps were a struggle, especially for generative research. 

Without these suggestions, my insights started to fall flat. My colleagues were excited about them and loved seeing the video clips, but they weren’t working with the findings. With this, I set out to experiment on how to write recommendations within a user research report. 

.css-1nrevy2{position:relative;display:inline-block;} How to write recommendations 

For a while, I wasn’t sure how to write recommendations. And, even now, I believe there is no  one right way . When I first started looking into this, I started with two main questions:

What do recommendations mean to stakeholders?

How prescriptive should recommendations be?

When people asked me for recommendations, I had no idea what they were looking for. I was nervous I would step on people’s toes and give the impression I thought I knew more than I did. I wasn’t a designer and didn’t want to make whacky design recommendations or impractical suggestions that would get developers rolling their eyes. 

When in doubt, I dusted off my internal research cap and sat with stakeholders to understand what they meant by recommendations. I asked them for examples of what they expected and what made a suggestion “helpful” or “actionable.” I walked away with a list of “must-haves” for my recommendations. They had to be:

Flexible. Just because I made an initial recommendation did not mean it was the only path forward. Once I presented the recommendations, we could talk through other ideas and consider new information. There were a few times when I revised my recommendations based on conversations I had with colleagues.

Feasible.  At first, I started presenting my recommendations without any prior feedback. My worst nightmare came true. The designer and developer sat back, arms crossed, and said, “A lot of this is impossible.” I quickly learned to review some of my recommendations I was uncertain about with them beforehand. Alternatively, I came up with several recommendations for one solution to help combat this problem.

Prioritized (to my best abilities).  Since I am not entirely sure of the recommendation’s effort, I use a chart of impact and reach to prioritize suggestions. Then, once I present this list, it may get reprioritized depending on effort levels from the team (hey, flexibility!).

Detailed.  This point helped me a lot with my second question regarding how in-depth I should make my recommendations. Some of the best detail comes from photos, videos, or screenshots, and colleagues appreciated when I linked recommendations with this media. They also told me to put in as much detail as possible to avoid vagueness, misinterpretation, and endless debate. 

Think MVP. Think about the solution with the fewest changes instead of recommending complex changes to a feature or product. What are some minor changes that the team can make to improve the experience or product?

Justified.  This part was the hardest for me. When my research findings didn’t align with expectations or business goals, I had no idea what to say. When I receive results that highlight we are going in the wrong direction, my recommendations become even more critical. Instead of telling the team that the new product or feature sucks and we should stop working on it, I offer alternatives. I follow the concept of “no, but...” So, “no, this isn’t working, but we found that users value X and Y, which could lead to increased retention” (or whatever metric we were looking at.

Let’s look at some examples

Although this list was beneficial in guiding my recommendations, I still wasn’t well-versed in how to write them. So, after some time, I created a formula for writing recommendations:

Observed problem/pain point/unmet need + consequence + potential solution

Evaluative research

Let’s imagine we are testing a check-out page, and we found that users were having a hard time filling out the shipping and billing forms, especially when there were two different addresses.

A non-specific and unhelpful recommendation might look like :

Users get frustrated when filling out the shipping and billing form.

The reasons this recommendation is not ideal are :

It provides no context or detail of the problem 

There is no proposed solution 

It sounds a bit judgemental (focus on the problem!) 

There is no immediate movement forward with this

A redesign recommendation about the same problem might look like this :

Users overlook the mandatory fields in the shipping and billing form, causing them to go back and fill out the form again. With this, they become frustrated. Include markers of required fields and avoid deleting information when users submit if they haven’t filled out all required fields.

Let’s take another example :

We tested an entirely new concept for our travel company, allowing people to pay to become “prime” travel members. In our user base, no one found any value in having or paying for a membership. However, they did find value in several of the features, such as sharing trips with family members or splitting costs but could not justify paying for them.

A suboptimal recommendation could look like this :

Users would not sign-up or pay for a prime membership.

Again, there is a considerable lack of context and understanding here, as well as action. Instead, we could try something like:

Users do not find enough value in the prime membership to sign-up or pay for it. Therefore, they do not see themselves using the feature. However, they did find value in two features: sharing trips with friends and splitting the trip costs. Focusing, instead, on these features could bring more people to our platform and increase retention. 

Generative research

Generative research can look a bit trickier because there isn’t always an inherent problem you are solving. For example, you might not be able to point to a usability issue, so you have to look more broadly at pain points or unmet needs. 

For example, in our generative research, we found that people often forget to buy gifts for loved ones, making them feel guilty and rushed at the last minute to find something meaningful but quickly.

This finding is extremely broad and could go in so many directions. With suggestions, we don’t necessarily want to lead our teams down only one path (flexibility!), but we also don’t want to leave the recommendation too vague (detailed). I use  How Might We statements  to help me build generative research recommendations. 

Just reporting the above wouldn’t entirely be enough for a recommendation, so let’s try to put it in a more actionable format:

People struggled to remember to buy gifts for loved one’s birthdays or special days. By the time their calendar notified them, it was too late to get a gift, leaving them filled with guilt and rushing to purchase a meaningful gift to arrive on time. How might we help people remember birthdays early enough to find meaningful gifts for their loved ones?

A great follow-up to generative research recommendations can be  running an ideation workshop !

Researching the right thing versus researching the thing right

How to format recommendations in your report.

I always end with recommendations because people leave a presentation with their minds buzzing and next steps top of mind (hopefully!). My favorite way to format suggestions is in a chart. That way, I can link the recommendation back to the insight and priority. My recommendations look like this:

An example of recommendation formatting. Link your recommendation to evidence and prioritize it for your team (but remember to be flexible!).

Overall, play around with the recommendations that you give to your teams. The best thing you can do is ask for what they expect and then ask for feedback. By catering and iterating to your colleagues’ needs, you will help them make better decisions based on your research insights!

Written by Nikki Anderson, User Research Lead & Instructor. Nikki is a User Research Lead and Instructor with over eight years of experience. She has worked in all different sizes of companies, ranging from a tiny start-up called ALICE to large corporation Zalando, and also as a freelancer. During this time, she has led a diverse range of end-to-end research projects across the world, specializing in generative user research. Nikki also owns her own company, User Research Academy, a community and education platform designed to help people get into the field of user research, or learn more about how user research impacts their current role. User Research Academy hosts online classes, content, as well as personalized mentorship opportunities with Nikki. She is extremely passionate about teaching and supporting others throughout their journey in user research. To spread the word of research and help others transition and grow in the field, she writes as a writer at dscout and Dovetail. Outside of the world of user research, you can find Nikki (happily) surrounded by animals, including her dog and two cats, reading on her Kindle, playing old-school video games like Pokemon and World of Warcraft, and writing fiction novels.

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Strategic Business Recommendations: How to Write and Present Them Effectively

how to make recommendations for

Writing and presenting strategic business recommendations can be a challenging task. To ensure success, it is important to follow a structured process and present your recommendations clearly and persuasively. This article provides valuable tips and strategies to help you write and present your recommendations effectively and achieve your desired outcomes.

how to make recommendations for

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Effective strategic business recommendations can make or break a company’s success. Whether it’s proposing a new product or service, outlining a marketing strategy, or presenting operational improvements, the way in which these recommendations are presented can be the difference between approval and rejection. In today’s fast-paced business world, it is crucial to be able to communicate ideas clearly and effectively. This article will provide guidance on how to write and present strategic business recommendations to communicate your vision better, inspire confidence in your ideas, and ultimately achieve your goals.

Table of Contents

1. understanding the importance of strategic business recommendations, 2. identifying the key components of effective recommendations, 3. conducting in-depth research to support your recommendations, 4. analyzing data and statistics to validate your recommendations, 5. assessing current market trends and competitors, 6. developing a clear and concise action plan, 7. crafting a convincing executive summary to present to stakeholders, 8. presenting your recommendations with confidence and clarity, 9. tailoring your presentation to your target audience, 10. incorporating visuals and supporting materials to enhance your presentation, 11. addressing potential objections and criticisms from stakeholders, 12. evaluating the success of your recommendations and adjusting as necessary, our readers ask, final thoughts.

In today’s fast-paced business world, making the right strategic decisions can mean the difference between success and failure. That’s why having a team of experts to guide you through this process is so important. Business recommendations, based on thorough research and analysis, can be the key to making smart, informed decisions that will help your company thrive.

Strategic business recommendations can help you evaluate various options, assess the potential risks and benefits, and determine the best course of action for your organization. Whether you are considering new product lines, expanding into new markets, or reorganizing your company, having access to expert business recommendations is critical. These recommendations can provide you with the insights and advice you need to confidently move forward, knowing that you are making the best choices for your business. So, if you’re serious about success, make sure you prioritize the importance of strategic business recommendations in all of your decision-making processes.

To ensure that your recommendation stands out and convinces its recipients, it is crucial to identify the key components that make recommendations effective. Here are some of the components that you need to focus on:

– Background Information: Before you dive into the recommendation itself, make sure that you provide context that explains why the recommendation is needed. This helps create a framework for understanding and sets the tone for your proposal. – Specificity: Avoid being vague or generic. Instead, be specific about what your recommendation entails, why it is necessary, and what steps need to be taken. Use concrete examples and data to add credibility to your proposal. – Actionable: The recommendation also needs to be actionable. Ensure that you provide clear instructions on how implementation can be carried out, along with timelines, resource requirements, and responsibilities. – Benefits: Conveying the benefits of the recommendation is also essential. Explaining how the proposal will affect business outcomes, costs, customer satisfaction, or employee morale – whatever the case may be – will help underscore its value.

Another essential component of effective recommendations is understanding your audience and tailoring your proposal to their needs. Whether you are making recommendations to your boss, team members, customers, or partners, make sure that you use language that they can understand and resonates with their pain points. Plan your style and approach based on your audience to ensure the highest chance of acceptance. By taking all these components into account, your recommendations will be sure to garner a positive response and create actual results.

When it comes to making recommendations, conducting in-depth research is critical to making informed decisions. Research helps to uncover the underlying issues, identify potential solutions and validate assumptions. It also provides a basis for creating robust and actionable recommendations that can lead to meaningful change.

To conduct thorough research, it’s essential to start with a clear understanding of the problem or opportunity at hand. A well-defined problem statement can help guide your research by outlining the key issues and questions you need to explore. This helps to focus your efforts and resources, ensuring that you’re gathering the correct information to support your recommendations. Additionally, it’s essential to use a variety of sources when conducting research, including primary and secondary sources. This approach helps to ensure that you’re getting a broad and diverse range of perspectives that can inform your recommendations.

When it comes to making recommendations for your business or organization, it’s essential to back up your ideas with solid data and statistics. Analyzing this information can help you validate your suggestions and convince stakeholders of the best course of action. Here are some tips for effectively analyzing data and statistics:

1. Define your objectives – Before you start analyzing any data, be clear on your objectives. What are you hoping to achieve? What questions are you hoping to answer? This will help you focus your efforts and ensure that you’re gathering the correct information.

2. Use multiple sources – It’s essential to use a variety of sources when analyzing data and statistics. This can include surveys, customer feedback, sales reports, and industry research. By gathering information from multiple sources, you can get a complete picture of the situation and make more informed recommendations.

To succeed in today’s business world, it’s crucial to keep a close eye on the current market trends and the competition. It’s essential to stay ahead of the game, and this means continually assessing the landscape to stay on top of any developments that could have an impact on the business.

One way to stay on top of the competition is by conducting a SWOT analysis. This involves evaluating the organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. By identifying these factors, the business can begin to formulate strategies to strengthen its position in the market. It’s also essential to stay on top of current trends and understand how they are affecting the organization and the industry as a whole. This could involve tracking consumer behavior, analyzing competitors’ actions, and keeping up-to-date with industry news. By keeping a finger on the pulse, the business can adapt quickly to changes and ensure it stays ahead of the competition.

After identifying the goals and objectives, the next step is to develop a clear and concise action plan. A proper action plan will allow the team to visualize and prioritize the steps needed to achieve the goals. Moreover, it will help track the team’s progress, and ensure that they remain focused on their targets.

To develop a clear and concise action plan, the first thing to do is to break down the goals into smaller, more achievable steps. Set timelines and assign responsibilities for each step, and make sure that they are attainable. It is also important to allocate resources, such as personnel and budget, to ensure the plan remains feasible. Furthermore, it is crucial to communicate the plan effectively to all the team members to ensure buy-in and participation. Overall, a well-designed and communicated action plan will guide the team toward achieving their objectives.

It is essential for achieving the set goals and objectives. An adequately designed action plan will allow for better progress tracking, focus the team on their targets, and ensure allocating the necessary resources. By breaking down the goals into smaller, attainable steps, assigning timelines and responsibilities, communicating effectively, and allocating resources, a team can achieve its objectives within the desired timeframe.

When it comes to presenting your business plan to stakeholders, your executive summary will play a crucial role. It’s essentially the elevator pitch of your entire proposal and should be crafted to be persuasive and engaging from its opening sentence. Here are some tips to make your summary stand out:

– Use clear and concise language: Avoid jargon or technical terms that could be confusing for non-experts. Use short sentences and avoid unnecessary explanations or details. – Start with a hook: Your first sentence should grab the attention of your audience and set the tone for the rest of the summary. Consider using a surprising fact, a thought-provoking question, or a powerful statement. – Highlight your key points: Your summary should cover the most critical aspects of your business plan, such as your target market, your unique value proposition, and your financial projections. Use bullet points or bold text to make your main ideas stand out. – Focus on benefits: Instead of just listing features, emphasize the benefits that your business will bring to your stakeholders. Show how your product or service will solve their problems or fulfill their needs. – Be realistic: While you want to make your plan sound exciting, avoid overpromising or exaggerating your claims. Make sure data and research back your projections.

Remember that your executive summary is your chance to make a strong first impression on your stakeholders. Ensure it’s well-written, persuasive, and tailored to your audience’s interests and needs.

When presenting your recommendations, it’s important to exude confidence and clarity. By doing so, you will not only capture your audience’s attention but also instill a sense of trust and conviction in them. Here are some tips for :

Firstly, know your material inside out. Make sure you have a thorough understanding of the subject matter before you make any assumptions or recommendations. Research thoroughly, review all available data, and draw conclusions based on facts rather than speculations. Secondly, use visual aids such as graphs, charts, and diagrams to support your recommendations. These can help illustrate complex ideas and make the presentation more interactive and engaging. Thirdly, use precise and concise language. Speak clearly and use simple, easy-to-understand terms. Avoid complicated jargon and acronyms that may confuse your audience.

In addition, it’s crucial to remain open to feedback and questions from your audience. Encourage them to ask questions and offer their own suggestions. Also, clarify any misunderstandings or gaps in knowledge they may have, and respond with facts, examples, and supportive evidence. Remember, being confident doesn’t mean being rigid or dogmatic. Be open-minded and willing to adapt and adjust your recommendations based on the feedback and input you receive.

Last but not least, practice, practice, practice! The more you practice your presentation, the more comfortable and confident you will feel. Consider rehearsing in front of a mirror, recording yourself, or delivering a dry run for a small group of colleagues. This will help you hone your delivery and fine-tune your message for maximum impact. Finally, make sure you present yourself professionally. Dress appropriately, maintain good eye contact, and use confident body language.

Knowing your target audience is an essential part of tailoring a successful presentation. Understanding the demographics, interests, and needs of your audience will allow you to tailor your message appropriately. This can include using appropriate language and tone, selecting the right images and multimedia, and emphasizing key points that resonate with your audience.

When it’s essential to consider their level of knowledge and experience, you may need to adjust your content accordingly, either by simplifying complex concepts or by adding more detailed information for those with a deeper understanding. Additionally, it’s essential to consider the unique challenges and experiences that your audience may be facing, and how your presentation can help address those issues. By taking the time to tailor your presentation to your audience, you will position yourself as a knowledgeable and thoughtful presenter, increasing your chances of making a lasting impression.

A picture truly is worth a thousand words. Incorporating visuals and supporting materials into your presentation can significantly enhance the overall impact of your message. Effective use of visuals can help your audience understand complex ideas better and retain more information. They make your presentation more engaging, compelling, and memorable.

When using visuals, be sure to choose high-quality images and diagrams that are relevant to your topic. Avoid using low-quality or pixelated images as they can detract from the overall professionalism of your presentation. Consider using graphs and charts to present data or statistics visually. This helps your audience understand the trends and patterns more easily. Keep in mind that less is more. Instead of cluttering your slides with too many visuals, aim to use them sparingly to emphasize your points effectively. With the right balance of visuals and supporting materials, you can make your presentation more dynamic and persuasive.

When implementing any project or initiative, it is vital to anticipate and address any potential objections and criticisms from stakeholders. These objections can range from practical concerns about the project’s feasibility to ethical concerns about its impact on the community. It is essential to take these objections seriously and address them thoughtfully and transparently.

One approach to addressing objections is to engage in open and honest communication with stakeholders. This can involve holding community meetings or focus groups to gather feedback and concerns. It is important to be receptive to feedback and take it seriously, even if it may be critical. Additionally, offering explanations and clarifications about the project can help avoid misunderstandings and address concerns about feasibility. Finally, acknowledging and addressing ethical concerns can demonstrate a commitment to social responsibility and help build trust with stakeholders. By taking these steps, a project can minimize potential objections and build stakeholder support.

Once you have implemented your recommendations, it’s essential to evaluate their success and adjust as necessary. This step is crucial in ensuring that your efforts are aligned with the overall goal of the project. The success of your recommendations can be measured in various ways, including:

– Increased revenue or profit margins – Improved customer satisfaction – Higher traffic or engagement on your website or social media platforms – Better employee retention rates

To evaluate success, it’s crucial to establish clear metrics and KPIs beforehand. This will make it easier to track progress and determine whether your recommendations are working. Don’t be afraid to make adjustments if your initial approach isn’t delivering the desired results. It’s okay to pivot and try something new as long as it’s aligned with the overall goal. Remember, success is not a one-time event but an ongoing process that requires constant monitoring and tweaking.

Q: Why is writing and presenting strategic business recommendations effectively important?

A: Writing and presenting strategic business recommendations effectively is critical because it helps organizations make informed decisions that can improve their performance and bottom line. Effective recommendations provide insights, solutions, and action plans for resolving business challenges and achieving strategic objectives, which can create value and a competitive advantage for the company.

Q: What are the critical components of a strategic business recommendation?

A: The critical components of a strategic business recommendation include a clear statement of the problem or opportunity, a review of relevant data and analysis, identification of possible solutions and their pros and cons, a recommended course of action, and an implementation plan with timelines and measures of success. Effective recommendations should also consider potential risks and contingencies, stakeholder perspectives, and ethical considerations.

Q: How can you ensure that your recommendation is persuasive?

A: To ensure that your recommendation is persuasive, it is crucial to present it logically and compellingly. This involves building a solid business case with data, facts, and evidence that support your argument, as well as addressing potential objections and counterarguments. It is also essential to tailor your message to your audience’s needs, preferences, and expectations, and to use persuasive language and visuals that enhance your message and engage your audience emotionally.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when writing and presenting strategic business recommendations?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid when writing and presenting strategic business recommendations include: omitting relevant information or analysis; presenting incomplete or inaccurate data; making unsupported or overgeneralized claims; failing to consider stakeholders’ interests and concerns; being overly complicated or jargon-filled; and lacking clarity and coherence in your presentation. It is also essential to avoid being too pushy or defensive in your arguments, as this can undermine your credibility and effectiveness.

Q: How can you improve your skills in writing and presenting strategic business recommendations?

A: You can improve your skills in writing and presenting strategic business recommendations by practicing and seeking feedback from colleagues or mentors. You can also attend training programs, workshops, or conferences focusing on strategic thinking, communication, and presentation skills. Reading books, articles, and case studies on strategic management, marketing, and leadership can provide helpful insights and inspiration. Finally, staying informed about industry trends, market conditions, and competitive threats can help you develop a strategic mindset and identify new opportunities to add value to your organization.

The ability to write and present strategic business recommendations effectively is an essential skill for any business professional. By following the tips outlined above, you can enhance the clarity, persuasiveness, and impact of your recommendations, and increase your chances of success. Remember to tailor your recommendations to your audience, back them up with data and research, and use clear and concise language to drive your message home. With practice and determination, you can become a master at crafting and delivering recommendations that create value and drive business growth. Use these insights wisely, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a trusted advisor and respected leader in your organization.

how to make recommendations for

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A seasoned business journalist with over 10 years of experience covering startups and entrepreneurship. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for telling the stories of innovative business leaders, this writer’s articles provide valuable insights and analysis for readers looking to stay ahead of the curve in the world of business.

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EvaluATE

Tips for Evaluation Recommendations

Blog posted on June 3, 2015 | Lori Wingate

how to make recommendations for

This week I am in Atlanta at the American Evaluation Association ( AEA ) Summer Evaluation Institute, presenting a workshop on Translating Evaluation Findings into Actionable Recommendations.  Although the art of crafting practical, evidence-based recommendations is not covered in-depth either in evaluation textbooks or academic courses, most evaluators (86% according to Fleischer and Christie’s   survey of AEA members) believe that making recommendations is part of an evaluator’s job. By reading as much as I can on this topic [1] and reflecting on my own practice, I have assembled 14 tips for how to develop, present, and follow-up on evaluation recommendations:

  • Determine the nature of recommendations needed or expected.  At the design stage, ask stakeholders: What do you hope to learn from the evaluation? What decisions will be influenced by the results? Should the evaluation include recommendations?
  • Generate possible recommendations throughout the evaluation. Keep a log of ideas as you collect data and observe the program. I like Roberts-Gray, Buller, and Sparkman’s (1987) evaluation question-driven framework.
  • Base recommendations on evaluation findings and other credible sources. Findings are important, but they’re often not sufficient for formulating recommendations.  Look to other credible sources, such as program goals, stakeholders/program participants, published research, experts, and the program’s logic model.
  • Engage stakeholders in developing and/or reviewing recommendations prior to their finalization.  Clients should not be surprised by anything in an evaluation report, including the recommendations. If you can engage stakeholders directly in developing recommendations, they will feel more ownership. (Read Adrienne Adam’s article about a great process for this).
  • Focus recommendations on actions within the control of intended users. If the evaluation client doesn’t have control over the policy governing their programs, don’t bother recommending changes at that level.
  • Provide multiple options for achieving desired results.  Balance consideration of the cost and difficulty of implementing recommendations with the degree of improvement expected; if possible, offer alternatives so stakeholders can select what is most feasible and important to do.
  • Clearly distinguish between findings and recommendations . Evaluation findings reflect what is, recommendations are a predication about what could be. Developing recommendations requires a separate reasoning process.
  • Write recommendations in clear, action-oriented language. I often see words like consider , attend to , recognize , and acknowledge in recommendations. Those call the clients’ attention to an issue, but don’t provide guidance as to what to do.
  • Specify the justification sources for each recommendation . It may not be necessary to include this information in an evaluation report, but be prepared to explain how and why you came up with the recommendations.
  • Explain the costs, benefits, and challenges associated with implementing recommendations. Provide realistic forecasts of these matters so clients can make informed decisions about whether to implement the recommendations.
  • Be considerate—exercise political and interpersonal sensitivity. Avoid “red flag” words like fail and lack, don’t blame or embarrass, and be respectful of cultural and organizational values.
  • Organize recommendations, such as by type, focus, timing, audience, and/or priority. If many recommendations are provided, organize them to help the client digest the information and prioritize their actions.
  • Meet with stakeholders to review and discuss recommendations in their final form.  This is an opportunity to make sure they fully understand the recommendations as well as to lay the groundwork for action.
  • Facilitate decision making and action planning around recommendations . I like the United Nations Development Programme’s “Management Response Template” as an action planning tool.

See also my handy one-pager of these tips for evaluation recommendations.

[1] See especially Hendricks & Papagiannis (1990) and Utilization-Focused Evaluation (4 th ed.) by Michael Quinn Patton.

About the Authors

Lori Wingate

Lori Wingate

Lori has a Ph.D. in evaluation and more than 20 years of experience in the field of program evaluation. She is co-principal investigator of EvaluATE and leads a variety of evaluation projects at WMU focused on STEM education, health, and higher education initiatives. Dr. Wingate has led numerous webinars and workshops on evaluation in a variety of contexts, including CDC University and the American Evaluation Association Summer Evaluation Institute. She is an associate member of the graduate faculty at WMU. She, along with Dr. Kelly Robertson, led the development of The Evaluation Center's online training program, Valeo (valeoeval.com)

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English with Kim

How to Give Clear Suggestions and Strong Recommendations Using Polite Language

Have you ever wanted to give a clear, strong suggestion to a friend, relative, or coworker, while still sounding tactful and polite?

At times, we need to encourage or even urge other people to take action , but we don’t want to sound bossy, demanding, or like we’re ordering people around.

I recommend that you keep watching to find out how to offer clear suggestions and make strong recommendations in American English.

In this video, you’ll learn how to change super direct commands into polite, but clear, suggestions and recommendations .

By intentionally choosing this language and maintaining calm, measured intonation, you emphasize the importance of your ideas, while ensuring that the other person stays open to hearing what you have to say.

Let’s get started!

Understanding Direct Commands and When to Use Them

When you first learn how to tell someone what to do, you find out how to give direct commands , such as:

  • Write this report by Friday.
  • Wait your turn.
  • Finish the project immediately.
  • Respond to my email as soon as possible.
  • Head to the emergency exit.

Of course, there are several situations where it sounds natural to give these direct commands.

For example, when there’s an urgent situation , we may need to say “Head to the emergency exit immediately.”

By using this direct command, the other person is very clear that this is an important action to take. Y

ou may also hear people give direct commands in certain relationships , such as when a parent is telling a child what to do: Put away your toys.

We may also choose to use this direct language in more casual, relaxed situations , when we feel more comfortable with the other person, and we trust that they understand that we’re not bossing them around.

For example, you may say something like “Pass the salt” at a family dinner.

In other types of situations, direct commands can feel forceful, bossy, or demanding (not ideal!).

For example, when you’re talking to strangers, or you’re interacting with coworkers, or chatting with your friends, using direct commands can feel like you’re telling them what to do.

Rather than getting into a long discussion of power dynamics here, let me just remind you that not everyone responds well to being told what to do .

To help us navigate situations where we want people to listen to our suggestions and take action, we use special grammar structures, and, of course, intonation.

Use verbs of suggestion and adjectives of importance instead.

Because we’re talking about how to give strong suggestions and recommendations, we’re going to focus on verbs of suggestion and adjectives of importance .

For example, suggest, recommend, ask, insist. These words have urgency built right into them .

By starting a suggestion with one of these phrases, you create a little distance that helps the other person stay open and receptive to what you have to say .

It’s important that you learn how to use them correctly so that you can express power and urgency in a diplomatic way.

(Did you see what I did there? I used an adjective of importance with the subjunctive !)

Let’s look at some examples so you can see how they work:

I ask that you listen carefully to what I’m about to say.

She recommends that we call our client immediately.

We insist that you arrive to work on time.

It’s crucial that we be informed as soon as the project is complete.

I suggest that you practice stress and intonation.

It’s essential that you give him the medicine tonight.

Did you notice anything interesting about the grammar in these examples?

You probably saw that the word “that” follows the verbs of suggestion and the adjectives of importance.

Anything else?

The verb in the second part of the sentence is actually the base form .

The base form signals the subjunctive mood , which we use for suggestions and desires.

If you speak a Romance language, then you’re used to using this type of verb, but in English, it’s less common.

The base form is exactly what it sounds like: the verb without anything else.

No “to,” no “-ing,” no conjugated form.

The base form doesn’t change based on the verb tense in the first part of the sentence, either.

Here’s what the grammar structure looks like:

suggestion verb (or adjective of importance) + that + noun + base form of the verb

(You will hear some people drop “that” between the two clauses, but I tend to use it for emphasis.)

Let’s take a closer look at these examples.

Practice Verbs of Suggestion and Adjectives of Importance

When you say these sentences, remember to keep your intonation calm, even, and measured .

You’re clearly and confidently offering a strong suggestion or recommendation.

As you notice, we’re using the base form of the verb “listen”: I ask that you listen carefully to what I’m about to say.

Can you hear which words I’m emphasizing most with my voice?

In this case, I’m emphasizing the verb “ask,” and I’m also drawing attention to the adverb “carefully.”

By emphasizing the word “ask,” I’m focusing attention on the request .

By stressing “carefully,” I’m reminding the person what I want them to do .

Now you try it: I ask that you listen carefully to what I’m about to say.

Let’s look at another one.

Did you hear how we’re using the base form of the verb “call”?

As you can hear, I’m stressing the verb in the request .

And I’m also stressing the action that she wants us to take: She recommends that we call our client immediately.

Now you try it: She recommends that we call our client immediately.

Here’s another one.

Once again, you can hear that we’re using the base form of the verb “arrive.”

If you listen carefully, you can hear that I’m stressing the verb of suggestion, as well as the action in the second part of the sentence: We insist that you arrive to work on time.

Try it with me: We insist that you arrive to work on time.

Now let’s look at an example that has an adjective of importance .

Do you notice anything special that’s happening in the second part of the sentence?

That’s right – we’re using the passive voice , but we’re still using the base form of the verb “be”: It’s crucial that we be informed as soon as the project is complete.

You can hear that I’m emphasizing the adjective of importance , “crucial,” as well as the action that I want the other person to take, “informed.”

Let’s try it: It’s crucial that we be informed as soon as the project is complete.

Here’s another example.

Once again, you notice I’m using the base form of the verb “practice”: I suggest that you practice stress and intonation.

I’m also emphasizing the verb of suggestion, as well as the action I want you to take: I suggest that you practice stress and intonation .

Try it with me: I suggest that you practice stress and intonation.

One more example.

As you notice, we’re using an adjective of importance at the beginning of the sentence, the word “essential.”

We’re also using the base form of the verb “give”: It’s essential that you give him the medicine tonight.

You can hear that I’m stressing the adjective “essential” as well as the verb “give” in order to focus attention on this strong recommendation .

Now you try it: It’s essential that you give him the medicine tonight.

Express Urgency and Importance Tactfully and Politely

As you can hear in these examples, combining a verb of suggestion or adjective of importance with the action you want the other person to take makes the suggestion even stronger .

You’re underlining the importance of your suggestion or recommendation, rather than giving the person a command.

You’re encouraging them to take action with your words and your intonation.

Verbs of Suggestion and Recommendation

Here are the most common verbs of suggestion and recommendation in American English:

  • to advise (that)
  • to ask (that)
  • to demand (that)
  • to forbid (that)
  • to insist (that)
  • to propose (that)
  • to recommend (that)
  • to request (that)
  • to require (that)
  • to suggest (that)

(There are others, but they are not commonly used in American English.)

Adjectives of Importance

Here are the adjectives of importance:

  • it is best (that)
  • it is critical (that)
  • it is crucial (that)
  • it is desirable (that)
  • it is essential (that)
  • it is imperative (that)
  • it is important (that)
  • it is necessary (that)
  • it is vital (that)

As you can see, the words themselves communicate the importance and urgency of the suggestions or recommendations.

Remember, this type of language is used for strong suggestions and important recommendations.

This language helps you assert authority while still sounding tactful .

There are many other ways to offer softer suggestions in friendly, lighter situations, including the ones I discuss in this video on sounding more polite .

As always, you want to choose the right language to suit the situation .

Now you know how to be more intentional with your word choice and your intonation.

THIS ARTICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN JUNE 2016, AND WAS UPDATED IN November 2020.

14 thoughts on “how to give clear suggestions and strong recommendations using polite language”.

Thank you very much for this information. Now that you mentioned that this structure is familiar to people who speak the Romance languages, I got it even better. Even when Spanish is my mother tongue and I do use this structure in my language I was doing it wrong in English. I’ll try using your other ‘facilities.’ Please tell me if this is correct: I asked she pay careful atenttion to the speech. Could you give further information on the use of negative. What is better: 1) I recommend she not go. 2) I recommend she not to go. 3) I recommend she don’t go. I’ll be looking forward for your answer. Thanks.

I’m happy to hear this helped you! In your first example, I would probably include “that” for clarity. This sounds a little more natural: “I asked that she pay careful attention to the speech.” Your question about negatives is a good one! Your first example is right: “I recommend that she not go.” However, I would be more likely to use the structure “I recommend not going” with the verb “to go” or switch the verb: “I recommend that she stay.” Personally, I wouldn’t use the negative with this structure; it just doesn’t flow naturally.

I have a question for you.

I have a history of being bullied, people ordering me around. Thus, my gut response when people say to me “YOU SHOULD do such and such” is to feel this sounds more like a demand to me rather than a suggestion. It seems obviously manipulative to me. It also seems like an attempt to evade the accusation of this by couching the demand in polite language. It seems like the person wishes to tell me what to do “for my own good” but still hide this true intent. It would be okay if the “you should” were prefaced with something like “if I were you I would suggest that you should”. I think your comments here are very astute:

Using these verbs of suggestion and recommendation enables you to express power, importance, and urgency in a diplomatic, tactful way. Similarly, these adjective phrases clearly communicate that what you are about to suggest is of utmost importance without sounding like you are ordering someone around.

My question to you…am I just being paranoid or can you empathize with my feelings here?

Thanks for sharing this thoughtful observation of your reactions to these language structures. It completely makes sense that if you have a history of being ordered around that you would react strongly to this kind of language. I have to admit, I also do not like being told “you should” or “you have to,” because my immediate, unintentional reaction is to listen carefully and then adjust my behavior accordingly. Of course, it is important to interrupt this pattern and ask yourself, “Do I agree with this person? Is this a suggestion I even want to listen to?” A lot of times, I find I’m reacting because of social conditioning, so I find it really helpful to get curious before changing my perspective or my behavior just because someone offered a suggestion. I would also say that “should” is not necessarily polite language. A better modal verb is “could,” because it presents an idea as an option. I also agree that “if I were you” helps soften what you’re about to say. The thing is, sometimes people *are* demanding you do something, or they’re really trying to influence your behavior for their own reasons, and other times they just said the words that came out quickest. Even these more careful, considered structures can be used to manipulate someone. Context matters, and that’s why I find it so helpful to question what the other person is saying as well as my reactions.

I have been wondering why the subjunctive mood is used after suggestion or importance expressions. Thank you for your crystal-clear explanation, Kim! I have 2 questions. (1) I have read in grammar books that in British English, “shoud” is often used after suggestion verbs instead of the subjunctive mood . In this case, is “should” just a modal expressing suggestions (as in “you shoud get more sleep”) OR a modal for distancing to be polite or tactful (as in “If you should go, you ~ ” )? (2) Is it also possible that other modals are used after suggestion verbs or importance expressions? For example, I suggest that they can/ will/ may ~ . Thank you for your kind answer.

I’m happy to hear this explanation was crystal clear. That’s an interesting question about “should.” I believe I’ve read the same in grammar books, but since I’m American I haven’t heard anyone use this structure myself. I would say that it’s being used as a modal for expressing suggestions, but it also has the effect of creating more distance from the request. I don’t think you can technically use other modals after suggestion verbs; the base form is grammatically correct. However, since we don’t always speak with perfectly formed, grammatically correct sentences 100% of the time, it’s possible you’ll hear someone use a modal. As I often say, when you notice unusual uses of language, take note of them! Pay attention to the context, the person’s speaking style, and anything that will help you better understand why they spoke the way they did. Curiosity helps you truly understand the language! For more on using modals to sound more polite and tactful, check out this video: https://englishwithkim.com/sound-more-polite-tactful/

Thank you for your helpful answer. May I add one more thing, which is not about English Grammar at all? Reading your response to Vera Meyer’s comment, I have thought you ARE a very understanding, sympathetic, and thoughtful person!

Thank you for your kind words!

Hi Kim I have a question ,please Choose you (can- should) read this new short story .It is recommended. Thank you in advance

As I share in this video, a better way to offer this suggestion is to say, “I recommend that you read this new short story.” However, in a more relaxed, casual situation, you can use the modal verb “should,” as long as you’re making the recommendation with enthusiasm and excitement. Otherwise, it sounds like you’re telling the other person what to do. Context matters.

Many thanks .

Glad this helped you!

Thank you, dear Madam. I really appreciate your effort to support English learners providing different resources that accelerate their target language competence. Can you please share me, if not suggest me website where I can access authentic conversations in making suggestions and providing suggestions along with related activities designed to foster learners’ performance? Thank you.

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Develop recommendations

Evaluations often make recommendations about how a program can be improved, how the risk of program failure can be reduced or whether a program should continue.

However, not all evaluations include recommendations. It is important to clarify whether recommendations are expected when developing the evaluation brief, terms of reference or scope of work.

If recommendations are developed on the basis of the evaluation findings, processes which involve stakeholders in developing and/or reviewing them will contribute to the use of the evaluation findings. The individual or group who has control of the evaluation – a manager or evaluation steering committee – should be consulted when developing recommendations as their support will probably be very important in order to  ensure that the evaluation findings are disseminated and used.

This method involves setting up an online space where evaluation findings can be discussed.

Electronic democracy uses new and emergent forms of media to engage community members in seeking to influence the decision-making process by allowing them to apply pressure to those in power over a diverse range of issues.

This method involves facilitating a review of the evaluation by an external expert or anonymous reviewer.

This option involves facilitating group stakeholder feedback sessions on evaluation findings.

This option involves facilitating independent feedback from particular individual stakeholders.

This option allows users to test recommendations with key stakeholders.

The world café is a methodology for hosting group dialogue which emphasizes the power of simple conversation in considering relevant questions and themes.

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How to Get the Best Recommendation Letters for Law School

Think through the references you will ask for letters and when and how you will approach them.

Good Law School Recommendation Letters

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Make sure the person who writes your letter of recommendation is someone you have a good relationship with.

Although they are rarely decisive, recommendations letters are a meaningful factor in law school admissions.

Most other law school application materials, such as personal and diversity statements , present your case in your own voice. Recommendation letters are one of the few ways for admissions officers to hear others’ impressions of you.

While your transcript and test scores may say a lot about your academic skills, they don’t communicate what kind of person you are, or how you think or relate to other people. One student might get straight A's while acting like a pompous jerk, while another helped others, steadily improved through hard work or had the courage to take on challenging research.

Hearing stories about you from a professor or work supervisor helps law admissions officers build a three-dimensional picture of who you are and how you might contribute to the law school community.

This is why it is important to approach recommendation letters strategically, even though they’re just one part of your application process. 

Whom to Ask for a Recommendation Letter

Unless you are an older applicant who has been in the workforce for many years, you should get at least one law school recommendation letter from a professor. Others might come from other professors, mentors or supervisors from an internship, job or activity .

One mistake that applicants make is to request a recommendation letter from someone they think is a big shot – a well-known professor, a high-level executive or a family friend who is a venerable lawyer or local politician.

This is only a good idea if such a person teaches or works with you directly and can speak knowledgeably about your work and your goals. If your relationship is more indirect or distant, it can come across as superficial and uninformative, like a vague book blurb by a celebrity who seems unlikely to have read the book.

Above all, ensure the recommendation letter will be positive! If you detect signs that you have chosen the wrong reference to write a letter, move on to someone who can speak about your strengths more knowledgeably and enthusiastically. 

What a Recommendation Letter Should Include

If a recommendation letter is simply a series of compliments strung together, it will sound generic, no matter how effusive or truthful it is. An effective letter should back up its claims with specific details and examples of times when you stood out because of your dedication, helpfulness, initiative or insight.

A recommendation letter does not have to be unwaveringly positive. In fact, a letter that shows how you have grown, overcome adversity, responded constructively to feedback or taken responsibility for yourself can show the kinds of “ soft factors ” that law school admissions officers seek.  

How to Request a Recommendation Letter

Once you have identified a reference who is likely to write you a strong recommendation letter, ask him or her politely. Explain why you are applying to law school, why you think he or she would be a good reference and when you will need the letter.

Be prepared for the recommender to ask for your resume or other materials. For example, a professor might ask to see copies of your papers for the class, or any feedback received.

You might offer to provide more information or details as needed or to discuss the letter in a meeting or phone call. However, do not crowd your initial request with ideas and advice. That could come across as presumptuous.

If a recommender has a personal connection to a school you are applying to, consider requesting a school-specific letter , in addition to a more general recommendation letter.

Finally, avoid writing a recommendation letter yourself . If a recommender asks you to do so, gently explain why this is a bad idea and instead offer to provide ideas and notes that he or she could incorporate into his or her own letter. 

How Many Recommendation Letters to Request

Very few law schools require more than one recommendation letter. Many limit you to two, although some allow up to five.

It is important that all your recommendation letters are strong and substantive, because they may take time away from other aspects of your application. Quality matters more than quantity.

If you are worried that one of your letters is not as strong as the others, don’t submit it. A mediocre letter could very well overshadow better letters read alongside it. Just think about how often you read a mixed review that turns you off of a business, even if the other reviews seem positive. 

When to Request a Recommendation Letter

Recommendation letters are submitted and processed through the Credential Assembly Service of the Law School Admission Council. Since they can take a couple of weeks to process, it’s a good idea to get them in before you plan to apply.

Anticipate that your recommender may need at least a few weeks to write the letter, particularly at busy times of the year. That means that you should request recommendation letters more than a month before you plan to apply.

For applicants planning to apply in the fall, it is best to request letters over the summer or early fall. It’s OK to request letters earlier, as well. For example, if you just finished a summer internship where you worked together well with your boss, you might request the letter before leaving, even if you don’t plan to apply anytime soon. 

What if Your Recommendation Letter Is Delayed?

While law school admissions are rolling , a week or so of delay will not be of consequence. So, consider waiting until your application is complete before you submit it.

That said, if it is late in the cycle, or if you are aiming to meet an early decision deadline , waiting may not be an option. As long as you have the minimum number of recommendation letters required, your application can be submitted. You can always add further letters to your file later.

Remember that a law school is unlikely to review your application as soon as it is received. So, if a recommendation letter is delayed for a few days, it is unlikely to matter. If the letter is important and it may be delayed for some time, notify the admissions office by phone or email that another recommendation letter is forthcoming and ask if your application could be put on hold until it is received.

Of course, the best way to ensure that a recommendation letter does not hold up your application is to request it several weeks in advance. The law school admissions process is stressful enough without having to wait on other people!

Tips to Boost a Law School Application

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Tags: law school , graduate schools , education , students

About Law Admissions Lowdown

Law Admissions Lowdown provides advice to prospective students about the law school application process, LSAT prep and potential career paths. Previously authored by contributors from Stratus Admissions Counseling, the blog is currently authored by Gabriel Kuris, founder of Top Law Coach , an admissions consultancy. Kuris is a graduate of Harvard Law School and has helped hundreds of applicants navigate the law school application process since 2003. Got a question? Email [email protected] .

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More From Forbes

How to use ai to make good teams great.

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Professionals across industries are finding new uses for AI, from weed control in agriculture to AI versions of song tracks in music to writing a mammography report in medicine . When discussing AI’s impact on the workplace, people often use buzzwords like “transformative” and “revolutionary.” In one poll about generative AI, 80% of CDOs and data leaders agreed that it would eventually transform their organization’s business environment.

This has the unfortunate effect of making AI seem more inaccessible than it is. Similar to the internet, AI will continue to change how we work. But that shouldn’t stop organizations, from scrappy startups to tech giants, from experimenting and figuring out how to incorporate into their workflows today, as a complement to human work, rather than a replacement.

AI can make good teams great. At my company, Jotform, we’re constantly finding new uses for AI tools. Here are some of the ways that they make our talented employees do their jobs even better.

1. Remove Busywork From Employees’ Plates

It’s important to love your job. People who find love, strength, joy, and excitement in their daily work are significantly more likely to be productive and stay at their company longer, according to data from the ADP Research Institute.

Loving what you do also improves performance. Writing for Harvard Business Review , author Marcus Buckingham explains how being engaged in an activity you love produces a chemical cocktail in your brain that widens your perspective, renders you more open to others’ ideas, and improves cognitive performance, among other things.

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Leaders should prioritize helping teams craft jobs they love, but that doesn’t mean whistling while you work every moment of every day. It’s about designing your workday to dedicate as much time as possible to your most meaningful work—the aspects of your job that make you tick—and minimizing the rest, aka, busywork. This is where AI can be a secret weapon.

At Jotform, I encourage employees to constantly look for new ways to capitalize on the latest AI tools to automate their busywork and free themselves to focus on aspects of their job that fuel them. For example, in our weekly all-hands meetings, the meeting leader always uses an AI-backed speech recognition app to record and convert speech into written text, then save it as a Google Google doc. Post-meetings, the meeting leader can act on the meeting takeaways rather than spending time on the tedious task of transcribing their notes. What’s more, generative AI tools can continue to eliminate busywork by summarizing notes, finding related notes in your files, and identifying action items.

To help employees find more daily satisfaction, encourage them to delegate their busywork to AI.

2. Improve The Customer Experience

Employees and customers are business owners’ most important stakeholders and AI tools can improve the experience of both. For starters, AI can be another tool for your customer service team to enhance customer support. For example, a tool like IBM watsonx can field customer requests and learn from conversations to improve its ability to resolve issues.

But if you want to guarantee that customers are happy and continually grow your user base, it’s critical to listen deeply—and beyond just what customers are saying. AI tools like Pendo can analyze user behavior and help you understand how customers interact with your products and services. That way, you can anticipate what they want before they’ve figured it out for themselves.

For example, our UX team carried out customer interviews and discovered that users were creating forms for surveys, event registrations, online payments, and email signups. They could have stopped there, but using an AI tool to analyze user behavior, they discovered that users weren’t just collecting data—they were acting on it. That insight informed the direction of subsequent products we developed for users.

AI tools can help you listen to customers, both through their words and actions, to thoroughly understand how they interact with your company and how you can better serve them.

3. Bolster Decision Making

In law school, professors often use a technique called the Socratic method. It involves asking a succession of questions, each time reframing the perspective or highlighting another consideration, to arrive at a more comprehensive understanding of an issue or scenario.

Tools like ChatGPT can act as an AI law professor for your organization’s leaders and managers, brainstorming potential issues and alternative vantage points, to help them make stronger decisions. It won’t decide for them, it will help them identify blindspots and biases.

For example, I asked ChatGPT to come up with some questions to help me decide whether to expand my business into a new geographic zone. Within seconds, it churned out a couple dozen questions, including:

  • Are there any cultural or regulatory factors that could impact market entry and operations?
  • How does the competitive landscape differ from your current markets, and what strategies can you employ to differentiate yourself?
  • Are there any logistical challenges or bottlenecks that could affect supply chain efficiency and distribution?

The idea isn’t to outsource the decision, but rather to equip team members with the insight to do the work that only humans can do—reasoning based on their experience and deciding based on data, context, and intuition—even better.

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