writing an
introductio
n and its
model
Purpose of Introduction in Research:
The introduction leads the reader from a general
research issue or problem to your specific area of
research. It puts your research question in context by
explaining the significance of the research being
conducted. This is usually done by summarizing current
understanding (research to date) and background
information about the topic. This is followed by a
statement of the purpose of your research issue or
problem. This is sometimes followed by a hypothesis or a
set of questions you attempt to answer in your research.
You may also explain your methodology (how you will
research this issue) and explain what your study can
reveal. It also may contain a summary of the structure of
the rest of the paper.
Introduc
tion:
Think of the introduction
four questions:
as a mental road map that answers these
1. What am I studying?
2. Why is this topic important to investigate?
3. What do we already know about this topic or what have other
experts discovered about the topic?
4. How will my research advance new knowledge or new ways of
understanding?
Components of the
Research paper
1 Component #1:
introduction Establish
you want to research:
the problem or issue
• Highlight the importance of the problem/issue,
and/or
• Make general statements about the problem/issue,
and/or
• Present an overview on current research on the
issue or problem.
Components of the
Research paper
2 Component #2:
introduction Provide an overview of existing thinking
about and/or research into your research problem.
Components of the
Research paper
3 Component #3: Identify a gap, problems or unresolved issues
introduction
in the existing knowledge/research that your research can fill
or identify a research focus that will be useful:
• "The previous research has mistakenly assumed that...." or
"Although most experts in the field believe ..., they have
overlooked ..."
• "None of the previous research has examined
Components of the
Research paper
3 Component #3: Identify a gap, problems or unresolved issues
inintroduction
the existing knowledge/research that your research can fill
or identify a research focus that will be useful:
• Despite prior observations of voter behavior in local
elections in urban Detroit, it remains unclear why do some
single mothers choose to avoid...." and/or
• "Consequently, these factors need to examined in more
detail..." or "Evidence suggests an interesting correlation,
therefore, it is desirable to survey different respondents..."
Components of the
Research paper
4 Component #4: State your research question, your hypothesis
introduction
and your knowledge claim, making sure to place your
research within the gap in existing knowledge.
• State the intent of your study, including the research
question and your hypothesis.
• Outline the key characteristics of your study.
• Describe important results that you have found or hope
to find
Strategies for Positioning Your
TheKnowledge Claim/Thesis:
best introductions are likely to make the knowledge
claim stand out in some way. Here are several ways in
which writers position their knowledge claims so that
they stand out:
Inquisitive Thesis - shows that the subject in question is
"important, curious, or otherwise interesting."
"The previous research suggests an interesting
correlation between A & B; therefore, my research
will...."
Paradoxical Thesis - focuses on the way in which your
research will go against what is commonly believed in
the field. This form of introduction searches for unlikely
perspectives on the subject.
"Although most experts in the field believ. .....they have
overlooked .... My research
Corrective Thesis - shows that the subject has been
neglected, misunderstood, or misrepresented by
others. This approach addresses the pre-conceptions of
readers that the subject is trite or hackneyed.
"Despite the intense focus on X, few researchers have
examined Problem Y ......My research will
Components of the
Research paper
5 Component #5: Stress the value and relevance of your
introduction
research.
• Why is your research relevant?
• What will it contribute to the field (and beyond)?
• Why should we care about your research?
Thank
you!
