example of how to write an introduction for a research paper

Caulfield, J. (2022, November 29). Writing a Research Paper Introduction | Step-by-Step Guide. Scribbr. Retrieved March 2, 2023, from https://www.scribbr.com/research-paper/research-paper-introduction/

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A research paper introduction holds perhaps the most importance for a study to be successful. After a good research paper abstract , it is the introduction that builds the interest in a reader to continue reading the research paper. If the introduction turns out to be dull and drab, then the study would be a failed one.

A good research paper needs a lot of background study, which you often fail to do. To make your work easier, Management Paper is there for you to help you write yours efficiently.

Key Features of a Research Paper Introduction

The Most Commonly Included Elements in The Research Papers

There are different kinds of research papers like essays, reports, dissertations and journals. The introduction which is generally used in case of all other types of research paper except dissertations are similar in nature. Such an introduction is similar to a summary of the topic, defining the problem, stating the aims and objectives that are going to be established through the research.

But in case of dissertation, in a good research paper format the introduction is presented in great detail by dividing the section into the following parts:

Apart from this, many papers include time plan, scope and limitations of the research too. The experts from the team of Management Paper can help you with your paper writing and also make you understand the various aspects of a research paper.

Some Significant Examples of Research Paper Introduction

Research paper introduction example #1, topic: impact of leadership effectiveness on employees for the company amazon (dissertation).

The history and the various past events related to the topic are being mentioned in this section. Thsi supplies context to the paper and contains both relevant and important studies. Authenticating your information is a must by in-text citations.

The research problem states a specific area of concern, a bothering question, a difficulty which is to be eliminated or a condition that demands improvement. The missing knowledge about the topic is being found out through this and then only you can do further research about the problem.

The rationale answers the question of why the research is being conducted and thus states its importance.

The things that are expected to be achieved at the end of the research are generally mentioned here.

The objectives are the various goals or targets that are to be established and achieved throughout the study.

The research question points out the facts that are to be established through the paper and provides the research with a clear focus and purpose.

This is a specific predictive statement about the possible future outcome of the study which is mostly based upon the relationship between different variables or on a single variable.

Research Paper Introduction Example # 2

Topic: implementing online customer support service through chat portal at aldi, research paper introduction example # 3, topic: compare and contrast the policies for the aged people in various countries.

In both the second and the third example, the introduction is written in a single paragraph. In the first line itself you must introduce the topic. Try to avoid embellishments. Write any remarkable event about the topic then. Explain the problem and the purpose of the research. Try to build a reasonable thesis statement. Then with few lines, insert a smooth transition to make a shift from the introduction to the body.

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example of how to write an introduction for a research paper

Starting Your Research Paper: Writing an Introductory Paragraph

The Dreaded Introductory Paragraph

Writing the introductory paragraph can be a frustrating and slow process -- but it doesn't have to be. If you planned your paper out, then most of the introductory paragraph is already written. Now you just need a beginning and an end.

Here's an introductory paragraph for a paper I wrote. I started the paper with a factoid, then presented each main point of my paper and then ended with my thesis statement.

Breakdown:

How to Write a Strong Introduction to a Research Paper

by Suzanne Davis | Jun 17, 2021 | Writing Essays and Papers , Writing Process

What makes an introduction powerful?

3 Essential Elements Every Introduction to a Research Paper Needs

It’s an important question because an introduction is the first impression readers have of your research paper. A strong introduction tells your readers not only what you will prove or show— it makes them want to read it .

You want to write an introduction that engages your reader, conveys the importance of your topic, and how and what you plan to demonstrate. These elements are what moves your audience, so they feel a desire to finish your research paper.

A powerful introduction says to the reader, “You must read me!”

3 Key Components of Strong Introductions

So what are the key parts a good introduction should have? 1) a compelling hook, 2) important background information and 3) a provable and specific thesis statement. If you put those 3 pieces together you’ll have an effective introduction.

3 Essential Keys to Writing Strong Introductions

#1 Compelling Hook

A hook is the first 1 or 2 sentences of your paper. It is meant to grab your readers’ attention, so they want to see what comes next. If you want to learn about hooks check out my blog post, “7 Sensational Types of Essay Hooks.” https://www.academicwritingsuccess.com/7-sensational-types-of-essay-hooks/ There you’ll find more details about hooks and how to use them in your essays.

Here are 5 that work well in academic writing.

Powerful Statement /Declaration

With his hook, you begin with a sentence that makes a firm claim. For example, “Every day Facebook invades its users’ privacy.” This sentence forces readers to reflect on whether or not they agree with this statement. To do that they need to read your research paper.

In this case, most people have already formed an opinion about Facebook, and here you’ll either challenge or deepen their perspectives.

Fact/ Statistic

Intriguing Question

When you start your paper or essay with a question, people will want to learn the answer to it. They are naturally curious, so an intriguing question makes them want to continue reading. Make sure this question connects to what you will write about. An off-topic question is confusing.

Striking Quotation

Quotations are very popular. They can be inspiring and thought-provoking. You can use quotations from famous people, experts, characters, or even people mentioned in your paper. For example, if you are writing a case study you could select a quotation from one of the participants in the study. Quotations work well when they connect with the rest of your academic essay or paper. Make sure the relationship between the quotation and your writing is clear.

Simile/Metaphor

In this hook, you take 2 different things and state how they are similar or the same. For example, “Facebook is a digital version of prison people want to be in.” This sentence takes 2 different things “Facebook” and “prison” and claims they are alike. The comparison of Facebook being like a digital version of prison is a strong visual. Your readers will want to see how you show a connection between these 2 things.

Both similes and metaphors accomplish the same thing in your hook. The difference is that a simile uses the words “like” and “as” to make the comparison, “Writing a novel is like running a marathon.” A metaphor states one thing is another, “Writing a novel is running a marathon.”

#2 Important Background Information

The next group of sentences in your introduction express the circumstance and/or relevant information about your topic. A lot of times you will see writers describe a problem, an issue or provide historical context.

Include the information people need to know to understand your topic and why it matters. If you are writing about Facebook and privacy, people would want to see what the situation is and why privacy matters. A good question to ask here is, “What is the context?”

Also, start with general information first, and in the following sentences be more specific. Those specific sentences lead to the most important piece of your introduction: your thesis statement.

#3 Provable and Specific Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is a sentence that describes what you will prove or show in your research paper. Think of it as the point of view (POV) or opinion you have about your topic. It also guides how you will organize your essay or paper.

A strong thesis statement is clear and specific and one you can prove. For example, Children should not use digital devices until they are at least 3 years old because it lowers their attention span, limits social interaction, and causes sleep problems.

This thesis statement sets up the organization of your paper. Each of the 3 effects of children using digital devices is part of the body. These sections of the body would go toward proving your thesis statement.

So how do you create a thesis statement?

Write A Strong Introduction

There are different ways you can approach writing an introduction. You could write the body of your paper first and then write the introduction. You could write the thesis statement first and then write the hook and background information.

I like to write a thesis statement first, write the body of my paper, and then the conclusion. Afterward, I go back and write the rest of my introduction.

Some people like to begin with a hook and write a strong introduction before anything else. Write the way that suits you best. As long as you include a compelling hook, important background information, and a provable and specific thesis statement, you’ll have an impressive introduction.

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Writing an Introduction for a Scientific Paper

Dr. michelle harris, dr. janet batzli, biocore.

This section provides guidelines on how to construct a solid introduction to a scientific paper including background information, study question , biological rationale, hypothesis , and general approach . If the Introduction is done well, there should be no question in the reader’s mind why and on what basis you have posed a specific hypothesis.

Broad Question : based on an initial observation (e.g., “I see a lot of guppies close to the shore. Do guppies like living in shallow water?”). This observation of the natural world may inspire you to investigate background literature or your observation could be based on previous research by others or your own pilot study. Broad questions are not always included in your written text, but are essential for establishing the direction of your research.

Background Information : key issues, concepts, terminology, and definitions needed to understand the biological rationale for the experiment. It often includes a summary of findings from previous, relevant studies. Remember to cite references, be concise, and only include relevant information given your audience and your experimental design. Concisely summarized background information leads to the identification of specific scientific knowledge gaps that still exist. (e.g., “No studies to date have examined whether guppies do indeed spend more time in shallow water.”)

Testable Question : these questions are much more focused than the initial broad question, are specific to the knowledge gap identified, and can be addressed with data. (e.g., “Do guppies spend different amounts of time in water <1 meter deep as compared to their time in water that is >1 meter deep?”)

Biological Rationale : describes the purpose of your experiment distilling what is known and what is not known that defines the knowledge gap that you are addressing. The “BR” provides the logic for your hypothesis and experimental approach, describing the biological mechanism and assumptions that explain why your hypothesis should be true.

The biological rationale is based on your interpretation of the scientific literature, your personal observations, and the underlying assumptions you are making about how you think the system works. If you have written your biological rationale, your reader should see your hypothesis in your introduction section and say to themselves, “Of course, this hypothesis seems very logical based on the rationale presented.”

***Special note on avoiding social justifications: You should not overemphasize the relevance of your experiment and the possible connections to large-scale processes. Be realistic and logical —do not overgeneralize or state grand implications that are not sensible given the structure of your experimental system. Not all science is easily applied to improving the human condition. Performing an investigation just for the sake of adding to our scientific knowledge (“pure or basic science”) is just as important as applied science. In fact, basic science often provides the foundation for applied studies.

Hypothesis / Predictions : specific prediction(s) that you will test during your experiment. For manipulative experiments, the hypothesis should include the independent variable (what you manipulate), the dependent variable(s) (what you measure), the organism or system , the direction of your results, and comparison to be made.

If you are doing a systematic observation , your hypothesis presents a variable or set of variables that you predict are important for helping you characterize the system as a whole, or predict differences between components/areas of the system that help you explain how the system functions or changes over time.

Experimental Approach : Briefly gives the reader a general sense of the experiment, the type of data it will yield, and the kind of conclusions you expect to obtain from the data. Do not confuse the experimental approach with the experimental protocol . The experimental protocol consists of the detailed step-by-step procedures and techniques used during the experiment that are to be reported in the Methods and Materials section.

Some Final Tips on Writing an Introduction

Where Do You Discuss Pilot Studies? Many times it is important to do pilot studies to help you get familiar with your experimental system or to improve your experimental design. If your pilot study influences your biological rationale or hypothesis, you need to describe it in your Introduction. If your pilot study simply informs the logistics or techniques, but does not influence your rationale, then the description of your pilot study belongs in the Materials and Methods section.

How will introductions be evaluated? The following is part of the rubric we will be using to evaluate your papers.

Organizing Academic Research Papers: Purpose of Guide

Purpose of guide.

This guide is intended to help you organize and write a quality academic research paper. Also included are recommendations regarding how to manage specific course assignments. Note that, if you have specific questions about how to write a research paper, you should always seek advice from your professor before you begin. Specific requirements stated by your professor will always supersede instructions provided in these general guidelines.

Thanks to Dr. Robert V. Labaree of the Von KleinSmid Center Library for International and Public Affairs, University of Southern California Libraries , for sharing the content of this guide.

Additional Help

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Academic Support Services include 1-on-1 tutoring with Professional and Peer tutors; group study sessions for particular courses by Classroom Learning Assistants (CLAs); monthly workshops on specific academic and life skills; specialized Learning Labs in math, critical reading and writing, accounting, and math; and online writing support (OWL).

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Writing a Scientific Paper: Writing a lab report

Presentations

Lab Report Writing Guides on the Web

Index to the Writing a Scientific Paper Subject Guide . This guide contains both UCI Libraries' restricted resources* as well as publicly accessible ones.

Introduction

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The Scientific Paper

Dear Novice Writer,

When I was in your shoes and preparing my first paper, I consulted a book on how to write. I found there a sentence encouraging the reader to do the following:

" After standing in boiling water for an hour, examine the contents of the flask."

I had a pretty good idea what was wrong with the sentence but, at the time I couldn't figure out how to revise it, and the author didn't tell me.

From: How to write and Illustrate a Scientific Paper (2nd ed.) Bjorn Gustavii.

No one knows how to write a scientific paper without practice and help. Many science students practice this skill when they are asked to write lab reports. This guide will describe some best practices for scientific writing and give you some additional sources to explore.

Scientific Communication

If you have read scientific papers, you will have noticed that a standard format is frequently used. This format allows a researcher to present information clearly and concisely. Scientists communicate new ideas by publishing their research in a specialized format called the journal article .

This form usually includes 6 parts:

1) abstract (a summary of the article)

2) introduction (a brief review of why they chose this experiment)

3) materials and methods (what organisms and equipment were used)

4) results (what was found)

5) discussion (what it means)

6) references (the list of journal articles and books that the scientist referred to in the paper).

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COMMENTS

Writing a Research Paper Introduction
Writing a Research Paper Introduction | Step-by-Step Guide · Present your topic and get the reader interested · Provide background or summarize
How to write an introduction for a research paper
What should you include in an introduction for a research paper? · An overview of the topic. Start with a general overview of your topic. · Prior
Three Research Paper Introduction Examples: Learn How to Initiate
Try to avoid embellishments. Write any remarkable event about the topic then. Explain the problem and the purpose of the research. Try to build
Starting Your Research Paper: Writing an Introductory Paragraph
Here's your chance to introduce your topic and grab your reader's attention. NEVER start your paper saying, "In this paper, I will" or "This
Writing an Introduction to a Research Paper
Learn the basics about how to write your introduction in 3 easy step. Intended for a middle school audience.-- Created using PowToon -- Free
Learn How to Write an Introduction for a Research Paper
"A strong introduction to a research paper should probably be written last. The introduction needs to include: 1) what the topic is focused on, 2) how the
How to Write a Strong Introduction to a Research Paper
How to Write a Strong Introduction to a Research Paper · Powerful Statement /Declaration. With his hook, you begin with a sentence that makes a
Writing an Introduction for a Scientific Paper
Background Information: key issues, concepts, terminology, and definitions needed to understand the biological rationale for the experiment. It
Organizing Academic Research Papers: 4. The Introduction
Structure and Writing Style · Your introduction should clearly identify the subject area of interest. · Establish context by providing a brief and
Writing a Scientific Paper: INTRODUCTION
It is important to cite sources in the introduction section of your paper as evidence of the claims you are making. There are ways of citing