The introduction section of a research paper, along with the Title and Abstract, serves as the first impression of any research work.
This article aims to guide you in organizing and writing an effective research paper introduction for an academic article or dissertation.
What is the introduction for a research paper?
The introduction of a research paper is positioned at the beginning to lead the reader from a general subject area to the specific topic your research addresses.
It includes the following information:
- Scope: The topic that the research paper covers.
- Context: The background information of your topic.
- Importance: Why your research is significant in that field and the industry problem it aims to address.
The purpose of the research paper introduction is to introduce the topic to the reader. A study will only be accepted for publication if it is clear that existing literature does not adequately address your research question.
Therefore, it is crucial to review and reference key studies on the topic, especially those published in the last five to ten years.
What to include in the research paper introduction depends on what you want to convey about the motivation behind your research and how you intend to address the knowledge gap. The most effective research paper introductions offer a systematic review of existing literature and highlight the need for further research.
They should be concise, engaging, and well-referenced. A well-crafted introduction significantly increases the chances of your research being successful.
Objectives of Introduction of a Research Paper
The introduction of a research paper is the section where you present your topic and methodology to the reader.
It serves several important purposes: introducing your research topic, capturing the reader’s interest, summarizing existing literature, and positioning your unique approach.
Additionally, it defines your specific research problem and its statement, highlights the novelty and contributions of your study, and provides an overview of the paper’s structure.
The size and structure of the research paper introduction can vary depending on whether your paper presents the results of original empirical research or is a review paper. Some introductions are only half a page, while others can be several pages long.
Typically, the introduction will be shorter than the other sections of your paper, with its length depending on the overall size of your paper.
Importance of Introduction in a Research Paper
The introduction in a research paper conveys a lot of information and serves as an essential roadmap for the rest of your paper.
A good introduction is important for the following reasons:
- It stimulates your reader’s interest: A well-crafted introduction can capture your readers’ interest, making them want to read your paper. It informs them about what they will learn and helps determine if the topic is of interest to them.
- It helps the reader understand the research background: Without a clear introduction, readers may feel confused and struggle to follow your paper. A good introduction prepares them for the in-depth research to come, allowing you to engage with readers and demonstrate your knowledge and authority on the specific topic.
- It explains why your research paper is worth reading: Your introduction conveys critical information to your readers. It introduces the topic, explains its importance, and outlines how you plan to proceed with your research.
- It helps guide the reader through the rest of the paper: The introduction gives readers a sense of the nature of the information that will support your arguments and the general organization of the paragraphs that will follow. It offers an overview of what to expect in the main body of your paper.
Parts of an Introduction in a Research Paper
A good research paper introduction should comprise three main elements:
- What is known: This sets the stage for your research by informing the readers of what is already known about the subject.
- What is lacking: This justifies the reason for carrying out your research. It highlights gaps in the existing knowledge, investigates new concepts or methods, or builds upon previous research.
- What you aim to do: This briefly states the objectives of your research and its major contributions. It also includes your detailed hypothesis as part of this section.
How to Write a research paper introduction?
The first step in writing a research paper introduction is to inform the reader about your topic and explain why it is interesting or important. This is typically accomplished with a strong opening statement.
The second step involves establishing the existing research and highlighting any limitations or gaps that you intend to address.
Finally, the introduction should explain how your research aligns with and addresses a specific problem. If your research involved testing hypotheses, these should be stated along with your research question. Since the hypotheses will have been tested by the time you write the introduction, they should be presented in the past tense.
1. Describe the research topic:
When writing the introduction section of your research paper, the following key points can guide you:
- Introduce the research topic.
- Emphasize the significance of the research field or topic.
- Describe the background of the topic.
- Provide an overview of current research on the topic.
Example:
The integration of experiential and competency-based learning has significantly enhanced electronics engineering education. Collaborations with industry offer students valuable opportunities to tackle real-world problems. In recent years, the involvement of industry and academia has increased, driven by the demand for engineers with hands-on experience and specialized skills. However, educational institutions still need to take various actions to embed sustainable development goals into their curricula and strengthen innovative learning practices.
2. Identify a Research Niche
- Identify a gap in existing research or challenge a prevailing assumption.
- Develop the research question.
Example:
Although there have been efforts to integrate educational activities into higher education electronics engineering programs, very few studies have utilized educational research methods to evaluate the performance of competency-based higher engineering education, particularly focusing on technical and transversal skills. This study addresses the current need for evaluating competencies in STEM fields and achieving sustainable development goals in engineering education by comparing study groups with and without industry partners.
3. Place your study according to the research niche
- Explain the purpose of your study.
- Highlight the main features of your study.
- Describe significant findings.
- Emphasize the novelty of the study.
- Provide a brief outline of the paper’s structure.
Example: This study evaluates the main competency needed in the applied electronics course, a fundamental core subject for many electronics engineering undergraduate programs. We compared two groups: one without an industrial partner and one with an industrial partner that offered real-world projects to solve during the semester. This comparison can help determine significant differences between the two groups in terms of developing subject competency and achieving sustainable development goals. The study’s novelty lies in its focus on the integration of industry partnerships within the educational framework and its assessment of both technical and transversal skills. The paper is structured as follows: an introduction to the research topic, a literature review, the methodology, the results, a discussion of the findings, and a conclusion.
Important things to remember while writing an excellent research paper introduction:
- Avoid stuffing too much general information: Include only information relevant to the problem addressed in the research paper introduction. For example, in a study on non-traditional methods for mechanical design optimization, focus on state-of-the-art non-traditional methods and evaluation methods for new algorithms rather than discussing traditional methods.
- Avoid packing too many references: Only cite necessary works in the introduction; save additional references for the discussion section to support your findings.
- Avoid extensive criticism of previous studies: Save detailed critiques of earlier studies for the discussion section; use the introduction to highlight the rationale for your study without overly criticizing existing research.
- Avoid describing conclusions of the study: The introduction should not reveal the findings of your study; its purpose is to introduce the research question. Save the actual results for the Results and Discussion section.
What is the purpose of the introduction in research papers?
The purpose of the research paper introduction is to acquaint the reader with the problem being addressed, justify the need for the study, and outline the main theme of the research. It aims to capture the reader’s attention by providing necessary background information and clearly establishing the purpose and direction of the study.
Should I include citations in the introduction for a research paper?
Include citations that are most relevant to your topic, generally one to three. Readers look for evidence of original thinking, so avoid using too many references, which can overshadow your personal standpoint. Citations in the introduction support key points, with the number depending on the subject matter. If the introduction is too long or overloaded with citations, consider citing a few review articles instead. A good rule of thumb is to include at least one-third of the references in the introduction.
How long should the research paper introduction be?
The length of the research paper introduction can vary depending on the journal and discipline. While there are no strict word limits, an ideal length would be about one page, with a maximum of 400 words spread over 1-4 paragraphs. Generally, it is one of the shorter sections of the paper, assuming the reader already has some knowledge about the topic. For instance, in a study on building design and fire safety, you don’t need to discuss the nature of fire in detail; instead, you could start by commenting on existing fire safety practices and how your study contributes to this field.
Should I provide a literature review in the research paper introduction?
A literature review is important in the research paper introduction. A good literature review:
- Introduces the topic.
- Establishes the study’s significance.
- Provides an overview of the relevant literature.
- Contextualizes the study.
- Identifies knowledge gaps.
However, avoid making the literature review the focus of the introduction. Do not use studies to aggressively support your research, avoid direct quotes, and ensure the literature review serves to set a foundation for the manuscript.
What should be included in the research paper introduction?
When deciding what to include in the research paper introduction, consider the rest of the paper to ensure a smooth and easy read without heavy reliance on external sources. Here are elements you can include in your introduction outline:
- Topic introduction: Key definitions and a brief history of the topic.
- Research context and background: General information narrowed down to specific aspects.
- Details of the research: A brief literature review to support your arguments.
- Rationale for the study: Establishes the relevance and importance of your study.
- Importance of your research: Highlights the main contributions and novelty of your study.
- Research hypothesis: Introduces your research question and expected outcome.
- Organization of the paper: A short paragraph outlining your plan for the entire paper.
