Published on September 24, 2020 by Jack Caulfield. Revised on July 27, 2022. The introduction to a research paper is where you set up your topic and approach for the reader. It has several key
goals: The introduction looks slightly different depending on whether your paper presents the results of original empirical
research or constructs an argument by engaging with a variety of sources. The five steps in this article will help you put together an effective introduction for either type of research paper. The first job of the introduction is to tell the reader what your topic is and why it’s interesting or
important. This is generally accomplished with a strong opening hook. The hook is a striking opening sentence that clearly conveys the relevance of your topic. Think of an interesting fact or statistic, a strong statement, a question, or a brief anecdote that will get the reader wondering about your topic. For example, the following could be an effective hook for an argumentative paper about the environmental impact of cattle farming: A more empirical paper investigating the relationship of Instagram use with body image issues in adolescent girls might use the following hook: Don’t feel that your hook necessarily has to be deeply impressive or creative. Clarity and relevance are
still more important than catchiness. The key thing is to guide the reader into your topic and situate your ideas. This part of the introduction differs depending on what approach your paper is taking. In a more argumentative paper, you’ll explore some general background here. In a more empirical paper, this is the place to review previous research and establish how yours fits in. Argumentative paper: Background informationAfter you’ve caught your reader’s attention, specify a bit more, providing context and narrowing down your topic. Argumentative paper backgroundA recent study (RIVM, 2019) shows that cattle farmers account for two thirds of agricultural nitrogen emissions in the Netherlands. These emissions result from nitrogen in manure, which can degrade into ammonia and enter the atmosphere. The study’s calculations show that agriculture is the main source of nitrogen pollution, accounting for 46% of the country’s total emissions. By comparison, road traffic and households are responsible for 6.1% each, the industrial sector for 1%. Provide only the most relevant background information. The introduction isn’t the place to get too in-depth; if more background is essential to your paper, it can appear in the body. Empirical paper: Describing previous researchFor a paper describing original research, you’ll instead provide an overview of the most relevant research that has already been conducted. This is a sort of miniature literature review—a sketch of the current state of research into your topic, boiled down to a few sentences. This should be informed by genuine engagement with the literature. Your search can be less extensive than in a full literature review, but a clear sense of the relevant research is crucial to inform your own work. Begin by establishing the kinds of research that have been done, and end with limitations or gaps in the research that you intend to respond to. Empirical paper backgroundVarious empirical studies have been conducted into Facebook usage among adolescent girls (Tiggermann & Slater, 2013; Meier & Gray, 2014). These studies have consistently found that the visual and interactive aspects of the platform have the greatest influence on body image issues. Despite this, highly visual social media (HVSM) such as Instagram have yet to be robustly researched. What can proofreading do for your paper?Scribbr editors not only correct grammar and spelling mistakes, but also strengthen your writing by making sure your paper is free of vague language, redundant words and awkward phrasing. See editing example Step 3: Establish your research problemThe next step is to clarify how your own research fits in and what problem it addresses. Argumentative paper: Emphasize importanceIn an argumentative research paper, you can simply state the problem you intend to discuss, and what is original or important about your argument. Argumentative paper research problemWhile efforts are being made to mitigate these emissions, policymakers are reluctant to reckon with the scale of the problem. The approach presented here is a radical one, but commensurate with the issue. Empirical paper: Relate to the literatureIn an empirical research paper, try to lead into the problem on the basis of your discussion of the literature. Think in terms of these questions:
You can make the connection between your problem and the existing research using phrases like the following.
Step 4: Specify your objective(s)Now you’ll get into the specifics of what you intend to find out or express in your research paper. The way you frame your research objectives varies. An argumentative paper presents a thesis statement, while an empirical paper generally poses a research question (sometimes with a hypothesis as to the answer). Argumentative paper: Thesis statementThe thesis statement expresses the position that the rest of the paper will present evidence and arguments for. It can be presented in one or two sentences, and should state your position clearly and directly, without providing specific arguments for it at this point. This paper argues that the Dutch government must stimulate and subsidize livestock farmers, especially cattle farmers, to transition to sustainable vegetable farming. Empirical paper: Research question and hypothesisThe research question is the question you want to answer in an empirical research paper. Present your research question clearly and directly, with a minimum of discussion at this point. The rest of the paper will be taken up with discussing and investigating this question; here you just need to express it. A research question can be framed either directly or indirectly.
If your research involved testing hypotheses, these should be stated along with your research question. They are usually presented in the past tense, since the hypothesis will already have been tested by the time you are writing up your paper. For example, the following hypothesis might respond to the research question above: HypothesisIt was hypothesized that daily Instagram use would be associated with an increase in body image concerns and a decrease in self-esteem ratings. Step 5: Map out your paperThe final part of the introduction is often dedicated to a brief overview of the rest of the paper. In a paper structured using the standard scientific “introduction, methods, results, discussion” format, this isn’t always necessary. But if your paper is structured in a less predictable way, it’s important to describe the shape of it for the reader. If included, the overview should be concise, direct, and written in the present tense.
Research paper introduction examplesFull examples of research paper introductions are shown in the tabs below: one for an argumentative paper, the other for an empirical paper. Argumentative paper introduction Empirical paper introduction Frequently asked questions about the research paper introductionCite this Scribbr articleIf you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.
Is this article helpful?You have already voted. Thanks :-) Your vote is saved :-) Processing your vote... What part of research paper provides context to the information?The background of your study will provide context to the information discussed throughout the research paper. Background information may include both important and relevant studies. This is particularly important if a study either supports or refutes your thesis.
What is the discussion part of a research paper?The discussion section contains the results and outcomes of a study. An effective discussion informs readers what can be learned from your experiment and provides context for the results.
What part of research provides readers with the background information for the research?Unless you write a research proposal or some kind of report that has a specific “Background” chapter, the background of your study is the first part of your introduction section. This is where you put your work in context and provide all the relevant information the reader needs to follow your rationale.
How do you find the context of a research paper?Find the Context and Background Information
After you identify your research topic and some keywords that describe it, find and read articles in subject encyclopedias, dictionaries, and handbooks. These articles will help you understand the context (historical, cultural, disciplinary) of your topic.
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