Introduction to a research paper

Introduction to a research paper is always purposive and the most important function of ‘opening’ is to establish the main subject under investigation and bring out the significance of the current work. It provides sufficient background information to enable readers to develop an interest in the subject. It gives the readers an idea of the reasons that prompted the author to undertake this particular study. It showcases the problems that were investigated and the hypotheses that were tested. In short the prologue defines the subject of the paper and clearly explains the technical purpose of the investigation. A good beginning of a technical study is expected to provide the answers to the following questions:

• What knowledge already exists in the domain of the paper?
• Are there any conflicts or limitations in that knowledge?
• What gaps prompted the study and what is its importance?
• Why was this kind of experiment or experimental design chosen?
• What problems were investigated?
• What hypotheses were tested?
• Did the results tally with the hypothesis formulated?
• Have the gaps/conflicts been successfully demonstrated?
• What are the suggested solutions?
• How are the solutions different from/ superior to existing ones?
• How has the paper been structured (by section)?

The opening part, therefore, should begin with the full background and contain all relevant general information. This should be followed by a description of the specific problems and the methods adapted to solve this. If a new methodology has been used, it should be detailed clearly. Finally, the starting section should end with information on how the entire study has been structured by section.

Introduction to a research paper is always purposive and the most important function of ‘opening’ is to establish the main subject under investigation and bring out the significance of the current work. It provides sufficient background information to enable readers to develop an interest in the subject. It gives the readers an idea of the reasons that prompted the author to undertake this particular study.