How to write the Introduction: Part 1

Summary

This video script offers a comprehensive guide to crafting an effective introduction for research papers. It outlines the five essential elements: capturing the reader's attention, summarizing prior research, identifying the research gap, proposing a hypothesis, and stating the study's purpose. The script compares two real research introductions, highlighting variations in structure and content. It emphasizes the importance of citations to substantiate claims and provides guidance on avoiding plagiarism by summarizing sources in one's own words. The video also touches on the correct formatting of citations and references, ensuring academic integrity.

Takeaways

• 📚 The introduction section of a research paper serves five key functions: capturing attention, summarizing previous research, formulating a clear problem, proposing a hypothesis (if applicable), and stating the main purpose of the study.
• 🔍 Introductions vary by topic and may not always include a hypothesis, depending on the nature of the research question.
• 🍏 Example 1: An introduction about preventing apple slices from browning starts with the importance of the topic, identifies a problem, and states the study's purpose without a hypothesis.
• 🏆 Example 2: An introduction about the impact of wearing red in sports begins with background information and disagreement with previous interpretations, suggesting a hypothesis and the study's purpose.
• ✏️ Citations are crucial in research papers to back up claims with evidence from previous research or logical arguments.
• 📖 Proper citation involves referencing the source in the text and listing detailed bibliographic information at the end of the paper.
• 📝 There are two common citation styles: mentioning the authors' names in the sentence followed by the year in parentheses, or citing the year in parentheses after the point is made.
• 🚫 Avoid plagiarism by not copying directly from sources; instead, paraphrase and summarize information in your own words.
• 💡 For effective summarization, understand the source material, take notes, and write using your notes rather than the original text.
• ✂️ Do not use quotation marks; instead, explain the source's content in your own words to demonstrate understanding and avoid plagiarism.
• 📝 The introduction should be structured to engage the reader, summarize relevant research, define the research problem, propose a hypothesis if possible, and clearly state the study's purpose.

Q & A

What are the five key elements that an introduction section of a research paper should include?

The introduction should get the reader's attention and interest, give a summary of previous research, set up the research by formulating a clear problem to be solved, propose a hypothesis to test with the experiment, and state the main purpose of the study.

Why is it important to capture the reader's attention in the introduction of a research paper?

Capturing the reader's attention is important because it engages the reader and sets the stage for the significance of the research topic being discussed.

How does summarizing previous research help in the introduction of a research paper?

Summarizing previous research provides context and background, showing what is already known about the topic, which helps to establish the foundation for the current research.

What is the purpose of formulating a clear problem in the introduction section?

Formulating a clear problem helps to define the gap in knowledge that the current research aims to address, making the research question and its importance explicit to the reader.

Why might a research paper's introduction not include a hypothesis?

A research paper's introduction might not include a hypothesis if the study is exploratory or if the researchers are not yet sure which variables will be most significant, as in the case of the study on anti-browning agents for apple slices.

What is the significance of stating the main purpose of the study in the introduction?

Stating the main purpose of the study provides a clear objective for the research, guiding the reader on what to expect and the direction the paper will take.

How do citations function in a research paper, and why are they important?

Citations function to provide evidence and credibility to the statements made in a research paper. They are important because they back up claims with references to previous research or logical arguments, ensuring that the paper is scientifically sound and reliable.

What are the two common ways to incorporate citations into a research paper?

The two common ways to incorporate citations are by mentioning the point and then placing the citation in parentheses at the end of the sentence, or by using the researchers' names in the sentence and placing the year in parentheses after the name.

Why is it crucial not to copy or quote directly from sources when writing a research paper?

Copying or quoting directly from sources is considered plagiarism and is academically dishonest. It is crucial to paraphrase and summarize sources in your own words to maintain the integrity of your research.

What is the recommended technique for summarizing sources without plagiarizing?

The recommended technique is to read and understand the source material, then write notes without looking at the original text. When writing the paper, use these notes instead of the original research paper to ensure that the information is presented in your own words.

How should the introduction of a research paper be structured to ensure clarity and coherence?

The introduction should be structured by starting with capturing the reader's attention, followed by a summary of previous research, the problem to solve, the hypothesis (if applicable), and concluding with the statement of purpose. This organization helps to guide the reader through the paper's objectives and rationale.