How to Write a Research Paper Introduction for Publication with my Published Introduction Example

Summary

This video script offers a step-by-step guide to writing compelling introductions for research articles. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the research story before writing and answering key questions such as the significance of the field, necessary background knowledge, the problem the paper addresses, previous research, and the paper's contributions. The speaker illustrates these points using their own published paper, highlighting the importance of clarity and coherence in engaging readers and guiding them through the research.

Takeaways

• 📝 Start by knowing your research story to write a cohesive introduction.
• 🔍 Explain why your field is important to set the stage for your paper's relevance.
• 📚 Provide necessary background knowledge for readers to understand your research context.
• 🧩 Connect the background information in a narrative to guide readers through your paper.
• 🚀 Identify the problem your paper solves to highlight its novelty and impact.
• 🔄 Discuss previous research to provide context and show how your study builds upon them.
• 📈 Conclude the introduction by outlining what you did in your paper and what readers will learn.
• 🌟 Use your introduction to guide readers from the importance of the field to the specifics of your research.
• 📈 The introduction should flow logically, starting with the field's importance, through background, to the problem and your approach.
• 📘 Tailor the introduction to your audience, focusing on what they need to know rather than what you know.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of the video?

The video is focused on teaching how to write introductions for research articles, as part of a series on writing different sections of research papers.

Why is it important to know your research story before writing the introduction?

Understanding your research story helps ensure that the introduction is cohesive and effectively leads into the rest of the paper.

What is the first question you need to address in your research introduction?

The first question is 'Why is your field important?' This explains the broader significance of the research and encourages readers to engage with the paper.

How should you present background information in the introduction?

The background should provide essential context for the reader to understand the results. It should connect different sections of the paper and avoid unnecessary facts that aren’t relevant to the research.

What is the third question to answer in your introduction?

The third question is 'What problem is your paper solving?' This explains the novelty and impact of your research, showing why it is necessary.

Why is identifying the problem your paper solves important?

It quickly highlights the significance and novelty of your research, helping to convince readers and reviewers of its value.

How should you discuss previous research in your introduction?

You should summarize important papers that led to your study, providing context for your work without giving detailed reviews of every study.

What is the final part of the introduction meant to do?

The final part of the introduction should explain what your paper does and what the reader will learn from it, encouraging them to continue reading.

What example does the speaker provide from their own research paper?

The speaker uses their research on steroid analysis to show how they addressed each of the key questions in their introduction, including why the field is important and the specific problem their paper solves.

Why does the speaker emphasize not overloading the introduction with unnecessary information?

Including too much information can overwhelm the reader and detract from the clarity and focus of the introduction. It’s important to only include what the reader needs to understand the research.