Writing a Research Paper Introduction | Step-by-Step Guide
Writing a Research Paper Introduction | Step-by-Step Guide
The introduction to a research paper is where you set up your topic and approach for the reader. It has several key goals:
Present your topic and get the reader interested
Provide background or summarize existing research
Position your own approach
Detail your specific research problem
Give an overview of the paper’s structure
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.
Table of contents
1.Step 1: Introduce your topic
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.
For example, the following could be an effective hook for an argumentative paper about the environmental impact of cattle farming:
2.Step 2: Describe the background
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.
For example:
A 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%.
3.Step 3: Establish your research problem
4.Step 4: Specify your objective(s)
5.Step 5: Map out your paper