INTRODUCTION

I. Topic & Research Problem

 This is stated at the beginning of the introduction, including a narrative hook to get the
reader’s attention and present the research problem.
 This section also includes the incident observed in the classroom (or social context),
describing the needs identified by the actors involved.

Elements within the section:

a. Hook & topic
i. The first sentence is the narrative hook
ii. From broad to specific: Start your introduction with a sentence that is broad and
interesting and that helps you transition into your argument.
i. State the overarching topic

b. Research problem

i. Narrows the topic to a specific research problem

ii. This is what you are going to investigate

b. Research context
i. It frames the problem
i. English language teaching in Chile (this should be in connection with your
topic)
ii. English language teaching at the school/class where the project takes
place.

II. Justification, Deficiencies in knowledge & audiences

 Once the research problem has been described, you need to state the importance of
the problem you want to study. For this, you need to cite different references that
support your reasons to study the problem, including previous studies to create
distinctions to what has been previously proposed. Your reasons to conduct the study is
often referred to as ‘rationale’.
 Here, you are also expected to address the deficiencies identified in the previous studies
(research gap), including the suggestions made by your own students and teachers to
overcome the need observed.
 This section also refers to how your study may improve pedagogical practices in your
classroom and school context (contribution).

Elements within the section:

a. Why it is important to do this research (in this particular field)
i. Try to provide different types of reasons, such as:
1. Personal experience
2. Experience in the field of study
 3. Academic sources: previous studies

a. Deficiencies in knowledge or research gap

i. It is the gap that you’ll fill with your research approach.
1. It is the topic, area or variable for which there is missing or insufficient
information.
ii. This is identified in the literature and previous studies.

b. Contribution of the study: which audiences will benefit from your study and how this will
happen.

III. The Purpose of the Research

Here you will state the aim of the research project. It typically begins with the phrase “the
purpose of this study is…”

IV. Research questions

Here you are expected to present the research question(s) that will guide your research

Consider the following aspects

Research Questions:
From a topic to a research question
a. Determine and evaluate your research question: What aspect of the more general topic
will you explore?
b. Is your research question focused? (Research questions must be specific enough to be
well covered in the space available.)
c. Is your research question complex? (Questions shouldn’t have a simple yes/no answer
and should require research and analysis.)

References
Include the references in the text and as a list in the end.