INTRODUCTION

The main purpose of the INTRODUCTION is to give a description of the problem that will be addressed.
IN this section the researcher might discuss the nature of the research, the purpose of the research, the
significance of the research problem, and the research question(s) to be addressed
Three essential parts of a good introduction are:

• RATIONALE
• PURPOSE
• RESEARCH QUESTION(S)
RATIONALE
Somewhere in the introduction you need to inform the reader of the rationale of your research. This is a
brief explanation of why your research topic is worthy of study and may make a significant contribution
to the body of already existing research.
PURPOSE
The statement of purpose is not simply a statement of why the research is being done, (That is what the
rationale section is for.) Rather, “purpose” refers to the goal or objective of your research. The purpose
statement should answer questions…

• “What are the objectives of my research?” and

• “What do I expect to discover or learn from this research?”
RESEARCH QUESITON
The introduction usually ends with a research question or questions. This question should be…

• Related to your research purpose

• Focused
• Clear
Know how to write an introduction is yet another part in the process of writing a research paper.
In the introduction, you are attempting to inform the reader about the rationale behind the work, justifying
why your work is an essential component of research in the field.
The introduction does not have a strict word limit, unlike the abstract, but it should be as concise as
possible. It can be a tricky part of the paper to write, so many scientist and researchers prefer to write it
last, ensuring that they miss no major points.
For a longer research paper, when you use an outline, it can be useful to structure your introduction
around the outline. Here are a few outlines examples
The introduction gives an overall review of the paper, but does address a few slightly different issues
from the abstract.
It works upon the principle of introducing the topic of the paper and setting it into a broad context,
gradually narrowing how you mean to solve the research problem, thesis and hypothesis. A good
introduction explains how you mean to solve the research problem, and create ‘leads’ to make the reader
want to delve further into your work.
You should assume that your paper is aimed at someone with a good working knowledge of your
particular field.
For example, a paper about evolutionary adaptions need not go into too much detail about Darwin – it is
fairly common knowledge.
A behavioral science paper only needs to mention Pavlov and Skinner in passing, as their theories are
standard for any first year undergraduate.

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

One of the preliminary steps to completing a thesis is the background study for it. The background study
for a thesis includes a review of the area being researched, current information surrounding the issue,
previous studies on the issue, and relevant history on the issue. Ideally, the study should effectively set
forth the history and background information on your thesis problem. The purpose of a background study
is to help you to prove the relevance of your thesis question and to further develop your thesis.
Conduct preliminary research in the beginning stages of formulating a thesis, when many issues are
unclear and thoughts need to be solidified. Conducting preliminary research on your area of study and
specific topic will help you to formulate a research question or thesis statements that will lead to more
specific and relevant research. Visit your library, the internet and electronic databases to find preliminary
sources, such as books and scholarly journals, for your background study.
2
Read the information and develop a research question or thesis statement that will guide your thesis. You
will need to take notes and keep accurate track of the sources that you used up to this point. Many people
use note cards, but with current technology there many electronic note taking programs available. Use a
method of recording source information that you are comfortable with. Be sure to cite the source of the
information on each note so you don’t forget where each piece of information came from, should you
decide to use it in your thesis.
3
Write a thesis statement or research question. Think about what you’ve read and look for issues, problems
or solutions that others have found and determine your own opinion or stance on the issue. Write out your
opinion as an authoritative statement on the issue, problem or solution. At this point, you can do more
detailed research and find sources that are more relevant to your thesis or research question.
4
Complete your research using your thesis statement and research question as your guide. You will find
relevant sources that will provide insight into your specific thesis issue or problem. Make sure that your
sources provide details on the history and past research related to your research question.
5
Create relevant sections as you write the background study. As you evaluate your research and begin to
write the background study, create five separate sections that cover the key issues, major finding, and
controversies surrounding your thesis, as well as sections that provide an evaluation and conclusion.
6
Conclude by identifying any further study that needs to be done in that area, or provide possible solutions
to the issue that haven’t been considered before.
7
Revise and edit your background study. Complete several drafts of your work, revising and filling in
information as you go. Each time that you read over your work, try to leave it better than it was before.
It’s also a great idea to have someone else look it over as well.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

DEFINITION: (1) A problem statement is a brief description of the issues that need to be addressed by a
problem-solving team and should be presented to them (or created by them) before they try to solve the
problem.
(2) A research problem is a statement about an area of concern, a condition to be improved upon, a
difficulty to be eliminated, or a troubling question that exists in scholarly literature, in theory, or in
practice that points to the need for meaningful understanding and deliberate investigation. In some social
science disciplines, the research problem is typically posed in the form of one or more questions. A
research problem does not state how to do something, offer a vague or broad proposition, or present a
value question.
The purpose of a problem statement is to:
1. Introduce the reader to the importance of the topic being studies. The reader is oriented to the
significance of the study and the research questions or hypotheses to follow.
2. Place the problem into a particular context that defines the parameters of what is to be
investigated
3. Provide the framework for reporting the results and indicates what is probably necessary to
conduct the study and explain how the finding will present this information. \
So what!
In the social sciences, the research problem establishes the means by which you must answer the “So
what” question. The “So What” question refers to a research problem surviving the relevancy test [ the
quality of a measurement procedure that provides repeatability and accuracy]. Note that answering “So
What” question requires commitment on your part to not only show that you have researched the material,
but that you have thought about its significance.
To survive the “So What” question, problem statements should posses the following attributes:

• Clarify and precision [a well-written statement does not make sweeping generalizations and
irresponsible statements]
• Demonstrate a researchable topic or issue [i.e., feasibility of conduction the study is based upon
access to information that can be effectively acquired interpreted synthesized, and understood]
• Identification of what would be studies while avoiding the use of value-laden words and terms
• Identification of an overarching question or small set of questions accompanied by key factors or
variables.
• Identification of key concepts and terms
• Articulation of the study’s boundaries or parameters or limitations
• Some generalizability in regards to applicability and bringing results into general use
• Conveyance of the study’s importance, benefits and justification [i.e., regardless of the type of
research it is important to demonstrate that the research is not trivial]
• Does not have unnecessary jargon or overly complex sentence construction; and,
• Conveyance of more than the mere gathering of descriptive data providing only a snapshot of the
issue or phenomenon under investigation.

SCOPE AND LIMITATION

What are the scope and limitations of research?
In the field of research, scope and limitations refers to parameters that prevent researchers from
pursuing further studies due to time and budgetary constraints. Some researchers must explore a
subject area and find results within a specific period of time. Having a time limit is a limitation because it
excludes the opportunity for individuals to make further discoveries in their subject areas, which
influences the amount of information that can be relayed to an audience.
What are the scope and limitations in a thesis?
In a thesis, the scope is how widespread the study is, while the limitation are aspects that the
researcher cannot control. For example, if the study covers a population of a species, that specific
population is the scope. If the researcher has a bias, then this is a limitation.

What is the meaning of scope and delimitation of the study?

Scope and delimitation of study are two elements of a research paper that inform the reader what
information is included in the research and explain why the author chose that information.
Although scope and delimitation explain the way a study is limited, this information adds credibility to
research.
 ASSUMPTIONS
Accepted cause and effect relationship, or estimates of the existence of a fact from the known existence of
other fact(s). Although useful in providing basis for action and in creating “what if” scenarios to simulate
different realities or possible situations, assumptions are dangerous when accepted as reality without
thorough examination. See also critical thinking and rule of thumb.
Read more: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/assumptions.html#ixzz3xeZqzO94
How to Write Assumptions for a Thesis
Conscientious writers try to avoid making unfair assumptions that stereotype or over-generalize people or
issues. At the same time, however, every argument conceals some implicit assumption that can’t be
helped. For example, the argument “An umbrella provides the best defense in wet weather” assumes that
protecting one’s self against rain is a desirable pursuit. Most readers will find this sort of assumption
reasonable, though. To find the assumptions in a thesis, look for the ideas it takes for granted.
Step 1
Locate the argument in the thesis. For example; in the claim “An umbrella provides the best defense in
wet weather,” the argument is that the umbrella is the best choice, in the opinion of the writer. You can
double-check if the thesis is arguable by determining if it offers a contrary argument. In opposition to the
above argument, one could claim that umbrellas do not provide the best defense; this confirms that it is
indeed the argument.
Step 2
Find the assumption inherent in the thesis. The assumption is the starting point of the thesis, or what it
bases itself on. After taking out the argument, the assumption is what remains. After removing the
argument “An umbrella provides the best,” you are left with “defense against wet weather,” which the
writer assumes is a desirable thing.
Step 3
Write the assumption in the thesis in your own words: “The thesis assumes everyone would want to stay
dry in wet weather.”
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
Objectives are the steps you are going to take to answer your research questions or a specific list of tasks
needed to accomplish the goals of the project – They: emphasize how aims are to be accomplished must
be highly focused and feasible. Address the more immediate project outcomes. Aims and objectives of the
study.
1.7 The overall aim of the study was to collect valid a reliable information on the attitudes, experiences
and expectations of administrative and support staff currently working in higher education. Within this
broad theme, the research had a number of specific objectives:

• To understand the impact of broader changes in higher education on the working lives of
administrative and support staff and in particular on their roles and responsibilities;
• To examine the opportunities available to them for training, staff development and career
progression;
 • To assess levels and sources of job satisfaction and job dissatisfaction; and
• To explore their ideas on the development of higher education over the next twenty years.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

How do you write the significance of a study?
A discussion of the significance of a study typically
A discussion of the significance of a study typically includes an explanation of the work’s significance, its
potential benefits and its overall impact. The significance of a study, often called the “rationale” attempts
to explain to an audience why a researcher’s work is worth performing. This section can help gain support
or funding for a research project.
Are there other contributions your research will make? If so, describe them in detail. Look at the
following example:
In the economic example of micro-enterprises in rural communities, the researcher might argue that the
research will:

• Provide an understanding of the economic impact of micro-enterprises.

• Support the government’s plans for start-up loans to micro-enterprises.
• Demonstrate the usefulness of micro-enterprises as part of rural development, thereby
contributing to the work of government and non-government rural development organizations.
Detail regarding each of these three points should be added to produce a convincing argument as to the
usefulness of the research.
Read the following examples to see the variety of ways in which the significance of a study can be
expressed. As you read, you may also notice how the researcher has incorporated other elements of a
research proposal introduction with an explanation of significance in order to synthesize his or her ideas
into one cohesive paragraph.

DEFINITION OF TERMS
Definition of Terms is usually an annex to a work (book, research paper, pamphlet, etc.) either at the
beginning or more likely near the end with a list of acronyms, jargon, credits, etc. A glossary is another
word that may describe Definition and Terms. A list of words found in the paper, book, or work that may
need a further explanation to understand what that word means rather than giving a definition within the
work. Often time scholars will fully understand the words used and don’t need a definition immediately in
the work. However, there are times that clarification is required and a section is called “Definition of
Terms” is beneficial and often required, especially in a thesis or investigatory project. Medical personnel
use medical jargon but a layperson may not know what the term means, and can easily look it up for
clarification in the “Definition of Terms”.