WRITING INTRODUCTION IN A RESEARCH ARTICLE

As you already know, research articles in peer-reviewed and open access or subscription-based journals in medical or any other domain usually have certain common sections. These sections are Abstract, Keywords, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, and References. After Abstract and Keywords, you can use Introduction to arouse the interest of your readers.

An Introduction will familiarise the readers with your research; however, writing and refining the Introduction after other sections including discussion and conclusion is a better idea.

What do readers already know about the topic?

1. Begin the Introduction section with a powerful and precise statement about your topic of study. We recommend using keywords to stay focused.
2. Write the objective or hypothesis of the study and then find out what background information the reader would require or appreciate.
3. Use appropriate reference citations from the latest literature to support your statements, and include references from the studies that oppose your hypothesis as well.
4. Do not copy nor use similar language as plagiarism is an offense and it’s going to hurt your prospects. Be sure to cite your sources. Rephrase everything in your own words and cite references.
5. Use only principal literature to lead the readers to the general topic of your research. Your Introduction should raise the questions in the mind of the reader that prompted you to do the research.

Where is the existing knowledge insufficient?

1. You should lead the reader to identify the knowledge gap or lack of knowledge in the specific area of your research and also discuss why the knowledge gap should be explored and filled in.
2. In the Introduction, you may identify the scope of future research based on your own study.

Why should we attempt to fill the knowledge gap?

1. You should make a clear statement of the objective or hypothesis in the introduction. You can simply state: the objective of the study was to……..
2. A statement about the need for study should be included.
3. In the Introduction, you should clarify what is the benefit of filling the knowledge gap in the area of your research and the direction in which your research will lead the reader to.
4. Don’t include any data, methods, or conclusions in the Introduction.
5. A description of any new technique you have used can be given. Don’t discuss the techniques your reader might be familiar with.
6. Include the limitations of your study.

How to write the Introduction?

To publish your research paper in management, medical, technology, or any other area in a relevant journal, you should follow this sequence: 1. Create tables and figures, 2. Results, 3. Discussion, 4. Conclusion, and 5. Introduction. Find keywords after finishing the article. Here are some general guidelines to write Introduction:

• Write in an active voice.
• Be concise.
• Write just like a normal speech.
• Write short sentences.
• For clarity, break up long sentences into shorter ones using semicolons and use comma to separate clauses.
• Don’t use first-person pronouns (I, we).
• First state the general topic and then the specific topic of your study.

Write Introduction keeping in mind these points:

1. The topic of study
2. The knowledge gap or the unknown things about the topic
3. The views of others working in a similar field
4. Need and objective of the study
5. Future implications of your study

The introduction should not be long and convoluted. It should be precise and interesting so that the reader might be tempted to read through the whole article.