Basic Steps in the Research Process This list of steps is a guideline for you to use.

Not everyone will do these steps in the same order and you may go back and forth between them. Click on the colored words to learn how to do that step. 1. Select a general topic that interests you in some way. 2. List key words to help you look up information about the topic. 3. Go to an encyclopedia, or other reference source, to get an overview of the topic. 4. Make source cards for whatever sources you will use for information. 5. Using the general overview, begin to focus the topic into something you can cover well. 6. Write a statement of purpose about the focused topic. 7. Brainstorm questions about the focused topic. 8. Group questions under similar headings. 9. Add any new questions you can think of under those headings. 10. Repeat step 2, listing more key words from your newly focused topic and questions. 11. Make a list of possible sources that can answer your questions. Identify the best sources to use. 12. Find the sources in the library, on the computer, etc. Make a source card for each one you use. 13. Begin making notecards. Use your brain stormed questions to guide your note taking. 14. Change your statement of purpose into a draft thesis statement. 15. Make an outline of your headings. If you are ready to print your outline, try the Outline Maker 16. Refocus your thesis statement if necessary.

17. Write the body of your paper from your notes. 18. Cite any necessary information with parenthetical citations. 19. Write your introduction and conclusion. 20. Write your Works Cited (it is similar to a bibliography). 21. Create a title page. 22. Evaluate your work. 23. Turn in your paper on time. When you're finished, celebrate!

15Share Research Paper Introduction The research paper introduction requires unique formatting and content. In order to write effective project introductions, students must be sure that they first understand the topic and requirements. A research paper is a formal academic document that learners write after they have spent an extended amount of time researching a particular subject. Students in all grades and courses may have to write research papers many times over the period of the course and over the academic careers, in general. Research reports should follow a specific format, which includes an introduction, body, conclusion, and supporting documents, such as an appendix and references. Regardless of the course or the level of academic study, learners should follow a similar research paper format. The research paper introduction is one of the most important parts of the report because it introduces readers to the topic of the report and provides background information about the topic. The research paper introduction also contains the thesis statement for the entire research paper, which may be included in the first or last paragraph of the introduction. In order to write effective project introductions, learners should format their introductions like an inverted pyramid, with general information at the beginning of the introduction and specific information at the end of the introduction. In fact, all reports should be formatted in the inverted pyramid style if students want to write a document that has good flow. In most cases, research paper introductions should be limited to just one paragraph. However, if students are writing very formal research papers, such as dissertations or theses, then the students may wish to make the report introduction several paragraphs

or pages. Students should keep in mind that research paper introductions merely introduce a topic; they do not explain the student's findings in detail. The body of the document gives further explanation that supports the introduction and thesis. One of the major differences between the report introduction and body of the document is that the introduction should not introduce any new information. The body of the document is where students should introduce new information and ideas. The introduction merely gives background information and explains why the content in the article is important. Any ideas presented in the introduction should be general. HOW TO WRITE AN INTRODUCTION Knowing how to write an introduction is yet another part in the process of writing a research paper. by Martyn Shuttleworth (2009) The introduction starts with a broad basis and then narrows it down to your particular field of study, explaining the rationale behind each step. Think of it as an inverted pyramid, where you start with a wide overview but move towards the thesis statement or hypothesis, which should be the final element of the introduction. 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 scientists and researchers prefer to write it last, ensuring that they miss no major points. For a longer research paper, where you use an outline, it can be useful to structure your introduction around the outline. Here are a few outline 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 down to a research problem, thesis and hypothesis. A good introduction explains how you mean to solve the research problem, and creates 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 adaptations 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 Like in any good Hollywood movie, the first task of the introduction is to set the scene, giving your paper a context and seeing how it fits in with previous research in the field. Whilst not the only way, this section, comprising the first paragraphs of your introduction, can be based around a historical narrative, from the very first research in the field to the current day. In many fields, this could make up an entire essay in itself, so you have to stick to relevant information.

IMPORTANCE This leads into the rationale behind the research, revealing whether it is building upon previous research, looking at something that everybody else has overlooked, or improving upon a previous research project that delivered unclear results. This section can then flow into how you are going to fill the gap, laying out your objectives and methodology. You are trying to predict what impact your research will have if everything works as it should, and you ultimately reject the null hypothesis. LIMITATIONS The introduction is the place to highlight any weaknesses in the experiment from the start. For example, an ideal experiment should have perfectly randomized samples, but there are many good reasons why this is not always possible. As long as you warn the reader about this, so that they are aware of the shortcomings, then they can easily judge the validity of the research. This is much better than making them wait until you point it out in the discussion. ASSUMPTIONS You should also point out any assumptions that you make about conditions during the research. You should set out your basic principles before embarking upon the experiment: any research will be built around some assumptions. For example, if you were performing educational research, you may assume that all students at the same school are from a very similar socio-economic background, with randomization smoothing out any variables. TIPS FOR HOW TO WRITE AN INTRODUCTION There are a few tips that can help you write a strong introduction, arousing interest and encouraging the reader to read the rest of your work. Keep it Short A long and rambling introduction will soon put people off and lose you marks. Stick closely to your outline for the paper, and structure your introduction in a similar way. Define the Problem The entire introduction should logically end at the research question and thesis statement or hypothesis. The reader, by the end of the introduction, should know exactly what you are trying to achieve with the paper. In addition, your conclusion and discussion will refer back to the introduction, and this is easier if you have a clearly defined problem. Organization As you write the paper, you may find that it goes in a slightly different direction than planned. In this case, go with the flow, but make sure that you adjust the introduction accordingly. Some people work entirely from an outline and then write the introduction as the last part of the process. This is fine if it works for you. Once your introduction is complete, you can now think about attacking the rest of the paper.

Read more: http://www.experiment-resources.com/how-to-write-anintroduction.html#ixzz1RObK2TlK Writing an Introduction Tip Sheet 17 Ask these questions: What is it? An introduction is the first paragraph of a written research paper, or the first thing you say in an oral presentation, or the first thing people see, hear, or experience about your project. It has two parts: 1. A general introduction to the topic you will be discussing 2. Your Thesis Statement Why do it? Without an introduction it is sometimes very difficult for your audience to figure out what you are trying to say. There needs to be a thread of an idea that they will follow through your paper or presentation. The introduction gives the reader the beginning of the piece of thread so they can follow it. When do I do it? Many books recommend writing your introduction last, after you finish your project. This is to make sure that you introduce what you are actually going to say. If your project changes in the creating process, it is important to make sure that your introduction accurately reflects what you will be saying. If, however, you have written a good outline and stick to it, then it is fine to start writing your introduction first. Just make sure in your proofreading that you have kept the thread consistent throughout the paper. How do I do it? Start with a couple of sentences that introduce your topic to your reader. You do not have to give too much detailed information; save that for the body of your paper. Make these sentences as interesting as you can. Through them, you can hook a reader and get them very interested in the line of thinking you are going to develop in your project. Then state your thesis, which may be done in one or more sentences. The length of your introduction depends on the length and complexity of your project, but generally it should not exceed one page unless it is a very long project or a book. The average length of an introduction is one half a page. Some Examples: For the example, the regular text is the general introduction to the topic. The BOLD text is the writer's Thesis Statement. Example 1 Teenagers in many American cities have been involved in more gangs in the last five years than ever before. These gangs of teens have been committing a lot of violent crimes. The victims of these crimes are both gang members and people outside of gangs. Many people do not want to travel to areas in our cities because of the danger from this problem. For this terrible situation to stop, it is going to take a combined effort on the part of many people. Excellent, supervised after-school programs,

more jobs available for teens, and healthy family relationships will go a long way towards ending this crisis in our society. Example 2 During the Middle Ages in Europe and the Middle East there was much armed conflict between Christians and Muslims. Christians called these conflicts the Crusades because they were fighting under the sign of the cross to save the holy lands of the Bible from being desecrated by non-Christians. However, the true reason for fighting for these lands was less than holy. It was mainly a desire for economic gain that prompted the Christian leaders to send soldiers to fight in the Holy Land. An introduction gives the reader an idea of where you are going in your project so they can follow along. You can give them more background details and supporting evidence for your thesis in the body of the paper itself. How to Write the Introduction to Research Proposal A former U.S. Army historian, Walter Zapotoczny has been writing since 1990. His articles have appeared in World War II History magazine and the World Book Encyclopedia. Zapotoczny received the Military Writers Society of America's 2010 Bronze Medal for historical fiction. He holds a Master of Arts in history from American Military University. By Walter Zapotoczny, eHow Contributor updated January 19, 2011 Narrow the topic, form a research question and develop a plan. Think of the introduction to your research proposal as an executive summary. The person reading your proposal is probably busy, so the introduction should do two things. First, it should provide something interesting or surprising about the subject to gain the reader's attention. Second, it should present the specific focus and thesis of your research. Research proposal introductions are typically no more than one page of text, in a font no smaller than 12 point. Difficulty: Moderately Challenging Instructions 1 Write something informative. Start out with a revealing story or quotation. 2 Show your knowledge. Give important background information about the organization or topic. 3 Describe some interesting or surprising facts. This will help get the reader's attention. 4 State the relevance. Describe how the research will add to the existing body of knowledge. 5 Indicate your thesis. Paint a clear picture for the reader. Describe your focus so that it is clear in the mind of the reader. Write your thesis description in a sentence or two that effectively expresses what you want to explore or explain with your research.

Tips & Warnings The best time to prepare the introduction is when you are finished with the entire proposal. Do not try to force everything you have learned into the introduction. Have someone read and edit your work. References "The Business Writer's Handbook, 8th Edition"; Gerald J. Alred, Charles T. Brusaw and Walter E. Oliu; 2006 "The Elements of Style, 4th Edition With Index"; William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White; 1999

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