Writing a research paper introduction is the opening paragraph of a research paper, thesis or other academic essay. It is typically the section where you introduce your topic, provide context and a thesis statement. A good introduction serves to inform readers of the topic and scope of your paper while also piquing their interest to read on. Here are some key components of a research paper introduction along with a research paper introduction sample:
Context and Background
The introduction typically presents necessary context and background information for readers to understand your topic. For example, if you are researching the Great Depression, providing context on the timeline and economic factors leading up to the Depression would allow readers to better understand your specific research goals. Providing this context demonstrates your understanding of the broader issues and sets the stage for your particular research question or thesis.
Literature Review Summary
Summarize previous research that has been conducted on your topic to demonstrate to your reader that this research adds new value or has a new perspective. Citations should be used to attribute ideas and quotes to other scholars. This shows the reader that your work is based on and adds to the work previously done. You don’t want to provide an exhaustive review here, just enough to demonstrate that your work builds on existing research.
Research Question or Thesis Statement
After providing context and reviewing previous literature, directly state your research question or thesis. This is the most important component as it clearly establishes the purpose and direction of your research. Your thesis should be specific, limited in scope and arguable. For example, instead of stating “This paper will discuss how the Great Depression affected the U.S. economy,” provide a more focused thesis like “This paper analyzes how the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act worsened the economic impacts of the Great Depression in the United States between 1930-1933.”
Looking at a Sample Research Paper Introduction:
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decades preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries, it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or middle 1940s (BBC, 2014). In the United States, the Great Depression started with the stock market crash of October 29, 1929, which sent Wall Street into a panic and wiped out millions of investors. Over the next several years, consumer spending and investment dropped, causing steep declines in industrial output and rises in unemployment rates as high as 25% (National Bureau of Economic Research, 2010).
Previous studies have examined aggregate economic indicators during the Great Depression, investigated factors that may have exacerbated the downturn, and hypothesized policies that could have provided stimulus. Less research has focused specifically on how international trade policy decisions influenced the severity and duration of the depression in the United States. This paper analyzes how the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, passed by the U.S. Congress in 1930, worsened the economic impacts of the Great Depression within the United States between 1930-1933. It has been suggested that the tariff increases embedded in the Act reduced international trade and exacerbated declining consumer spending, output and employment during a critical period of the Depression (Temin, 1993). Using trade and economic output data from the U.S. Department of Commerce and Bureau of Labor Statistics, this study tests the relationship between tariff rates and indicators such as imports, gross domestic product and unemployment levels. The findings provide insight into how political decisions can propagate or relieve economic downturns.
This introduction sets up the topic of how the Great Depression impacted the US economy at a high level through context on its timing and factors. It then narrows the focus through a brief literature review noting less research has looked at international trade policy specifically. The research question is then directly stated about analyzing the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, including the timeframe and economic indicators that will be analyzed. Finally, it establishes why this research adds value by testing the relationship between tariffs and economic outcomes to provide insight on political decisions during economic crises. Overall it provides necessary background while clearly establishing the purpose and direction of the research to come.
Of course, the length and specifics of an introduction will vary depending on the topic, source types used, research question complexity and publication format. Some key considerations when crafting an introduction:
Keep it sufficiently brief at around 5-10% of the overall paper length. Don’t go into too much depth but provide necessary context.
Cite reputable sources used in background and literature components to add credibility. Follow format style guide for in-text citations and references.
Establish a clear thesis in one direct sentence near the end to directly state research purpose.
Use active voice and vary sentence structure for reader engagement. Avoid long blocks of text.
Check that all components are logically flowing and transition smoothly between paragraphs.
Review purpose of introduction and ensure reader understands topic, significance and direction of the paper.
Providing a strong introduction allows readers to appreciate the value of your research and primes them to explore the body and conclusion. Taking time to thoughtfully plan out necessary context, analyze previous research and directly define the research question or thesis will help frame your paper in a clear and compelling manner. With practice, structuring an effective introduction becomes easier and sets you up for success in your overall research.
Andrew Stroud