SOC 2805 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Narrative Hook
Chapter 5:
The Introduction
After deciding on a research approach, conducting a preliminary literature review and
deciding on a proposal format, the next step is to design or plan the study and the process of
organizing and writing out ideas begins starting with designing an introduction to a proposal.
Chapter five begins with a discussion of the importance of introductions. The chapter
discusses the composition of a scholarly introduction with attention to differences in quantitative,
qualitative and mixed methods approaches. The chapter then outlines the five components to
writing a good introduction: establishing the problem, reviewing the literature, identifying
deficiencies in the literature, targeting an audience and identifying the purpose of the study.
The Introduction
The Importance of Introductions
• The first passage in a journal article dissertation or research study
• Sets the stage for the project
• Establishes the issue or concern leading to the research by giving information about the
problem
• Creates reader interest in the problem
• Places the study within the larger context of the scholarly literature
• Reaches out to a specific audience
An Abstract for a Study
• An abstract is a brief summary of the contents of a study
• Allows readers to survey the essential elements
• APA recommends a length of 150-250 words
• Major components
o Start with the issue or problem leading to the need for the research.
o Indicate the purpose of the study
o State what data will be collected
o Indicate themes or statistical results that will likely be found in the study
o Mention practical implications
Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Introductions
• In a qualitative project, the author will describe a project that can best be understood by
exploring a concept of phenomenon.
o Concept may be “immature” due to a lack of theory and previous research
o The available theory may be inaccurate, inappropriate or biased
o A need exists to explore and describe the phenomena and develop a theory
o The nature of the phenomenon may not be suited for quantitative research
o May be less inductive while relying on the perspective of the participants
o May begin with a personal statement of experiences from the author
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