Introduction
As a researcher, I vividly remember the first time I sat down to write the introduction of my research paper. It was a daunting task, to say the least. I found myself staring at a blank screen, grappling with how to weave together the intricate threads of my research into a compelling narrative.
I reminisced about the countless cups of tea consumed and the late nights spent poring over academic papers, trying to distill the essence of my work into a few succinct paragraphs. Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t shake off the feeling of uncertainty that lingered with each keystroke.
However, as I immersed myself deeper into the process, something magical happened. With each word I typed, I began to uncover the unique story behind my research. I delved into the historical context that shaped my field, traced the evolution of key concepts, and identified the gaps waiting to be filled.
But it wasn’t just about presenting facts and figures; it was about painting a vivid picture that would captivate my audience from the very beginning. I realized that the introduction was not just a preamble to my research; it was the gateway that would invite readers to embark on a journey of discovery with me.
As I put the finishing touches on my introduction, I felt a sense of pride and accomplishment wash over me. What had started as a daunting task had blossomed into a testament to my passion for research and my dedication to advancing knowledge in my field.
In a Research Paper Where the Introduction Section Fits?
In a research paper, the introduction section is the third section comes after the Abstract and Keywords section. However, it is always advised to write the introduction section after completing the methodology and results section. The introduction section connects the problem space to the solution space.
If you want to have more clarity on how to write the methodology and results section, then before reading this blog post you can visit my blog posts on:
- How to Write the Method Section of your Research Paper in 03 Simple Steps?
- How to write Results Section of your Research Paper
Similar to a novel or story, the first step for writing a research paper introduction is to introduce the audience to the background(survey) and the major issues to be solved (research problem), different roles (methods) and the theme around which the story revolves (the proposed method).
In the introduction section, you must clearly indicate the problem you want to solve. You must explain the necessity of your work, its significance and how your work may change the future course of research. Your writing appeal should be such that it should hook readers to continue reading it.
The introduction does not have a strict word limit unlike the abstract, but it should be as concise as possible. A good introduction explains how the research problem has been solved by various researchers (Literature survey) and creates a ‘lead’ to make the reader delve further into the research domain.
The Invisible Sections of the Introduction Section of a Research Paper
An introduction has three invisible sections namely
- History or background of the research
- Survey of the relevant papers
- Problem formulation and methodology used to solve the problem
These sections should be written in the inverse pyramid fashion. The history section should be as generic as possible focusing on the domain of research. Surveys of the research papers should be more specific to the research gaps existing in the domain of study. Problem formulation and methodology should be focussed on one of the research gaps which the researcher is planning to address and the methodology he/she is going to use.
History or Background of the Research
The history or background of the research provides readers with context and helps them understand the significance of the research problem. It can also help establish the relevance of the study by highlighting the gap in the existing knowledge that the research aims to fill.
One effective way to start the introduction is to discuss a seminal paper or work that laid the foundation for the field of study. For example, in computer science, one could discuss the work of Alan Turing and his contribution to the development of the modern computer. Turing’s paper “On Computable Numbers, with an Application to the Entscheidungsproblem” is considered a seminal work in the field of computer science and laid the foundation for the development of computer science as a discipline.
Another way to start the introduction is to discuss a significant event or invention that spurred the development of the field under investigation.
For example, in the field of artificial intelligence, one could discuss the development of the first neural network in the late 1950s and early 1960s. This development led to the development of machine learning, deep learning, and other subfields in the broader field of artificial intelligence.
Another example can be The introduction of Big Data gave a new impetus to the storage and analysis of huge data sets.
In addition, you could also discuss significant funding or initiatives that have contributed to the development of the field. For instance, the United States government’s funding of the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET) in the 1960s led to the development of the internet, which has transformed the way we live and work today.
Another example can be: Plant is important for environmental protection. However, the problem of plant destruction has worsened in the last few years due to the rapid spread of plant diseases. Current-day advances in image processing have helped the farmer identify the plant disease at the early stage and overcome heavy losses.
Example:
“In the realm of cybersecurity, one cannot overlook the pioneering research in cryptography by Claude Shannon in the late 1940s. Shannon’s seminal work, ‘Communication Theory of Secrecy Systems,’ laid the foundations for modern cryptographic techniques. His groundbreaking insights into encryption and information theory have had a profound impact on secure communication protocols, data encryption standards, and the entire field of cybersecurity.”
Overall, providing a history or background of the research is an effective way to engage readers and set the stage for the rest of the research paper. It helps readers understand the significance of the research problem and establishes the relevance of the study.
Survey of the Relevant Papers
After providing a history or background of the research, the next step is to provide an overview of the current status of research into the research problem. This involves reviewing relevant literature and identifying a gap, problem, or unresolved issue in the existing knowledge or research that the current study can address. This is an important step as it helps establish the significance of the study and its contribution to the field.
To provide an overview of the current status of research, it is essential to review and cite relevant literature. One effective way to do this is to identify survey papers that are indexed by standard databases such as Scopus and Web of Science. These survey papers provide an overview of the current state of research in a particular field and can help identify key gaps or issues that the current study aims to address.
Once you have identified relevant survey papers, it is important to read them thoroughly and critically evaluate the existing knowledge and research in the field. This can help you identify gaps or problems in the existing knowledge or research that the current study can fill or address.
In addition to survey papers, it is also important to review and cite relevant primary research studies that are directly related to the research problem. This can help establish the significance of the study and its contribution to the field.
Overall, providing an overview of the current status of research and identifying a gap or problem in the existing knowledge or research is an important step in writing an effective research paper introduction. This step helps establish the significance of the study and its contribution to the field, and citations are crucial in providing support for these claims.
Example:
Real-life data often suffer from inaccurate readings due to environmental constraints, sensors, the size of the objects and possible changes in the motion pattern of the moving objects. This needs the system to be Robust to handle these uncertainties and predict the next instance object position as accurately as possible.
Research literature has addressed solutions to the short-term object motion predictions with different methods such as Curve fitting or Regression methods [9] [22]Neural network based approaches [1][2][5], Hidden Markov stochastic models [23], Bayesian Occupancy Filters [6], Extended Kalman Filter[12][18] and Stochastic prediction model [21].
Based on the literature survey it is observed that
i) The existing models lack flexibility in handling the uncertainties of real-life situations.
ii) Probabilistic models sometimes fail to model real-life uncertainties.
iii) The existing prediction techniques show poor response time due to their complex algorithmic structure.
iv) Most approaches validate the results with simulated data or simple navigational environments.
Problem Formulation and Methodology Used to Solve the Problem
After providing a history or background of the research and reviewing relevant literature to identify a gap or problem in the existing knowledge or research, the next step is to clearly state the research question and methodology used to solve the problem.
The research question is a crucial component of the introduction as it defines the focus of the study and sets the stage for the methodology used to solve the problem. The research question should be specific, concise, and clear. It should also be relevant to the research problem identified in the literature review.
Once the research question is established, it is important to describe the methodology used to solve the problem. This involves stating the unique approach, algorithm, tool, or technique used to conduct the study. It is important to be specific and provide details about the methodology used to enable readers to understand how the research was conducted and how the results were obtained.
In addition to describing the methodology, it is also important to describe the essential results that have been found or are expected to be found. This can help establish the significance of the study and its contribution to the field.
Overall, the problem formulation and methodology used to solve the problem are important components of an effective research paper introduction. The research question and methodology should be clearly stated, and the essential results should be described to establish the significance of the study. Being specific and providing details about the methodology used is also important to enable readers to understand how the research was conducted and how the results were obtained.
Example 1:
Research Question: Can machine learning algorithms be used to accurately predict stock prices?
Methodology: In this study, we will use a deep learning algorithm called Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) to predict stock prices. We will train the algorithm using historical stock price data and test its accuracy using real-time stock price data.
Example 2:
Research Question: Can blockchain technology be used to improve supply chain management?
Methodology: In this study, we will use a private blockchain to track and manage the movement of goods in a supply chain. We will test the efficiency and security of the blockchain using simulation and real-world data.
Example 3:
Research Question: Can natural language processing techniques be used to improve sentiment analysis of social media data?
Methodology: In this study, we will use a combination of machine learning and natural language processing techniques to analyze social media data. We will train the algorithm using labelled data and test its accuracy using real-world social media data.
Detailed Example 4:
Research Question: How short-term motion prediction for Robot Navigation be solved in an optimized way with uncertainties?
Methodology: The present work proposes a simple solution for short-term motion prediction using the fuzzy inference method. It is assumed that the Robot is instantaneously stationary and observes the moving object through vision-based sensors.
The position of the moving object is sampled by the Robot at two definite time intervals. With the current sampling positions, the proposed Fuzzy predictor algorithm predicts the future object’s position in the following sampling duration.
The model is flexible as the navigation environment considered is fuzzy in nature. In the initial step, the Fuzzy rule base is generated by the simulator with different object motion patterns within the navigational environment.
Inconsistent and redundant rules are removed by defining directional space within the navigational environment. Even though the fuzzy inference rules are relatively more in number, still the response time of the predictor is very small due to the short circuit evaluation of rules[13].
Min Max, Centre of Area and Mean Of Max defuzzification techniques are used to generate crisp output to identify the suitable defuzzification technique in terms of accuracy and quick response time for the current application. The algorithm is tested on simulated and real-life benchmark data provided by the CAVIAR project[10].
Common Academic Phrases that can be used in the Introduction Section
Here are some common academic phrases that can be used in the introduction section of a paper or research article in the computer science domain. I’ve included a table with examples to illustrate how these phrases might be used:
| Phrase | Example |
|---|---|
| Background/Context: This phrase is used to introduce the topic and provide some context or background information. | “With the increasing popularity of social media platforms, the problem of detecting and mitigating cyberbullying has become a pressing issue in the field of computer science.” |
| Motivation: This phrase is used to explain why the research is important or relevant. | “The increasing use of cloud computing and big data in business applications has led to growing concerns about the security and privacy of sensitive data, making it crucial to develop more effective data protection strategies.” |
| Problem statement/Research question: This phrase is used to state the specific research problem or question that the paper or research aims to address. | “This paper investigates the following research question: How can machine learning techniques be used to improve the accuracy of traffic congestion prediction in urban areas?” |
| Objectives/Contributions: This phrase is used to explain the specific objectives or contributions of the research. | “The main objectives of this research are to develop a new algorithm for image segmentation and to evaluate its performance on a large dataset. The key contribution of this work is a novel approach that combines deep learning and traditional computer vision techniques to achieve high accuracy in image segmentation.” |
| Methodology/Approach: This phrase is used to explain the methods or approach used in the research. | “In this study, we used a case study approach to investigate the use of agile development methodologies in software engineering teams. We conducted interviews with team members and analyzed project data to identify the benefits and challenges of using agile methods in this context.” |
| Scope/Limitations: This phrase is used to define the scope of the research and any limitations or constraints. | “This research focuses on the use of blockchain technology in supply chain management applications. The limitations of this work include a small sample size and the limited generalizability of the results to other industries or contexts.” |
| Organization: This phrase is used to give an overview of the structure of the paper or research article. | “The rest of this paper is organized as follows. Section 2 provides a literature review of existing approaches to cybersecurity risk management. Section 3 outlines the research methodology used in this study. Section 4 presents the results of our analysis, and Section 5 discusses the implications of these findings. Finally, Section 6 concludes the paper and suggests directions for future research.” |
Example from a Research Paper for Introduction Section
Short Term object motion prediction in a real-life Robot navigation environment refers to the prediction of the next instance position of a moving object based on the previous history of its motion. Living beings and vehicles characterize the dynamic environment and exhibit motion in various directions with different velocities.
In an unmanned Robot navigation system, the Robot has to acquire information about moving objects and predict their future positions for the next instance based on their previous history of motion in order to make efficient path planning[3][7].
The sensors available to read the position of the moving object should send accurate data in quick time succession and the Robot should process and generate the predicted position within a limited time as the validity of the result is very short.
Real-life data often suffer from inaccurate readings due to environmental constraints, sensors, the size of the objects and possible changes in the motion pattern of the moving objects. This needs the system to be Robust to handle these uncertainties and predict the next instance object position as accurate as possible.
Research literature has addressed solutions to the short-term object motion predictions with different methods such as Curve fitting or Regression methods [9] [22]Neural network based approaches [1][2][5], Hidden Markov stochastic models [23], Bayesian Occupancy Filters [6], Extended Kalman Filter[12][18] and Stochastic prediction model [21].
Based on the literature survey it is observed that
i) The existing models lack flexibility in handling the uncertainties of real-life situations.
ii) Probabilistic models sometimes fail to model real-life uncertainties.
iii) The existing prediction techniques show poor response time due to their complex algorithmic structure.
iv) Most of the approaches validate the results with simulated data or simple navigational environments.
The present work overcomes these difficulties with a simple solution for short-term motion prediction using the fuzzy inference method. It is assumed that the Robot is instantaneously stationary and observes the moving object through vision-based sensors.
The position of the moving object is sampled by the Robot at two definite time intervals. With the current sampling positions, the proposed Fuzzy predictor algorithm predicts the future object’s position in the following sampling duration.
The model is flexible as the navigation environment considered is fuzzy in nature. In the initial step, the Fuzzy rule base is generated by the simulator with different object motion patterns within the navigational environment.
Inconsistent and redundant rules are removed by defining directional space within navigational environment. Even though the fuzzy inference rules are relatively more in number, still the response time of the predictor is very small due to the short circuit evaluation of rules[13].
Min Max, Centre of Area and Mean Of Max defuzzification techniques are used to generate crisp output to identify the suitable defuzzification technique in terms of accuracy and quick response time for the current application. The algorithm is tested on both simulated and real-life benchmark data provided by the CAVIAR project[10].
What Next: After the Introduction Section
Once you’ve introduced the topic and provided some background information in the introduction section of your research paper, the next step is to move on to the methodology section. This is where you’ll explain the approach you took to conduct your research, including the methods and techniques you used to collect and analyze data.
The methodology section is crucial for providing your readers with a clear understanding of the validity and reliability of your research, so it’s important to take the time to write this section carefully and accurately.
I have written a comprehensive blog post on “How to Write the Method Section of your Research Paper in 03 Simple Steps? In this blog post, we’ll go over some tips and guidelines for writing a strong methodology section that will help you to present your research in the best possible light.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the right time to write a research paper introduction?
Many research supervisors advise research scholars to finish the body of the paper as a draft and then work on writing the introduction. This method is sometimes advantageous as it will show a clear flow of research carried out and a small discussion on results in the introduction section which may arouse the interest of the reader to read the paper in depth.
What care should be taken while writing the introduction section?
Make every effort to write as simply as you can to aid your viewers to understand the introduction well. Make your sentences brief. Look for unclear syntax or grammar. Preferably use a standard grammar correction tool. Read your introduction aloud to identify any problematic language. Take care to proofread your paper as well before you finish reading. Errors may appear unprofessional.
What is the difference between an abstract, introduction, and conclusion in a research paper?
An abstract summarizes the complete research paper in 200-300 words. The introduction introduces the reader to the field of study, identifies research gaps and formulates the problem for the research. The conclusion discusses the overall outcome of the work in 200-300 words. It includes the results obtained from the study; analysis and impact of the results; limitations of the current study; and future directions based on the results.
How long the introduction should be in the introduction section?
The introduction section should be around 10% of the total number of pages in a research paper. Suppose the research paper is of 10 pages then the introduction section should be at least one page.
Whether I can specify results in introduction section?
In general, it is not recommended to specify detailed results in the introduction section of a research paper. The introduction serves as a preview and roadmap for the rest of the paper, where you present the research problem, objectives, and context. Its purpose is to engage readers, provide background information, and motivate the study.
