What Goes Into Writing an Introduction for a Study

¶ … strengths of these Introduction sections? Both of these Introductions provides strong definitions of the subjects they are assessing. The study on teleworking at FedEx, for example, does a good job of defining teleworking and its history, going back to telecomputing. It also defines clearly what FedEx is and how it came into being, although this part feels a little superfluous because the paper is mainly about teleworking at FedEx (and tidbits about how FedEx's founder had the idea in college seem unnecessary).

The other study also clearly defines terms and that helps to show the reader what the study is about and how it is going to proceed. Everything is laid out accordingly and in a proper order in both Introductory sections, which makes for easy and coherent and logical reading.

What more would you like to know after reading these Introduction sections? In other words what additional information might have the students included to better help the reader understand the research study? In the study on teleworking, the Introduction could have used more information on the problem that was being addressed. There was no information on the actual purpose of the study, who it was for, who it would benefit, what its approach was, what it intended to show or prove -- or anything like that.

It is basically set up like a book report on FedEx and teleworking. In the other study, these aspects are there so that is not a problem. The only question I had was why the researcher chose City Utilities as the subject of the study. This knowledge would not necessarily have contributed anything to the study but it would have simply clarified why this subject was chosen.

Was it for the sake of proximity to the researcher? Because the researcher had special access to it? Some other reason? The reason would have put some light on this subject, but instead I was left wondering what was significant about City Utilities and why the researcher should choose it to focus on. 3.

How does your review of these Introduction sections help you better understand the Introduction you will write for your own research project? By reviewing these introductions, I have a better sense of what to write for my own research project. I should have sections that tell the reader how the study will unfold -- so there will be a section for definitions, for purpose, for audience, for problem that is being addressed, and one for what the study is going to look like in the following chapters.

Everything should be clear so that the reader is not left wondering about anything. Likewise, in my study, if I choose a specific group and place to look at and examine, I should include the reason why I am choosing it, why it is significant and what it means. There are implications to be drawn from every choice in a study, from method and approach to theory to subject and sample. All of this is important, so it needs careful thought and it should.