Writing the Introduction week 2 2.pdf

COM Research Unit Writing the Introduction section for the Final Report Dr. AAMIR Omair 10/2/2023 1 Aim This session will prepare the students to write the Introduction section of the Research report for publication in a Manuscript 10/2/2023 2 Objectives • By the end of the lecture you will...

COM Research Unit Writing the Introduction section for the Final Report Dr. AAMIR Omair 10/2/2023 1 Aim This session will prepare the students to write the Introduction section of the Research report for publication in a Manuscript 10/2/2023 2 Objectives • By the end of the lecture you will be able to: – Prepare the Introduction by discussing the general concept of the research topic – Present the available relevant evidence as references within the text – Identify the different paragraphs required in a manuscript – Conclude the introduction section with the rationale and aim of the research 10/2/2023 3 Difference between Background and Introduction • Background of the Research Proposal was written with the intention of clarifying the importance and the necessity of the research study • Why is the study important and what is the basic purpose behind the study are the major questions that were addressed in the Background section 10/2/2023 4 Difference between Background and Introduction Introduction • Introduction of the manuscript presents the document in an interesting manner to the reader • Introduction should be written so that it attracts the reader to read the entire document • Important to give good impression to the reviewer of the manuscript 10/2/2023 5 Introduction The introduction starts with a broad basis and then narrows it down to the particular field of study, explaining the rationale behind each step. . Think of it as an inverted pyramid. 10/2/2023 6 Introduction BLUEPRINT TO FOLLOW 10/2/2023 Sterk PJ, Rsbe KF. The joy of writing a paper. Breathe 2008; 4(3):225-32 7 Introduction Word count (recommended): 600-800 words Literature review of previous studies on the subject; and justification of the study by stating the problem and its importance – What is known: General to Specific – Include Recent and Local references – Recommend at least Ten (10) references 10/2/2023 8 Split the thinking from the writing • First do the thinking, and then the writing. • Start by building a flow chart of the main paragraphs of the introduction. • Usually this is about 5–6 paragraphs: • the general problem, • the specific dilemma and its relevance, • why it is still unresolved, • your idea of how to solve it, and • aim (at the end of the Introduction section). 10/2/2023 9 Split the thinking from the writing Prepare a Flow Chart (One box for each paragraph): • Give each paragraph a single label (to be used in your flow chart) • Add the major message of each paragraph to the flow chart • Finally, add a smooth bridge to the next paragraph. • Collect, print and read all references for each paragraph and add them in short on the side of the flow chart • Adjust the flow chart and references until the reasoning and the required literature match optimally • This finishes most of the thinking on this section of your paper 10/2/2023 10 Split the thinking from the writing • Now you can concentrate on the language and the actual writing, paragraph by paragraph • Language and style should be written as if this is going to be the final version • All details should be dealt with now, so you don't have to go over the little things again and again later • The writing will progress quickly, because it is barely interrupted by new ideas or additional references • This part of the paper is finished! You can confidently start with the next section 10/2/2023 11 Introduction: Opening Paragraph General Background of the disease (topic), problem or issue – One to two paragraphs explaining to the readers the general concepts, definitions and general features of your topic – Examples: Bronchial asthma definition, epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis and management Always assume that the readers are NOT experts in your area BUT Do Not try to give a lecture in the Introduction section – just give relevant reference 10/2/2023 12 Introduction: 2nd / 3rd Paragraphs The known and unknown facts about the disease, problem or issue – Specific details of the problem that are related to your research topic – Examples like the methods of treatment of inflammation in bronchial asthma patients 10/2/2023 13 Introduction: Rationale (before Last paragraph) What is the specific unresolved issue or dilemma of the disease, problem or issue – Specific discussion about the unanswered or unresolved issues that you want to study – Examples like parent education level in providing medications to their asthma children 10/2/2023 14 Introduction: Concluding paragraph • Hypothesis – Your Research Hypothesis – What is your thinking and theory about this topic • The Research Question – PICO question • Aim – What is the Aim of the study – What do you want to achieve (overall) 10/2/2023 15 TIPS • Keep it Short • Define the Problem • Organization 10/2/2023 16 Important • Make sure you put a reference or references to any information or quotation you provide in the introduction • Helpful hint: – You can read from a textbook and/or recent review articles to get the knowledge about your topic (but cite the original references not the review articles) • Update with recent references + add some more details to references cited earlier in the proposal • Avoid plagiarism 10/2/2023 17 Important to know • Author has used his own wordings (paraphrasing) • Language appears to be above the students level of competency. • Paragraphs structured appropriately (4 to 6 paragraphs). • Sentences are structured appropriately generally linked to each other as opposed to abrupt sentences cited from different sources • Spelling errors and Grammatical content 10/2/2023 18