Introduction

TEMPLATE

Introduction

Remember, this begins on a fresh page.

Topic

Discuss your research topic in general. Be sure to cite sources

Statement of the Problem

Explain what you are going to discuss under the statement of the problem. This should provide only the key information that the reader must know to understand your problem of practice, the significance of this problem, your purpose statement and research questions/hypothesis. This should include a narrative hook to engage the reader and inspire them to find out more about your research.

Justification for the Research Problem

Evidence from the literature that documents prior studies on your topic. This should be brief—providing a few key studies to situate your study in a broader context.

Significance of Research Problem

Discuss why your problem is important at the local, state and global level as well as individual, group, and societal implications (as applicable to your problem of practice.) This must draw upon existing literature and data related to your topic and not simply your opinion or personal experience. This statement should also address why this literature demonstrates that action or resolution of this problem might create change in your context. You are a change agent—why is this research problem significant and how might the literature suggest your work be impactful towards change? Please integrate your personal voice and experience when you discuss the importance of your problem within its context.

Research Central Question

You should aim to have one central (overarching) question/hypothesis each with one to three sub-questions/hypothesis. These are general suggestions, but each study demands a different number of research questions. Remember, more is not always better. Many studies only have one question.

Theoretical Framework

(Use headings and sub-headings to help guide your reader!) This section will outline the theory you have chosen to frame your research

question. In general one theoretical framework will create a focused study. In some cases, using two theoretical frameworks that are very closely tied together can be effective for framing your study. As with the research questions, more is no always better and it is very study specific. If you do use more than one theory, use a distinct sub- heading for each. Use transitional sentences between the subsections to link your theories together.

Summary

For example, if you are talking about high levels of employee

satisfaction at work, you would begin by talking about why this is important at your

workplace (you wouldn’t have literature to back up your discussion about your context

except company data that would give you the number of employees not leaving the

company each year). However, when you talk about employee satisfaction rates and

their impact beyond your worksite, you would ground those in the literature.

Be sure to include a concluding paragraph that summarizes how the theory(ies) you just discussed are appropriate for focusing your problem of practice into the research questions, methodology and questions/hypothesis you have chosen.