Writing a Research Paper Introduction – Astep-by-step referenceThe introduction is the first chapter of a research paper. It starts from the research proposal stage, but it is critical to understand the difference between the introduction of a research proposal and that of a research paper. At the proposal stage, the introduction is presented in a future tense expressing the intensions and expectations of the researcher, whereas that of the research paper is in the past tense, revealing what actually happened.A research paper Introduction plays an essential role of preparing the reader’s mind to follow the paper as it unveils the problem, the researcher’s intervention, intentions and expectations.Sections of a research paper introductionThe introduction constituents and sequence m ajorly depend on the type of research and format undertaken.∙Background: Reveals an identified and well defined problem, exploring its history and nature with reference to the existing literature. It should indicate the root of the problem, its extent, the affected, previous investigations, etc.;highlighting the research paper introduction in general, and ensuringproper perception of the situation at hand.∙Statement of the problem: Is the core of the issue/problem and must be clearly defined. It states exactly what the problem is, justifying that thestudy narrows or bridges the gap between what it is and what it ought to be.∙Purpose of the study: Is derived from the statem ent of the problem. It states why one decides to study the problem and the role of his/her research to solve the problem.∙Objectives of the study: These constitute the targets a researcher intends to achieve. They act as a yardstick for the research exercise and must bespecific, m easurable and achievable.∙Research questions: These are research guiding questions generated from objectives. The researcher needs to answer them as part of theinvestigation.∙Hypotheses: These are guiding predictions of the outcom e of the study.Basing on research questions, an assumption derived form existing theories,personal observations and experience is m ade. A hypothesis provides a tentative answer to the problem, allowing for further investigations.Hypotheses are common for descriptive and explanatory research.∙Scope of the study: Is expressed in terms of a geographical area, say village, town or city; and in term s of content – showing the extent ofknowledge coverage.∙Significance of the study: Shows how m eaningful and useful the research is; as well as indicating the beneficiary group(s).∙Assumption: Situations under which the research is m ay not be exact, so for easy of work the researcher may assume what he/she has exactlyconsidered in his/her investigation.∙Delimitations:These are advantageous factors affecting one’s research exercise.∙Limitations:These are disadvantageous factors affecting one’s research exercise.∙Definition of key concepts/terms: Due to am biguity and varying meanings of words/terms/concepts, the researcher needs to be precise giving exact m eaning of what he/she intends to communicate.∙Abbreviation: Abbreviations may be misunderstood, so clear full meanings avoid confusion.How to Write a Research Proposal – A successful and winning approach15 November, 2009Research exercises are first planned in research proposals. It determines the research direction, its endurance or failure. A proposal serves as an action plan for research, constituting three chapters; Introduction, Literature review and Methodologies. It is com plem ented with references, budget and tim etable. Students obliged to do research submit research proposals to their supervisors before real research exercises. Supervisors approve the proposals for research exercises to commence. Learning how to write a research proposal is key for research students.A research proposal is presented in a future tense, signifying the target research accom plishments and operation mode. Before doing a custom research paper or term paper writing, planning is a key role.How to write a research proposal in a simpler wayUnderstand the intended topic, your knowledge about the subject, your audience’s interests and their knowledge about the subject. Understand the type of research resources and sources required. If you understand how to write a research proposal, then your research exercise becom es easier. Your essay writing tacti cs, highly aid your writing skills for a proposal.• Chapter one (Introduction):- this expresses the intensions and expectations of the researcher and plays an essential role of preparing the reader’s mind as it revea ls the problem, researcher’s intentions, why he/she intends to intervene and his/her expectations.The introduction contains;1. background of the study,2. statem ent of the problem,3. purpose of the study,4. objectives of the study,5. research questions and/or6. hypotheses,7. scope of the study,8. significance of the study,9. assumption,10. delimitations,11. limitations and12. definition of key concepts/term s• Chapter two (Review of relevant literature):- When reviewing literature examine the sources related to the topic of interest. Avoid the literature that is not connected to the area of study. Always paraphrase and cite basing on your objectives and hypotheses. Ensure that the review saves you the burden of repeating com pleted research, wasting tim e on failed research and helping you find what the previous researchers have not tackled.Literature review constitutes;1. Literature map: identify the variables and specify the necessary resources,em barking on previous and similar interest researc hers.2. Justification of intended research: show why the research is necessary.3. Extent and constraints of previous researchers: what does the researcher need to cover? Note limitations of previous researchers.• Chapter three (Methodologies):- The researcher analyses m ethods to be used, depending on the type and accuracy of data required.The m ethodologies constitute the following;1. Research design: gives the necessary type of research. Involving qualitative and quantitative descriptive studies.2. Sam pling: the researcher chooses ways to undertake for study samples.Sam pling methods may be random, stratified, and purposive and so on.3. Tools and instruments: data collect tools involve questionnaires, interviews; focus discussion groups and so on.4. Procedure: shows how data collection will be administered.5. Data collection: identify the primary and secondary sources.6. Data processing and analysis: focus on raw data, sorting, editing, coding and representing it.How to write a research proposal takes various undertakings from institution to institution. You can further your guidance using research paper samples.Methodology Writing for your Research Paper2 December, 2009Before you carry out your research, you have to analyze the rationale and feasibility of particular methods for a given study. This is normally written in your research proposal, while the explanation for the methods undertaken is written in the research paper methodology. Different kinds of issues require different forms of approach during data collection and processing with in a given research exercise. These are exactly what the researcher handles in his/her methodology writing.While analyzing the methods to employ during the study, you need to;Always remember that the choice of your methodology will highly depend on the purpose of the research and the type of problem under study. The methodology in your proposal is only a suggestion and is written in a future tense, whereas that in your research paper is in past tense revealing how you actually administered your study methodically.The Structure of your Methodology WritingThe methodology constitutes a number of areas covering how you are going to carry out your research exercise. It gives a layout of the specific methods to handle particular situations. The methodology can be outlined as follows:1.Research design: This m ay be qualitative and descriptive in which the qualityof a situation is studied or analyzed and described accordingly. It m ay also be quantitative, where the results are numerical in nature.1.Sam pling: Samples may be used as a representation of a large population. Asam ple can be non-probability or probability sampling. These also have a number of subcategories.1.Tools and Instruments: These are used to establish the facts fromrespondents. They m ay include questionnaires, interviews, observations, recording, focused group discussions, tests and diary.1.Procedure: This reveals the stages to be undertaken while carrying out yourresearch exercise. You need to be system atic in a way following the term s of reference, administering the research exercise, and revealing how the recommendation letter was obtained. This gives the whole plan of the research exercise procedures exhaustively.1.Data collection: Identify the primary and secondary data sources asanticipated. Mention your data sources as m ay be applied while undertaking the research. Show how you intend to acquire and store data.1.Data processing and analysis: You have to reveal how you are supposed tosort, edit, code and represent your data. Then show how the represented data shall be interpreted. Descriptive methods are necessary for the interpretation, comparison and drawing conclusions.Your methodology will largely depend on the requirements of a given format or will largely depend on the various institutions styles. At this stage of your research proposal you are meant to exhaust the appropriate methods for your research. Try further reading through essay help and various research paper samples.。