This document provides guidance on writing the introduction chapter of a research proposal. The introduction should establish the scope and importance of the research topic. It should answer key questions such as what is being studied, why it is important, what is known, and how the study will contribute to knowledge. The introduction contains several essential elements, including the statement of the problem, assumptions, significance, definition of terms, scope and limitations, and conceptual framework. It sets the context and provides a roadmap for the research.

1. THE INTRODUCTION
BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH 1

2. Learning Objectives:
✓Establish the scope and depth of your project.
✓Contribute to your research design.
✓Indicate how your project will contribute to existing knowledge.

3. CONTENTS OF ANY PROPOSAL
Chapter 1 – The introduction
Chapter 2 - the ROL
Chapter 3 – Methods and Materials
Chapter 4 – Results& Discussions
Chapter 5 – Conclusions & Recomendations

4. BEFORE WRITING THE INTRODUCTION
Acquaint yourself with the available literature of your research (to broaden your knowledge)
Design a rough theoretical / conceptual framework
Abstract methods and procedures other researchers used in a similar or parallel research
Determine which ones worked or did not work

5. CONTENTS OF AN INTRODUCTION
(Kumar, 2011)
Overview of the research
A historical perspective of the research problem
Issues relating to the topic
Trends in terms of the issue(s)
Major theories / concepts if any
Main issues, problems, and advances in the subject area
under study
Important theoretical and practical issues relating to the
research

6. IMPORTANCE
It serves as a mental road map of the research
Gives the initial impressions about
◦the research problem
◦your writing style
◦the quality of the research and
◦the validity of the research

7. Four important questions that intro
should answer What is being studied / researched
Why is this topic important
What do we know / not know about this research
How will this study / research contribute to
existing knowledge

8. STRUCTURE OF THE INTRODUCTION
GENERAL ASPECTS
MORE SPECIFIC
INFORMATION
RATIONALE AND
EXPECTED
OUTCOMES
Sacred Heart University Library. Organizing Academic Research Papers: 4. The Introduction
From https://library.sacredheart.edu/c.php?g=29803&p=185916

9. PHASES IN WRITING THE INTRODUCTION
Establish your research problem, questions and objectives (RPQO) first
◦ Describe the significance of the RPQO
◦ Who might benefit from the research
◦ Make general statements about the RPQO
◦ What is known / not known about the RPQO
Identify the research “niche”
◦ State opposing knowledge or concepts
◦ Identify gaps
◦ Formulate / state a clear research question

10. Place your research within the research niche
◦ State the objectives of your study,
◦ Outline the important features of the proposal,
◦ Describe previous buyt important results, and
◦ Give a brief overview of the structure of the paper.
Sacred Heart University Library. Organizing Academic Research Papers: 4. The Introduction
From https://library.sacredheart.edu/c.php?g=29803&p=185916

11. KEEP THE FF IN MIND IN THE
INTRODUCTION
Your introduction should clearly identify the subject area of interest.
Establish context by providing a brief and balanced review of the pertinent published literature
that is available on the subj
Clearly state the hypothesis / assumptions that you investigated.
Why did you choose this kind of research study or design?
Sacred Heart University Library. Organizing Academic Research Papers: 4. The Introduction
From https://library.sacredheart.edu/c.php?g=29803&p=185916

12. Guidelines in Writing the Introduction
1. Presentation of the problem
2.The Existence of the unsatisfactory condition, a felt problem that needs a solution
3.Rationale of the study
4. Historical background of the problem
5. A desire to have a deeper and clearer understanding of a situation, circumstance or
phenomenon
6. A desire to find a better way of doing something or improving a product
7. A desire to discover something
8. geographical conditions of the locale study
9. A link between the introduction and statement of the problem

13. INTRODUCTON (ICJME, 2020)
Provide a context or background for the study
(that is, the nature of the problem and its
significance).
State the specific purpose or research
objective of, or hypothesis tested by, the
study or observation.
Cite only directly pertinent references, and do
not include data or conclusions from the work
being reported.
ICJME (2020). “Preparing a Manuscript for Submission to a Medical
Journal.” From
http://www.icmje.org/recommendations/browse/manuscript-
preparation/preparing-for-submission.html#c. Accessed s11.05.20

14. PROPOSED CHAPTER 1: Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Assumptions and Hypothesi(es)
Significance of the study
Definition of terms
Scope and delimitations of the study
Conceptual framework
Calderon JF, & Gonzales EC (1993)

15. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Indicate what is covered by the study
Describe the existence of an unsatisfactory condition or a need to study the problem
Why is it necessary to perform this research?
State the historical background leading to the problem
What deeper knowledge or understanding can the study contribute
How can the research improve something?
Can the study discover something new?
State the geographical location and conditions of the study area
Calderon JF, & Gonzales EC (1993)

16. PROPOSED CHAPTER 1: Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Assumptions and Hypothesi(es)
Significance of the study
Definition of terms
Scope and delimitations of the study
Conceptual framework

17. ASSUMPTIONS & HYPOTHESE(IS)
Assumption: A self-evident truth which is based upon a known fact or phenomenon
Hypotheses: a tentative conclusion or answer to a specific question raised in / by the researcher. It is
an educated guess about the answer to a specific question.
It is not essential to have a hypothesis in order to undertake a study – you can conduct a perfectly
satisfactory study without formulating a hypothesis.
Kumar (2011)
Calderon JF, & Gonzales EC (1993)

18. EXAMPLE:
ASSUMPTION

19. EXAMPLE:
HYPOTHESES

20. PROPOSED CHAPTER 1: Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Assumptions and Hypothesi(es)
Significance of the study
Definition of terms
Scope and delimitations of the study
Conceptual framework

21. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
States the reason / relevance of the study.
Possible solutions to an existing problem
Identify who will benefit from the research
State any contribution to new knowledge
Implications of the study

22. PROPOSED CHAPTER 1: Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Assumptions and Hypothesi(es)
Significance of the study
Definition of terms
Scope and delimitations of the study
Conceptual framework

23. DEFINITION OF TERMS
Choose terms, word, or phrases that are important
Define terms operationally
Brief, clear and unequivocal
Acronyms should be speeled out fully for the first time

25. PROPOSED CHAPTER 1: Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Assumptions and Hypothesi(es)
Significance of the study
Definition of terms
Scope and delimitations of the study
Conceptual framework

26. SCOPE AND DELIMITATIONS OF THE
STUDY
A description where the respondents or samples were obtained
Location of the study
The period (time) of the study…
list any problems you think you might encounter concerning, for example, the availability of
data, securing permission from.
Kumar (2011)

27. Guidelines for Scope and Delimitation of
the study
1. A brief statement of the general purpose of the study
2. the subject matter and topics studied and discussed.
3. The locale of the study, where the data were gathered or the entity to which the data belong
4.The population from which the respondents were selected . This must be large enough to
make generalizations. Significant.
5. The period of the study. This is the time, either month or years during which the data were
gathered.

28. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
This is a theoretical scheme derived from the ROL
It is a rendition of a theory into the proposal
Consists of the researcher’s own position about the RPQO after an extensive ROL

29. REFERENCES
Calderon JF & Gonzales EC (1993). Methods of Research and Thesis Writing. Manila: NBS
ICJME (2020). “Preparing a Manuscript for Submission to a
Medical Journal.” From
http://www.icmje.org/recommendations/browse/manuscri
pt-preparation/preparing-for-submission.html#c. Accessed
11.05.20
Kumar R (2011). Methods of Research: A Step by Step Guide for Beginners. New Delhi: Sage.