Ho Chi Minh City University of Foreign Languages and Information Technology
How To Write An Introduction Chapter
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Instructor: LE THAO, MBA
Introduction
Presenting the background information, research problem or question,
objectives, and significance of the study.
Establishing the context for the research and outlines the scope and
limitations.
A good introduction chapter should incite the reader to read the rest of the thesis
by establishing the context of your topic, the motivation for undertaking your
work and the importance of your research.
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1.1. Background
1.2. Significance of doing research
1.3. Objectives
1.4. Theoretical framework→ Hypothesis
1.5. Research questions
1.6. Scopes & Limitation
1.7. Organization
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1.1 Background
• Provide a brief overview of the research topic
• The quality of the background determines whether the reader will be
interested in the rest of the study.
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1.2 Significance of doing research
• Highlight the expected contribution to the field, whether theoretical,
methodological, or practical.
• Emphasize the potential benefits or applications of your findings.
• Clearly articulate the significance and potential impact of your research.
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1.3. Research Objectives
• Formulate clear and concise goals what you intend your research
project to accomplish.
• Make sure the problem and objectives are aligned with the
broader context established in the background section.
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1.3. Research Objectives
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1.3. Research Objectives
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1.3. Research Objectives
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1.3. Research Objectives
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1.4. Theoretical framework
The theoretical framework is the foundation of a research
It involves selecting appropriate theory or theories.
Each theoretical framework represents the application of a specific theory or a
combination of multiple scientific theories.
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Hypotheses
• These reasonable predictions about what your research will find.
• A hypothesis:
• Useful aid to organizing the research effort
• Be a statement that can be put to the test
• Limit the enquiry to the interaction of certain factors – variables
• Suggest the method appropriate for collecting, analyzing and
interpreting the data
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1.5. Research questions
• A well-formed research question helps define the purpose of the study and
provides a framework for designing and conducting research.
• Make sure the questions are aligned with the broader context established in
the background section.
• Clarity; Specificity; Relevance; Feasibility; Measurability; Significance
Examples:
• What is the impact of regular exercise on cardiovascular health in middle-aged adults?
• How does social media usage affect self-esteem among teenagers?
• What are the factors influencing consumer behavior in online shopping?
• How does employee satisfaction impact organizational productivity in the healthcare sector?
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Research questions - PRINCIPLES
• Formulating your main research question and sub-questions is a crucial step:
• Clear and focused. What, how, why, to what extent, ect.
• Not too broad and not too narrow
• Includes your research variables
• Analytical (relationship, causal) rather than descriptive
• Define the research gap to demonstrate to your readers the relevance of
questions.
• Ensure the questions are answerable
• A narrow research questions with clear boundaries will allow to create a
feasible task for your self.
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Research questions – DON’TS
• Closed ended questions: Avoid questions that end with “yes or no”
• Biased research questions
• Prejudiced statement (suggestive and coloured)
• Insignificant research questions
• Fail to identify a research problem that is delineated precisely enough
• Incomplete questions (subject, place, time)
• Use your research question as title
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Research questions – DO’S
• Read, read, and read (academic & professional literature)
• Ask your self what are you looking to find out?
• Make sure your questions are meaningful
• Use open a wide scope while being careful
• Distinguish your ultimate/main questions from the sub questions
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1.6. Scopes & Limitation
Helps researchers narrow down their focus, maintain clarity,
and allocate resources effectively
You can narrow this down in many ways, such as by:
- Geographical area
- Time period
- Demographics or communities
- Themes or aspects of the topic
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1.6. Scopes & Limitation
Helps readers and researchers understand the potential constraints of the
research.
Limitations might be due to your overall research design, specific
methodological choices, or unanticipated obstacles that emerged during your
research process.
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1.7. Organization
• Provide a brief overview of the organization and structure of the
research report.
• Mention the main sections or chapters and briefly describe the
content of each.
• Ensure a logical progression from the introduction to subsequent
chapters.
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