Introduction

Content of Introduction for hypothesis — testing paper

1. Review the pertinent literature
2. Present the research question (s)
3. State briefly the method of investigation

Organization

Known: The known is the first step in the funnel

Unknown:

• The unknown is usually just one sentence.
• The unknown indicates that the work is new.

Question

​ The question is the specific topic of the paper and the end of the funnel.

Experimental Approach

• The Introduction can end with the statement of the question or can go on to state the experimental approach.

Note: No Answer, Results, or Implications. The answer to the question should not be included in the Introduction.

Technical Details

Tenses in Introduction

Simple present tense:

1. Introducing the background
2. Stating the unknown
3. Presenting the hypothesis

Simple past tense:

1. Signal of the question
2. Experimental approach, and anything else done by you or others in the past

Present perfect tense:

1. Reviewing the development or achievement

Stock phrases for presenting background

• is believed to

  is known to

  has been reported

  is well documented

  is unknown

  is/remains unclear

  remain elusive/controversial

  Little is known about…

  Recent studies have suggested shown that …

Simple sentences

The significance of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among patients with diabetes is unknown.

Quantitative differences in the abundance of transcripts has been demonstrated in malignancies, but gene expression from a large community-based cohort examining risk of cardiovascular disease has never been reported.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections, associated with posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) **are known to** develop in cytomegalovirus (CMV)-infected transplant recipients due to the indirect effects of CMV.

Viral eradication in chronic hepatitis C patients with sustained virological response (SVR) after interferon (IFN) therapy remains controversial.

The molecular events underlying the progression of T-lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) to acute T lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) remain elusive.

Little is known about the impact liver transplantation has during adolescence.

**It is, however, unclear how** natural hosts can sustain high viral loads, comparable to those observed in the pathogenic model, without developing severe disease.

Recent studies have suggested that intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells can transform into myofibroblasts

Stock phrases to describe Objectives:

• To do …

  The objective of the present study was to …

  The aim of this study was to …

  The study was designed to …

  We sought to …

  We aimed to …

Sample sentences

To describe the severity of 2009 influenza A (H1N1) illness and the association with early antiviral treatment among pregnant women in the United States.

To determine whether B-vitamin therapy can slow progression of diabetic nephropathy and prevent vascular complications.

To assess the safety and effectiveness of prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in a large population of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on cirrhosis.

The aim of this study was to determine whether the risk of systemic disease after esophagectomy could be predicted by angiogenesis-related gene polymorphisms.

We sought to identify risk factors for VTE with a focus on risk factors for atherosclerotic disease.

The objective of the present study was to investigate whether atherosclerotic plaque composition is associated with the occurrence of future vascular events.

Standard of A Good Introduction

Being informative

It covers all the necessary parts (ABCD).

It contains a clear message.

Being clear

• It is well-organized.

• each part is coherent with each other.

• The question(s) is/are precisely stated.

Achieving coherence

transition

• Transitions between paragraphs: Use transitional sentences

• Transition within paragraphs: Use transitional words/phrases:

  • However, also, in addition, consequently, afterwards, moreover, Furthermore, further, although, unlike, in contrast, Similarly, Unfortunately, alternatively, parallel results, In order to, despite, For example, Compared with, other results, thus, therefore….

Repetition of key terms

Stating the question(s) precisely

Highlighting the originality:

• Emphasizing the Newness and Importance

Being concise

• Length: generally 1-3 paragraphs, 250-300 words

• Do not review the topic. That is what review articles are for. (citing reference)

Citing reference in Introduction

Principles:

1. Keep to a minimum
2. Select papers that described…

The most relevant, The most important, and the most recent ones.