It orients readers to the purpose and organization of the thesis document: The way you craft the components of your introduction will depend on a number of factors, including your writing style and ability, the nature of your study, and the logical demands of the argument you are trying to make. Providing a good introduction also involves finding the right flow for presenting all the points. Within that flow, your readers will gain insight into the thinking behind the study, get an idea of how the study is organized, gain awareness of what to anticipate, and obtain clarity regarding the assumptions of the study. This will help them evaluate your arguments as they read further.
It begins to frame the study: The introduction gradually unveils the picture the document is to portray. Once readers have got a general sense of the whole document and made logical categories for the information that is to follow, they will be able to focus on the details that appear later in the text.
It provides a rationale for the study: In addition to giving the reader an overall sense of what the study is about, the introduction relates how the study is significant and how it was/will be conducted. It also provides a conceptual background from a personal perspective, i.e., “What brought the researcher to this study?” “Why did the researcher find it compelling?” and so forth.
It provides details about your personal background: In doing so, you form a backdrop for the intent of the study. You can accomplish this by inserting in the introduction components from your Personal Research Profile and other information related to your research journey. This is where you establish a conceptual bridge between your personal interests and the content / context / focus of your study.
Thesis Research and Writing Methodologies. Online Lectures. Miami Intenational University
April 24, 2007.
The Overview
The overview accomplishes specific tasks within the confines of about 200 words. First of all, it frames the study, succinctly describes it, and notes the study’s intent. In addition, the overview flags the mode of inquiry stating whether your study falls into the category of personal narrative, critical inquiry, text analysis, or some other form. The overview concisely summarizes key procedural issues and provides information on the “who, what, when, where, why, and how” of your study. It is usually no more than three paragraphs in length. In these paragraphs, the overview tells the reader:
- Why the study is important
- Who will be involved in the study
- Who will be interested in the results
- What the logistics of the study will be
Most researchers write the overview after the proposal has been completed and then insert this synopsis in an appropriate spot within the document. For proposals in this class, you should incorporate the overview near the beginning of the document. One way to get the feel of what an overview should contain would be to peruse the abstracts for some of the theses and dissertations you retrieve.
Thesis Research and Writing Methodologies. Online Lectures. Miami Intenational UniversityApril 24, 2007.
Posts
