Introduction section in a research article in medicine

Introductions in research papers are likely to be interesting as well as motivating pieces of writings. It is the researcher’s task to draw the reader’s attention to read the whole text. With respect to this issue, the reader may expect to encounter in the introduction of a paper, relevant data as regards previous research on the topic, a gap that deserves to be occupied and the main

purposes for the study according to American Psychological Association (2009). The literature review section may be embedded in this introduction or it could be written in isolation depending on publishers requirements. The introduction fragment in the medicine article written by Jorgensen, Zahl and Gotzsche (2010) offers a valuable reading which is worth examining.

It seems that the first sentence in the introduction of the article may be written with the intention of stating what has been done in the field. The researchers allude to this issue by referring to the reduced percentage in cancer mortality. By the usage of the conjunction however, the authors create the gap in the field in this section of the paper. The audience may be attracted to read the article as the authors claim the problems that may arise when using observational studies to appraisal the aftereffect of screening. Jorgensen et al., (2010) adduce to the purpose of study in an implicit manner since they do not clearly state it. It is likely that through the reading of the last part of the introduction the purpose may be inferred.

According to Pintos and Crimi (2010), three moves are likely to be present in introductions. In other words, researchers create a research scope (Move 1). Then, the reasons and motivations for conducting the research are established (Move 2) and the purposes for the study are set (Move 3). In their article Jogensen et al. (2010) in Move 1, comment on trials of mammography screening which have been conducted in recent years. Then, the need for conducting the research seems to be introduced by the usage of the conjunction however. In the case of Move 3, a hypothesis on breast cancer mortality is displayed perhaps with the intention of setting the purpose of the research.

Though there is not a literature review section to be analyzed in this paper, there is quantitative data to be considered as part of the literature review. The last paragraph of the introduction consists of a hypothesis the researchers have created on the results of the study. This hypothesis may announce their main findings but it may reveal sooner than expected one of their main findings. If the researchers had not mentioned their hypothesis in the introduction, the reader may have hypothesized on the issue. This theory may attract the reader or repel him or her.

All in all, it could be concluded that introductions are crucial to captivate readers. Whether the

researcher is able to do it or not, depends on his or her ability to write intelligent pieces of

introductions. The information provided in this section determines the reader’s desire to

embark on the text.

References

American Psychological Association (2009). Publication Manual (6th ed.). Washington, DC: British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data.

Pintos & Crimi (2010) Unit 2: The research article: Introduction, literature review and methods section. Universidad CAECE. Buenos Aires, Argentina. Retrieved February 2011 from

http://caece.campusuniversidad.com.ar/file.php/84/ESP_UNIT_2.pdf

Jorgensen, K. J., Zahl, P.H., & Gotzsche, P.C. (2010).  Breast cancer mortality in organised

mammography screening in Denmark: Comparative study. BMJ, 340 (c1241), 1-6. doi:10.1136/bmj.c1241