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How to Write a Research Paper Introduction (with Examples)

The research paper introduction section, along with the Title and Abstract, can be considered the face of any research paper. The following article is intended to guide you in organizing and writing the research paper introduction for a quality academic article or dissertation.

The research paper introduction aims to present the topic to the reader. A study will only be accepted for publishing if you can ascertain that the available literature cannot answer your research question. So it is important to ensure that you have read important studies on that particular topic, especially those within the last five to ten years, and that they are properly referenced in this section. 1 What should be included in the research paper introduction is decided by what you want to tell readers about the reason behind the research and how you plan to fill the knowledge gap. The best research paper introduction provides a systemic review of existing work and demonstrates additional work that needs to be done. It needs to be brief, captivating, and well-referenced; a well-drafted research paper introduction will help the researcher win half the battle.

The introduction for a research paper is where you set up your topic and approach for the reader. It has several key goals:

• Present your research topic
• Capture reader interest
• Summarize existing research
• Position your own approach
• Define your specific research problem and problem statement
• Highlight the novelty and contributions of the study
• Give an overview of the paper’s structure

The research paper introduction can vary in size and structure depending on whether your paper presents the results of original empirical research or is a review paper. Some research paper introduction examples are only half a page while others are a few pages long. In many cases, the introduction will be shorter than all of the other sections of your paper; its length depends on the size of your paper as a whole.

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Table of Contents

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The introduction in a research paper is placed at the beginning to guide the reader from a broad subject area to the specific topic that your research addresses. They present the following information to the reader

• Scope: The topic covered in the research paper
• Context: Background of your topic
• Importance: Why your research matters in that particular area of research and the industry problem that can be targeted

The research paper introduction conveys a lot of information and can be considered an essential roadmap for the rest of your paper. A good introduction for a research paper is important for the following reasons:

• It stimulates your reader’s interest: A good introduction section can make your readers want to read your paper by capturing their interest. It informs the reader what they are going to learn and helps determine if the topic is of interest to them.
• It helps the reader understand the research background: Without a clear introduction, your readers may feel confused and even struggle when reading your paper. A good research paper introduction will prepare them for the in-depth research to come. It provides you the opportunity to engage with the readers and demonstrate your knowledge and authority on the specific topic.
• It explains why your research paper is worth reading: Your introduction can convey a lot of information to your readers. It introduces the topic, why the topic is important, and how you plan to proceed with your research.
• It helps guide the reader through the rest of the paper: The research paper introduction gives the reader a sense of the nature of the information that will support your arguments and the general organization of the paragraphs that will follow. It offers an overview of what to expect when reading the main body of your paper.

What are the parts of introduction in the research?

A good research paper introduction section should comprise three main elements: 2

• What is known: This sets the stage for your research. It informs the readers of what is known on the subject.
• What is lacking: This is aimed at justifying the reason for carrying out your research. This could involve investigating a new concept or method or building upon previous research.
• What you aim to do: This part briefly states the objectives of your research and its major contributions. Your detailed hypothesis will also form a part of this section.

How to write a research paper introduction?

The first step in writing the research paper introduction is to inform the reader what your topic is and why it’s interesting or important. This is generally accomplished with a strong opening statement. The second step involves establishing the kinds of research that have been done and ending with limitations or gaps in the research that you intend to address. Finally, the research paper introduction clarifies how your own research fits in and what problem it addresses. If your research involved testing hypotheses, these should be stated along with your research question. The hypothesis should be presented in the past tense since it will have been tested by the time you are writing the research paper introduction.

The following key points, with examples, can guide you when writing the research paper introduction section:

• Highlight the importance of the research field or topic
• Describe the background of the topic
• Present an overview of current research on the topic

Example: The inclusion of experiential and competency-based learning has benefitted electronics engineering education. Industry partnerships provide an excellent alternative for students wanting to engage in solving real-world challenges. Industry-academia participation has grown in recent years due to the need for skilled engineers with practical training and specialized expertise. However, from the educational perspective, many activities are needed to incorporate sustainable development goals into the university curricula and consolidate learning innovation in universities.

• Reveal a gap in existing research or oppose an existing assumption
• Formulate the research question

Example: There have been plausible efforts to integrate educational activities in higher education electronics engineering programs. However, very few studies have considered using educational research methods for performance evaluation of competency-based higher engineering education, with a focus on technical and or transversal skills. To remedy the current need for evaluating competencies in STEM fields and providing sustainable development goals in engineering education, in this study, a comparison was drawn between study groups without and with industry partners.

• State the purpose of your study
• Highlight the key characteristics of your study
• Describe important results
• Highlight the novelty of the study.
• Offer a brief overview of the structure of the paper.

Example: The study evaluates the main competency needed in the applied electronics course, which is a fundamental core subject for many electronics engineering undergraduate programs. We compared two groups, without and with an industrial partner, that offered real-world projects to solve during the semester. This comparison can help determine significant differences in both groups in terms of developing subject competency and achieving sustainable development goals.

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You can use the same process to develop each section of your article, and finally your research paper in half the time and without any of the stress.

The purpose of the research paper introduction is to introduce the reader to the problem definition, justify the need for the study, and describe the main theme of the study. The aim is to gain the reader’s attention by providing them with necessary background information and establishing the main purpose and direction of the research.

The length of the research paper introduction can vary across journals and disciplines. While there are no strict word limits for writing the research paper introduction, an ideal length would be one page, with a maximum of 400 words over 1-4 paragraphs. Generally, it is one of the shorter sections of the paper as the reader is assumed to have at least a reasonable knowledge about the topic. 2 For example, for a study evaluating the role of building design in ensuring fire safety, there is no need to discuss definitions and nature of fire in the introduction; you could start by commenting upon the existing practices for fire safety and how your study will add to the existing knowledge and practice.

When deciding what to include in the research paper introduction, the rest of the paper should also be considered. The aim is to introduce the reader smoothly to the topic and facilitate an easy read without much dependency on external sources. 3 Below is a list of elements you can include to prepare a research paper introduction outline and follow it when you are writing the research paper introduction. Topic introduction: This can include key definitions and a brief history of the topic. Research context and background: Offer the readers some general information and then narrow it down to specific aspects. Details of the research you conducted: A brief literature review can be included to support your arguments or line of thought. Rationale for the study: This establishes the relevance of your study and establishes its importance. Importance of your research: The main contributions are highlighted to help establish the novelty of your study Research hypothesis: Introduce your research question and propose an expected outcome. Organization of the paper: Include a short paragraph of 3-4 sentences that highlights your plan for the entire paper

Cite only works that are most relevant to your topic; as a general rule, you can include one to three. Note that readers want to see evidence of original thinking. So it is better to avoid using too many references as it does not leave much room for your personal standpoint to shine through. Citations in your research paper introduction support the key points, and the number of citations depend on the subject matter and the point discussed. If the research paper introduction is too long or overflowing with citations, it is better to cite a few review articles rather than the individual articles summarized in the review. A good point to remember when citing research papers in the introduction section is to include at least one-third of the references in the introduction.

The literature review plays a significant role in the research paper introduction section. A good literature review accomplishes the following: Introduces the topic – Establishes the study’s significance – Provides an overview of the relevant literature – Provides context for the study using literature – Identifies knowledge gaps However, remember to avoid making the following mistakes when writing a research paper introduction: Do not use studies from the literature review to aggressively support your research Avoid direct quoting Do not allow literature review to be the focus of this section. Instead, the literature review should only aid in setting a foundation for the manuscript.

Remember the following key points for writing a good research paper introduction: 4

• Avoid stuffing too much general information: Avoid including what an average reader would know and include only that information related to the problem being addressed in the research paper introduction. For example, when describing a comparative study of non-traditional methods for mechanical design optimization, information related to the traditional methods and differences between traditional and non-traditional methods would not be relevant. In this case, the introduction for the research paper should begin with the state-of-the-art non-traditional methods and methods to evaluate the efficiency of newly developed algorithms.
• Avoid packing too many references: Cite only the required works in your research paper introduction. The other works can be included in the discussion section to strengthen your findings.
• Avoid extensive criticism of previous studies: Avoid being overly critical of earlier studies while setting the rationale for your study. A better place for this would be the Discussion section, where you can highlight the advantages of your method.
• Avoid describing conclusions of the study: When writing a research paper introduction remember not to include the findings of your study. The aim is to let the readers know what question is being answered. The actual answer should only be given in the Results and Discussion section.

To summarize, the research paper introduction section should be brief yet informative. It should convince the reader the need to conduct the study and motivate him to read further. If you’re feeling stuck or unsure, choose trusted AI academic writing assistants like Paperpal to effortlessly craft your research paper introduction and other sections of your research article.

1. Jawaid, S. A., & Jawaid, M. (2019). How to write introduction and discussion. Saudi Journal of Anaesthesia, 13(Suppl 1), S18.

2. Dewan, P., & Gupta, P. (2016). Writing the title, abstract and introduction: Looks matter!. Indian pediatrics, 53, 235-241.

3. Cetin, S., & Hackam, D. J. (2005). An approach to the writing of a scientific Manuscript1. Journal of Surgical Research, 128(2), 165-167.

4. Bavdekar, S. B. (2015). Writing introduction: Laying the foundations of a research paper. Journal of the Association of Physicians of India, 63(7), 44-6.

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Research Paper Introduction – Writing Guide and Examples

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Research Paper Introduction

Research paper introduction is the first section of a research paper that provides an overview of the study, its purpose, and the research question (s) or hypothesis (es) being investigated. It typically includes background information about the topic, a review of previous research in the field, and a statement of the research objectives. The introduction is intended to provide the reader with a clear understanding of the research problem, why it is important, and how the study will contribute to existing knowledge in the field. It also sets the tone for the rest of the paper and helps to establish the author’s credibility and expertise on the subject.

How to Write Research Paper Introduction

Writing an introduction for a research paper can be challenging because it sets the tone for the entire paper. Here are some steps to follow to help you write an effective research paper introduction:

• Start with a hook : Begin your introduction with an attention-grabbing statement, a question, or a surprising fact that will make the reader interested in reading further.
• Provide background information: After the hook, provide background information on the topic. This information should give the reader a general idea of what the topic is about and why it is important.
• State the research problem: Clearly state the research problem or question that the paper addresses. This should be done in a concise and straightforward manner.
• State the research objectives: After stating the research problem, clearly state the research objectives. This will give the reader an idea of what the paper aims to achieve.
• Provide a brief overview of the paper: At the end of the introduction, provide a brief overview of the paper. This should include a summary of the main points that will be discussed in the paper.
• Revise and refine: Finally, revise and refine your introduction to ensure that it is clear, concise, and engaging.

Structure of Research Paper Introduction

The following is a typical structure for a research paper introduction:

• Background Information: This section provides an overview of the topic of the research paper, including relevant background information and any previous research that has been done on the topic. It helps to give the reader a sense of the context for the study.
• Problem Statement: This section identifies the specific problem or issue that the research paper is addressing. It should be clear and concise, and it should articulate the gap in knowledge that the study aims to fill.
• Research Question/Hypothesis : This section states the research question or hypothesis that the study aims to answer. It should be specific and focused, and it should clearly connect to the problem statement.
• Significance of the Study: This section explains why the research is important and what the potential implications of the study are. It should highlight the contribution that the research makes to the field.
• Methodology: This section describes the research methods that were used to conduct the study. It should be detailed enough to allow the reader to understand how the study was conducted and to evaluate the validity of the results.
• Organization of the Paper : This section provides a brief overview of the structure of the research paper. It should give the reader a sense of what to expect in each section of the paper.

Research Paper Introduction Examples

Research Paper Introduction Examples could be:

Example 1: In recent years, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) has become increasingly prevalent in various industries, including healthcare. AI algorithms are being developed to assist with medical diagnoses, treatment recommendations, and patient monitoring. However, as the use of AI in healthcare grows, ethical concerns regarding privacy, bias, and accountability have emerged. This paper aims to explore the ethical implications of AI in healthcare and propose recommendations for addressing these concerns.

Example 2: Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing our planet today. The increasing concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has resulted in rising temperatures, changing weather patterns, and other environmental impacts. In this paper, we will review the scientific evidence on climate change, discuss the potential consequences of inaction, and propose solutions for mitigating its effects.

Example 3: The rise of social media has transformed the way we communicate and interact with each other. While social media platforms offer many benefits, including increased connectivity and access to information, they also present numerous challenges. In this paper, we will examine the impact of social media on mental health, privacy, and democracy, and propose solutions for addressing these issues.

Example 4: The use of renewable energy sources has become increasingly important in the face of climate change and environmental degradation. While renewable energy technologies offer many benefits, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions and energy independence, they also present numerous challenges. In this paper, we will assess the current state of renewable energy technology, discuss the economic and political barriers to its adoption, and propose solutions for promoting the widespread use of renewable energy.

Purpose of Research Paper Introduction

The introduction section of a research paper serves several important purposes, including:

• Providing context: The introduction should give readers a general understanding of the topic, including its background, significance, and relevance to the field.
• Presenting the research question or problem: The introduction should clearly state the research question or problem that the paper aims to address. This helps readers understand the purpose of the study and what the author hopes to accomplish.
• Reviewing the literature: The introduction should summarize the current state of knowledge on the topic, highlighting the gaps and limitations in existing research. This shows readers why the study is important and necessary.
• Outlining the scope and objectives of the study: The introduction should describe the scope and objectives of the study, including what aspects of the topic will be covered, what data will be collected, and what methods will be used.
• Previewing the main findings and conclusions : The introduction should provide a brief overview of the main findings and conclusions that the study will present. This helps readers anticipate what they can expect to learn from the paper.

When to Write Research Paper Introduction

The introduction of a research paper is typically written after the research has been conducted and the data has been analyzed. This is because the introduction should provide an overview of the research problem, the purpose of the study, and the research questions or hypotheses that will be investigated.

Once you have a clear understanding of the research problem and the questions that you want to explore, you can begin to write the introduction. It’s important to keep in mind that the introduction should be written in a way that engages the reader and provides a clear rationale for the study. It should also provide context for the research by reviewing relevant literature and explaining how the study fits into the larger field of research.

Advantages of Research Paper Introduction

The introduction of a research paper has several advantages, including:

• Establishing the purpose of the research: The introduction provides an overview of the research problem, question, or hypothesis, and the objectives of the study. This helps to clarify the purpose of the research and provide a roadmap for the reader to follow.
• Providing background information: The introduction also provides background information on the topic, including a review of relevant literature and research. This helps the reader understand the context of the study and how it fits into the broader field of research.
• Demonstrating the significance of the research: The introduction also explains why the research is important and relevant. This helps the reader understand the value of the study and why it is worth reading.
• Setting expectations: The introduction sets the tone for the rest of the paper and prepares the reader for what is to come. This helps the reader understand what to expect and how to approach the paper.
• Grabbing the reader’s attention: A well-written introduction can grab the reader’s attention and make them interested in reading further. This is important because it can help to keep the reader engaged and motivated to read the rest of the paper.
• Creating a strong first impression: The introduction is the first part of the research paper that the reader will see, and it can create a strong first impression. A well-written introduction can make the reader more likely to take the research seriously and view it as credible.
• Establishing the author’s credibility: The introduction can also establish the author’s credibility as a researcher. By providing a clear and thorough overview of the research problem and relevant literature, the author can demonstrate their expertise and knowledge in the field.
• Providing a structure for the paper: The introduction can also provide a structure for the rest of the paper. By outlining the main sections and sub-sections of the paper, the introduction can help the reader navigate the paper and find the information they are looking for.

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• How to write an essay introduction | 4 steps & examples

How to Write an Essay Introduction | 4 Steps & Examples

Published on February 4, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on July 23, 2023.

A good introduction paragraph is an essential part of any academic essay . It sets up your argument and tells the reader what to expect.

The main goals of an introduction are to:

• Catch your reader’s attention.
• Give background on your topic.
• Present your thesis statement —the central point of your essay.

This introduction example is taken from our interactive essay example on the history of Braille.

The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of disability. The writing system of raised dots used by visually impaired people was developed by Louis Braille in nineteenth-century France. In a society that did not value disabled people in general, blindness was particularly stigmatized, and lack of access to reading and writing was a significant barrier to social participation. The idea of tactile reading was not entirely new, but existing methods based on sighted systems were difficult to learn and use. As the first writing system designed for blind people’s needs, Braille was a groundbreaking new accessibility tool. It not only provided practical benefits, but also helped change the cultural status of blindness. This essay begins by discussing the situation of blind people in nineteenth-century Europe. It then describes the invention of Braille and the gradual process of its acceptance within blind education. Subsequently, it explores the wide-ranging effects of this invention on blind people’s social and cultural lives.

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Table of contents

Step 1: hook your reader, step 2: give background information, step 3: present your thesis statement, step 4: map your essay’s structure, step 5: check and revise, more examples of essay introductions, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about the essay introduction.

Your first sentence sets the tone for the whole essay, so spend some time on writing an effective hook.

Avoid long, dense sentences—start with something clear, concise and catchy that will spark your reader’s curiosity.

The hook should lead the reader into your essay, giving a sense of the topic you’re writing about and why it’s interesting. Avoid overly broad claims or plain statements of fact.

Examples: Writing a good hook

Take a look at these examples of weak hooks and learn how to improve them.

• Braille was an extremely important invention.
• The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of disability.

The first sentence is a dry fact; the second sentence is more interesting, making a bold claim about exactly  why the topic is important.

• The internet is defined as “a global computer network providing a variety of information and communication facilities.”
• The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education.

Avoid using a dictionary definition as your hook, especially if it’s an obvious term that everyone knows. The improved example here is still broad, but it gives us a much clearer sense of what the essay will be about.

• Mary Shelley’s  Frankenstein is a famous book from the nineteenth century.
• Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is often read as a crude cautionary tale about the dangers of scientific advancement.

Instead of just stating a fact that the reader already knows, the improved hook here tells us about the mainstream interpretation of the book, implying that this essay will offer a different interpretation.

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Next, give your reader the context they need to understand your topic and argument. Depending on the subject of your essay, this might include:

• Historical, geographical, or social context
• An outline of the debate you’re addressing
• A summary of relevant theories or research about the topic
• Definitions of key terms

The information here should be broad but clearly focused and relevant to your argument. Don’t give too much detail—you can mention points that you will return to later, but save your evidence and interpretation for the main body of the essay.

How much space you need for background depends on your topic and the scope of your essay. In our Braille example, we take a few sentences to introduce the topic and sketch the social context that the essay will address:

Now it’s time to narrow your focus and show exactly what you want to say about the topic. This is your thesis statement —a sentence or two that sums up your overall argument.

This is the most important part of your introduction. A  good thesis isn’t just a statement of fact, but a claim that requires evidence and explanation.

The goal is to clearly convey your own position in a debate or your central point about a topic.

Particularly in longer essays, it’s helpful to end the introduction by signposting what will be covered in each part. Keep it concise and give your reader a clear sense of the direction your argument will take.

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As you research and write, your argument might change focus or direction as you learn more.

For this reason, it’s often a good idea to wait until later in the writing process before you write the introduction paragraph—it can even be the very last thing you write.

When you’ve finished writing the essay body and conclusion , you should return to the introduction and check that it matches the content of the essay.

It’s especially important to make sure your thesis statement accurately represents what you do in the essay. If your argument has gone in a different direction than planned, tweak your thesis statement to match what you actually say.

To polish your writing, you can use something like a paraphrasing tool .

You can use the checklist below to make sure your introduction does everything it’s supposed to.

Checklist: Essay introduction

My first sentence is engaging and relevant.

I have introduced the topic with necessary background information.

I have defined any important terms.

My thesis statement clearly presents my main point or argument.

Everything in the introduction is relevant to the main body of the essay.

You have a strong introduction - now make sure the rest of your essay is just as good.

• Argumentative
• Literary analysis

This introduction to an argumentative essay sets up the debate about the internet and education, and then clearly states the position the essay will argue for.

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts is on the rise, and its role in learning is hotly debated. For many teachers who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its critical benefits for students and educators—as a uniquely comprehensive and accessible information source; a means of exposure to and engagement with different perspectives; and a highly flexible learning environment.

This introduction to a short expository essay leads into the topic (the invention of the printing press) and states the main point the essay will explain (the effect of this invention on European society).

In many ways, the invention of the printing press marked the end of the Middle Ages. The medieval period in Europe is often remembered as a time of intellectual and political stagnation. Prior to the Renaissance, the average person had very limited access to books and was unlikely to be literate. The invention of the printing press in the 15th century allowed for much less restricted circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation.

This introduction to a literary analysis essay , about Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein , starts by describing a simplistic popular view of the story, and then states how the author will give a more complex analysis of the text’s literary devices.

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is often read as a crude cautionary tale. Arguably the first science fiction novel, its plot can be read as a warning about the dangers of scientific advancement unrestrained by ethical considerations. In this reading, and in popular culture representations of the character as a “mad scientist”, Victor Frankenstein represents the callous, arrogant ambition of modern science. However, far from providing a stable image of the character, Shelley uses shifting narrative perspectives to gradually transform our impression of Frankenstein, portraying him in an increasingly negative light as the novel goes on. While he initially appears to be a naive but sympathetic idealist, after the creature’s narrative Frankenstein begins to resemble—even in his own telling—the thoughtlessly cruel figure the creature represents him as.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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Your essay introduction should include three main things, in this order:

• An opening hook to catch the reader’s attention.
• Relevant background information that the reader needs to know.
• A thesis statement that presents your main point or argument.

The length of each part depends on the length and complexity of your essay .

The “hook” is the first sentence of your essay introduction . It should lead the reader into your essay, giving a sense of why it’s interesting.

To write a good hook, avoid overly broad statements or long, dense sentences. Try to start with something clear, concise and catchy that will spark your reader’s curiosity.

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.

The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:

• It gives your writing direction and focus.
• It gives the reader a concise summary of your main point.

Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.

The structure of an essay is divided into an introduction that presents your topic and thesis statement , a body containing your in-depth analysis and arguments, and a conclusion wrapping up your ideas.

The structure of the body is flexible, but you should always spend some time thinking about how you can organize your essay to best serve your ideas.

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• The C.A.R.S. Model
• Background Information
• The Research Problem/Question
• Theoretical Framework
• Citation Tracking
• Content Alert Services
• Evaluating Sources
• Primary Sources
• Secondary Sources
• Tiertiary Sources
• Scholarly vs. Popular Publications
• Qualitative Methods
• Quantitative Methods
• Insiderness
• Using Non-Textual Elements
• Limitations of the Study
• Common Grammar Mistakes
• Writing Concisely
• Avoiding Plagiarism
• Footnotes or Endnotes?
• Further Readings
• Generative AI and Writing
• USC Libraries Tutorials and Other Guides
• Bibliography

The introduction leads the reader from a general subject area to a particular topic of inquiry. It establishes the scope, context, and significance of the research being conducted by summarizing current understanding and background information about the topic, stating the purpose of the work in the form of the research problem supported by a hypothesis or a set of questions, explaining briefly the methodological approach used to examine the research problem, highlighting the potential outcomes your study can reveal, and outlining the remaining structure and organization of the paper.

Key Elements of the Research Proposal. Prepared under the direction of the Superintendent and by the 2010 Curriculum Design and Writing Team. Baltimore County Public Schools.

Importance of a Good Introduction

Think of the introduction as a mental road map that must answer for the reader these four questions:

• What was I studying?
• Why was this topic important to investigate?
• What did we know about this topic before I did this study?
• How will this study advance new knowledge or new ways of understanding?

According to Reyes, there are three overarching goals of a good introduction: 1) ensure that you summarize prior studies about the topic in a manner that lays a foundation for understanding the research problem; 2) explain how your study specifically addresses gaps in the literature, insufficient consideration of the topic, or other deficiency in the literature; and, 3) note the broader theoretical, empirical, and/or policy contributions and implications of your research.

A well-written introduction is important because, quite simply, you never get a second chance to make a good first impression. The opening paragraphs of your paper will provide your readers with their initial impressions about the logic of your argument, your writing style, the overall quality of your research, and, ultimately, the validity of your findings and conclusions. A vague, disorganized, or error-filled introduction will create a negative impression, whereas, a concise, engaging, and well-written introduction will lead your readers to think highly of your analytical skills, your writing style, and your research approach. All introductions should conclude with a brief paragraph that describes the organization of the rest of the paper.

Hirano, Eliana. “Research Article Introductions in English for Specific Purposes: A Comparison between Brazilian, Portuguese, and English.” English for Specific Purposes 28 (October 2009): 240-250; Samraj, B. “Introductions in Research Articles: Variations Across Disciplines.” English for Specific Purposes 21 (2002): 1–17; Introductions. The Writing Center. University of North Carolina; “Writing Introductions.” In Good Essay Writing: A Social Sciences Guide. Peter Redman. 4th edition. (London: Sage, 2011), pp. 63-70; Reyes, Victoria. Demystifying the Journal Article. Inside Higher Education.

Structure and Writing Style

I.  Structure and Approach

The introduction is the broad beginning of the paper that answers three important questions for the reader:

• What is this?
• Why should I read it?
• What do you want me to think about / consider doing / react to?

Think of the structure of the introduction as an inverted triangle of information that lays a foundation for understanding the research problem. Organize the information so as to present the more general aspects of the topic early in the introduction, then narrow your analysis to more specific topical information that provides context, finally arriving at your research problem and the rationale for studying it [often written as a series of key questions to be addressed or framed as a hypothesis or set of assumptions to be tested] and, whenever possible, a description of the potential outcomes your study can reveal.

These are general phases associated with writing an introduction: 1.  Establish an area to research by:

• Highlighting the importance of the topic, and/or
• Making general statements about the topic, and/or
• Presenting an overview on current research on the subject.

2.  Identify a research niche by:

• Opposing an existing assumption, and/or
• Revealing a gap in existing research, and/or
• Formulating a research question or problem, and/or
• Continuing a disciplinary tradition.

3.  Place your research within the research niche by:

• Stating the intent of your study,
• Outlining the key characteristics of your study,
• Describing important results, and
• Giving a brief overview of the structure of the paper.

NOTE:   It is often useful to review the introduction late in the writing process. This is appropriate because outcomes are unknown until you've completed the study. After you complete writing the body of the paper, go back and review introductory descriptions of the structure of the paper, the method of data gathering, the reporting and analysis of results, and the conclusion. Reviewing and, if necessary, rewriting the introduction ensures that it correctly matches the overall structure of your final paper.

II.  Delimitations of the Study

Delimitations refer to those characteristics that limit the scope and define the conceptual boundaries of your research . This is determined by the conscious exclusionary and inclusionary decisions you make about how to investigate the research problem. In other words, not only should you tell the reader what it is you are studying and why, but you must also acknowledge why you rejected alternative approaches that could have been used to examine the topic.

Obviously, the first limiting step was the choice of research problem itself. However, implicit are other, related problems that could have been chosen but were rejected. These should be noted in the conclusion of your introduction. For example, a delimitating statement could read, "Although many factors can be understood to impact the likelihood young people will vote, this study will focus on socioeconomic factors related to the need to work full-time while in school." The point is not to document every possible delimiting factor, but to highlight why previously researched issues related to the topic were not addressed.

Examples of delimitating choices would be:

• The key aims and objectives of your study,
• The research questions that you address,
• The variables of interest [i.e., the various factors and features of the phenomenon being studied],
• The method(s) of investigation,
• The time period your study covers, and
• Any relevant alternative theoretical frameworks that could have been adopted.

Review each of these decisions. Not only do you clearly establish what you intend to accomplish in your research, but you should also include a declaration of what the study does not intend to cover. In the latter case, your exclusionary decisions should be based upon criteria understood as, "not interesting"; "not directly relevant"; “too problematic because..."; "not feasible," and the like. Make this reasoning explicit!

NOTE:   Delimitations refer to the initial choices made about the broader, overall design of your study and should not be confused with documenting the limitations of your study discovered after the research has been completed.

ANOTHER NOTE : Do not view delimitating statements as admitting to an inherent failing or shortcoming in your research. They are an accepted element of academic writing intended to keep the reader focused on the research problem by explicitly defining the conceptual boundaries and scope of your study. It addresses any critical questions in the reader's mind of, "Why the hell didn't the author examine this?"

III.  The Narrative Flow

Issues to keep in mind that will help the narrative flow in your introduction :

• Your introduction should clearly identify the subject area of interest . A simple strategy to follow is to use key words from your title in the first few sentences of the introduction. This will help focus the introduction on the topic at the appropriate level and ensures that you get to the subject matter quickly without losing focus, or discussing information that is too general.
• Establish context by providing a brief and balanced review of the pertinent published literature that is available on the subject. The key is to summarize for the reader what is known about the specific research problem before you did your analysis. This part of your introduction should not represent a comprehensive literature review--that comes next. It consists of a general review of the important, foundational research literature [with citations] that establishes a foundation for understanding key elements of the research problem. See the drop-down menu under this tab for " Background Information " regarding types of contexts.
• Clearly state the hypothesis that you investigated . When you are first learning to write in this format it is okay, and actually preferable, to use a past statement like, "The purpose of this study was to...." or "We investigated three possible mechanisms to explain the...."
• Why did you choose this kind of research study or design? Provide a clear statement of the rationale for your approach to the problem studied. This will usually follow your statement of purpose in the last paragraph of the introduction.

IV.  Engaging the Reader

A research problem in the social sciences can come across as dry and uninteresting to anyone unfamiliar with the topic . Therefore, one of the goals of your introduction is to make readers want to read your paper. Here are several strategies you can use to grab the reader's attention:

• Open with a compelling story . Almost all research problems in the social sciences, no matter how obscure or esoteric , are really about the lives of people. Telling a story that humanizes an issue can help illuminate the significance of the problem and help the reader empathize with those affected by the condition being studied.
• Include a strong quotation or a vivid, perhaps unexpected, anecdote . During your review of the literature, make note of any quotes or anecdotes that grab your attention because they can used in your introduction to highlight the research problem in a captivating way.
• Pose a provocative or thought-provoking question . Your research problem should be framed by a set of questions to be addressed or hypotheses to be tested. However, a provocative question can be presented in the beginning of your introduction that challenges an existing assumption or compels the reader to consider an alternative viewpoint that helps establish the significance of your study. 
• Describe a puzzling scenario or incongruity . This involves highlighting an interesting quandary concerning the research problem or describing contradictory findings from prior studies about a topic. Posing what is essentially an unresolved intellectual riddle about the problem can engage the reader's interest in the study.
• Cite a stirring example or case study that illustrates why the research problem is important . Draw upon the findings of others to demonstrate the significance of the problem and to describe how your study builds upon or offers alternatives ways of investigating this prior research.

NOTE:   It is important that you choose only one of the suggested strategies for engaging your readers. This avoids giving an impression that your paper is more flash than substance and does not distract from the substance of your study.

Freedman, Leora  and Jerry Plotnick. Introductions and Conclusions. University College Writing Centre. University of Toronto; Introduction. The Structure, Format, Content, and Style of a Journal-Style Scientific Paper. Department of Biology. Bates College; Introductions. The Writing Center. University of North Carolina; Introductions. The Writer’s Handbook. Writing Center. University of Wisconsin, Madison; Introductions, Body Paragraphs, and Conclusions for an Argument Paper. The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University; “Writing Introductions.” In Good Essay Writing: A Social Sciences Guide . Peter Redman. 4th edition. (London: Sage, 2011), pp. 63-70; Resources for Writers: Introduction Strategies. Program in Writing and Humanistic Studies. Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Sharpling, Gerald. Writing an Introduction. Centre for Applied Linguistics, University of Warwick; Samraj, B. “Introductions in Research Articles: Variations Across Disciplines.” English for Specific Purposes 21 (2002): 1–17; Swales, John and Christine B. Feak. Academic Writing for Graduate Students: Essential Skills and Tasks . 2nd edition. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press, 2004 ; Writing Your Introduction. Department of English Writing Guide. George Mason University.

Writing Tip

Avoid the "Dictionary" Introduction

Giving the dictionary definition of words related to the research problem may appear appropriate because it is important to define specific terminology that readers may be unfamiliar with. However, anyone can look a word up in the dictionary and a general dictionary is not a particularly authoritative source because it doesn't take into account the context of your topic and doesn't offer particularly detailed information. Also, placed in the context of a particular discipline, a term or concept may have a different meaning than what is found in a general dictionary. If you feel that you must seek out an authoritative definition, use a subject specific dictionary or encyclopedia [e.g., if you are a sociology student, search for dictionaries of sociology]. A good database for obtaining definitive definitions of concepts or terms is Credo Reference .

Saba, Robert. The College Research Paper. Florida International University; Introductions. The Writing Center. University of North Carolina.

Another Writing Tip

When Do I Begin?

A common question asked at the start of any paper is, "Where should I begin?" An equally important question to ask yourself is, "When do I begin?" Research problems in the social sciences rarely rest in isolation from history. Therefore, it is important to lay a foundation for understanding the historical context underpinning the research problem. However, this information should be brief and succinct and begin at a point in time that illustrates the study's overall importance. For example, a study that investigates coffee cultivation and export in West Africa as a key stimulus for local economic growth needs to describe the beginning of exporting coffee in the region and establishing why economic growth is important. You do not need to give a long historical explanation about coffee exports in Africa. If a research problem requires a substantial exploration of the historical context, do this in the literature review section. In your introduction, make note of this as part of the "roadmap" [see below] that you use to describe the organization of your paper.

Introductions. The Writing Center. University of North Carolina; “Writing Introductions.” In Good Essay Writing: A Social Sciences Guide . Peter Redman. 4th edition. (London: Sage, 2011), pp. 63-70.

Yet Another Writing Tip

Always End with a Roadmap

The final paragraph or sentences of your introduction should forecast your main arguments and conclusions and provide a brief description of the rest of the paper [the "roadmap"] that let's the reader know where you are going and what to expect. A roadmap is important because it helps the reader place the research problem within the context of their own perspectives about the topic. In addition, concluding your introduction with an explicit roadmap tells the reader that you have a clear understanding of the structural purpose of your paper. In this way, the roadmap acts as a type of promise to yourself and to your readers that you will follow a consistent and coherent approach to addressing the topic of inquiry. Refer to it often to help keep your writing focused and organized.

Cassuto, Leonard. “On the Dissertation: How to Write the Introduction.” The Chronicle of Higher Education , May 28, 2018; Radich, Michael. A Student's Guide to Writing in East Asian Studies . (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Writing n. d.), pp. 35-37.

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How to Write an Introduction for a Research Paper

Table of Contents

Writing an introduction for a research paper is a critical element of your paper, but it can seem challenging to encapsulate enormous amount of information into a concise form. The introduction of your research paper sets the tone for your research and provides the context for your study. In this article, we will guide you through the process of writing an effective introduction that grabs the reader's attention and captures the essence of your research paper.

Understanding the Purpose of a Research Paper Introduction

The introduction acts as a road map for your research paper, guiding the reader through the main ideas and arguments. The purpose of the introduction is to present your research topic to the readers and provide a rationale for why your study is relevant. It helps the reader locate your research and its relevance in the broader field of related scientific explorations. Additionally, the introduction should inform the reader about the objectives and scope of your study, giving them an overview of what to expect in the paper. By including a comprehensive introduction, you establish your credibility as an author and convince the reader that your research is worth their time and attention.

Key Elements to Include in Your Introduction

When writing your research paper introduction, there are several key elements you should include to ensure it is comprehensive and informative.

• A hook or attention-grabbing statement to capture the reader's interest.  It can be a thought-provoking question, a surprising statistic, or a compelling anecdote that relates to your research topic.
• A brief overview of the research topic and its significance. By highlighting the gap in existing knowledge or the problem your research aims to address, you create a compelling case for the relevance of your study.
• A clear research question or problem statement. This serves as the foundation of your research and guides the reader in understanding the unique focus of your study. It should be concise, specific, and clearly articulated.
• An outline of the paper's structure and main arguments, to help the readers navigate through the paper with ease.

Preparing to Write Your Introduction

Before diving into writing your introduction, it is essential to prepare adequately. This involves 3 important steps:

• Conducting Preliminary Research: Immerse yourself in the existing literature to develop a clear research question and position your study within the academic discourse.
• Identifying Your Thesis Statement: Define a specific, focused, and debatable thesis statement, serving as a roadmap for your paper.
• Considering Broader Context: Reflect on the significance of your research within your field, understanding its potential impact and contribution.

By engaging in these preparatory steps, you can ensure that your introduction is well-informed, focused, and sets the stage for a compelling research paper.

Structuring Your Introduction

Now that you have prepared yourself to tackle the introduction, it's time to structure it effectively. A well-structured introduction will engage the reader from the beginning and provide a logical flow to your research paper.

Starting with a Hook

Begin your introduction with an attention-grabbing hook that captivates the reader's interest. This hook serves as a way to make your introduction more engaging and compelling. For example, if you are writing a research paper on the impact of climate change on biodiversity, you could start your introduction with a statistic about the number of species that have gone extinct due to climate change. This will immediately grab the reader's attention and make them realize the urgency and importance of the topic.

Introducing Your Topic

Provide a brief overview, which should give the reader a general understanding of the subject matter and its significance. Explain the importance of the topic and its relevance to the field. This will help the reader understand why your research is significant and why they should continue reading. Continuing with the example of climate change and biodiversity, you could explain how climate change is one of the greatest threats to global biodiversity, how it affects ecosystems, and the potential consequences for both wildlife and human populations. By providing this context, you are setting the stage for the rest of your research paper and helping the reader understand the importance of your study.

Presenting Your Thesis Statement

The thesis statement should directly address your research question and provide a preview of the main arguments or findings discussed in your paper. Make sure your thesis statement is clear, concise, and well-supported by the evidence you will present in your research paper. By presenting a strong and focused thesis statement, you are providing the reader with the information they could anticipate in your research paper. This will help them understand the purpose and scope of your study and will make them more inclined to continue reading.

Writing Techniques for an Effective Introduction

When crafting an introduction, it is crucial to pay attention to the finer details that can elevate your writing to the next level. By utilizing specific writing techniques, you can captivate your readers and draw them into your research journey.

Using Clear and Concise Language

One of the most important writing techniques to employ in your introduction is the use of clear and concise language. By choosing your words carefully, you can effectively convey your ideas to the reader. It is essential to avoid using jargon or complex terminology that may confuse or alienate your audience. Instead, focus on communicating your research in a straightforward manner to ensure that your introduction is accessible to both experts in your field and those who may be new to the topic. This approach allows you to engage a broader audience and make your research more inclusive.

Establishing the Relevance of Your Research

One way to establish the relevance of your research is by highlighting how it fills a gap in the existing literature. Explain how your study addresses a significant research question that has not been adequately explored. By doing this, you demonstrate that your research is not only unique but also contributes to the broader knowledge in your field. Furthermore, it is important to emphasize the potential impact of your research. Whether it is advancing scientific understanding, informing policy decisions, or improving practical applications, make it clear to the reader how your study can make a difference.

By employing these two writing techniques in your introduction, you can effectively engage your readers. Take your time to craft an introduction that is both informative and captivating, leaving your readers eager to delve deeper into your research.

Revising and Polishing Your Introduction

Once you have written your introduction, it is crucial to revise and polish it to ensure that it effectively sets the stage for your research paper.

Self-Editing Techniques

Review your introduction for clarity, coherence, and logical flow. Ensure each paragraph introduces a new idea or argument with smooth transitions.

Check for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and awkward sentence structures.

Ensure that your introduction aligns with the overall tone and style of your research paper.

Seeking Feedback for Improvement

Consider seeking feedback from peers, colleagues, or your instructor. They can provide valuable insights and suggestions for improving your introduction. Be open to constructive criticism and use it to refine your introduction and make it more compelling for the reader.

Writing an introduction for a research paper requires careful thought and planning. By understanding the purpose of the introduction, preparing adequately, structuring effectively, and employing writing techniques, you can create an engaging and informative introduction for your research. Remember to revise and polish your introduction to ensure that it accurately represents the main ideas and arguments in your research paper. With a well-crafted introduction, you will capture the reader's attention and keep them inclined to your paper.

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• If you are writing in a new discipline, you should always make sure to ask about conventions and expectations for introductions, just as you would for any other aspect of the essay. For example, while it may be acceptable to write a two-paragraph (or longer) introduction for your papers in some courses, instructors in other disciplines, such as those in some Government courses, may expect a shorter introduction that includes a preview of the argument that will follow.  
• In some disciplines (Government, Economics, and others), it’s common to offer an overview in the introduction of what points you will make in your essay. In other disciplines, you will not be expected to provide this overview in your introduction.  
• Avoid writing a very general opening sentence. While it may be true that “Since the dawn of time, people have been telling love stories,” it won’t help you explain what’s interesting about your topic.  
• Avoid writing a “funnel” introduction in which you begin with a very broad statement about a topic and move to a narrow statement about that topic. Broad generalizations about a topic will not add to your readers’ understanding of your specific essay topic.  
• Avoid beginning with a dictionary definition of a term or concept you will be writing about. If the concept is complicated or unfamiliar to your readers, you will need to define it in detail later in your essay. If it’s not complicated, you can assume your readers already know the definition.  
• Avoid offering too much detail in your introduction that a reader could better understand later in the paper.
• picture_as_pdf Introductions

How to write an effective introduction for your research paper

Last updated

20 January 2024

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However, the introduction is a vital element of your research paper. It helps the reader decide whether your paper is worth their time. As such, it's worth taking your time to get it right.

In this article, we'll tell you everything you need to know about writing an effective introduction for your research paper.

• The importance of an introduction in research papers

The primary purpose of an introduction is to provide an overview of your paper. This lets readers gauge whether they want to continue reading or not. The introduction should provide a meaningful roadmap of your research to help them make this decision. It should let readers know whether the information they're interested in is likely to be found in the pages that follow.

Aside from providing readers with information about the content of your paper, the introduction also sets the tone. It shows readers the style of language they can expect, which can further help them to decide how far to read.

When you take into account both of these roles that an introduction plays, it becomes clear that crafting an engaging introduction is the best way to get your paper read more widely. First impressions count, and the introduction provides that impression to readers.

• The optimum length for a research paper introduction

While there's no magic formula to determine exactly how long a research paper introduction should be, there are a few guidelines. Some variables that impact the ideal introduction length include:

Field of study

Complexity of the topic

Specific requirements of the course or publication

A commonly recommended length of a research paper introduction is around 10% of the total paper’s length. So, a ten-page paper has a one-page introduction. If the topic is complex, it may require more background to craft a compelling intro. Humanities papers tend to have longer introductions than those of the hard sciences.

The best way to craft an introduction of the right length is to focus on clarity and conciseness. Tell the reader only what is necessary to set up your research. An introduction edited down with this goal in mind should end up at an acceptable length.

• Evaluating successful research paper introductions

A good way to gauge how to create a great introduction is by looking at examples from across your field. The most influential and well-regarded papers should provide some insights into what makes a good introduction.

Dissecting examples: what works and why

We can make some general assumptions by looking at common elements of a good introduction, regardless of the field of research.

A common structure is to start with a broad context, and then narrow that down to specific research questions or hypotheses. This creates a funnel that establishes the scope and relevance.

The most effective introductions are careful about the assumptions they make regarding reader knowledge. By clearly defining key terms and concepts instead of assuming the reader is familiar with them, these introductions set a more solid foundation for understanding.

To pull in the reader and make that all-important good first impression, excellent research paper introductions will often incorporate a compelling narrative or some striking fact that grabs the reader's attention.

Finally, good introductions provide clear citations from past research to back up the claims they're making. In the case of argumentative papers or essays (those that take a stance on a topic or issue), a strong thesis statement compels the reader to continue reading.

Common pitfalls to avoid in research paper introductions

You can also learn what not to do by looking at other research papers. Many authors have made mistakes you can learn from.

We've talked about the need to be clear and concise. Many introductions fail at this; they're verbose, vague, or otherwise fail to convey the research problem or hypothesis efficiently. This often comes in the form of an overemphasis on background information, which obscures the main research focus.

Ensure your introduction provides the proper emphasis and excitement around your research and its significance. Otherwise, fewer people will want to read more about it.

• Crafting a compelling introduction for a research paper

Let’s take a look at the steps required to craft an introduction that pulls readers in and compels them to learn more about your research.

Step 1: Capturing interest and setting the scene

To capture the reader's interest immediately, begin your introduction with a compelling question, a surprising fact, a provocative quote, or some other mechanism that will hook readers and pull them further into the paper.

As they continue reading, the introduction should contextualize your research within the current field, showing readers its relevance and importance. Clarify any essential terms that will help them better understand what you're saying. This keeps the fundamentals of your research accessible to all readers from all backgrounds.

Step 2: Building a solid foundation with background information

Including background information in your introduction serves two major purposes:

It helps to clarify the topic for the reader

It establishes the depth of your research

The approach you take when conveying this information depends on the type of paper.

For argumentative papers, you'll want to develop engaging background narratives. These should provide context for the argument you'll be presenting.

For empirical papers, highlighting past research is the key. Often, there will be some questions that weren't answered in those past papers. If your paper is focused on those areas, those papers make ideal candidates for you to discuss and critique in your introduction.

Step 3: Pinpointing the research challenge

To capture the attention of the reader, you need to explain what research challenges you'll be discussing.

For argumentative papers, this involves articulating why the argument you'll be making is important. What is its relevance to current discussions or problems? What is the potential impact of people accepting or rejecting your argument?

For empirical papers, explain how your research is addressing a gap in existing knowledge. What new insights or contributions will your research bring to your field?

Step 4: Clarifying your research aims and objectives

We mentioned earlier that the introduction to a research paper can serve as a roadmap for what's within. We've also frequently discussed the need for clarity. This step addresses both of these.

When writing an argumentative paper, craft a thesis statement with impact. Clearly articulate what your position is and the main points you intend to present. This will map out for the reader exactly what they'll get from reading the rest.

For empirical papers, focus on formulating precise research questions and hypotheses. Directly link them to the gaps or issues you've identified in existing research to show the reader the precise direction your research paper will take.

Step 5: Sketching the blueprint of your study

Continue building a roadmap for your readers by designing a structured outline for the paper. Guide the reader through your research journey, explaining what the different sections will contain and their relationship to one another.

This outline should flow seamlessly as you move from section to section. Creating this outline early can also help guide the creation of the paper itself, resulting in a final product that's better organized. In doing so, you'll craft a paper where each section flows intuitively from the next.

Step 6: Integrating your research question

To avoid letting your research question get lost in background information or clarifications, craft your introduction in such a way that the research question resonates throughout. The research question should clearly address a gap in existing knowledge or offer a new perspective on an existing problem.

Tell users your research question explicitly but also remember to frequently come back to it. When providing context or clarification, point out how it relates to the research question. This keeps your focus where it needs to be and prevents the topic of the paper from becoming under-emphasized.

Step 7: Establishing the scope and limitations

So far, we've talked mostly about what's in the paper and how to convey that information to readers. The opposite is also important. Information that's outside the scope of your paper should be made clear to the reader in the introduction so their expectations for what is to follow are set appropriately.

Similarly, be honest and upfront about the limitations of the study. Any constraints in methodology, data, or how far your findings can be generalized should be fully communicated in the introduction.

Step 8: Concluding the introduction with a promise

The final few lines of the introduction are your last chance to convince people to continue reading the rest of the paper. Here is where you should make it very clear what benefit they'll get from doing so. What topics will be covered? What questions will be answered? Make it clear what they will get for continuing.

By providing a quick recap of the key points contained in the introduction in its final lines and properly setting the stage for what follows in the rest of the paper, you refocus the reader's attention on the topic of your research and guide them to read more.

• Research paper introduction best practices

Following the steps above will give you a compelling introduction that hits on all the key points an introduction should have. Some more tips and tricks can make an introduction even more polished.

As you follow the steps above, keep the following tips in mind.

Set the right tone and style

Like every piece of writing, a research paper should be written for the audience. That is to say, it should match the tone and style that your academic discipline and target audience expect. This is typically a formal and academic tone, though the degree of formality varies by field.

Kno w the audience

The perfect introduction balances clarity with conciseness. The amount of clarification required for a given topic depends greatly on the target audience. Knowing who will be reading your paper will guide you in determining how much background information is required.

Adopt the CARS (create a research space) model

The CARS model is a helpful tool for structuring introductions. This structure has three parts. The beginning of the introduction establishes the general research area. Next, relevant literature is reviewed and critiqued. The final section outlines the purpose of your study as it relates to the previous parts.

Master the art of funneling

The CARS method is one example of a well-funneled introduction. These start broadly and then slowly narrow down to your specific research problem. It provides a nice narrative flow that provides the right information at the right time. If you stray from the CARS model, try to retain this same type of funneling.

Incorporate narrative element

People read research papers largely to be informed. But to inform the reader, you have to hold their attention. A narrative style, particularly in the introduction, is a great way to do that. This can be a compelling story, an intriguing question, or a description of a real-world problem.

Write the introduction last

By writing the introduction after the rest of the paper, you'll have a better idea of what your research entails and how the paper is structured. This prevents the common problem of writing something in the introduction and then forgetting to include it in the paper. It also means anything particularly exciting in the paper isn’t neglected in the intro.

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How to Write an Introduction for a Research Paper

How to write an introduction for a research paper? Eventually (and with practice) all writers will develop their own strategy for writing the perfect introduction for a research paper. Once you are comfortable with writing, you will probably find your own, but coming up with a good strategy can be tough for beginning writers.

The Purpose of an Introduction

Your opening paragraphs, phrases for introducing thesis statements, research paper introduction examples, using the introduction to map out your research paper.

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• First write your thesis.Your thesis should state the main idea in specific terms.
• After you have a working thesis, tackle the body of your paper before you write the rest of the introduction. Each paragraph in the body should explore one specific topic that proves, or summarizes your thesis. Writing is a thinking process. Once you have worked your way through that process by writing the body of the paper, you will have an intimate understanding of how you are supporting your thesis. After you have written the body paragraphs, go back and rewrite your thesis to make it more specific and to connect it to the topics you addressed in the body paragraph.
• Revise your introduction several times, saving each revision. Be sure your introduction previews the topics you are presenting in your paper. One way of doing this is to use keywords from the topic sentences in each paragraph to introduce, or preview, the topics in your introduction.This “preview” will give your reader a context for understanding how you will make your case.
• Experiment by taking different approaches to your thesis with every revision you make. Play with the language in the introduction. Strike a new tone. Go back and compare versions. Then pick the one that works most effectively with the body of your research paper.
• Do not try to pack everything you want to say into your introduction. Just as your introduction should not be too short, it should also not be too long. Your introduction should be about the same length as any other paragraph in your research paper. Let the content—what you have to say—dictate the length.

The first page of your research paper should draw the reader into the text. It is the paper’s most important page and, alas, often the worst written. There are two culprits here and effective ways to cope with both of them.

First, the writer is usually straining too hard to say something terribly BIG and IMPORTANT about the thesis topic. The goal is worthy, but the aim is unrealistically high. The result is often a muddle of vague platitudes rather than a crisp, compelling introduction to the thesis. Want a familiar example? Listen to most graduation speakers. Their goal couldn’t be loftier: to say what education means and to tell an entire football stadium how to live the rest of their lives. The results are usually an avalanche of clichés and sodden prose.

The second culprit is bad timing. The opening and concluding paragraphs are usually written late in the game, after the rest of the thesis is finished and polished. There’s nothing wrong with writing these sections last. It’s usually the right approach since you need to know exactly what you are saying in the substantive middle sections of the thesis before you can introduce them effectively or draw together your findings. But having waited to write the opening and closing sections, you need to review and edit them several times to catch up. Otherwise, you’ll putting the most jagged prose in the most tender spots. Edit and polish your opening paragraphs with extra care. They should draw readers into the paper.

After you’ve done some extra polishing, I suggest a simple test for the introductory section. As an experiment, chop off the first few paragraphs. Let the paper begin on, say, paragraph 2 or even page 2. If you don’t lose much, or actually gain in clarity and pace, then you’ve got a problem.

There are two solutions. One is to start at this new spot, further into the text. After all, that’s where you finally gain traction on your subject. That works best in some cases, and we occasionally suggest it. The alternative, of course, is to write a new opening that doesn’t flop around, saying nothing.

What makes a good opening? Actually, they come in several flavors. One is an intriguing story about your topic. Another is a brief, compelling quote. When you run across them during your reading, set them aside for later use. Don’t be deterred from using them because they “don’t seem academic enough.” They’re fine as long as the rest of the paper doesn’t sound like you did your research in People magazine. The third, and most common, way to begin is by stating your main questions, followed by a brief comment about why they matter.

Whichever opening you choose, it should engage your readers and coax them to continue. Having done that, you should give them a general overview of the project—the main issues you will cover, the material you will use, and your thesis statement (that is, your basic approach to the topic). Finally, at the end of the introductory section, give your readers a brief road map, showing how the paper will unfold. How you do that depends on your topic but here are some general suggestions for phrase choice that may help:

• This analysis will provide …
• This paper analyzes the relationship between …
• This paper presents an analysis of …
• This paper will argue that …
• This topic supports the argument that…
• Research supports the opinion that …
• This paper supports the opinion that …
• An interpretation of the facts indicates …
• The results of this experiment show …
• The results of this research show …

Comparisons/Contrasts

• A comparison will show that …
• By contrasting the results,we see that …
• This paper examines the advantages and disadvantages of …

Definitions/Classifications

• This paper will provide a guide for categorizing the following:…
• This paper provides a definition of …
• This paper explores the meaning of …
• This paper will discuss the implications of …
• A discussion of this topic reveals …
• The following discussion will focus on …

Description

• This report describes…
• This report will illustrate…
• This paper provides an illustration of …

Process/Experimentation

• This paper will identify the reasons behind…
• The results of the experiment show …
• The process revealed that …
• This paper theorizes…
• This paper presents the theory that …
• In theory, this indicates that …

Quotes, anecdotes, questions, examples, and broad statements—all of them can used successfully to write an introduction for a research paper. It’s instructive to see them in action, in the hands of skilled academic writers.

Let’s begin with David M. Kennedy’s superb history, Freedom from Fear: The American People in Depression and War, 1929–1945 . Kennedy begins each chapter with a quote, followed by his text. The quote above chapter 1 shows President Hoover speaking in 1928 about America’s golden future. The text below it begins with the stock market collapse of 1929. It is a riveting account of just how wrong Hoover was. The text about the Depression is stronger because it contrasts so starkly with the optimistic quotation.

“We in America today are nearer the final triumph over poverty than ever before in the history of any land.”—Herbert Hoover, August 11, 1928 Like an earthquake, the stock market crash of October 1929 cracked startlingly across the United States, the herald of a crisis that was to shake the American way of life to its foundations. The events of the ensuing decade opened a fissure across the landscape of American history no less gaping than that opened by the volley on Lexington Common in April 1775 or by the bombardment of Sumter on another April four score and six years later. The ratcheting ticker machines in the autumn of 1929 did not merely record avalanching stock prices. In time they came also to symbolize the end of an era. (David M. Kennedy, Freedom from Fear: The American People in Depression and War, 1929–1945 . New York: Oxford University Press, 1999, p. 10)

Kennedy has exciting, wrenching material to work with. John Mueller faces the exact opposite problem. In Retreat from Doomsday: The Obsolescence of Major War , he is trying to explain why Great Powers have suddenly stopped fighting each other. For centuries they made war on each other with devastating regularity, killing millions in the process. But now, Mueller thinks, they have not just paused; they have stopped permanently. He is literally trying to explain why “nothing is happening now.” That may be an exciting topic intellectually, it may have great practical significance, but “nothing happened” is not a very promising subject for an exciting opening paragraph. Mueller manages to make it exciting and, at the same time, shows why it matters so much. Here’s his opening, aptly entitled “History’s Greatest Nonevent”:

On May 15, 1984, the major countries of the developed world had managed to remain at peace with each other for the longest continuous stretch of time since the days of the Roman Empire. If a significant battle in a war had been fought on that day, the press would have bristled with it. As usual, however, a landmark crossing in the history of peace caused no stir: the most prominent story in the New York Times that day concerned the saga of a manicurist, a machinist, and a cleaning woman who had just won a big Lotto contest. This book seeks to develop an explanation for what is probably the greatest nonevent in human history. (John Mueller, Retreat from Doomsday: The Obsolescence of Major War . New York: Basic Books, 1989, p. 3)

In the space of a few sentences, Mueller sets up his puzzle and reveals its profound human significance. At the same time, he shows just how easy it is to miss this milestone in the buzz of daily events. Notice how concretely he does that. He doesn’t just say that the New York Times ignored this record setting peace. He offers telling details about what they covered instead: “a manicurist, a machinist, and a cleaning woman who had just won a big Lotto contest.” Likewise, David Kennedy immediately entangles us in concrete events: the stunning stock market crash of 1929. These are powerful openings that capture readers’ interests, establish puzzles, and launch narratives.

Sociologist James Coleman begins in a completely different way, by posing the basic questions he will study. His ambitious book, Foundations of Social Theory , develops a comprehensive theory of social life, so it is entirely appropriate for him to begin with some major questions. But he could just as easily have begun with a compelling story or anecdote. He includes many of them elsewhere in his book. His choice for the opening, though, is to state his major themes plainly and frame them as a paradox. Sociologists, he says, are interested in aggregate behavior—how people act in groups, organizations, or large numbers—yet they mostly examine individuals:

A central problem in social science is that of accounting for the function of some kind of social system. Yet in most social research, observations are not made on the system as a whole, but on some part of it. In fact, the natural unit of observation is the individual person…  This has led to a widening gap between theory and research… (James S. Coleman, Foundations of Social Theory . Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1990, pp. 1–2)

After expanding on this point, Coleman explains that he will not try to remedy the problem by looking solely at groups or aggregate-level data. That’s a false solution, he says, because aggregates don’t act; individuals do. So the real problem is to show the links between individual actions and aggregate outcomes, between the micro and the macro.

The major problem for explanations of system behavior based on actions and orientations at a level below that of the system [in this case, on individual-level actions] is that of moving from the lower level to the system level. This has been called the micro-to-macro problem, and it is pervasive throughout the social sciences. (Coleman, Foundations of Social Theory , p. 6)

Explaining how to deal with this “micro-to-macro problem” is the central issue of Coleman’s book, and he announces it at the beginning.

Coleman’s theory-driven opening stands at the opposite end of the spectrum from engaging stories or anecdotes, which are designed to lure the reader into the narrative and ease the path to a more analytic treatment later in the text. Take, for example, the opening sentences of Robert L. Herbert’s sweeping study Impressionism: Art, Leisure, and Parisian Society : “When Henry Tuckerman came to Paris in 1867, one of the thousands of Americans attracted there by the huge international exposition, he was bowled over by the extraordinary changes since his previous visit twenty years before.” (Robert L. Herbert, Impressionism: Art, Leisure, and Parisian Society . New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1988, p. 1.) Herbert fills in the evocative details to set the stage for his analysis of the emerging Impressionist art movement and its connection to Parisian society and leisure in this period.

David Bromwich writes about Wordsworth, a poet so familiar to students of English literature that it is hard to see him afresh, before his great achievements, when he was just a young outsider starting to write. To draw us into Wordsworth’s early work, Bromwich wants us to set aside our entrenched images of the famous mature poet and see him as he was in the 1790s, as a beginning writer on the margins of society. He accomplishes this ambitious task in the opening sentences of Disowned by Memory: Wordsworth’s Poetry of the 1790s :

Wordsworth turned to poetry after the revolution to remind himself that he was still a human being. It was a curious solution, to a difficulty many would not have felt. The whole interest of his predicament is that he did feel it. Yet Wordsworth is now so established an eminence—his name so firmly fixed with readers as a moralist of self-trust emanating from complete self-security—that it may seem perverse to imagine him as a criminal seeking expiation. Still, that is a picture we get from The Borderers and, at a longer distance, from “Tintern Abbey.” (David Bromwich, Disowned by Memory: Wordsworth’s Poetry of the 1790s . Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1998, p. 1)

That’s a wonderful opening! Look at how much Bromwich accomplishes in just a few words. He not only prepares the way for analyzing Wordsworth’s early poetry; he juxtaposes the anguished young man who wrote it to the self-confident, distinguished figure he became—the eminent man we can’t help remembering as we read his early poetry.

Let us highlight a couple of other points in this passage because they illustrate some intelligent writing choices. First, look at the odd comma in this sentence: “It was a curious solution, to a difficulty many would not have felt.” Any standard grammar book would say that comma is wrong and should be omitted. Why did Bromwich insert it? Because he’s a fine writer, thinking of his sentence rhythm and the point he wants to make. The comma does exactly what it should. It makes us pause, breaking the sentence into two parts, each with an interesting point. One is that Wordsworth felt a difficulty others would not have; the other is that he solved it in a distinctive way. It would be easy for readers to glide over this double message, so Bromwich has inserted a speed bump to slow us down. Most of the time, you should follow grammatical rules, like those about commas, but you should bend them when it serves a good purpose. That’s what the writer does here.

The second small point is the phrase “after the revolution” in the first sentence: “Wordsworth turned to poetry after the revolution to remind himself that he was still a human being.” Why doesn’t Bromwich say “after the French Revolution”? Because he has judged his book’s audience. He is writing for specialists who already know which revolution is reverberating through English life in the 1790s. It is the French Revolution, not the earlier loss of the American colonies. If Bromwich were writing for a much broader audience—say, the New York Times Book Review—he would probably insert the extra word to avoid confusion.

The message “Know your audience” applies to all writers. Don’t talk down to them by assuming they can’t get dressed in the morning. Don’t strut around showing off your book learnin’ by tossing in arcane facts and esoteric language for its own sake. Neither will win over readers.

Bromwich, Herbert, and Coleman open their works in different ways, but their choices work well for their different texts. Your task is to decide what kind of opening will work best for yours. Don’t let that happen by default, by grabbing the first idea you happen upon. Consider a couple of different ways of opening your thesis and then choose the one you prefer. Give yourself some options, think them over, then make an informed choice.

Whether you begin with a story, puzzle, or broad statement, the next part of the introduction should pose your main questions and establish your argument. This is your thesis statement—your viewpoint along with the supporting reasons and evidence. It should be articulated plainly so readers understand full well what your paper is about and what it will argue.

After that, give your readers a road map of what’s to come. That’s normally done at the end of the introductory section (or, in a book, at the end of the introductory chapter). Here’s John J. Mearsheimer presenting such a road map in The Tragedy of Great Power Politics . He not only tells us the order of upcoming chapters, he explains why he’s chosen that order and which chapters are most important:

The Plan of the Book The rest of the chapters in this book are concerned mainly with answering the six big questions about power which I identified earlier. Chapter 2, which is probably the most important chapter in the book, lays out my theory of why states compete for power and why they pursue hegemony. In Chapters 3 and 4, I define power and explain how to measure it. I do this in order to lay the groundwork for testing my theory… (John J. Mearsheimer, The Tragedy of Great Power Politics . New York: W. W. Norton, 2001, p. 27)

As this excerpt makes clear, Mearsheimer has already laid out his “six big questions” in the introduction. Now he’s showing us the path ahead, the path to answering those questions.

At the end of the introduction, give your readers a road map of what’s to come. Tell them what the upcoming sections will be and why they are arranged in this particular order.

After having written your introduction it’s time to move to the biggest part: body of a research paper.

Back to How To Write A Research Paper .

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How to write an introduction for a research paper

Learn how to write a strong and efficient research paper introduction by following the suitable structure and avoiding typical errors.

An introduction to any type of paper is sometimes misunderstood as the beginning; yet, an introduction is actually intended to present your chosen subject to the audience in a way that makes it more appealing and leaves your readers thirsty for more information. After the title and abstract, your audience will read the introduction, thus it’s critical to get off to a solid start.  

This article includes instructions on how to write an introduction for a research paper that engages the reader in your research. You can produce a strong opening for your research paper if you stick to the format and a few basic principles.

What is an introduction to a research paper?

An introduction is the opening section of a research paper and the section that a reader is likely to read first, in which the objective and goals of the subsequent writing are stated. 

The introduction serves numerous purposes. It provides context for your research, explains your topic and objectives, and provides an outline of the work. A solid introduction will establish the tone for the remainder of your paper, enticing readers to continue reading through the methodology, findings, and discussion. 

Even though introductions are generally presented at the beginning of a document, we must distinguish an introduction from the beginning of your research. An introduction, as the name implies, is supposed to introduce your subject without extending it. All relevant information and facts should be placed in the body and conclusion, not the introduction.

Structure of an introduction

Before explaining how to write an introduction for a research paper , it’s necessary to comprehend a structure that will make your introduction stronger and more straightforward.

A good hook

A hook is one of the most effective research introduction openers. A hook’s objective is to stimulate the reader’s interest to read the research paper.  There are various approaches you may take to generate a strong hook:  startling facts, a question, a brief overview, or even a quotation. 

Broad overview

Following an excellent hook, you should present a wide overview of your major issue and some background information on your research. If you’re unsure about how to begin an essay introduction, the best approach is to offer a basic explanation of your topic before delving into specific issues. Simply said, you should begin with general information and then narrow it down to your relevant topics.

After offering some background information regarding your research’s main topic, go on to give readers a better understanding of what you’ll be covering throughout your research. In this section of your introduction, you should swiftly clarify your important topics in the sequence in which they will be addressed later, gradually introducing your thesis statement. You can use some  The following are some critical questions to address in this section of your introduction: Who? What? Where? When? How? And why is that?

Thesis statement

The thesis statement, which must be stated in the beginning clause of your research since your entire research revolves around it, is the most important component of your research.

A thesis statement presents your audience with a quick overview of the research’s main assertion. In the body section of your work, your key argument is what you will expose or debate about it. An excellent thesis statement is usually very succinct, accurate, explicit, clear, and focused. Typically, your thesis should be at the conclusion of your introductory paragraph/section.

Tips for writing a strong introduction

Aside from the good structure, here are a few tips to make your introduction strong and accurate:

• Keep in mind the aim of your research and make sure your introduction supports it.
• Use an appealing and relevant hook that catches the reader’s attention right away.
• Make it obvious to your readers what your stance is.
• Demonstrate your knowledge of your subject.
• Provide your reader with a road map to help them understand what you will address throughout the research.
• Be succinct – it is advised that your opening introduction consists of around 8-9 percent of the overall amount of words in your article (for example, 160 words for a 2000 words essay). 
• Make a strong and unambiguous thesis statement.
• Explain why the article is significant in 1-2 sentences.
• Remember to keep it interesting.

Mistakes to avoid in your introduction

Check out what not to do and what to avoid now that you know the structure and how to write an introduction for a research paper .

• Lacking a feeling of direction or purpose.
• Giving out too much.
• Creating lengthy paragraphs.
• Excessive or insufficient background, literature, and theory.
• Including material that should be placed in the body and conclusion.
• Not writing enough or writing excessively.
• Using too many quotes.

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How to write an introduction for a research paper

Beginnings are hard. Beginning a research paper is no exception. Many students—and pros—struggle with how to write an introduction for a research paper.

This short guide will describe the purpose of a research paper introduction and how to create a good one.

What is an introduction for a research paper?

Introductions to research papers do a lot of work.

It may seem obvious, but introductions are always placed at the beginning of a paper. They guide your reader from a general subject area to the narrow topic that your paper covers. They also explain your paper’s:

• Scope: The topic you’ll be covering
• Context: The background of your topic
• Importance: Why your research matters in the context of an industry or the world

Your introduction will cover a lot of ground. However, it will only be half of a page to a few pages long. The length depends on the size of your paper as a whole. In many cases, the introduction will be shorter than all of the other sections of your paper.

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Why is an introduction vital to a research paper?

The introduction to your research paper isn’t just important. It’s critical.

Your readers don’t know what your research paper is about from the title. That’s where your introduction comes in. A good introduction will:

• Help your reader understand your topic’s background
• Explain why your research paper is worth reading
• Offer a guide for navigating the rest of the piece
• Pique your reader’s interest

Without a clear introduction, your readers will struggle. They may feel confused when they start reading your paper. They might even give up entirely. Your introduction will ground them and prepare them for the in-depth research to come.

What should you include in an introduction for a research paper?

Research paper introductions are always unique. After all, research is original by definition. However, they often contain six essential items. These are:

• An overview of the topic. Start with a general overview of your topic. Narrow the overview until you address your paper’s specific subject. Then, mention questions or concerns you had about the case. Note that you will address them in the publication.
• Prior research. Your introduction is the place to review other conclusions on your topic. Include both older scholars and modern scholars. This background information shows that you are aware of prior research. It also introduces past findings to those who might not have that expertise.
• A rationale for your paper. Explain why your topic needs to be addressed right now. If applicable, connect it to current issues. Additionally, you can show a problem with former theories or reveal a gap in current research. No matter how you do it, a good rationale will interest your readers and demonstrate why they must read the rest of your paper.
• Describe the methodology you used. Recount your processes to make your paper more credible. Lay out your goal and the questions you will address. Reveal how you conducted research and describe how you measured results. Moreover, explain why you made key choices.
• A thesis statement. Your main introduction should end with a thesis statement. This statement summarizes the ideas that will run through your entire research article. It should be straightforward and clear.
• An outline. Introductions often conclude with an outline. Your layout should quickly review what you intend to cover in the following sections. Think of it as a roadmap, guiding your reader to the end of your paper.

These six items are emphasized more or less, depending on your field. For example, a physics research paper might emphasize methodology. An English journal article might highlight the overview.

Three tips for writing your introduction

We don’t just want you to learn how to write an introduction for a research paper. We want you to learn how to make it shine.

There are three things you can do that will make it easier to write a great introduction. You can:

• Write your introduction last. An introduction summarizes all of the things you’ve learned from your research. While it can feel good to get your preface done quickly, you should write the rest of your paper first. Then, you’ll find it easy to create a clear overview.
• Include a strong quotation or story upfront. You want your paper to be full of substance. But that doesn’t mean it should feel boring or flat. Add a relevant quotation or surprising anecdote to the beginning of your introduction. This technique will pique the interest of your reader and leave them wanting more.
• Be concise. Research papers cover complex topics. To help your readers, try to write as clearly as possible. Use concise sentences. Check for confusing grammar or syntax . Read your introduction out loud to catch awkward phrases. Before you finish your paper, be sure to proofread, too. Mistakes can seem unprofessional.

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How to Write a Research Introduction

Last Updated: December 6, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Megan Morgan, PhD . Megan Morgan is a Graduate Program Academic Advisor in the School of Public & International Affairs at the University of Georgia. She earned her PhD in English from the University of Georgia in 2015. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 2,651,712 times.

The introduction to a research paper can be the most challenging part of the paper to write. The length of the introduction will vary depending on the type of research paper you are writing. An introduction should announce your topic, provide context and a rationale for your work, before stating your research questions and hypothesis. Well-written introductions set the tone for the paper, catch the reader's interest, and communicate the hypothesis or thesis statement.

Introducing the Topic of the Paper

• In scientific papers this is sometimes known as an "inverted triangle", where you start with the broadest material at the start, before zooming in on the specifics. [2] X Research source
• The sentence "Throughout the 20th century, our views of life on other planets have drastically changed" introduces a topic, but does so in broad terms.
• It provides the reader with an indication of the content of the essay and encourages them to read on.

• For example, if you were writing a paper about the behaviour of mice when exposed to a particular substance, you would include the word "mice", and the scientific name of the relevant compound in the first sentences.
• If you were writing a history paper about the impact of the First World War on gender relations in Britain, you should mention those key words in your first few lines.

• This is especially important if you are attempting to develop a new conceptualization that uses language and terminology your readers may be unfamiliar with.

• If you use an anecdote ensure that is short and highly relevant for your research. It has to function in the same way as an alternative opening, namely to announce the topic of your research paper to your reader.
• For example, if you were writing a sociology paper about re-offending rates among young offenders, you could include a brief story of one person whose story reflects and introduces your topic.
• This kind of approach is generally not appropriate for the introduction to a natural or physical sciences research paper where the writing conventions are different.

Establishing the Context for Your Paper

• It is important to be concise in the introduction, so provide an overview on recent developments in the primary research rather than a lengthy discussion.
• You can follow the "inverted triangle" principle to focus in from the broader themes to those to which you are making a direct contribution with your paper.
• A strong literature review presents important background information to your own research and indicates the importance of the field.

• By making clear reference to existing work you can demonstrate explicitly the specific contribution you are making to move the field forward.
• You can identify a gap in the existing scholarship and explain how you are addressing it and moving understanding forward.

• For example, if you are writing a scientific paper you could stress the merits of the experimental approach or models you have used.
• Stress what is novel in your research and the significance of your new approach, but don't give too much detail in the introduction.
• A stated rationale could be something like: "the study evaluates the previously unknown anti-inflammatory effects of a topical compound in order to evaluate its potential clinical uses".

Specifying Your Research Questions and Hypothesis

• The research question or questions generally come towards the end of the introduction, and should be concise and closely focused.
• The research question might recall some of the key words established in the first few sentences and the title of your paper.
• An example of a research question could be "what were the consequences of the North American Free Trade Agreement on the Mexican export economy?"
• This could be honed further to be specific by referring to a particular element of the Free Trade Agreement and the impact on a particular industry in Mexico, such as clothing manufacture.
• A good research question should shape a problem into a testable hypothesis.

• If possible try to avoid using the word "hypothesis" and rather make this implicit in your writing. This can make your writing appear less formulaic.
• In a scientific paper, giving a clear one-sentence overview of your results and their relation to your hypothesis makes the information clear and accessible. [10] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
• An example of a hypothesis could be "mice deprived of food for the duration of the study were expected to become more lethargic than those fed normally".

• This is not always necessary and you should pay attention to the writing conventions in your discipline.
• In a natural sciences paper, for example, there is a fairly rigid structure which you will be following.
• A humanities or social science paper will most likely present more opportunities to deviate in how you structure your paper.

Research Introduction Help

Community Q&A

• Use your research papers' outline to help you decide what information to include when writing an introduction. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
• Consider drafting your introduction after you have already completed the rest of your research paper. Writing introductions last can help ensure that you don't leave out any major points. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• Avoid emotional or sensational introductions; these can create distrust in the reader. Thanks Helpful 50 Not Helpful 12
• Generally avoid using personal pronouns in your introduction, such as "I," "me," "we," "us," "my," "mine," or "our." Thanks Helpful 31 Not Helpful 7
• Don't overwhelm the reader with an over-abundance of information. Keep the introduction as concise as possible by saving specific details for the body of your paper. Thanks Helpful 24 Not Helpful 14

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://library.sacredheart.edu/c.php?g=29803&p=185916
• ↑ https://www.aresearchguide.com/inverted-pyramid-structure-in-writing.html
• ↑ https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/introduction
• ↑ https://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/PlanResearchPaper.html
• ↑ https://dept.writing.wisc.edu/wac/writing-an-introduction-for-a-scientific-paper/
• ↑ https://writing.wisc.edu/handbook/assignments/planresearchpaper/
• ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3178846/

About This Article

To introduce your research paper, use the first 1-2 sentences to describe your general topic, such as “women in World War I.” Include and define keywords, such as “gender relations,” to show your reader where you’re going. Mention previous research into the topic with a phrase like, “Others have studied…”, then transition into what your contribution will be and why it’s necessary. Finally, state the questions that your paper will address and propose your “answer” to them as your thesis statement. For more information from our English Ph.D. co-author about how to craft a strong hypothesis and thesis, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Write a Research Paper Introduction

Learn how to write a research paper introduction with expert guidance.

Last updated on Mar 13th, 2024

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Table of Contents

We write different types of papers for academic and professional reasons. Research paper is one of the most important papers and it is different from other papers. There are different types of rules for writing a research paper , the first part is the introduction. Through this article, we will try to tell you how to write an introduction for a research paper beautifully.

Introduction

Before starting to write any papers, especially research papers one should know how to write a research paper introduction. The introduction is intended to guide the reader from a general subject to a specific area of study. It establishes the context of the research being conducted by summarizing current understanding and background information on the topic, stating the purpose of the work in the form of a thesis, question, or research problem, Briefly explaining your rationale, your methodological approach, highlight the potential findings your research may reveal, and describe the remaining structure of the paper.

A well-written introduction is imperative since, essentially, you never get a second chance to form a great first impression. The opening passage of your paper will give your audience their introductory impression, almost the rationale of your contention, your composing style, the general quality of your investigation, and, eventually, the legitimacy of your discoveries and conclusions. A vague, disorganized, or error-filled introduction will create a negative impression on the readers. While a brief, engaging, and well-written introduction will begin your readers off considering profoundly your expository abilities, your writing style, and your research approach. 

Tips for Writng an Introduction in Research Paper

Introduce your topic

This is a significant part of how to write an introduction for a research paper. The first task of the introduction is to tell the reader what your topic is and why it is interesting or important. This is usually done with a strong opening hook.

A hook is a strong opening sentence that conveys relevance to your topic. Think of an interesting fact or statistic, a powerful statement, a question, or a brief anecdote that will make readers wonder about your topic.

Describe the context

This introduction varies depending on your approach to your writing. In a more argumentative article, you will explore the general context here. In a more empirical paper, this is a great place to review previous research and determine how your research fits together.

Start briefly, and narrow down

The first thing of a research paper introduction is, to briefly describe your broad parts of research, then narrow in on your specific focus. This will help position your research topic within a broader field, making the work accessible to a wider audience than just experts in your field.

A common mistake when writing a research paper introduction is trying to fit everything in at once. Instead, pace yourself and present each piece of information in the most logical order the reader can understand. Typically, this means starting with the big picture and then gradually getting more specific with the details.

For your research paper introduction, you should first present an overview of the topic and then focus on your specific paper. This “funnel” structure naturally includes all the necessary parts of what should be included in a research paper introduction, from context to appropriate or research gaps and finally to relevance.

State Objective and Importance

Papers abandoned because they “do not demonstrate the importance of the topic” or “lack a clear motivation” often miss this point. Say what you want to achieve and why your readers should want to know whether you achieved it or not.

Quote generously

Once you have focused on the specific topic of your research, you should detail the latest and most relevant literature related to your research. Your literature review should be comprehensive but not too long. Remember, you are not writing a review. If you find your introduction is too long or has too many citations, a possible solution is to cite journal articles, rather than cite all of the individual articles that have been summarised in the journal.

Do not Keep it broad

Try to avoid lengthy introductions. A good target is between 500 and 1,000 words, although checking the magazine’s guidelines and back issues will provide the clearest guidance.

The introduction is not lengthy or detailed; rather, they are initiating actions. Introductions are best when they get to the point: save the details in the body of the document, where they belong.

The most important point of a research paper introduction is that they are clear and easy to understand. Writing at length can be distracting and even make your point harder to understand, so cut out unnecessary words and try to express things in simple terms that everyone understands. understandable.

Check journal condition

Many journals have specific assertions in their author instructions. For example, a maximum of one word may be stated, or instructions may require specific content, such as a supposition statement or a summary of your key findings.

Write the introduction to your research paper at the last moment

Your introduction may appear first in a research paper, but the general advice is to wait to write it until everything else has been written. This makes it easier for you to summarize your article because at this point you know everything you’re going to say. This also eliminates the urge to include everything in the introduction because you don’t want to forget anything.

Additionally, it is especially helpful to write an introduction after your research paper is finished. The introduction and conclusion of a research paper have similar topics and often reflect the structure of each topic. Writing the conclusion is also generally easier thanks to the pace created by writing the rest of the paper, and the conclusion can guide you in writing the introduction.

Make your introduction narrative style

Although not always appropriate for formal writing, using a narrative style in the introduction of your research paper can do a lot to engage readers and engage them emotionally. A 2016 study found that in some articles, using narrative strategies improved how often they were cited in other articles. Narrative style involves making the paper more personal to appeal to the reader’s emotions.

• Use first-person pronouns (I, we, my, our) to show that you are the narrator expressing emotions and feelings in the text setting up the scene. 
• Describe the times and locations of important events to help readers visualize them. 
• Appeal to the reader’s morality, sympathy, or urgency as a persuasive tactic. Again, this style will not be appropriate for all research paper introductions, especially those devoted to scientific research. 

However, for more informal research papers and especially essays, this style can make your writing more interesting or at least interesting, perfect for making readers excited right from the beginning of the article.

Use the CARS model

British scientist John Swales developed a method called the CARS model to “generate a search space” in the introduction. Although intended for scientific papers, this simple three-step structure can be used to outline the introduction to any research paper.

Explain the background of your topic, including previous research. Explain that information is lacking in your topic area or that current research is incomplete.

Explain how your research “fills in” missing information about your topic. 

the research findings and providing an overview of the structure of the rest of the paper, although this does not apply to all research papers, especially those Unofficial documents.

Six Essential Elements of How to Write a Research Paper Introduction

1. topic overview.

Start with a general overview of your topic. Refine your outline until you address the specific topic of your article. Next, mention any questions or concerns you have about the case. Note that you will address these in the article.

2. Previous research

Your introduction is the perfect place to review other findings about your topic. Includes both old and modern scholars. This general information shows that you are aware of previous research. It also presents previous findings to those who may not have that expertise.

3. A justification for your article

Explain why your topic needs to be discussed now. If possible, connect it to current issues. Additionally, you can point out problems with old theories or reveal gaps in current research. No matter how you do it, a good reason will keep readers interested and demonstrate why they should read the rest of your article.

4. Describe the method you used

Tell about your processes to make your writing more trustworthy. Identify your goals and the questions you will answer. Reveal how you conducted the research and describe how you measured the results. Also, explain why you made the important choices.

5. A thesis statement

Your main introduction should end with a thesis statement. This statement summarises the ideas that will run throughout your entire research paper. It must be simple and clear.

6. An outline

It is an adequate idea of how to write an introduction for a research paper. 

The introduction usually ends with an overview. Your layout should quickly present what you plan to cover in the following sections. Think of it as a road map, guiding readers to the end of your article.

What is the purpose of the introduction in a research paper, and why is it considered crucial?

The purpose of the introduction in a research paper is to guide the reader from a general subject to a specific area of study. It establishes the context of the research by summarizing current understanding, stating the purpose of the work, explaining the rationale and methodological approach, highlighting potential findings, and describing the paper’s structure. It’s considered crucial because it forms the reader’s first impression and sets the tone for the rest of the paper.

How can I effectively use a hook to engage readers in my research paper introduction?

Using a hook, such as an interesting fact, a powerful statement, a question, or a brief anecdote, can effectively engage readers in your research paper introduction. A hook captures the reader’s attention and makes them curious about your topic, encouraging them to continue reading.

How long the introduction should be in a research paper?

While there’s no strict word count, a good target for a research paper introduction is between 500 and 1,000 words, although you should check the specific guidelines provided by the journal you’re submitting to. It’s recommended to write the introduction after the rest of the paper has been completed. This way, you have a comprehensive understanding of your research, making it easier to summarize and guide your readers effectively.

Conclusion 

These are the important tips and tricks on how to write an introduction for a research paper properly. If you maintain these rules we believe that you will be able to write an excellent introduction in your research paper. 

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MLA Format Research Paper: Examples & 9 Steps Guide

Writing a research paper in MLA format requires attention to detail and allegiance to particular rules set by the Modern Language Association. From formatting the title page to citing sources accurately, MLA format is fundamental for academic success. Let’s start by synthesizing the key components and steps included in making

We write different types of papers for academic and professional reasons. Research paper is one of the most important papers and it is different from other papers. There are different types of rules for writing a research paper, the first part is the introduction. Through this article, we will try

How to Write a Research Paper

A research paper is a kind of paper that is different from other papers. Especially a research paper needed for academic life. The main purpose of the research paper is to deliver new knowledge from researchers’ critical thinking.  To learn how to write a research paper, you need to know

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How to write an introduction for a research paper

Writing an introduction for a research paper can be one of the hardest parts of the writing process. How do you get started? In this post, we discuss the components of an introduction and explore strategies for writing one successfully.

What is an introduction?

The introduction to a research paper provides background information or context on the topic. It also includes the thesis statement and signposts that let the reader know what you will cover in the rest of the paper.

Depending on the type of research paper that you’re writing, you may also include a brief state of the field in your introduction. You might also put that in a separate section, called a literature review. Before you tackle writing your introduction, be sure to consult the assignment guidelines for your paper.

How to write an introduction

An introduction provides an overview of your topic and any background information that your readers need to know in order to understand the context. It generally concludes with an explicit statement of your position on the topic, which is known as your thesis statement.

The opening section

Many papers begin with a hook: a short anecdote or scenario that draws the reader in and gives a hint of what the paper will cover. A hook allows you to capture your reader’s attention and provides an anchor for the context that you will provide in the bulk of the introduction.

Most of your introduction should be taken up with background information, but this doesn’t mean that you should fill your opening section with overly general statements. Instead, provide key pieces of information (like statistics) that a reader would need to know in order to understand your main argument.

The thesis statement

Towards the end of the introduction, you should state your thesis, preferably in the form of "I argue that..." or "This paper argues that..." or a similar phrase. Although it’s called a “thesis statement,” your thesis can be more than one sentence.

Finally, an introduction contains a brief outline or "signposts" of what the rest of the article will cover (also known as forecasting statements). You can use language like, “in what follows,” or “in the rest of the paper,” to signal that you are describing what you’ll do in the remainder of the paper.

Tips for writing an introduction

1. don’t rely on generalizations.

An introduction is not simply filler. It has a very specific function in a research paper: to provide context that leads up to a thesis statement.

You may be tempted to start your paper with generalizations like, “many people believe that...” or, “in our society...,” or a general dictionary definition, because you’re not sure what kind of context to provide. Instead, use specific facts like statistics or historical anecdotes to open your paper.

2. State your thesis directly

Once you’ve provided the appropriate, and specific, background information on your topic, you can move on to stating your thesis. As a rule of thumb, state your thesis as directly as possible. Use phrases like “I argue that..” to indicate that you are laying out your main argument.

3. Include signposts

A strong introduction includes clear signposts that outline what you will cover in the rest of the paper. You can signal this by using words like, “in what follows,” and by describing the steps that you will take to build your argument.

4. Situate your argument within the scholarly conversation

Some types of research papers require a separate literature review in which you explore what others have written about your topic.

Even if you’re not required to have a formal literature review, you should still include at least a paragraph in which you engage with the scholarly debate on your chosen subject. Be sure to include direct quotes from your sources . You can use BibGuru’s citation generator to create accurate in-text citations for your quotes.

This section can come directly before your thesis statement or directly after it. In the former case, your state of the field will function as additional context for your thesis.

Frequently Asked Questions about how to write an introduction for a research paper

A good introduction provides specific background information on your topic, sets up your thesis statement, and includes signposts for what you’ll cover in the rest of the paper.

An introduction should include context, a thesis statement, and signposts.

Do not include generalizations, apologies for not being an expert, or dictionary definitions in your introduction.

The length of your introduction depends on the overall length of your paper. For instance, an introduction for an 8-10 page paper will likely be anywhere from 1-3 pages.

You can choose to start an introduction with a hook, an important statistic, an historical anecdote, or another specific piece of background information.

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Introduction to Poetry at The Schomburg Center: Home

• Poetry in Manuscripts, Archives, and Rare Books
• Archival Media
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Introduction

The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is devoted to the research, preservation, and exhibition of materials focused on African American, African Diaspora, and African experiences. As one of the three research libraries of The New York Public Library, the Schomburg Center features diverse programming and collections spanning over 11 million items that illuminate the richness of global Black history, arts, and culture. This resource guide introduces researchers to some of our poetry collections, poets in the collection, and poetry books in our collections. Materials related to poetry can be found throughout different research divisions. This guides will outline some significant and noteworthy items as well as ways to search for more materials. 

Hughes, Langston. "I, Too,"  Negro Anthology.  Published by Nancy Cunard at Wishart, London, 1934.

• Next: Poetry in Manuscripts, Archives, and Rare Books >>
• Last Updated: Apr 16, 2024 3:06 PM
• URL: https://libguides.nypl.org/schomburgpoetry

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Primary Source Analysis

Creative music research in special collections: primary source analysis.

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What Are Primary Sources?

Primary sources are materials that were created during the time in question. They are the evidence of a particular time and place and moment. Secondary sources provide analysis of other materials, but primary sources are the raw and unfiltered data. Unlike secondary sources which already provide an interpretation of something, working with primary sources forces the researcher to conduct their own analysis. Examples of primary sources include letters, dairies, newspapers, original musical scores, audio and video recordings, oral histories, photographs and more.

Primary source analysis asks researches to observe, reflect and question the materials, thinking about criteria such as

• Materiality
• Purpose and Audience

More more information on primary source analysis, visit Library of Congress Primary Source Guides and Analysis Tools .

Practice Primary Source Analysis

Let's use recorded sound as an example to conduct a primary source analysis..

Analyzing a sound recording poses its own questions and challenges. There can be multiple layers of content on a music recording. For instance, you may notice the sounds created by the performers, the sounds created by other people present and perhaps background noise created by the recording technology. There is also the description of the sound recording which may or may not accurately depict what and who is on the recording itself. Additionally, there is the “liveness” of performance to consider – how does environment and context affect a live performance?

Listen: SFC Audio Cassette FS-20009/12936, Elizabeth Cotten Birthday, 6 January 1979; Elizabeth Cotton part 1, 10 January 1979: Side 1

What do you know about the recording before listening to it.

• What is the materiality of the recording itself? What technology was used to record it?
• What is in the description (date, location, personnel, content, etc)

What do you hear in the recording?

• What is the first thing you notice?
• What is the content of the recording? Are there sounds in addition to this content?
• Are there people present in the recording that aren’t listed in the description? If so, who are they?

How does the recording make you feel?

• What emotions are evoked when listening to the recording?
• What role does emotion play in your interpretation of the performance?
• How do you think the performers are feeling in the recording?

What is the context of the recording? When/where was it recorded?

• What is the context for the sound recording? Who recorded it and why? For whom?
• What is the relationship between the persons being recorded and the person doing the recording? Is this relationship described?
• What is the relationship between the musicians and the content being performed?

What does this recording tell you about the artists' creative process?

• What is distinct about this recording compared to other contemporary commercial recordings?
• What artistic processes do you hear in the recording? Are there stops and starts? Is it rehearsed or impromptu?
• How do you think the context of the recording impacts the "liveness" of the musical performance?
• What techniques do you hear that are unique to this performance? Does the performance style differ from techniques you are familiar with?

Continued Learning

• What other information would be helpful in understanding the context?
• Have the musicians been recorded in other contexts?
• What other musicians recorded in the same region around the same time, or in different time periods? Have other musicians recorded the same repertoire?
• What else was happening around the time and place that the sound recording was made?
• Downloadable PDF of Primary Source Analysis for Music Recordings

Primary Source Analysis & Performance

How can primary source analysis enrich creative practice.

Analyzing primary sources can give us insight into the creative process. Unlike published recordings, primary sources can show the process rather than the product. Perhaps there are rehearsal notes, recordings, documentation of conversations around the performance, etc. These can inform our own creative practices.

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ETHN 187: YOUTH ACTIVISM & CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL MOVEMENTS (Fernandez)

• Your Ethnic Studies Librarian!
• Workshop Part I: Introduction to the Library 04.16.24
• Workshop Part II: OneSearch and Databases 04.16.24
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Workshop Goals for Part I

Learn about different scu library resources to support your research. , use library resources to find information about your topic for the activity. .

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6 Common Leadership Styles — and How to Decide Which to Use When

• Rebecca Knight

Being a great leader means recognizing that different circumstances call for different approaches.

Research suggests that the most effective leaders adapt their style to different circumstances — be it a change in setting, a shift in organizational dynamics, or a turn in the business cycle. But what if you feel like you’re not equipped to take on a new and different leadership style — let alone more than one? In this article, the author outlines the six leadership styles Daniel Goleman first introduced in his 2000 HBR article, “Leadership That Gets Results,” and explains when to use each one. The good news is that personality is not destiny. Even if you’re naturally introverted or you tend to be driven by data and analysis rather than emotion, you can still learn how to adapt different leadership styles to organize, motivate, and direct your team.

Much has been written about common leadership styles and how to identify the right style for you, whether it’s transactional or transformational, bureaucratic or laissez-faire. But according to Daniel Goleman, a psychologist best known for his work on emotional intelligence, “Being a great leader means recognizing that different circumstances may call for different approaches.”

• RK Rebecca Knight is a journalist who writes about all things related to the changing nature of careers and the workplace. Her essays and reported stories have been featured in The Boston Globe, Business Insider, The New York Times, BBC, and The Christian Science Monitor. She was shortlisted as a Reuters Institute Fellow at Oxford University in 2023. Earlier in her career, she spent a decade as an editor and reporter at the Financial Times in New York, London, and Boston.

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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Research on the metabolic regulation mechanism of yangyin qingfei decoction plus in severe pneumonia caused by mycoplasma pneumoniae in mice.

• 1 The First Clinical College of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, China
• 2 The Second Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, China
• 3 College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, China

Introduction: With amazing clinical efficacy, Yangyin Qingfei Decoction Plus (YQDP), a well-known and age-old Chinese compound made of ten Chinese botanical drugs, is utilized in clinical settings to treat a range of respiratory conditions. This study examines the impact of Yangyin Qingfei Decoction (YQDP) on lung tissue metabolic products in severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (SMPP) model mice and examines the mechanism of YQDP in treating MP infection using UPLC-MS/MS technology.

Methods: YQDP’s chemical composition was ascertained by the use of Agilent 1260 Ⅱ high-performance liquid chromatography. By using a nasal drip of 10 10 CCU/mL MP bacterial solution, an SMPP mouse model was created. The lung index, pathology and ultrastructural observation of lung tissue were utilized to assess the therapeutic effect of YQDP in SMPP mice. Lung tissue metabolites were found in the normal group, model group, and YQDP group using UPLC-MS/MS technology. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent test (ELISA), the amount of serum inflammatory factors, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), was found. Additionally, the protein expression of PI3K, P-PI3K, AKT, P-AKT, NF-κB, and P-NF-κB was found using Western blot.

Results: The contents of chlorogenic acid, paeoniflorin, forsythrin A, forsythrin, and paeonol in YQDP were 3.480 ± 0.051, 3.255 ± 0.040, 3.612 ± 0.017, 1.757 ± 0.031, and 1.080 ± 0.007 mg/g respectively. YQDP can considerably lower the SMPP mice’s lung index ( p < 0.05). In the lung tissue of YQDP groups, there has been a decrease ( p < 0.05) in the infiltration of inflammatory cells at varying concentrations in the alveoli compared with the model group. A total of 47 distinct metabolites, including choline phosphate, glutamyl lysine, L-tyrosine, 6-thioinosine, Glu Trp, 5-hydroxydecanoate, etc., were linked to the regulation of YQDP, according to metabolomics study. By controlling the metabolism of porphyrins, pyrimidines, cholines, fatty acids, sphingolipids, glycerophospholipids, ferroptosis, steroid hormone biosynthesis, and unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, enrichment analysis suggested that YQDP may be used to treat SMPP. YQDP can lower the amount of TNF-α and IL-6 in model group mice as well as downregulate P-PI3K, P-AKT, and P-NF-κB expression ( p < 0.05).

Conclusion: A specific intervention effect of YQDP is observed in SMPP model mice. Through the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathways, YQDP may have therapeutic benefits by regulating the body’s metabolism of α-Linoleic acid, sphingolipids, glycerophospholipids, arachidonic acid, and the production of unsaturated fatty acids.

1 Introduction

One of the most frequent infections in children with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP), which has a widespread pathogenicity and frequently exhibits periodic and regional epidemiology. Ten to forty percent of pediatric pneumonia cases are caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP), which is the result of MP infection ( Kutty et al., 2019 ). The MP infection is typically regarded as a self-limiting illness. It is marked by subtle respiratory symptoms, the most notable of which is paroxysmal dry cough, which is frequently followed by the expectoration of little amounts of mucus or mucopurulent sputum. Although MPP is thought to be self-limiting, 0.5%–to 2.0% of instances are known to proceed to severe MPP (SMPP). This condition is linked to life-threatening consequences such respiratory failure and acute respiratory distress syndrome, which can be fatal ( Izumikawa, 2016 ; Lee et al., 2021 ). Although the exact pathogenic mechanism of MP infection is unknown, some studies think that adhesion and cytotoxic effects cause direct damage to the respiratory epithelium during MP pathogenesis ( Atkinson et al., 2008 ). When MP infection damages host mucosal epithelial cells, it can generate toxic compounds that cause the epithelial cells to die and apoptose, which can result in pneumonia and other extrapulmonary injuries ( Sun et al., 2008 ; He et al., 2016 ). Since MP lacks a cell wall structure, it is resistant to antibiotics that stop bacteria from producing cell walls, but it is susceptible to quinolones, tetracyclines, and macrolides. For this reason, macrolides are the recommended treatment for MPP in children. Unfortunately, resistance to macrolides has grown in many regions since the discovery of macrolide-resistant strains of MP in China in 2003. Additionally, the side effects of macrolide antibiotics, such as gastrointestinal distress and vascular irritation, have made the hunt for more effective treatment options necessary ( Xin et al., 2005 ; Zhao et al., 2019 ; Dou et al., 2020 ). There are benefits to using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of SMPP, and research on the targeted mechanism of TCM intervention in SMPP is currently a popular topic.

The “Chonglou Yuyao” book, authored by renowned Qing Dynasty physician Zheng Meijian, is where Yangyin Qingfei Decoction Plus (YQDP) originated. Ten traditional Chinese medicines are included in it: Rehmanniae Radix, Scrophulariae Radix, Ophiopogonis Radix, Paeoniae Radix Alba, Moutan Cortex, Fritillariae Thunbergii Bulbus, Menthae Haplocalycis Herba, Glycyrrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma, Forsythiae Fructus, and Lonicerae Japonicae Flos. In clinical settings, YQDP is frequently used to treat bronchopneumonia, post-infection cough, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, among other conditions ( Liu et al., 2017 ; Min et al., 2021 ). Contemporary pharmacological studies have demonstrated that YQDP functions by increasing tissue healing, controlling immunological function, and suppressing inflammatory reactions ( Tang et al., 2020 ). Forsythoside, a representative of Forsythiae Fructus, has shown antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties in contemporary studies ( Ma et al., 2020 ). Phenolic acid compounds in Lonicerae Japonicae Flos have pharmacological activities such as antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. Compounds containing phenolic acid in Lonicerae Japonicae Flos include antioxidant, antiviral, and antibacterial properties ( Xiong et al., 2022 ). As an indication component of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos, chlorogenic acid possesses a variety of anti-inflammatory properties ( Gao et al., 2019 ) and can eliminate reactive oxygen species within cells ( Shin et al., 2017 ; Liang and Kitts, 2018 ). The primary ingredients of Forsythiae Fructus, forsythiaside A and forsythin, have potent antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties ( Qu et al., 2016 ; Runfeng et al., 2020 ). The functional elements of Moutan Cortex and Paeoniae Radix Alba are pheonol and pheoniflorin, respectively. The analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of monoterpenes and their glycosides, embodied by Paeoniflorin, are acknowledged as the pharmacologically active components of Paeoniae Radix Alba ( Wu et al., 2018 ; Zhang et al., 2021 ). Paeonol has the ability to protect against oxidative stress, prevent the production of reactive oxygen species, and boost the activity of the enzymes superoxide dismutase and hydrogen peroxide ( Zhang et al., 2020 ). In earlier research, we established and evaluated a severe pneumonia model in high-load MP-infected mice ( Wu et al., 2023a ) and showed that YQDP regulates the TLR2/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway, Aquaporin5 (AQP5), and Mucin 5ac (MUC5ac) to regulate SMPP ( Wu et al., 2023b ; Qi et al., 2023 ).

An HPLC method is used in this study to simultaneously determine the level of five useful compounds in YQDP for quality control. The therapeutic benefits and metabolic pathways of YQDP on SMPP were then examined.

2 Materials and methods

2.1 reagents and chemicals.

Merck Company (USA) provided the acetonitrile (CAS: 75-05-8), phosphoric acid (CAS: 7664-38-2), and methanol (CAS: 67-56-1). The China Academy of Food and Drug Administration provided the following: Chlorogenic Acid (CGA, CAS: 327-97-9), Paeoniflorin (PF, CAS: 23180-57-–6), Forsythoside A (FTA, CAS: 79916-77-1), Forsythin (FT, CAS: 487-41-2), and Paeonol (PAE, CAS: 552-41-0). Proteintech was the source of the following antibodies: Anti-GAPDH (60004-1-Ig), Anti-PI3K (60225-1-Ig), Anti-AKT (10176-2-AP), Anti-Phospho-AKT (66444-1-Ig), and Anti-NFκB p65 (10745-1-AP). Bioss provided the anti-phospho-PI3K (bs-3332R) and anti-phospho-NFκB p65 (bs-3543R) antibodies.

Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) DC. [Orobanchaceae] (Rehmanniae Radix, 2202163), Scrophularia ningpoensis Hemsl. [Scrophulariaceae] (Scrophulariae Radix, 2203081), Ophiopogon japonicus (Thunb.) Ker Gawl. [Asparagaceae] (Ophiopogonis Radix, 2203052), Paeonia lactiflora Pall. [Paeoniaceae] (Paeoniae Radix Alba, 2203152), Paeonia × suffruticosa Andrews [Paeoniaceae] (Moutan Cortex, 2,203,121), Fritillaria thunbergii Miq. [Liliaceae] (Fritillariae Thunbergii Bulbus, 2203151), Mentha canadensis L. [Lamiaceae] (Menthae Haplocalycis Herba, 2203241), Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. ex DC. [Fabaceae] (Glycyrrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma, 2203152), Forsythia suspensa (Thunb.) Vahl [Oleaceae] (Forsythiae Fructus, 2204102), and Lonicera japonica Thunb. [Caprifoliaceae] (Lonicerae Japonicae Flos, 2203081) were purchased from Anhui Puren Traditional Chinese Medicine Drinking Tablets Co Ltd (Anhui, China) and authenticated by Professor Leng Yujie from the Chinese Herbal Medicine Bureau of the Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Shenyang, China). Rehmanniae Radix sample (RGL20220617), Scrophulariae Radix sample (SNH20220618), Ophiopogonis Radix sample (OJK20220619), Paeoniae Radix Alba sample (PLP20220617), Moutan Cortex sample (PSA20220617), Fritillariae Thunbergii Bulbus sample (FTM20220617), Menthae Haplocalycis Herba sample (MHB20220617), Glycyrrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma sample (GUF20220617), Forsythiae Fructus sample (FSV20220617) and Lonicerae Japonicae Flos sample (LJT20220617) were kept in the Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Liaoning Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

2.2 Experimental animals and strains

36 SPF BALB/c mice, 4–6 weeks, weighing 20 ± 2g, were provided by Liaoning Changsheng Biotechnology Co., Ltd. [SCXK (Liao) 2020–0001]. The mice were kept in separate cages at the Experimental Animal Center of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine [SYXK (Liao) 2019-004]. The housing environment was kept at (22 ± 2)°C, with a 12h/12 h light/dark cycle, and a humidity of (50 ± 2)%. The MP standard strain FH was stored in the virus room of the Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The Animal Ethics Committee of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine gave its approval to this study (Approval No.: 21000042021131).

2.3 Determination of five active ingredients in YQDP

2.3.1 preparation of standard solutions.

Precisely weighing CGA, PF, FTA, FT, and PAE, then dissolving them with methanol to create a solution with CGA at 0.214 mg/mL, PF at 0.217 mg/mL, FTA at 0.214 mg/mL, FT at 0.118 mg/mL, and PAE at 0.068 mg/mL.

2.3.2 Preparation of YQDP sample solutions

The procedure described in the literature was used to make YQDP ( Wu et al., 2019 ). Rehmanniae Radix (15 g), Scrophulariae Radix (11 g), Ophiopogonis Radix (9 g), Paeoniae Radix Alba (6 g), Moutan Cortex (6 g), Fritillariae Thunbergii Bulbus (6 g), Menthae Haplocalycis Herba (4 g), Glycyrrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma (4 g), Forsythiae Fructus (6 g) and Lonicerae Japonicae Flos (6 g) were then placed in a 10-fold 70% ethanol (v/v). The extract was then extracted using cold reflux for 70 min, filtered, concentrated to create a paste, and dried at a constant temperature to produce YQDP dry powder. Ultimately, 25 mL of methanol and 0.5 g of the dry powder were combined, sonicated, and then filtered through a 0.45 µm filter membrane for additional usage.

2.3.3 HPLC analysis

A SHIMADZU-GL C18 (250 mm × 4.6 mm × 5 μm) column was used in an Agilent 1260 high-performance liquid chromatograph to determine the content. The flow rate was 0.8 mL/min and the column temperature was 30°C. The following gradient elution conditions applied to the mobile phase, which was 0.1% phosphoric acid-water (A) and acetonitrile (B): 0∼20 min, 10%∼20% (B); 20∼25 min, 12%∼15% (B); 25∼30 min, 15%–18% (B); 30–50 min, 18%–36% (B); 50∼70 min, 36%∼50% (B); 70∼75 min, 50%∼50% (B); 75∼80 min, 50%∼60% (B); 80∼85 min, 60%∼70% (B). The following were the detecting wavelength and program: 0∼25 min, 330 nm; 25∼37 min, 230 nm; 37∼45 min, 280 nm. 5 μL was the injection volume of the sample.

2.4 Preparation of YQDP prescription for intervention in SMPP model mice

Condensation and refluxing with 70% ethanol for 70 min was used to extract Rehmanniae Radix (150 g), Scrophulariae Radix (110 g), Ophiopogonis Radix (90 g), Paeoniae Radix Alba (60 g), Moutan Cortex (60 g), Fritillariae Thunbergii Bulbus (60 g), Menthae Haplocalycis Herba (40 g), Glycyrrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma (40 g), Forsythiae Fructus (60 g) and Lonicerae Japonicae Flos (60 g). 176.23 g of the extract were obtained by drying the extracts at a steady temperature after they had been concentrated into a paste. The drug extraction rate was 24.14%.

2.5 MP cultivation

After thawing under running water, the MP strain was introduced to PPLO liquid medium and cultured at 37°C in an incubator set to a constant temperature with 5% CO 2 . The third generation was removed and placed aside when the liquid medium turned yellow instead of red. The Color Change Unite (CCU) was defined as the highest dilution concentration at which the medium turned yellow. The MP concentration was ascertained using the CCU/mL method, and the gradient dilution method was used to prepare the bacterial solution with a concentration of 1×10 10 CCU/mL.

2.6 Animal grouping and dosing

Following a week of consistent adaptive feeding, 36 BALB/c mice were split into six groups at random ( n = 6). Referring to the modeling method of previous studies ( Wu et al., 2023a ), mice were anesthetized with isoflurane. Mice in the normal group were given nasal drip of 100 μL of physiological saline, while mice in the other groups were given nasal drip of 100 μL of MP bacterial solution at a concentration of 1×10 10 CCU/mL. All groups received nasal drip for three consecutive days.

According to the “Animal Dose Conversion Table” ( Wei, 2010 ), the positive group was administered azithromycin dry suspension at a total dose of 0.370 g/kg. The YQDP group received three dosages of formula solution (1.552, 3.104, 6.208 g/kg, crude drug), The normal group and model group were given an equal amount of physiological saline. Lung tissue was utilized for pathological and metabolomic research, and serum from each group of mice was obtained for ELISA detection following continuous dosing for 7 days.

2.7 Mouse lung index

To determine the lung index, lung tissues were blotted dry on filter paper, washed with 0.9% saline, and then weighed.

2.8 Histopathological observation

After being fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde, the lung tissue was sectioned into thin 5 μm slices using a sectioning machine and embedded into wax blocks using a paraffin embedding machine. Under a light microscope, the pathological alterations in the lung tissue following HE staining were seen.

2.9 Observation of lung tissue ultrastructure

Two to three pieces of lung tissue (1 mm 3 ) were removed from each group, preserved using 2.5% glutaraldehyde and 1% osmium acid, gradually dried with acetone, and then sliced using an epoxy resin infiltration and embedding process. The samples were then stained with lead citrate and uranyl acetate so that an H-7650 transmission electron microscope could be used to observe the ultrastructural alterations in lung tissue.

2.10 Metabolomics analysis

0.1 g of lung tissue samples were weighed and then finely powdered using liquid nitrogen. Each group of samples received four times the volume of the extraction buffer MeOH/ACN (1:1, v/v), which was added, properly vortexed, and then incubated at −20°C for 1 h before being centrifuged at 18,000 g for 15 min at 4 °C. After transferring the liquid metabolite extraction supernatant to a centrifuge tube, separate an aliquot of 10 μL dilution solution from each sample to combine with quality control samples in preparation for metabolomics analysis. Utilizing the Waters ACQUITY UPLC ultra-performance liquid chromatography system in conjunction with the Waters ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 Column (1.7 µm, 2.1 mm × 100 mm) for separation, 10 µL of injection volume, 0.40 mL/min of elution, and 40°C column temperature, the analysis was carried out.

The mobile phase A was an aqueous solution containing 0.1% formic acid, and the mobile phase B was an acetonitrile-water solution containing 0.1% formic acid. The liquid phase gradient was set as follows: 0–11 min, 2%–98% B; 11–12 min, 98% B; 12–12.1 min, 98%–2% B; 12.1–15 min, 2% B. The metabolites were separated by an ultra-high-performance liquid-phase system and injected into an ESI ion source for ionization and then analyzed by timsTOF Pro (Bruker) mass spectrometry. The ion source voltage was set at 4.5 kV, and both precursor ions and its secondary fragments were detected and analyzed using high-resolution TOF. The mass spectrometry scan range was set at 50–1,300 m/z, and the data acquisition mode used Parallel Accumulation Serial Fragmentation (PASEF) mode.

2.11 Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of IL-6 and TNF-α expression in serum

The serum was divided into sterile EP tubes, centrifuged for 20 min at 3,000 r/min, and refrigerated at −80°C. Following the kit’s instructions, add the sample, enzyme-labeled antibody, chromogenic reagent, and stop solution once the reagents have warmed up to room temperature. Then, use a 450 nm wavelength to examine the contents.

2.12 Protein expression of PI3K, P-PI3K, AKT, P-AKT, NF-κB, P-NF-κB in lung tissues by Western blot

After extracting the total protein from the lung tissue, the concentration of the protein was measured quantitatively and adjusted to a uniform concentration. 10% SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis was used for protein separation, and the wet transfer technique was used to transfer the proteins to a PVDF membrane. The primary antibodies, PI3K (1:2000), P-PI3K (1:2000), AKT (1:10,000), P-AKT (1:5000), NF-κB (1:5000), P-NF-κB (1:5000), and the internal reference antibody GAPDH (1:10,000), were incubated after blocking with 5% non-fat milk powder. At 4°C, the incubation was carried out all night. The membrane was washed three times with TBST and then incubated with HRP-conjugated goat anti-rabbit secondary antibody (1:10,000) at room temperature for 1 h. Following membrane cleaning, the PVDF membrane was put in a chemiluminescence imaging system for detection after the proper volume of ECL luminous solution was introduced. The internal control protein’s grayscale value served as a mathematical reference while using ImageJ software for analysis.

2.13 Statistical analysis

The statistical software GraphPad Prism six was used for both graph processing and statistical analysis. When it came to quantitative data that satisfied the requirements for normality and homogeneity of variance, the one-way ANOVA test was employed, and the data were reported as Mean ± SD. * p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

3.1 HPLC determination of five chemical components in YQDP

Using acetonitrile (B) and 0.1% phosphoric acid water (A) as mobile phases will yield the best peak shape and resolution. Figure 1 displays the chromatograms of the YQDP sample solution and the mixed reference solution under these circumstances.

Figure 1 . HPLC chromatograms of mixed reference solution (A) and modified sample solution of YQDP decoction (B) 1. CGA. 2. PF. 3. FTA. 4. FT. 5. PAE.

3.2 Validation

Tests on linearity, accuracy, stability, reproducibility, and sample recovery identified five chemical components in the YQDP recipe. Supplementary Table S1 displays all of the component standard curves. According to the data, there is a good linear association (r ≥ 0.9996) between the compounds that were tested and their corresponding concentration ranges. CGA, PF, FTA, FT, and PAE have respective RSD between 0.31% and 0.88%. Within 48 h, all components exhibited good stability, with an RSD ranging from 0.56% to 1.25%. consistency, ranging from 0.47% to 1.79%. All components had recovery rates between 98.63% and 100.04%, with an RSD between 0.27% and 1.84%.

3.3 Content of five chemical components in YQDP

YQDP recipe’s five chemical components’ contents were ascertained by the application of the established analytical method. Table 1 displays the results.

Table 1 . Content determination results of five chemical components in YQDP (mg/g, Mean ± SD, n = 6).

3.4 Changes in lung index of mice in each group

The lung index of the model group mice was higher than that of the normal group on the seventh day following MP infection ( p < 0.01). At every dosage, YQDP groups and the positive group shown a decline in comparison to the model group. Both the YQDP (3.104 g/kg) and YQDP (6.208 g/kg) groups saw a considerable decline. These two YQDP groupings are not significantly different from one another. The outcomes are displayed in Figure 2 .

Figure 2 . Lung index. ** p < 0.01.

3.5 Pathological observation and scoring of lung tissue

The normal group mice had intact lung tissue morphology and structure, with no edema or congestion in the tracheal wall, and no infiltration of inflammatory cells in the surrounding blood vessels. Most of the alveolar structures in model group mice were severely damaged, with fewer intact alveoli, significantly widened alveolar septa, and a large number of inflammatory cells exuding from the alveolar lumen. Inflammatory cell exudation and widened alveolar septa were observed in lung tissue of YQDP group mice at various concentrations. Lymphocyte infiltration was observed around the bronchioles and blood vessels. The positive group mice showed inflammatory cell infiltration around the trachea, bronchi, and small blood vessels, with mild pulmonary tissue congestion. Figure 3 The results of the pathological score indicate that the lung tissue in the model group of mice had higher pathological scores than each treatment group ( p < 0.01). The positive group performed better than the YQDP groups at different concentrations ( p < 0.01). The outcomes are displayed in Figure 4 .

Figure 3 . Pathological score. ** p < 0.01.

Figure 4 . Pathology of lung tissue (HE, 200×). (A) Normal group. (B) Model group. (C) YQDP (1.552 g/kg). (D) YQDP (3.104 g/kg) group. (E) YQDP (6.208 g/kg) group. (F) Positive group.

3.6 Ultrastructural observation of lung tissue

The alveolar wall of the normal group mice is intact, the cytoplasm is uniform, the nuclear membrane is intact, and a small amount of microvilli can be seen on the free surface. The microvilli on the free surface of type II alveolar cells in the model group mice thickened and disordered, with mitochondrial swelling and thickening of the thin layer of connective tissue and basement membrane between alveoli. YQDP groups of mice at different concentrations showed more microvilli on the surface of type II alveolar cells and clear nuclear membranes. There are organelles in the cytoplasm, such as mitochondria with clear cristae and numerous lamellar bodies, and there are cell junctions between adjacent cells. The microvilli in the positive group were slightly thickened, with a small amount of shedding and irregular arrangement. Some mitochondria were swollen, and the connective tissue and basement membrane were thickened. Results are shown in Figure 5 .

Figure 5 . Observation of lung tissue ultrastructure (TEM, 120,00×). (A) Normal group. (B) Model group. (C) YQDP (1.552 g/kg). (D) YQDP (3.104 g/kg) group. (E) YQDP (6.208 g/kg) group. (F) Positive group. Lamina (White →), mitochondria (black →).

3.7 Metabolomics analysis

At 6.208 g/kg, the YQDP group had significant pharmacological effects. In conjunction with the normal group, model group, and YQDP group, metabolomics analysis was carried out. The three groups’ metabolites varied in both positive and negative ion modes, according to PLS-DA analysis. As seen in Figure 6 , the P-test findings reveal that there is no overfitting across the group models. Figure 7 further demonstrates a complete separation of the normal, model, and YQDP groups based on OPLS-DA data analysis. In Supplementary Figure S1 , the 200 permutation test chart is displayed. Fold Change >1.5 served as the upregulation threshold, Fold Change <1/1.5 served as the significant downregulation threshold, and t -test p < 0.05 and VIP >1 served as the screening criteria for differential metabolites based on the VIP values of the developed OPLS-DA model. In the positive ion mode, the model group’s lung tissue included 81 metabolites, 64 of which were upregulated and 17 of which were downregulated, significantly different from the normal group’s lung tissue composition. The content of 32 metabolites, including choline phosphate, glutamine, lysine, and L-tyrosinamide, changed following YQDP intervention. In the negative ion mode, the model group’s lung tissue contained significantly less of 49 metabolites (42 upregulated and seven downregulated) than the normal group’s. The levels of 15 metabolites, including Glu Trp, 5-hydroxydecanoate, and 6-thioinosine, varied following YQDP medication. The findings are displayed in Supplementary Tables S2, S3 , Figures 8 , 9 . We displayed the differential metabolite data, as seen in Figure 10 , to better comprehend the metabolic variations in the lungs of several groups of mice.

Figure 6 . PLS-DA score and model validation of pulmonary metabolites in SMPP mice treated with YQDP. (A) Positive PLS-DA. (B) Positive PLS-DA Validation. (C) Negative PLS-DA. (D) Negative PLS-DA Validation.

Figure 7 . OPLS-DA analysis of pulmonary metabolites in SMPP mice treated with YQDP intervention. (A) Positive OPLS-DA. (B) Negative OPLS-DA.

Figure 8 . (Continued).

Figure 9 . Multiple comparison analysis of differential metabolites in lung tissue under negative ion mode. Compared with normal group, * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01. Compared with model group, # p < 0.05, ## p < 0.01.

Figure 10 . Heat map analysis of differential metabolites in lung tissue. (A) Positive. (B) Negative.

3.8 Enrichment analysis of differential metabolite pathways

We performed pathway enrichment analysis of metabolites that underwent significant changes in mouse lung tissue after YQDP therapy, as shown in Figure 11 . Each circle in the image represents a different metabolic route. As the enrichment factor rises, so does the degree of differential metabolite enrichment in this channel. Based on the results, YQDP may be used to treat SMPP by controlling the metabolism of porphyrins, pyrimidines, cholines, fatty acids, sphingolipids, glycerophospholipids, ferroptosis, steroid hormones, and unsaturated fatty acids.

Figure 11 . Bubble diagram of KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. (A) Positive. (B) Negative.

3.9 ELISA for detecting IL-6 and TNF-α expression in serum

The mice in the model group had higher serum expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-α than the mice in the normal group ( p < 0.01), and the mice in the YQDP administration group had lower expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-α at all concentrations than the mice in the model group ( p < 0.01). The results are displayed in Figures 12 , 13 .

Figure 12 . Serum IL-6 expression (pg/mL). ** p < 0.01.

Figure 13 . Serum TNF-α expression (pg/mL). ** p < 0.01.

3.10 Western blot for detecting PI3K, P-PI3K, AKT, P-AKT, NF-κB, P-NF-κB protein expression in lung tissue

As demonstrated in Figure 14 , the model group mice’s lung tissue showed an increase ( p < 0.01) in the P-PI3K, P-AKT, and P-NF-κB protein expression ratio when compared to the normal group. In the lung tissue of mice in the positive group and YQDP groups for each dose, the ratio of P-PI3K, P-AKT, and P-NF-κB protein expression reduced ( p < 0.05) when compared to the model group.

Figure 14 . Effect of YQDP on the relative content of PI3K/AKT/NF-κB protein in SMPP mice. (A) Normal group. (B) Model group. (C) YQDP (1.552 g/kg). (D) YQDP (3.104 g/kg) group. (E) YQDP (6.208 g/kg) group. (F) Positive group. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01.

4 Discussion

MPP is one of the common community-acquired diseases in children caused by MP infection ( Rogozinski et al., 2017 ), with unremarkable respiratory symptoms and paroxysmal irritating cough as the prominent manifestation of MP infection, accompanied by coughing up and vomiting small amounts of mucus or mucopurulent sputum. In previous studies, our research team applied the theory of “dryness” and the concept of “drying toxins” to treat SMPP using the well-known prescription YQDP from the book “Chonglou Yuyao.” We conducted experiments from multiple angles, including immunoinflammation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, oxidative stress, and water metabolism, and demonstrated the advantageous targeting of YQDP in intervening in MP infection. First, we conducted a pharmacodynamic component analysis and identified five chemical components in YQDP, including chlorogenic acid, paeoniflorin, forsythoside A, forsythin, and gallic acid. Through the use of experimental techniques such lung tissue pathology, ultrastructure observation, and pulmonary index, we assessed the effectiveness of the model and YQDP. According to the findings, YQDP considerably improved lung tissue pathology and decreased the pulmonary index in SMPP mice. In order to investigate the YQDP’s mechanism of action on SMPP mice further, we used UPLC-MS/MS technology to do a metabolomic study of lung tissue samples from normal, model, and YQDP-treated groups. This study screened 47 differential metabolites that changed after the addition of YQDP, mostly lipids, nucleosides, and fatty acids, which play important roles in inhibiting the immune inflammatory process and participating in multiple inflammatory processes ( Das, 2021 ; Nieto-Garai et al., 2022 ). The research discovered that while YQDP intervention altered various endogenous metabolites in the model group’s lung tissue, it also altered pathways including the metabolism of α-linolenic acid, sphingolipids, glycerophospholipids, arachidonic acid, and unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, which had a therapeutic effect on SMPP mice. α-linolenic acid belongs to the ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid family and can generate oxidized lipids under the action of specific enzymes. In terms of inflammation, ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids can alleviate and inhibit inflammation ( Simopoulos, 2002 ; Saini and Keum, 2018 ). The synthesis of phospholipase is an important link that affects the metabolites of glycerophospholipids, and if the content is reduced, it will result in a large number of phospholipid metabolites accumulation. Glycerophospholipid metabolism is achieved through the hydrolysis of phospholipase liaison with the relevant signaling pathways of humoral metabolism, to promote the normal operation of the material and energy metabolism, to maintain metabolic balance and homeostasis ( Kouznetsova et al., 2019 ). Unsaturated fatty acids like arachidonic acid are essential for immunological response, inflammation, and antibacterial activities ( Yan et al., 2019 ; Das, 2021 ). The study’s findings demonstrated that giving YQDP to SMPP mice decreased the amount of phosphatidylcholine in their lungs, which increased the amount of phosphatidylethanolamine—a material crucial for the metabolism of arachidonic acid in the glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway—and sped up the rate at which phospholipase hydrolyzed the lipid ( Zengin et al., 2019 ). YQDP may be able to treat MP infection-related lipid metabolic abnormalities by controlling glycerophospholipid metabolism. The immune system and inflammatory reactions are greatly influenced by the amounts of endogenous fatty acids and their metabolites. While saturated fatty acids tend to increase inflammation, certain unsaturated fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties ( Rodriguez-Perez et al., 2017 ; Kotlyarov and Kotlyarova, 2021 ). Nucleotide production and breakdown are regulated by purine metabolism. The primary cause of multiple organ damage and mortality in SARS-CoV-2-infected severe COVID-19 patients is cytokine storm. Research has revealed a robust association between cytokine storms and dysregulated purine metabolism in COVID-19 patients ( Sauer et al., 2012 ; Zardini et al., 2020 ), suggesting a direct connection between hyperinflammation and dysregulated purine metabolism in respiratory tract infections. Additionally, studies have demonstrated the regulatory effects of the chemical components in YQDP, including chlorogenic acid, paeoniflorin, gallic acid, glycyrrhizic acid, and forsythoside, on the metabolism of glycerophospholipids, arachidonic acid, and sphingolipids ( Zhao, 2018 ; Cheng et al., 2020 ; Duan et al., 2020 ; Feng et al., 2020 ; Li et al., 2022 ; Wang et al., 2022 ).

Phospholipids are essential components of pulmonary surfactants, with the ability to modulate local immune and inflammatory responses, lower alveolar surface tension, preserve alveolar fluid balance, engage in cell membrane protein recognition and conduction, and function as an essential secondary messenger in immune metabolic pathways downstream ( Chao et al., 2020 ). One important modulator of phospholipid conversion is phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases (PI3K), which activates protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathways that control cellular activity. In order to induce the expression of inflammatory and chemotactic factors, activated Akt can enter the cell nucleus and activate downstream factor NF-κB. This can lead to the infiltration and aggregation of inflammatory cells at the site of inflammation, speeding up the onset and progression of inflammation ( Li et al., 2020 ; Saravia et al., 2020 ). Following modeling, the model group’s lung tissues had much higher amounts of PI3K/AKT/NF-κB protein than the normal group’s, indicating that the stimulation of inflammatory factors had activated the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway. The ratio of P-PI3K, P-AKT, and P-NF-κB protein expression in lung tissues decreased following YQDP intervention, suggesting that YQDP could prevent the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway from being activated, lessen lung damage, and restore lung function in SMPP animals. The body releases tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) as the first cytokine in reaction to a potentially harmful stimulus, and it is essential in starting the inflammatory cascade of cytokines. Co-stimulation of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) production can occur through the combined action of TNF-α and other inflammatory agents. According to certain research, CGA can have anti-inflammatory properties, remove Akt phosphorylation, and decrease the expression of TNF-α and IL-6 ( Hou et al., 2016 ). The experiment’s findings demonstrated that YQDP intervention led to a decrease in the expression of TNF-α and IL-6 in serum, suggesting that YQDP can effectively suppress inflammatory factors’ expression and reduce the inflammatory response.

5 Conclusion

In conclusion, YQDP affects SMPP model mice in a certain way. Based on the examination of biological markers and their associated metabolic pathways, conjecture has it that YQDP primarily functions by modulating pathways like the metabolism of α-linolenic acid, sphingolipids, glycerophospholipids, arachidonic acid, and unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis. Additionally, it may potentially exert a regulatory influence via the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Abbreviation

Akt, Kinase B; AQP5, Aquaporin5; CAP, Community Acquired Pneumonia; CGA, Chlorogenic Acid; ELISA, Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; FT, Forsythin; FTA, Forsythoside A; IL-6, Interleukin-6; MP, Mycoplasma pneumoniae; MPP, Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia; MUC5ac, Mucin 5ac; PAE, Paeonol; PASEF, Parallel accumulation serial fragmentation; PF, Paeoniflorin; PI3K, Phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases; SMPP, Severe mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia; TCM, Traditional Chinese medicine; TNF-α, Tumor necrosis factor α; YQDP, Yangyin Qingfei Decoction Plus.

Data availability statement

The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article/ Supplementary Material , further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.

Ethics statement

The animal study was approved by Animal Ethics Committee of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Approval No.: 21000042021131). The study was conducted in accordance with the local legislation and institutional requirements.

Author contributions

TZ: Writing–original draft, Validation, Methodology, Conceptualization. XZ: Writing–review and editing, Visualization, Investigation. XiZ: Writing–review and editing, Visualization, Investigation. XL: Writing–review and editing, Visualization, Investigation. ZG: Writing–review and editing, Software, Investigation. GW: Writing–review and editing, Methodology. GL: Writing–review and editing, Supervision, Project administration, Funding acquisition, Conceptualization. ZW: Writing–review and editing, Supervision, Project administration, Funding acquisition, Conceptualization.

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant number 81373687; 81874490; 82074494).

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Experimental Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine for providing technical support.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher’s note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Supplementary material

The Supplementary Material for this article can be found online at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2024.1376812/full#supplementary-material

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Keywords: Yangyin Qingfei decoction plus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae , severe illness, metabolomics, PI3K/Akt/NF-κB

Citation: Zhang T, Zhao X, Zhang X, Liang X, Guan Z, Wang G, Liu G and Wu Z (2024) Research on the metabolic regulation mechanism of Yangyin Qingfei decoction plus in severe pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae in mice. Front. Pharmacol. 15:1376812. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1376812

Received: 26 January 2024; Accepted: 04 March 2024; Published: 17 April 2024.

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Copyright © 2024 Zhang, Zhao, Zhang, Liang, Guan, Wang, Liu and Wu. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

*Correspondence: Zhenqi Wu, [email protected] ; Guanghua Liu, [email protected]

Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

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