What is the Purpose of the Dissertation Introduction Chapter?

What is the Purpose of the Dissertation Introduction Chapter?

The purpose of the dissertation introduction chapter is to provide an overview of the research problem, the significance of the study, and the research questions or objectives that the study seeks to address. It also provides relevant background information and contextualizes the research problem within the broader field of study. Additionally, the introduction motivates the readers to engage with the research by providing a summary of what the dissertation will cover. Overall, the introduction sets the stage for the rest of the dissertation and helps the reader understand the significance of the research and its contribution to the field of study.

The introduction chapter serves several essential functions, including:

• Introducing the research topic: The introduction chapter should introduce the research topic and provide an overview of its background and context. It should explain why the topic is important and relevant and what the reader can expect to learn from the research.
• Stating the research problem: It should clearly state the research problem, which is the central issue that the research aims to address. It should explain why the problem is worth investigating and how it contributes to the field of study.
• Formulating the research questions or hypothesis: The introduction should present the research questions or hypotheses that the study aims to answer. It should explain how these questions or hypotheses relate to the research problem and why they are important.
• Providing a literature review: The introduction should provide a summary of the existing literature on the research topic. It should highlight any gaps in the literature that the study aims to fill and explain how the study contributes to the existing body of knowledge.
• Describing the research methodology: It should provide an overview of the research methodology that the study uses to collect and analyze data. It should explain why the chosen methodology is appropriate for the research and how it will answer the research questions or hypothesis.
• Previewing the structure of the dissertation: Finally, an overview of the organization of the dissertation and how the different chapters are connected must be provided in the introduction. It should explain how the different chapters contribute to answering the research questions or hypothesis.