The answers to which of the following questions can be found in the 'Introduction' section of a research paper?

1.What were the patterns of behaviour among participants?

2.What do we know about this topic from previous research?

3.What do the results mean?

4.What are the authors trying to demonstrate in their research?

5.How do your results relate to other kinds of research?

A1, 2 & 3 only

B2 & 5 only

C1, 4 & 5 only

D2 & 4 only ✓ Correct

Correct answer: (D) 2 & 4 only

Explanation

The introduction answers what previous research shows and what the authors aim to demonstrate.

It reviews existing knowledge on the topic to set the study's context.

It states the research problem, purpose and objectives the study pursues.

Patterns of behaviour among participants belong in the results section, not the introduction.

What results mean and how they relate to other research belong in the discussion.

The introduction typically ends with the hypothesis or research question.

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