Swales Introduction

Briefly Defined


Move 1. Establish field
– Assert centrality
– State current knowledge
Move 2. Summarise previous research
– Outline issues in literature
Move 3. Prepare for present research
– Indicate a gap
– Raise a question
Move 4. Introduce present research
– State purpose
– Outline present research





More Detailed

1. Understand the wider context and importance of the project


• State the general topic and make a claim about why it is important.


• Describe what is generally known about this topic.






2. Summarize previous research


• State the core ideas in the literature and structure them in a logical sequence.


• Draw conclusions from the literature review by summing up the relevance of the literature review for the project and listing the informed decisions that need to be made.






3. Prepare for the current research




• List the gaps. That is, given all the research reviewed in Step 2, what is left to be done? An accurate summary of this situation is one of the critical aspects of a project. Are there gaps related to an area that has not been studied, or to a new method that needs developing?


• List possible methods for addressing the gaps. For a large project, usually at least five different approaches are possible. Understanding the breath of questions that could be addressed is a major step in understanding why your project is addressing the gap that it is.


• Select a gap and a methodology for addressing it. A gap can be selected because new technology, theoretical tools or methods have recently become available. It can be constrained by length of time available for the project or by resources available.
  The gap is frequently large. By appreciating that many approaches would be valid, you can see what aspects you will be able to address with your chosen methodology, and what will be outside the scope of the project. Don’t confuse the gap with your research plan (which is the next Step). It is conceivable that someone else could address the same gap using the same general methodology but design a different specific plan.






4. Research plan


• State the overall goals and the specific aims of the research. In an empirical study, the hypothesis is stated here. Make the aims as specific as possible.


• Outline the methods to be followed. A timeline is frequently useful in this section.