Chapter 1: Introduction
Purpose of Chapter 1
The introduction chapter sets the foundation for your entire dissertation. It provides readers with the context, significance, and scope of your research. This chapter should capture the reader's attention while clearly articulating the research problem and your approach to addressing it.
Section Breakdown
Background and Context
- • Provide a broad overview of your field
- • Explain the business/organizational context
- • Discuss current trends and challenges
- • Lead the reader from general to specific
Problem Statement
- • Clearly articulate the specific problem
- • Explain why this problem matters
- • Identify the gap in current knowledge
- • Connect to real-world implications
Research Questions
- • State your main research question
- • Include 2-4 sub-questions if applicable
- • Ensure questions are answerable
- • Align with methodology capabilities
Significance of the Study
- • Theoretical contributions to the field
- • Practical implications for practitioners
- • Potential policy implications
- • Benefits to specific stakeholders
Writing Tips
Do's
- ✓ Use clear, concise language
- ✓ Include recent citations (last 5 years)
- ✓ Create a compelling narrative
- ✓ Define key terms early
Don'ts
- ✗ Avoid jargon without explanation
- ✗ Don't make unsupported claims
- ✗ Avoid being too broad or vague
- ✗ Don't include methodology details
Length Guidelines
Chapter 1 typically ranges from 15-25 pages, though this can vary by institution:
- • Background: 4-6 pages
- • Problem Statement: 2-3 pages
- • Research Questions: 1-2 pages
- • Significance: 3-4 pages
- • Additional sections as needed: 5-10 pages
Common Pitfalls
- 🚫 Too Broad: Trying to solve all problems in your field instead of focusing on one specific issue
- 🚫 Weak Justification: Not clearly explaining why this research matters now
- 🚫 Missing Connection: Failing to link the problem to existing literature
- 🚫 Unclear Questions: Research questions that are too vague or impossible to answer