Introduction

The ‘purpose’ of an Introduction to a Confirmation Report refers to its communicative function –to present a concise picture of the proposed research and justify its methodological approach as a viable solution to the research gap it aims to address. It allows the Confirmation Panel and supervisor to understand the background to the study and the suitability of the proposed research for a doctoral thesis. In order to achieve this purpose, an Introduction needs to introduce the research problem, its proposed solution and a justification of why the solution is appropriate. An Introduction for a Confirmation Report has six main communicative functions. To fulfil these functions, the author needs to complete the six moves as outlined below.

Note: Although the Introduction to a Confirmation Report is normally expected to include the above six moves, in some Engineering disciplines the contribution of the study and the organisation of the report (the last two moves) are often not included. Candidates are advised to check with their supervisor and follow the disciplinary conventions in their field.

The structure of an Introduction to a Confirmation Report is determined by the fundamental purpose of this section, which is to contextualise the proposed research. In order to achieve this purpose, the writer needs to progress from providing general information to including more specific information by making a series of communicative ‘moves’. In each move, a specific type of information is provided. Together, these moves contribute towards developing the structural framework of the Introduction. The six moves and the information they contribute are outlined below and illustrated with examples from Confirmation Reports in Engineering.

Note: Sections of the text deleted due to space constraints are marked […].

Note:
Requirements for the structural organisation of a Confirmation Report vary across the Engineering disciplines. For example, in some Engineering reports, the problem statement (a statement outlining the research gap) is first presented, followed by a general introduction that contextualises the study and then, the details of the proposed methodological approach to addressing the gap are stated. Candidates must be aware of departmental conventions and consult their supervisor for appropriate guidance for the structural organisation of this document.

Structure: Coherent organisation of Information
An important aspect of the structure of an Introduction is that the information presented should be organised logically so that the information flows smoothly across sections. Section headings should also be concise and accurately represent the content included.
These two points are illustrated in the following two extracts from a Confirmation Report in Electronic and Information Engineering entitled Protein Subcellular Localization Prediction Based on Gene Ontology and SVM.

• A) The TOC (Table of Contents) for the Introduction
• B) An edited extract from the Introduction, which features paragraphs with information relevant to the sub-headings of the Introduction.

In the table below, the TOC (Table of Contents) from the Introduction of a Confirmation Report in Electronic and Information Engineering is presented in Column A. An explanation of the components of their organisational structure is provided in Column B.

A) Table of Contents
Title of research: Protein Subcellular Localization Prediction Based on Gene Ontology and SVM.

Coherent organisation: Relationship between the title and TOC for the Introduction
B) Edited Introduction
This edited Introduction serves to highlight the development of a coherent and logical structure. The section headings in the extract are the same as the ones in the TOC. For each section, note the heading used and see how the main focus is developed in the paragraph.
The research is entitled Protein Subcellular Localization Prediction Based on Gene Ontology and SVM.
Sections 1.1 and 1.2 introduce the research topic (Protein Subcellular Localization Prediction). In Section 1.3, the two proposed methods (based on Gene Ontology and SVM) are presented.
Note: Sections of the text deleted due to space constraints are marked […].
Click on the sub-headings 1.1- 1.4 to see the explanation for each sub-section.

Structure: Cyclical organisation of information

Some Introductions, multiple aspects of the research topic are examined and Move 2 (review and evaluation of relevant research) and Move 3 (research gap) are repeated for each aspect. This is sometimes followed by a brief statement outlining the scope of the research (what it includes), and presentation of the objectives of the study.

In the following Introduction from a Confirmation Report in Civil and Environmental Engineering, these two moves are repeated cyclically for two aspects:

1. The hybrid technique of combining ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and US in paragraph 1 and
2. The combination of catalyst-free UV and US (US/UV) in paragraph 2. 

Note: Sections of the text deleted due to space constraints are marked […].
Click on numbers 1-4 in superscript to see their explanations.

Key:
Move 2 (review and evaluation of relevant research)
Move 3 (research gap)

In the above extract, the first paragraph reviews the first aspect, the hybrid technique of combining ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and US and identifies the gap: studies reviewing this technique have been conducted under photocatalyst-mediated conditions which have their associated disadvantages of higher costs and catalyst disposal. In the second paragraph, the second aspect – the combination of catalyst-free UV and US (US/UV) is reviewed to show that it overcomes the disadvantages of the first aspect but highlights the gap: the need to investigate ‘the role of H₂O₂ in the treatment reactions and a mechanistic model to describe the US/UV process’.

The Introduction to a Confirmation Report serves a very important purpose of contextualizing the proposed research. This section covers important aspects of language use in the Introduction, which are required to fulfil the following communicative functions:

• Identifying the research topic and establishing its significance
• Critically evaluating research
• Indicating the research gap
• Outlining research objectives
• Outlining the organisation of the report

It also discusses the use of verb tenses used in the Introduction.

Language used to identify the research topic and establish its significance
When introducing the research topic, the author starts with broad statements that refer to generally accepted facts, often using the present tense. The present perfect tense is used to present information that has been found over a period of time from the past until the present.

In order to signal the importance of the research topic, evaluative language (adjectives and adverbs and evaluative phrases) is used. 

Language used to critically evaluate research
In an Introduction, the main objective in citing other researchers’ work is to provide a background to the proposed research.  Relevant research is not merely reported – it is analysed and evaluated to situate the proposed research and justify it as a solution to the research problem. This process of analysis and evaluation also enables the author to establish their stance towards the research that is being cited. In order to fulfil these objectives, authors use the following language features:
Adjectives and adverbs
Attitudinal expressions (phrases that signal the author’s attitude)

Here are some examples of evaluatory language (highlighted in green) from Confirmation Reports in Engineering which illustrate their objective in suggesting inadequacies in previous research to lead into the research gap and signal the author’s stance towards current research.

In the first extract, the adjectives ‘time-consuming’, ‘laborious’ evaluate the traditional methods used to predict the subcellular location of proteins. In the next sentence, ‘newly-found’ highlights the significance of new protein sequences that have been discovered. The importance of this development is highlighted by the adverb ‘rapidly’. ‘Post-genomic’ era draws attention to the specific period being discussed in the context of approaches to protein subcellular localization prediction. The adjectives ‘reliable, efficient and automatic’ are used to suggest that past methods were not as ‘reliable, efficient and automatic’ and hence improved methods are needed to predict where a protein resides in a cell.
In the second extract, ‘Deficiencies and ‘challenges’ are nouns which convey a negative evaluation of the application of HFAC. This evaluation is supported by the use of the negative adjective ‘limited’. 
In both examples, the use of negative evaluation signals the author’s position that further research is required to invent more effective methods for subcellular localization prediction (A) and to extend the available applications of HFAC (B).

Common errors in the use of evaluative language
When using evaluative language, it is important to select the correct word form (adjective or adverb).
In Extract C below, ‘relative’ should be replaced with the adverb ‘relatively’ to modify the adjective ‘dangerous’.

It is also important to use academically appropriate (i.e. formal language), particularly as informal expressions tend to be vague and ineffective in terms of conveying an accurate description.
In Extract D below, ‘deeper’ can be replaced with ‘in-depth’ or ‘exhaustive’ and ‘powerful’ with ‘sound’, ‘comprehensive’ or ‘rigorous’.

Language used to indicate the research gap
The review of relevant research in an Introduction leads to a sentence outlining the research gap, which clearly identifies the shortcomings of previous research and indirectly presents a rationale for the proposed study. This sentence is presented in the form of a truth statement, using the present tense to state what previous research has not yet addressed. The author also combines evaluative language to highlight the importance of the gap and the need to address it. The following examples illustrate these techniques. Evaluative language is highlighted in green.

In some ‘gap statements’, there is an emphasis on what is missing. In the following example, the gap is introduced by a signaling expression which informs the reader that contrasting information will be presented.

Other examples of ‘gap statements’
X (specific research topic) has received little attention
There is limited research on …
Research on X is limited/inadequate
Current methods for addressing X (the specific problem) are ineffective
There is a significant need for …
There is a need to conduct…
(Topic)…has/have not been (studied/reported/explained/detailed)
…is required/needed…
The key question is/remains…
It is important to address…

Outlining the research objectives
The research objectives can be stated using the present tense and either the active or the passive voice.

Outlining the organisation of the report
In this last section of the Introduction, the author presents an outline of the organisation of information in the report and refers to the contents of each chapter, using the present tense. Some authors tend to use the future tense taking the view that the report is yet to be written. The present tense is preferred by authors who view the report as completed and already in existence at the time of reading. Either the active or the passive voice can be used, as long as each is used consistently.

Present tense     Passive voice

Present tense     Passive voice     Active voice

Verb tenses in an Introduction
In the Introduction, verb tenses are mainly used for the following functions:

• present the background to the research topic
• review relevant research
• identify the research problem
• present the solution

To achieve these functions, a combination of verb tenses is used as illustrated below.

1. Present tense is used to refer to a process, a fact or information established as a fact in the field. The following extract illustrates the use of this tense.

Key
1-3: facts     4,5: processes

Present perfect tense (has/have + ed) is used to summarise or make general statements about relevant research or trends, without specifying a time period. This tense has multiple functions as follows:

Present continuous tense is used to refer to a currently developing, ongoing situation where the emphasis is on the present time. It is different from the present perfect tense which details an unspecified period of time.

Past tense is used to refer to outcomes of previous research or finished events within a specific time period.

Synonyms for ‘research’: Common errors

In the Introduction (also in the Literature Review), the author refers to the proposed research using a variety of synonyms. These are, study, investigation, work, enquiry, examination, analysis and review, the first three being used more frequently than the others. They must be used appropriately, in terms of number (singular/plural forms).  

1. “Research” is uncountable and therefore takes a singular verb. “Researches” is a verb, not a plural noun.
2. ‘Literature’ in an uncountable noun and is always in the singular form.
3. ‘Work’ should be used in the singular form when referring to the proposed research. ‘Works’ is incorrect usage, as it is used to describe a collection of work in the arts. 

The following examples from confirmation reports in Engineering illustrate this point:
Note: Versions in italics are correct. Mistakes are highlighted in bold font.

• There are also numbers of experimental researches about premixed flames.
  There is considerable experimental research about premixed flames.
• Laser deflection techniques have been used in flame researches for many years.
  Laser deflection techniques have been used in flame research for many years.
• As they are different from normal diffusion flames, there are not very many researches about inverse diffusion flames.
  As they are different from normal diffusion flames, there is not very much research about inverse diffusion flames.
• In this project, researches mainly base on experimental data analysis.
  The research in this project is mainly based on experimental data analysis.
• The designed AC bus frequency in these literatures is only hundred
  The designed AC bus frequency in this literature is only hundred Hz.

Objectivity in scientific writing
In the Introduction to a confirmation report, authors (especially novices) structure their discussion of relevant research by focusing on other researchers and their methods, instead of discussing the research itself. This strategy is more appropriate for the Literature Review section, where the author refers to and evaluates other researchers’ work in order to identify gaps in previous research and create a space for their own study. It also adds to the length of the section and makes it less objective. One technique to achieve objectivity is to minimize author references, except when making in-text references, and provide background information to contextualize the study in a concise and focused manner.

Here is an example of an extract in which the discussion is author- focused, and its more objective version. Note how the alternative version is more effective in terms of providing a concise background to the proposed study.

Note: A focus on an author is more appropriate if their personal decision or viewpoints are important to the discussion of background information, especially as part of the evaluation leading up to the research gap.