An introductory paragraph introducing your practitioner’s research and the background for conducting it: Introduction to Paper Research Paper, NUI, Ireland

Introduction

An introductory paragraph introducing your practitioner’s research and the background for conducting it. You should identify the topic of your research by explaining what you will be researching, the purpose for conducting your inquiry, and that you will take a self-study approach to investigate your research topic. What aspect of your practice/values/beliefs do you wish to change or improve? Signpost the content of this section of the report as a means of introducing your research.

Research Topic

In these paragraphs, you need to introduce the reader to your research topic and your reasons for your investigation. Tell your personal story of your research journey, and inquiry therefore it is appropriate to write in the first person as it is a self-study. This section of your introduction can be written in the first person ‘I’.  Avoid making sweeping statements or personal opinions but remain professional in your academic writing by referencing the literature/policy/curriculum documents.

You may draw on personal experience, however, be ethical in reflections and refrain from extremes of judgment. Avoid sweeping comments and generalizations, given the limited teaching experience to date. Personal reflections should only be made on own practice and not on peers, children, teachers, or schools. This guide (Rodger, n.d.) will provide further clarity as to how to use ‘I’ in your writing of your research.

Research Question and Plan

Write in first person ‘I’, given that this self-study research is based on your practice or values/beliefs. Based on your research topic, what aspect of your teaching will you investigate in your self-study practitioner-based research? What are you hoping to improve or change as a result of this self-study?

State your research question which will be about your beliefs/practice/pedagogy and therefore will probably include ‘I’. The research question does not seek to directly investigate improving children’s learning but rather focuses on your practice.

Organization of Research Report

Remind the reader of your research as outlined in this Introduction section of your report. Explain to the reader the subsequent sections of your research report to ‘signpost’ and how you will proceed with your research, linking back to the research question. Again, you will need to refine this paragraph when you have your research completed to make sure you present a cohesive research report. The final sentence of section one informs the reader of the next section and the relationship to this section of the report.