Introduction

In LabWriteUp the introduction section is broken down into nine steps. This is done for the purpose of helping you to organise your introduction and make it easier to write.

The approach to the introduction encouraged here is to take the following nine steps:

1. Opening statements Begin with a statement, quotation, or everyday example of the issue under investigation and say why it an important topic for psychological enquiry
2. Methods used in this area Describe an experimental observation, such as what is normally found in the experiments of the type used in your study.
3. The main (or first) theory Provide a brief outline of a theory (usually the first theory developed in the area) that was developed to explain the phenomena.
4. Evidence for the first theory Provide a number of examples of research evidence that supports the theory.
5. Problems for the first theory Provide at least one study that has produced results that are problematic in some way for the theory.
6. New or competing theories Either explain how the theory was modified or describe a second theory developed to replace the first theory.
7. Evidence for the new theory Provide at least one example of how that theory is supported by research evidence.
8. Subsequent developments Continue the cycle: theory description – evidence for the theory – problems for the theory – new theory, until you have arrived at the specific hypothesis you are going to test.
9. The rationale for this study Identify a weakness of the theories, such as an inconsistency, lack of detail, lack of supportive evidence or if you cannot identify a weakness, identify an interesting prediction of the theory.
   
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