Paper writting - 4 - Introduction

Introduction Chapter

1. 首先确认能不能使用第一人称代词i.e., ‘I’, ‘me’, ‘my’, ‘our’, etc.

Introduction, discussion, conclusion chapter标准是一样的。

2. Verbs or phrases that show a brief or a positive fact

Scholars believe in…

It is postulated that…

Its … nature that…

… encourages …

… is believed by many scholars to encourage …

… are also said to allow … to understand…

3. Verbs or phrases that show a disbelief or a doubt

Some researchers, however, have queried the claimed benefits of … and whether … really provides opportunities for …

… whether the assumptions are true.

… seems to be based on personal experience rather than on research evidence.

4. Verbs or phrases that indicate a gap

Little empirical research … has been conducted.

They covered a small number of subjects only.

The aspects … that have been examined are … limited.

Few studies of … have investigated …

The literature on … also shows a lack of comprehensiveness …

Only a limited number of studies have investigated the …

5. Verbs or phrases that indicate inconsistencies in previous research findings

A review of the literature further reveals conflicting views of the …

This inconclusiveness has led to doubts about …

6. Other verbs or phrases to indicate inadequacies in previous research

Verbs

Previous studies have underestimated / overestimated / ignored / neglected / overlooked / failed to consider / failed to include / failed to take into account / failed to take account of

Noun phrases

The limitations / restrictions of previous studies …

Little research has been conducted in …

Litter attention has been given / devoted to …

… has received little attention

Only a limited number of studies / researchers / investigations have …

Few studies / researchers / investigations have …

A limited body of research has been conducted …

Hardly any study has been conducted …

Hardly any data has been collected …

There is still much to be learned / a need to clarify / a need to investigate …

There remains a gap in our knowledge / understanding of … to be filled.

Our knowledge / understanding of … is incomplete / far from complete.

Adjectives

Studies that focus on … have so far been scanty / scarce / rare.

Y’s results are found to be unconvincing / incomplete.

Previous findings / results are debatable / controversial / questionable / inconclusive / open to question / dated / out-of-date

Other phrases

The findings / results of previous studies show inconsistencies / a lack of agreement.

X’s findings have been refuted by Y …

Y’s findings do not match those of X’s …

X’s study was conducted over three decades ago using research instruments that was no longer considered to be accurate.

7. Lack用法

(1) A singular, countable noun usually preceded by ‘a’ and followed by ‘of’

e.g., There is a lack of good personal at …

(2) A transitive verb not followed by ‘of’

e.g., We lack resources.

(3) The adjective ‘lacking’, which is sometimes followed by ‘in’

e.g., Fast food is lacking in nutritive value.