Dear @Craig, this is good resource for your research question!

Introduction, rationale and objectives

https://www.slideshare.net/Tawfikzahran/introduction-rationale-and-objectives

Introduction or abstract

In Baghdad University we always use “ introduction” either in thesis, dissertation or research and I think it is the most appropriate word.

In my opinion introduction is the most appropriate to use instead of "rationale" or Background of the study.

Introduction provides guidelines on how to construct an introduction to a scientific paper including background information, study question, hypothesis, and general approach.

Dear @Craig, this is good resource for your research question!

Introduction, rationale and objectives

https://www.slideshare.net/Tawfikzahran/introduction-rationale-and-objectives

Thanks all. You really provided me great resources, great comments and great suggestions. I appreciate all of your thoughts.

Good URL for you :-

I think, introduction is the most appropriate .

regards

The best use is provided as we entrusted it

Dear Craig

As a section heading you should use Introduction. This will contain information on the background and rationale.

Introduction is the more suitable one,we can use background in the chapter follow the introduction ,which common thesis and dissertation named it as literature and review.

Introduction is more appropriate but then give the background to the study in the introduction

For me it is context dependent . I prefer "background ..."

Dear Dr. Craig Refugio , it is an interesting issue and I have tried to put some points as per my understanding.

In the introduction part you can provide background information about the topic to the readers.

Rationale is the part of your topic that you can be able to explain the importance of the research that you are conducting by providing valid arguments.

Background: Prevailing conditions that lead to identification of a problem to be researched, the credibility of and your capacity to address the identified research problem

Justification/Problem statement: Clearly describe circumstances justifying the research and how the approach to be used will lead to a solution (s) in the form of information/ products that

can be applied to benefit society. You can Indicate your familiarity with accomplished research on the problem and justify why the problem should be solved.

Sometimes, the aforementioned components can be merged together in the introduction component of a research proposal.

The most important thing is to strictly follow the guidelines of every institution or universities.

For your further understanding, please have a look in to the following interesting links. I hope they will help you much.

https://www.uky.edu/~eushe2/Pajares/proposal.html

https://research-methodology.net/research-methodology/rationale-for-the-study/

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/objective.html

Interesting question. I agree wirh Dr. D Leshchenko

Introduction is right option

Dear Craig Thank you for this stimulating and interesting researched question. Surely, it is the introduction,

It is as well describe by Dr. Beemnet Mengesha Kassahun and mentioned by other RG colleagues Best regards Lamia

I agree with Dr. Beemnet Mengesha Kassahun .

I agree with Dr/ Beemnet Mengesha Kassahun

Dr. Beemnet clarifies the terms in very scholastic manner. I utterly agree. Kind regards

The introduction expresses the subject to be studied in terms of the importance of the subject and the problem and the basic assumptions to solve that problem.

Background of the study is incorporated in the introduction

I think "Introduction" is always there. Sometimes background information are given in introduction or kept is separate. Rationale is usually a separate part of thesis. In case of research paper, rationale is also Incorporated in introduction part.

There may be other arrangements also, but all the three terms are important.

- Introduction is more typical for the entire dissertation;

- Background - is good for highlighting a prior research results status, before your original study of a particular question was performed;

- Rational - is used to explain a turn to a new approach, concept, paradigm, or direction of research due to a critical analyses of a totality of prior known facts, logic, and perceptions.

"Introduction" is most commonin my field of study.

An introduction for a thesis or dissertation can be conceived broadly or narrowly.

Conceived narrowly, an introduction introduces (briefly explains) the basic idea, whereas a background provides a history or broad context in which the introduced idea figures and can mention previous approaches, and a rationale provides the reason or motivation for, or the point of the study (why it's worth doing), or explains and justifies the nature of the study (why do it in your way).

Conceived broadly, an introduction can cover all of those. For the broad conception, one might also use "Foreword", "Preface", "Preamble", "Exordium", although these are less common and less likely to be used outside of the humanities.

But at the end of the day it's the discussion underneath the labels that counts.

I believe it varies per journal and institution. Each separate entity has its own required sections and headers.

I think 'Introduction' is usually a summary of the whole paper. It starts with the theoretical and empirical 'background' motivating the study /issue(s) and ends with the 'rationale' or contributions or value added as well as the major 'findings' of the study.

Thanks.

Kind regards.

Interesting information.

Dear @Craig, have you visited this discussion room?

www.researchgate.net/post/What_is_the_difference_between_introduction_and_background_in_research_proposal_and_statement_of_problem_and_rationale_of_the_study

Following

introduction accompanied by aims and objectives

#LJUBOMIR

OK. I WILL READ IT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

CRAIG

Different terms have different purposes":

Introduction: introduces the piece.

Introduction: may have commentary on:

1. Introducing the topic to the audience

2. May include a background point or two

You may have:

1. Introduction

2. Introduction,followed by Background

3. Introduction, Background, Aims, Objectives (as four first sections)

In my opinion, in the introduction it is necessary to justify the relevance of the study, to interest the reader for a thorough reading. And with the help of a review of literature, it is necessary to justify the novelty of author's research.

i think the research or thesis introduction must be included :The importance of research and previous studies in the same field.