Looking for…the ‘rationale’ in Jääskeläinen’s paper

Definition and Purposes

The Abstract-1
 An abstract briefly summarises, usually in one paragraph of 300 words, or even
less, the major aspects of the entire paper.

 A well-written abstract serves multiple purposes:

 First, an abstract lets readers get the gist /dʒɪst/, or the essence of the paper, in
order to decide whether to read the full paper or not;
 Second, an abstract prepares the readers to follow the detailed information,
analyses, and arguments in the full paper.
 Third,…an abstract helps readers remember key points from your paper.

Search for papers and authors

 It’s also worth remembering that search engines and bibliographic
databases use abstracts, as well as the title, to identify key terms for
indexing your published paper.

Definition and Purposes

The Introduction 1+Exercise
 The INTRODUCTION to an academic article is the first section of the
paper, immediately following the abstract.
 One of the most important functions of an introduction is to answer the
question ‘Why?’
 Questions such as

1)why was the study performed, and why is it interesting and/or

important?

 Given that the introduction is the beginning of the paper, it also serves to
further convince the readers to read the rest of the paper. It also
prepares them to understand the importance and implications of the
results.
The Introduction 2-Key Goals +Exercise
To clearly establish the context for the study, the introduction contains four
main components:

1. General background information

2. Specific background information
3. A description of the gap in the knowledge that the study was
designed to fill
4. A statement of study objective

A rationale?What is a research rationale?

 A compelling research rationale increases the chances of a
researcher’s paper being published or his/her grant proposal being
funded.

The rationale is…

 ... the reason why a scholar decided to conduct the study in the first
place.
 …the motivation for asking the question.
 …the knowledge gap.
 …often the most significant part of a researcher’s publication
 … a critical part of standard research articles as well as funding
proposals.
More in detail a reserach rationale is …
 …a set of reasons that explain why a study is necessary and important
based on its background.
 …also known as the justification of the study, or thesis statement.

Where can we find the rationale in an

academic paper?
At the end of the introduction there’s always a clause that begins with
something like, “here we show…” or“in this paper we show…”

These clauses are part of a logical sequence of information, typically (but

not necessarily) provided in this order:
  Research background: Where are you coming from? Present (and cite)
previous research and existing data on the topic.
 Gap in the literature: Based on the background evidence presented,
which gap(s) haven’t been addressed? Or what’s the problem that needs
solving/process that needs improving?
 Research rationale: Why is it important to address these gaps or
solve/improve this problem/process?
 Research objectives and methodology: What will you explore (your
research question/aim)? How will you approach it (methods)?

 A helpful way to formulate a research rationale is to answer the

question, “__Why is this study necessary and important ?”

Why is this study necessary and important?

Because there is a gap. My study complement scientific knowledge
and understanding

3 key elements
A well-written introduction covers three key elements:

 What’s the background to the research?

 What has been done before (information relevant to this particular study,
but NOT a literature review)?
 Research rationale

To sum up The rationale

 The rationale for a scholar’s research is the justification for
undertaking a given study.
 It states the reason(s) why a researcher chooses to focus on the topic in
question, including what the significance is, and what gaps the research
intends to fill.
 The rationale is typically followed by a hypothesis/research question(s)
and the STUDY OBJECTIVES…
 We find it at the end of the introduction.
 It is signalled with codified cohesive devices.
Basis for writing the research rationale

The research rationale is predominantly based on preliminary data.

 A literature review will help the scholar identify gaps in the current
knowledge and also ensure that he/she avoids duplicating what has
already been done.
 The scholar can then formulate the justification for his/her study from the
existing literature on the subject and the perceived outcomes of the
proposed study.

When is the rationale for research presented/Written?

 The rationale of a study can be presented both before and after the
research is conducted.
 Before: The rationale is a crucial part of the scholar’s research
proposal, representing the plan of his/her work as formulated before they
execute his/her study.
 After: Once the study is completed, the rationale is presented in a
research paper or dissertation to explain why the researcher focused on
the particular question.

Language to signal the rationale

Because,In order to,As,So that, Therefore,The reason this was done/chosen …, For the
following reason(s) …, For two/three reasons …
Language for further justification – showing importance
 This was important / significant because …This meant that I could…This enabled me to…
which enabled / allowed me to…,… which pointed to / highlighted that / showed me that

Length
 In a research proposal or research article, the rationale would
not take up more than a few sentences.
 A thesis or dissertation requires a longer description, which
could even take up a couple of paragraphs.

Basic elements of the research rationale

 Every research rationale should include :
  An overview of the researcher’s conclusions from his/her literature
review
 Gaps in current knowledge
 Inconclusive or controversial findings from previous studies
 The need to build on previous research (e.g. unanswered questions, the
need to update concepts in light of new findings and/or new technical
advancements).


 Once the scholar has carefully articulated the reason(s) for

his/her research, he/she will have convinced the readers
(peers, tutors, sponsors, etc.) of the importance of his/her
work.

What is the difference between the rationale and the

abstract?
 The rationale of a thesis /research paper refers to the reasons why there
is a need to conduct the study, while the abstract is the summary of your
study.
 The abstract includes the following: the goal of the study, the
participants/respondents, the method or how you gathered the data and
the result of the study.

What is the difference between the rationale and the
introduction to an academic paper?
 The rationale of a scholar’s research is the reason for
conducting the study or the justification for his/her study.
 The rationale is usually a part of the introduction section.
 As a matter of fact, it is in the introduction where the
researcher should first give more detailed background on what
research has been done so far on the topic he/she is taking up.

What is the difference between the abstract and the

introduction?
 An abstract is similar to a summary, it is short, and only gives
the reader the essential info on the paper.
 The introduction of any academic paper gives the reader
further, more detailed information.