• Follow journal instructions for titling this section, e.g., Introduction or Background; if there are no specific instructions, check recent articles in the target journal
  • Avoid unnecessarily broad background info that your target audience already knows except as this information directly relates to your research
  • Tie background information directly to your current paper as early as possible in this section
  • State clearly and concisely why your study is important and what knowledge gaps are addressed
  • Use primary references to support your hypotheses or reasoning behind your work
    • Primary sources are an original data reported by researchers; secondary sources are those that quote or include data from primary sources
    • Use the most recent primary sources available