Reviewing the introduction

This chapter focuses on how to review the introduction section of a manuscript. Specifically, the section argues that reviewers need to assess four necessary components of the introduction: effective positioning of the research in the extant literature, a compelling motivation for the research, a specific research question, and a statement of the major contribution(s) to new knowledge. A table that details specific questions reviewers need to consider under each component is supplied for the reader. Potential reviewer comments for the introduction for each of the two sample papers are also presented.