Your dissertation introduction is the first thing your marker reads and the last thing most students write well. Here is how to make it work for you from the very first line. The introduction is the first chapter your marker reads — and first impressions count. A strong dissertation introduction does more than introduce your topic. It sets the context, justifies your research, states your aims and objectives, and gives the reader a map of what follows. This guide shows what to include, how to start, and a labelled fictional example.
Short answer: move from the wider context to your specific problem, show the gap, state your research question, aims and objectives, define the scope, and finish with a short chapter overview.
📋 Table of Contents
What Should a Dissertation Introduction Include?
A complete dissertation introduction usually contains seven elements. Not every dissertation includes all of them, so check your institution's guidelines, but most introductions address these:
| Element | The question it answers |
|---|---|
| Background and context | Why does this topic matter? |
| Rationale and significance | Why is this research needed? |
| Brief literature overview | What is already known, and what is missing? |
| Research question | What exactly are you trying to find out? |
| Aims and objectives | What will you do to answer it? |
| Scope and limitations | What is included, and what is not? |
| Chapter overview | How is the dissertation organised? |
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💡 Pro Tip: Write your introduction last — or at least rewrite it after completing your dissertation. Once you know exactly what your research found, you can introduce it far more precisely and confidently.
How to Start
A blank page is the hardest part. This order makes it easier:
- Write your research question first. Everything else in the introduction supports it. See our guide to writing a research question.
- Draft your aim and objectives in one sentence and three to five bullet points.
- Outline the seven elements using the table above.
- Write the background as a funnel, from the wider field down to your focus.
- Write the rationale by stating the gap and who benefits.
- Add scope and the chapter overview.
- Rewrite it at the end so it matches what your dissertation actually does.
Weaker: "In today's modern world, technology is changing everything and wellbeing is more important than ever."
Better: "Many UK employees now choose when and where they work, yet little is known about how that choice affects wellbeing in firms with fewer than 50 staff."
Useful sentence starters: "This study examines…", "Existing research has largely focused on…, leaving…", "The aim of this dissertation is to…", "This chapter is organised as follows…".
Background and Context
Begin with the broader context of your topic. Why does this subject matter? What is the current state of knowledge or practice in this area? Move from the general to the specific, from the wider field to your focus. For most dissertations this takes a few paragraphs, drawing on key statistics, recent developments or debates in your field.
Rationale and Significance
This is one of the most important parts of your introduction. You need to explain why your research is necessary — what gap in knowledge, practice or policy it addresses. Ask yourself: What does the existing literature not explain? Who will benefit from this research? What problem does it solve? A strong rationale makes your marker understand immediately why your dissertation is worth reading.
Brief Literature Overview
The introduction only needs enough literature to justify your question: two or three key studies or debates, and the gap between them. Save the full critical discussion for your literature review chapter. If you are unsure how to synthesise sources, see our guide to writing a literature review.
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Research Question, Aims and Objectives
State your research question clearly and explicitly. Then outline your research aim — the overarching purpose of your study — followed by three to five specific, measurable objectives. These should flow logically from your research question and map onto your methodology and findings chapters. See our guide on how to write a research question for detailed guidance.
Scope and Limitations
Define the boundaries of your study. What is included and what is excluded — and why? Acknowledging limitations early demonstrates academic maturity and protects you from criticism later. Common limitations include: small sample size, geographic or demographic focus, time constraints, access to data, and reliance on self-reported measures.
Chapter Overview
End your introduction with a brief signposting paragraph that outlines the structure of your dissertation. This helps your reader navigate your work and shows that your dissertation has a clear, logical flow.
Example: "Chapter Two reviews the existing literature on X. Chapter Three outlines the research methodology. Chapter Four presents the findings. Chapter Five discusses the findings in relation to the literature. Chapter Six concludes with recommendations for future research."
Example Introduction
This short fictional introduction shows the parts in order. Use it as a model for structure, not as text to copy. Citations are shown as placeholders.
BackgroundFlexible working has moved from a workplace perk to a common expectation across the UK. Small businesses have had to adopt flexible arrangements with fewer HR resources than larger organisations [citation].
Rationale and gapMost existing studies focus on large organisations [citations], leaving it unclear how flexible arrangements affect wellbeing where teams are small and roles overlap. Without this evidence, owner-managers have little guidance on how to design arrangements that work.
Research question, aim and objectivesThis dissertation asks: how do employees of small UK businesses perceive the effect of flexible working on their wellbeing? Its aim is to explore these perceptions. The objectives are to (1) identify the flexible arrangements in use, (2) examine how employees describe their effects, and (3) compare experiences across roles.
Scope and limitationsThe study focuses on businesses with fewer than 50 employees and uses interviews, so findings describe perceptions, not measured outcomes.
Chapter overviewChapter Two reviews the literature. Chapter Three outlines the methodology. Chapter Four presents the findings, Chapter Five discusses them, and Chapter Six concludes.
How Long Should It Be?
Many introductions take around 5 to 10% of the total word count. Treat the figures below as a guide and follow your handbook if it gives a limit.
| Dissertation length | Typical introduction |
|---|---|
| 5,000 words | about 250–500 words |
| 10,000 words | about 500–1,000 words |
| 15,000 words | about 750–1,500 words |
| 20,000 words | about 1,000–2,000 words |
Tips for a Strong Introduction
- Start with a compelling hook — a striking statistic, a provocative question or a significant real-world problem
- Be specific from the start — avoid vague opening sentences like "In today's modern world..."
- Every sentence should earn its place — no padding or repetition
- Use the introduction to demonstrate your command of the field
- Keep it proportional, usually a small share of the total word count (see the length guide above)
Checklist
- ✅ Starts with a specific context, not a vague opening
- ✅ States the gap and why the research is needed
- ✅ Research question, aim and objectives line up
- ✅ Scope and limitations are stated plainly
- ✅ Chapter overview matches your final structure
- ✅ Key claims are referenced
- ✅ Rewritten after the rest of the dissertation was finished
- ✅ Proofread for clarity, tense and referencing style
FAQs
How long should a dissertation introduction be?
It is often around 5 to 10% of the total word count, so roughly 500 to 1,000 words for a 10,000-word dissertation. Follow your handbook if it gives a figure.
How do I start a dissertation introduction?
Begin with the wider context of your topic, then narrow to the specific problem, the gap in existing research and your research question. Many students draft a rough version first and rewrite it once the rest of the dissertation is finished.
What should a dissertation introduction include?
Most introductions cover background and context, rationale and significance, a brief literature overview, the research question, aims and objectives, scope and limitations, and a chapter overview. Check your institution's guidelines, as requirements vary.
Can you give an example of a dissertation introduction?
Yes. This guide includes a short fictional introduction with each part labelled. Use it as a model for structure, not as text to copy.
What is the difference between a dissertation introduction and a literature review?
The introduction gives the context, the gap and your plan in brief. The literature review is a full, critical synthesis of existing research. The introduction should only touch on the literature enough to justify your question.
What is the difference between aims and objectives?
An aim is the overall purpose of your study. Objectives are the specific, measurable steps you will take to achieve it, usually three to five of them.
Should I write the introduction first or last?
Many students draft a short introduction early to guide the project, then rewrite it after finishing the dissertation, so it matches what the research actually did and found.
Should I include references in the introduction?
Yes, especially in the background and rationale sections. Referencing key studies and statistics shows that your research is grounded in existing literature from the start.
Should the introduction include my findings?
Usually not. State what you set out to do and how the dissertation is organised. Findings belong in the results and discussion, although some departments ask for a brief overview of the argument, so check your handbook.
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