Crafting an Introduction Example: Paragraph 1: Cut and paste the what we know and what we don't know parts of your updated elevator pitch here. Save your research question or hypothesis for the end of the introduction.

Literature Review Add a short paragraph introducing your population separate from your variables. If your population is children, give us a little context about that developmental period. If your population is defined by an institution (school, drug rehabilitation, hospitalization) talk a little about your population's experience in that institution or how being there affects them. Dependent Variable + Population One way to organize the information about your DV is to start by defining it conceptually and talking about how other researchers have measured it. Then talk about prevalence rates of your DV in population. Finally, add whatever else you want to tell your readers about regarding your DV. Independent Variable + Population Similar to the DV, it can be easiest to start by defining your IV conceptually and talking about how other researchers have measured it. Then talk about prevalence rates of your IV in population if you are doing a correlational study or talk about how common your treatment is in the field, who it is used with and who it works with. Finally, add whatever else you want to tell your readers about regarding your IV. Independent Variable + Dependent Variable in Population For this section, talk about what other researchers have found about the relationship of your DV and IV in your population or the impact of your treatment (IV) in your population. If

you haven't found any for your population (not a bad thing - it means there is new to study!) talk about any research on your IV/DV combo in other populations. For instance, if your population is adolescents and all of the research has been on adults, tell us about that research. Relationship/Impact in other populations if no studies w/population exist Gap & Limitations Briefly recap the gaps that exist in the literature (what we don't know from your elevator pitch). Talk about how your study will fill the gap and state the type of study you did (correlational, experimental, etc.). End with a research question or hypothesis

Topic: Childhood trauma on adult mental health

Independent Variable: Childhood Trauma

Dependent Variable: adult mental health