The topic is the effect social media has on human development and mental health. For the introduction: Use the title as the heading for this section Introduces the problem.

In one or two sentences (sometimes more), the intro draws the reader’s attention to the main idea of the research and states the general purpose investigating this topic.

Develops the background. Explains what previous research suggests about the topic, providing relevant information regarding how the researchers obtained those results, but only includes details that are important to an understanding of the research.

Describes how previous findings potentially relate to the concept. Details are chosen carefully so that the description is concise but complete.

Provides enough information to support a rationale for the hypothesis. States the rationale of the current research. Explains why the research is needed (what hole will it fill?).

This rationale usually builds up in the description of background literature, and is then summarized in one or two sentences. The purpose and/or goals, and hypothesis are presented (often, but not always, together).

The goals are generally used to set up the hypothesis (note that specific, predicted outcomes go at the end of the intro).

The purpose (goal) identifies the questions the research addressed. Describes how the research questions were addressed, including variable(s) and their operational definitions.

Lastly, describes what was predicted, based on the hypothesis(es), but in terms of the operational definitions.