Refer also to Reasoning patterns, Developing an argument, and Finding participants, which collectively relate to developing a transitional paragraph.
Benjamin L. Stewart
What’s the purpose of having a transitional paragraph?
The purpose of a transitional paragraph is to bridge your theory (what others say about your researchable topic) with your own study (what you have to say about your researchable topic)?
What should be included in a transitional paragraph?
It’s a paragraph that includes the following: 1) a restatement and rewording of the thesis statement, 2) a summary of the context of the problem, 3) a statement of the research design (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed method), and 4) a list of two-to-four research questions. The transitional paragraph should be the first time you mention your study in your literature review and comes just before the method section of your paper. The research questions should mention the participants of your study as well.
Where do I state the transitional paragraph?
The transitional paragraph is the last paragraph of your literature review, occurring just before the Method section.
Transitional paragraph example 1
This study aims to explore the impact of social media on the mental health of young adults. Social media has become an integral part of modern society, but it also poses various challenges and risks for its users. Previous research has shown that excessive social media use can lead to depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and social isolation among young adults. This study adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining surveys and interviews, to examine the relationship between social media use and mental health outcomes. The research questions are…
- How much time do young adults spend on social media platforms and what are their main purposes and motivations?
- What are the positive and negative effects of social media use on the mental health of young adults?
- How do young adults cope with the stress and pressure caused by social media?
- What are the best practices and recommendations for promoting healthy and responsible social media use among young adults?
Transitional paragraph example 2
The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that influence customer loyalty in online shopping. Online shopping has become a popular and convenient way of purchasing goods and services, but it also faces high competition and low customer retention. Previous research has identified various factors that affect customer loyalty, such as product quality, price, service, trust, satisfaction, and e-loyalty programs. This study uses a quantitative method, applying a questionnaire survey to collect data from online shoppers. The research questions are…
- Why do customers rely on when shopping online?
- How do these factors differ across different product categories and customer segments?
- How does customer loyalty affect the profitability and performance of online retailers?
- How can online retailers enhance customer loyalty and reduce customer churn?
Transitional paragraph example 3
This study seeks to understand the role of culture in the communication styles of international students. Communication is a vital skill for academic and social success, but it also involves various challenges and barriers for international students. Previous research has demonstrated that culture influences the communication styles of individuals, such as verbal and nonverbal cues, directness and indirectness, and high-context and low-context communication. This study employs a qualitative method, conducting focus groups and observations, to explore the communication styles of international students from different cultural backgrounds. The research questions are…
- How do international students perceive and describe their own communication styles and those of others?
- What are the main cultural differences and similarities in the communication styles of international students?
- How do international students adapt and adjust their communication styles in different situations and contexts?
