Introduction
Like the title and abstract, the Introduction tells the reader what the manuscript will be about. However, unlike the abstract, the Introduction gives the background for the research question.
While reviewing the Introduction, ask the following questions:
- Does it explain the background well enough that researchers outside your specialty can understand it?
- Does it accurately describe current knowledge related to the research question?
- Does the Introduction contain unnecessary information? Can it be made more concise?
- Are the reasons for performing the study clear?
- Are the aims of the study clearly defined and consistent with the rest of the manuscript?
- Have the authors missed any key references that would be important for a reader to access? Make suggestions for additional, relevant references if necessary.