Best examples of dissertation introduction chapter examples

Q: How long should a dissertation introduction chapter be?

Looking at real examples of dissertation introduction chapter examples from major universities, most introductions fall somewhere between 10–20% of the total word count. For a 60,000‑word dissertation, that might be 6,000–10,000 words; for a shorter master’s thesis, it could be 1,500–3,000. Always check your program’s guidelines.

Q: Can I use an example of a published dissertation introduction as a template?

You can absolutely use an example of a strong introduction as a structural template—especially for the order of sections and the tone. Just be careful not to copy phrases or sentence structures. Treat it like a model, not a fill‑in‑the‑blanks form.

Q: Should I include definitions of key terms in the introduction?

Many examples of dissertation introduction chapter examples include a short “Definitions of Key Terms” section near the end of Chapter 1, especially when the study uses technical or contested terms. If your field expects it, keep the definitions concise and focused on how you’re using the terms in your study.

Real examples of dissertation introduction chapter examples (across disciplines)

Let’s start with what you came for: real examples of dissertation introduction chapter examples and how they’re put together. I’ll walk you through several disciplines so you can see patterns that repeat, no matter what you’re studying.

Think of each example as a model paragraph sequence you can adapt, not as a script to copy.

Example of an education dissertation introduction (K–12 reading outcomes)

Imagine a PhD in Education titled:

Technology‑Enhanced Reading Programs and Third‑Grade Reading Outcomes in Urban Schools

A strong introduction chapter for this topic often follows this arc:

Opening hook and broad context: Starts with national reading statistics from sources like the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) to show that a large percentage of third graders read below proficiency. This quickly signals why the topic matters for U.S. education policy.
Narrowing the focus: Moves from national data to urban public schools, then to technology‑enhanced reading programs adopted since the COVID‑19 disruptions.
Problem statement: Explains that although districts invest heavily in reading software, there is limited evidence on its impact on third‑grade reading scores in specific urban contexts.
Purpose statement: Clearly states that the purpose of the quantitative study is to examine the relationship between program participation and standardized reading scores.
Research questions: Lists 2–3 focused questions, for example, whether participation predicts higher reading scores after controlling for socioeconomic status.
Significance: Briefly explains how findings could guide district‑level decisions about ed‑tech spending.

When people ask for the best examples of dissertation introduction chapter examples in education, this pattern shows up again and again: start wide with credible data, narrow to a specific gap, then land on clear, testable questions.

You can see similar education introductions in open dissertations hosted by universities like the University of Michigan and Harvard Graduate School of Education, where the introduction anchors everything in current policy debates and recent test score data.

Example of a business/management dissertation introduction (remote work)

Now consider a DBA or PhD in Management titled:

Remote Work, Employee Engagement, and Retention in U.S. Tech Firms Post‑2020

A practical example of a strong business dissertation introduction chapter might:

Start with a timely phenomenon: The rapid expansion of remote and hybrid work since 2020, citing recent surveys from 2023–2024 showing how many U.S. employees now work remotely at least part‑time.
Highlight the tension: Employers worry about engagement and turnover; employees value flexibility. The introduction paints this tension in a few punchy sentences.
Problem statement: Notes that while remote work is widely adopted, the evidence on its long‑term impact on engagement and retention in tech is mixed and often based on pre‑2020 data.
Purpose: States that the study will examine how remote work arrangements relate to engagement and retention in mid‑size U.S. tech firms.
Scope and boundaries: Briefly clarifies what counts as “remote,” which firms are included, and the study’s timeframe (for example, 2021–2024).
Significance: Connects the study to practical decisions about HR policies and hybrid work models.

This is one of those examples of dissertation introduction chapter examples where the time period (post‑2020) is doing a lot of work. In 2024–2025, examiners expect you to acknowledge how COVID‑era changes reshaped work, education, and healthcare. Ignoring that context can make an introduction feel dated.

Consider a psychology dissertation titled:

Social Media Use, Sleep Quality, and Anxiety Symptoms Among U.S. College Students

A strong introduction chapter here typically:

Opens with prevalence data: Cites up‑to‑date statistics on anxiety among college students from sources like the National Institute of Mental Health or recent campus mental health surveys.
Brings in social media trends: Uses 2023–2024 data on average daily social media use among 18–24‑year‑olds.
Connects the dots: Briefly reviews existing research linking social media to anxiety and sleep disruption, noting inconsistencies in the findings.
Problem statement: Points out that many studies look at anxiety or sleep in isolation, but fewer examine how social media use, sleep quality, and anxiety interact in a single model.
Purpose: States that the study aims to test whether sleep quality mediates the relationship between social media use and anxiety symptoms.
Research questions or hypotheses: Clearly laid out as testable statements.
Significance: Ties the study to campus counseling services and digital well‑being initiatives.

If you’re hunting for real examples of dissertation introduction chapter examples in psychology, pay attention to how they balance statistics with theory. The best examples introduce key theories (like cognitive‑behavioral or social comparison theory) briefly, but save the full details for the literature review.

Example of a nursing/health sciences dissertation introduction (telehealth)

Health and nursing dissertations have their own flavor. Picture a DNP or PhD in Nursing titled:

Telehealth Follow‑Up and Hospital Readmission Rates in Heart Failure Patients in a Large Urban Hospital System

A strong introduction chapter might:

Start with burden of disease: Uses recent data from sources like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on heart failure hospitalizations in the U.S.
Introduce telehealth: Explains the rapid expansion of telehealth visits since 2020, with a short nod to policy changes that reimbursed virtual care.
Problem statement: Despite widespread telehealth adoption, it’s unclear whether telehealth follow‑ups reduce 30‑day readmission rates for heart failure in the specific hospital system being studied.
Purpose: States that the purpose is to compare readmission rates between patients receiving traditional in‑person follow‑up and those receiving telehealth follow‑up.
Clinical significance: Connects the study to quality metrics, cost of care, and patient outcomes.

Many of the best examples of dissertation introduction chapter examples in nursing are very concrete: clear patient population, clear setting, clear outcomes. Examiners in health fields appreciate when the introduction is grounded in real clinical practice, not just theory.

Example of a computer science dissertation introduction (AI in education)

Now let’s jump to computer science with a dissertation titled:

Adaptive Learning Systems Using Reinforcement Learning for Personalized Math Instruction in Middle School Students

A solid introduction chapter here usually:

Frames the broader challenge: The persistent variability in math achievement among middle school students, with a nod to national test scores.
Introduces adaptive learning: Explains what adaptive learning systems are and how reinforcement learning can tailor difficulty in real time.
Problem statement: Notes that many existing systems rely on simpler algorithms and that there is limited empirical evaluation of reinforcement learning‑based systems in real classrooms.
Purpose: States that the study will design, implement, and evaluate an adaptive learning prototype in collaboration with a school district.
Research questions: Cover both performance (for example, improvement in test scores) and system behavior (for example, convergence of the learning algorithm).
Significance: Touches on both educational impact and advances in AI methods.

For STEM fields, strong examples of dissertation introduction chapter examples typically balance technical detail with accessibility. The introduction should be readable by an educated non‑specialist on your committee, while the later chapters carry the heavier technical load.

Finally, consider a social policy dissertation titled:

Housing Instability, Eviction, and Health Outcomes Among Low‑Income Adults in Major U.S. Cities

An effective introduction chapter:

Opens with recent trends: Uses 2022–2024 eviction data and housing cost statistics from credible U.S. sources.
Connects to health: Summarizes evidence that unstable housing is linked to chronic stress, mental health issues, and poorer physical health.
Problem statement: Explains that while associations are known, there is limited longitudinal research tracking health outcomes before and after eviction events.
Purpose: States that the study will examine how eviction filings and forced moves relate to healthcare utilization and self‑reported health over time.
Policy relevance: Directly links the study to debates on eviction moratoria and housing assistance programs.

This is a good example of how an introduction can be both academically rigorous and policy‑relevant. The best examples in policy fields usually reference current legislation or policy debates so the reader immediately understands why the study matters now.

How to model your own chapter on the best examples

Once you’ve looked at several examples of dissertation introduction chapter examples, you start to notice a shared skeleton underneath all the different topics and writing styles. Most strong introductions, regardless of discipline, do the following things in order:

Set the stage: They open with a focused, engaging overview of the topic using current data (ideally from the last 3–5 years).
Identify the gap: They show, in plain language, what we don’t yet know, what’s inconsistent, or what hasn’t been studied in a particular context.
State the purpose: They give a one‑sentence purpose statement that could almost stand alone as a summary of the study.
List questions or hypotheses: They spell out exactly what will be investigated.
Explain the significance: They connect the study to theory, practice, or policy.
Outline the structure: Many introductions end with a short roadmap of the remaining chapters.

When you’re drafting, keep one or two real examples of dissertation introduction chapter examples open beside you. Ask yourself, paragraph by paragraph:

Does my first page make it obvious why this topic matters in 2024–2025?
Can someone outside my field understand the problem statement?
Is my purpose statement clear enough that a stranger could explain it back to me?

If the answer is no, revise until your introduction feels as direct and grounded as the best examples you’ve seen.

Where to find real examples of dissertation introduction chapter examples

You don’t have to rely only on descriptions. Many universities publicly share full dissertations, including the introduction chapter. Here are some ways to find real examples of dissertation introduction chapter examples that match your field:

University repositories: Search your institution’s digital repository for dissertations in your department. Filter by year (for example, 2020–2024) to see current formatting and expectations.
National and international databases: In the U.S., ProQuest Dissertations & Theses is widely used. Many universities also host open‑access collections.
Top‑tier programs: Look at dissertations from universities known for your field. For example, if you’re in education, browse dissertations from schools of education at major research universities. If you’re in public health, explore dissertations from accredited schools of public health.

As you review, don’t just skim the first page. Pay attention to:

How long the introduction is compared to the total dissertation
How much literature they preview in the introduction versus saving for the full literature review
The exact wording of their problem and purpose statements

Over time, you’ll build your own internal library of best examples of dissertation introduction chapter examples that feel right for your discipline.

Common mistakes when copying examples (and how to avoid them)

Looking at examples of dissertation introduction chapter examples is smart; copying them too literally is not. Here are patterns to watch out for:

Overloading the introduction with literature: Some students try to squeeze an entire mini literature review into Chapter 1. Strong examples introduce only the most important concepts and save depth for Chapter 2.
Vague problem statements: Phrases like “there is a lack of research” without specifics feel weak. The better examples say what is missing—method, population, context, timeframe.
Purpose statements that are too broad: “The purpose of this study is to explore leadership” is fuzzy. The best examples narrow it: who, where, what method, what outcome.
Missing the “so what”: An introduction that never explains why the study matters in the real world leaves readers cold. Notice how strong examples always connect to practice, policy, or theory.
Ignoring current context: In 2024–2025, introductions that pretend the pandemic, remote work, telehealth, or AI shifts never happened can feel oddly disconnected from reality.

Use examples as guides, but always rewrite in your own voice, for your own topic, and in line with your program’s handbook.

Quick template inspired by the best examples

If you want a simple, no‑nonsense structure modeled on the best examples of dissertation introduction chapter examples, you can think in terms of six short sections:

Background: 2–4 paragraphs that move from broad context to your specific topic, with current statistics or trends.
Problem statement: 1–2 paragraphs that spell out what’s not known or not working.
Purpose of the study: A clear, tightly written paragraph that starts with “The purpose of this [qualitative/quantitative/mixed‑methods] study is…”
Research questions or hypotheses: A short list in plain language.
Significance of the study: 2–3 paragraphs on why the findings matter.
Organization of the dissertation: A brief roadmap paragraph.

Take any of the examples above—education, business, psychology, nursing, computer science, or social policy—and you’ll see this skeleton underneath, dressed up in field‑specific language.

FAQ: examples of dissertation introduction chapter examples

How long should a dissertation introduction chapter be?
Looking at real examples of dissertation introduction chapter examples from major universities, most introductions fall somewhere between 10–20% of the total word count. For a 60,000‑word dissertation, that might be 6,000–10,000 words; for a shorter master’s thesis, it could be 1,500–3,000. Always check your program’s guidelines.

Can I use an example of a published dissertation introduction as a template?
You can absolutely use an example of a strong introduction as a structural template—especially for the order of sections and the tone. Just be careful not to copy phrases or sentence structures. Treat it like a model, not a fill‑in‑the‑blanks form.

Where can I find good examples of dissertation introductions online?
Many universities host open‑access dissertations. Search for your topic plus “dissertation pdf” and filter for .edu domains. You can also explore your own university’s repository or ask your advisor to recommend best examples from recent graduates in your program.

What are the most important parts of an introduction chapter, based on the best examples?
Across fields, the strongest introductions in real dissertations include: a clear background section, a sharply defined problem statement, a precise purpose statement, specific research questions or hypotheses, and a short explanation of significance. If any of those are missing, compare your chapter to several real examples of dissertation introduction chapter examples and see how they handle that section.

Should I include definitions of key terms in the introduction?
Many examples of dissertation introduction chapter examples include a short “Definitions of Key Terms” section near the end of Chapter 1, especially when the study uses technical or contested terms. If your field expects it, keep the definitions concise and focused on how you’re using the terms in your study.

If you work through a few of the examples above and then sketch your own six‑part outline, you’ll be surprised how quickly the blank page stops feeling intimidating and starts looking like a chapter you can actually finish.

Best examples of dissertation introduction chapter examples for 2024–2025