What is the role of the introduction section in an APA paper?

The introduction section in an APA paper serves the critical role of introducing the research problem and explaining its significance. This part of the paper sets the stage for the reader by clearly delineating what the study is about, why it matters, and what gaps in existing research the study aims to address. It typically outlines the context and background of the topic, presents the research question, and may briefly mention the aims or hypotheses of the study, thereby engaging the reader and providing a rationale for the research conducted.

Other sections of the paper have distinct purposes; for instance, the methodology section describes how the research was carried out, the literature review (which is not extensive within the introduction) encompasses existing research related to the topic, and the results section focuses on the findings from the study. Each of these components contributes to the overall structure of the paper but does not fulfill the primary function that the introduction does in framing the research problem and its significance.