Comparative Study of Generic Structure of Applied Linguistics and Chemistry Research Articles: The Case of Introductions

As part of a large-scale study, this genre-based study investigated the cross-disciplinary variations in the rhetorical structure of Introduction sections of 52 Applied Linguistics and 52 Chemistry empirical Research Articles (RAs) drawing upon Swales’ (2004) framework. In order to make use of the new insights proposed by recent research findings regarding the move structure of Research Article Introductions (RAIs), the findings of Lim (2012, 2014) and Stoller and Robinson (2013) were also taken into account. The results of Chi-square analysis revealed significant variations in the way authors in the two disciplines employed moves, steps, and sub-steps to realize the purpose of Introduction section. To delve more deeply into the data to explore why the differences existed between the two disciplines, a semi-structured interview was also conducted with eight distinguished Chemistry RA writers. Focus-group discussions were also conducted among the three authors of the present study who are all experts in Applied Linguistics. The findings bear some implications for academic writing teachers specializing in teaching writing to Chemistry and Applied Linguistics students. The study also has some pedagogical implications for graduate studies students and novice researchers in the two disciplines.