The importance of frequent keyword analysis in research article introductions : a comparative study of Thai and international environmental science journals

Abstract

Writing research articles (RAs) in English is a significant challenge for many scholars. Awareness of rhetorical patterns and lexico-grammatical features can be beneficial. Based on genre analysis, research articles are structured into functional units called moves and steps, with models extensively used for understanding conventional presentation of ideas. Research has revealed that RA introductions are complex and critical for engaging readers and influencing journal publication decisions. This study aims to identify important lexical items and keywords in 88 RA introductions, from Thai and international environmental science journals. The corpora were verified by specialists, comprising empirical articles during the years of 2021-2023. The analysis used #LancsBox 6.0 for frequency, keywords in context (KWIC), and keyness analysis. The findings indicate that international journals focus on global environmental issues with keywords like “ice” and “snow,” while national journals emphasize regional biodiversity and industrial applications with keywords like “Thailand” and “species.” These differences highlight the research trends and gaps, suggesting that international journals might overlook localized ecological studies, and national journals could benefit from addressing broader environmental issues. Addressing these gaps can enhance interdisciplinary research and cooperation, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of environmental challenges and solutions