14  Write an Introduction

How to write with markdown

Abstract

This chapter teaches researchers to use markdown syntax for headings (to structure the report), lists and inline math, and highlight variables using backticks. Also, researchers will watch a youtube video on how to get started with quarto. By the end of this chapter, researchers will be able to structure their report using markdown.

Keywords

quarto, markdown

ImportantRequired

Your R&D Report, Team R&D Manuscript, Final Report, and Final Manuscript will include headings based on the checklist and backticks for variables, such as EFFICACY.

14.1 Markdown

You will write in the English language with markdown language to format your quarto report.

This is a language called markdown. It is very simple. You can use
*italics*, **bold**, ***bold italics*** to produce:

• italics
• bold
• bold italics

14.2 Headings

Use markdown syntax to create headings based on the checklist for your report.

# Introduction
## Significance
## Knowns and Unknowns
## Research Aims

# Methods
## IRB Approval
## TBD ... 

# Results

# Discussion

# References

14.3 Using Lists

**Research Questions:**

1. Does the intervention improve health literacy scores?
2. Do effects differ by demographic group?
3. Are improvements sustained at 3-month follow-up?

**Hypotheses:**

1. **H1**: Participants in the intervention group will show higher health literacy scores than controls.
2. **H2**: Effects will be moderated by baseline education level.

14.3.1 Inline Math

### Inline Math
- Greek letters: $\alpha = 0.05$, $\beta$ coefficient
- Equations: $t = \frac{\bar{x} - \mu}{s / \sqrt{n}}$

14.3.2 Naming Variables

You can use a backtick to denote code or the name of a variable by placing a word within ``. For example, if I put EFFICACY between `` then it returns EFFICACY . This will be important for naming variables in your report.

ImportantRequirement

Use ` ` between CAPITALIZED variable names in your report if you are referring to the measured variable. The use of backticks is NOT appropriate in your introduction and discussion sections, but backticks should be used in your methods and results sections.

14.4 Source vs. Visual

Reminder: It is useful to switch back and forth between Source and Visual mode in Posit Cloud to see the code vs. rendered versions.

14.5 Get started with Quarto Video

This 22-minute video provided a basic overview of the Quarto features, which will help you improve your introduction section of your final report and team manuscript.

Note: The video mentions how to publish using quarto publish, which you will do later by following the forthcoming chapter on Publishing to Quarto Pub.