The background of a study for your research paper can be a daunting task, but it’s one of the most important sections of your manuscript. It sets the stage for your research, offering context and justification for your study while demonstrating its relevance in the existing body of knowledge.
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Well-crafted background not only enhances the credibility of your research but also engages readers, drawing them into your work. Break down the key elements needed for a strong background and offer practical tips for writing one that is both clear and compelling, regardless of your level of experience.
What is the Background of a Study?
Typically placed in the beginning of your research paper, the background of a study serves to convey the central argument of your study and its significance clearly and logically to an uninformed audience. The background of a study in a research paper helps to establish the research problem or gap in knowledge that the study aims to address, sets the stage for the research question and objectives, and highlights the significance of the research.
Background of a study also includes a review of relevant literature, which helps researchers understand where the research study is placed in the current body of knowledge in a specific research discipline. It includes the reason for the study, the thesis statement, and a summary of the concept or problem being examined by the researcher. At times, the background of a study can may even examine whether your research supports or contradicts the results of earlier studies or existing knowledge on the subject.
How is the Background of a Study Different from the Introduction?
It’s common for early career researchers to confuse the background of a study with the introduction in a research paper. Many mistakenly consider these two vital parts of a research paper to be the same and use these terms interchangeably. Confusion is understandable, but it’s important to know that the introduction and the background of the study are distinct elements and serve very different purposes.
Difference Between Background and Introduction
Basic difference between the background of a study and the introduction lies in the type of information shared with the readers. Introduction provides an overview of the specific research topic and touches upon key parts of the research paper. Background of the study, on the other hand, presents a detailed discussion of the existing literature in the field, identifies research gaps, and explains how the current research will add to existing knowledge.
Purpose of the Introduction
Introduction aims to capture the reader’s attention and interest while providing a clear and concise summary of the research project. It typically begins with a general statement of the research problem and then narrows down to the specific research question. Additionally, it may include an overview of the research design, methodology, and scope of the study.
Purpose of the Background of the Study
The background of the study outlines the historical, theoretical, and empirical context that led to the research question, highlighting its importance. It typically offers an overview of the research field and may include a review of the literature to highlight gaps, controversies, or limitations in existing knowledge, justifying the need for further research.
Position and Length of the Sections
Both sections appear at the beginning of a research paper. In some cases, the introduction may come before the background of the study, although in most instances, the latter is integrated into the introduction itself. The length of the introduction and background of a study can differ based on journal guidelines and the complexity of the specific research study.
Clarifying the Context of Your Research
To put it simply, the background of the study provides context for the research by explaining how your study fills a gap in existing knowledge in the field and how it will contribute to it. The introduction section explains how the research fills this gap by stating the research topic, the objectives of the research, and the findings – setting the context for the rest of the paper.
Where is the Background of a Study Placed in a Research Paper?
The background of a study is typically placed in the introduction section of a research paper, positioned after the statement of the problem. Researchers should aim to present the background in a clear, logical structure by dividing it into several sections, such as the introduction, literature review, and research gap. This approach makes it easier for readers to understand the research problem and the motivation behind the study.
When should you write the background of your study? It’s recommended to write this section after conducting a thorough literature review and identifying the research problem, research question, and objectives. This way, you can effectively situate your study within the existing body of knowledge and provide a clear rationale for your research.
Creating an Effective Background of a Study Structure
Given that the purpose of writing the background of your study is to make readers understand the reasons for conducting the research, it is important to create an outline and basic framework to work within. This will make it easier to write the background of the study and will ensure that it is comprehensive and compelling for readers.
While creating a background of the study structure for research papers, it is crucial to have a clear understanding of the essential elements that should be included. Make sure you incorporate the following elements in the background of the study section:
- Present a general overview of the research topic, its significance, and main aims; this may be like establishing the “importance of the topic” in the introduction.
- Discuss the existing level of research done on the research topic or on related topics in the field to set context for your research. Be concise and mention only the relevant part of studies, ideally in chronological order to reflect the progress being made.
- Highlight disputes in the field as well as claims made by scientists, organizations, or key policymakers that need to be investigated. This forms the foundation of your research methodology and solidifies the aims of your study.
- Describe if and how the methods and techniques used in the research study are different from those used in previous research on similar topics.
By including these critical elements in the background of your study, you can provide your readers with a comprehensive understanding of your research and its context.
How to Write a Background of the Study in Research Papers?
Now that you know the essential elements to include, let’s discuss how to write the background of the study in a concise and engaging way that captures the audience’s interest. Best approach is to build a clear narrative around the central theme of your research, allowing readers to grasp the concept and identify the gaps your study will address.
While the length and detail of the background can vary depending on the complexity and novelty of the research topic, it is crucial to avoid wordiness. For interdisciplinary research, mentioning how the disciplines are connected and highlighting specific aspects to be studied helps readers understand the research better.
While there are different styles of writing the background of a study, having a clear plan in place always helps. How to write a background of study for research papers:
- Identify the Research Problem: Begin by defining the research topic and highlighting the main issue or question that the research aims to address. The research problem should be clear, specific, and relevant to the field of study. Use simple, easy-to-understand language that is meaningful to your intended audience.
- Craft an Impactful Statement of the Research Objectives: Highlight the research objectives and specific goals that the study aims to achieve. The research objectives should be closely related to the research problem and aligned with the overall purpose of the study.
- Conduct a Review of Available Literature: Provide a summary of relevant literature in the field and related research that has been conducted around the topic. Record the search terms used and keep track of articles read to cite sources accurately. Ensure that the literature included is sourced from credible sources.
- Address Existing Controversies and Assumptions: Acknowledge and clarify existing claims and controversies regarding the subject of your research. For example, if your research topic involves an issue widely discussed due to ethical or political considerations, address them in the background of the study.
- Present the Relevance of the Study: Provide a justification for the research, explaining why the study is important and what contributions it will make to existing knowledge on the subject. Highlight key concepts and theories, and explain terms and ideas that may be unfamiliar to readers to make the background more impactful.
- Proofread to Eliminate Errors: Once the first draft is done, read and re-read it to weed out possible grammatical errors or inaccuracies. Experts suggest having your supervisor or peers read and edit the background of the study. Their feedback can help ensure that even inadvertent errors are not overlooked.
How to Avoid Mistakes in Writing the Background of a Study?
While figuring out how to write the background of a study, it is also important to know the most common mistakes authors make so you can steer clear of these in your research paper.
- Write the background of a study in a formal academic tone while keeping the language clear and simple. Check for the excessive use of jargon and technical terminology that could confuse your readers.
- Avoid including unrelated concepts that could distract from the subject of research. Instead, focus your discussion around the key aspects of your study by highlighting gaps in existing literature and knowledge and the novelty and necessity of your study.
- Provide relevant, reliable evidence to support your claims and citing sources correctly; be sure to follow a consistent referencing format and style throughout the paper.
- Ensure that the details presented in the background of the study are captured chronologically and organized into sub-sections for easy reading and comprehension.
- Check the journal guidelines for the recommended length for this section so that you include all the important details in a concise manner.
By keeping these tips in mind, you can create a clear, concise, and compelling background of the study for your research paper.
FAQs
What is the background of the study?
The background of the study provides context for the research problem, introduces the topic, and highlights the importance of the study.
Why is the background of the study important?
It establishes the context, justifies the research, engages the reader, and links to the research problem.
Where is the background of the study placed in a research paper?
It is typically placed in the introduction section, after the statement of the problem.
What should be included in the background of the study?
It should include an introduction to the topic, a summary of current knowledge, identification of knowledge gaps, and the relevance of the study.
How does the background of the study differ from the introduction?
The introduction provides an overview of the research topic, while the background offers a detailed discussion of existing literature and research gaps.
How do you write the background of the study?
Start by defining the research problem, summarizing relevant literature, identifying gaps, and explaining the significance of the study.
When should you write the background of the study?
It is recommended to write it after conducting a thorough literature review and identifying the research problem, question, and objectives.
How long should the background of the study be?
The length can vary based on journal guidelines and the complexity of the research topic, but it should be concise and focused.
Can the background of the study include historical information?
Yes, it can include historical, theoretical, and empirical background relevant to the research question.
What is the purpose of the background of the study?
Its purpose is to provide context, justify the research, and highlight the significance of the study.
How do you identify knowledge gaps in the background of the study?
By reviewing existing literature and identifying areas that have not been explored or need further investigation.
What is the difference between the background of the study and the literature review?
The background provides a broad context and rationale for the study, while the literature review offers a detailed analysis of existing research.
Can the background of the study include controversies?
Yes, addressing existing controversies and assumptions can clarify the research context and justify the study.
How do you ensure the background of the study is engaging?
By building a clear narrative around the central theme and avoiding wordiness.
Should the background of the study be written in a specific style?
It should be clear, concise, and logically structured, with a focus on providing relevant context.
Can the background of the study include theoretical frameworks?
Yes, including relevant theories and concepts can help explain the research context and significance.
How do you organize the content in the background of the study?
Start broadly with general information, narrow down to the specific problem, and conclude with the rationale for the study.
What are common mistakes to avoid when writing the background of the study?
Avoiding overly technical language, excessive detail, and lack of focus.
How do you address the relevance of the study in the background?
By explaining why the study is important and what contributions it will make to existing knowledge.
Can the background of the study be integrated into the introduction?
Yes, in many cases, the background is integrated into the introduction to provide a seamless context for the research.
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