You are here to know what is the background of the study in a research paper, thesis, or dissertation writing. Thus, I assume that you have a clear concept of research and research report writing. The background is the initial section of the research report after preliminary pages; that’s why many researchers often stuck on this section doing long brainstorming without any output. Therefore, this article is targeted to those who are going to write a research paper, thesis, or dissertation, but are much more confused to organize the ‘Background of the Study’ section.
What is Background of the Study?
The background of the study offers an outline of the research issue, its importance, and the circumstances in which it arises. It elucidates why the research is being conducted and pinpoints the research gap that the study seeks to fill.
Usually, it summarizes the primary research, theories, and concepts that pertain to the research issue. This assists in determining the current knowledge level and identifying the gaps that the research aims to address. It also includes the context of the study.
It presents a brief history or background of the problem, its scale and extent, and its implications and hence plays a vital role in providing the reader with a clear understanding of the research issue and establishes the groundwork for the rest of the thesis.
When and Where to Write Background of the Study?
In a research paper, thesis, or dissertation, It is usually included in the introduction section. It serves as a crucial component of the introduction by offering the reader a comprehensive understanding of the research’s context, justification, and significance.
To effectively shape the research problem and questions, it is advisable to compose the background section at the outset of the writing process. Moreover, it is vital to continuously evaluate and adjust the background section during the research process to ensure it remains consistent with the research questions and outcomes.
How Is It Differ from “Introduction”?
The background of the study imparts to the reader a thorough comprehension of the research topic’s context, justification, and importance. It typically encompasses a literature review pertinent to the research problem, an analysis of the present state of research in the field, and the research gap the study intends to address. It establishes the basis for the research problem, research questions, and methodology that the paper will present.
Conversely, the introduction acts as a guide for the entire research paper. It generally includes the background of the study and provides an overview of the research problem, research questions, and methodology. Furthermore, it emphasizes the statement of problem, objectives, limitation of study, and the potential impact of the research findings. The introduction may also comprise a brief summary of the paper’s sections and subsections.
Things to include in Background of the Study in Research?
Brief description of the following ideas should be written in background:
- Introduction of the variables: Variables that are identified in the title should be introduced in brief.
- Context of the study: Time, location, and organization/population should be identified in general.
- General overview of previous studies on this field. (Do not mention the findings related to your research problem)
- Need of the study
Researcher should link all the ideas and maintain the coherence. Additionally, reference/citation should be used appropriately.
Things not to Include in Background of the Study Section
Including certain elements is vital for this section of a research paper or thesis, as it offers the reader an understanding of the context and importance of the research problem. Nonetheless, certain elements should be avoided in this section, including:
- Personal opinions or anecdotes: It should rely on factual information and evidence rather than personal opinions or anecdotes.
- Detailed methodology: The methodology of the research should be presented in a separate section, since the background is intended to give context to the research problem, not to provide a detailed explanation of the methodology.
- Excessive information: Although it is crucial to offer enough information to comprehend the importance of the research problem, it should not comprise an excess of details that might inundate or divert the reader.
- Irrelevant ideas: It should concentrate on the research problem and its significance, avoiding the inclusion of information that is not directly related to the study.
- Jargon or technical terms: The use of technical jargon or terminology should be avoided. Instead, it should be written in clear and concise language that is easily understandable to a wide audience.
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Therefore, the background of the study should be succinct and straightforward, centering on the context and importance of the research problem, and avoiding any information that is not pertinent or excessive.
How long Should it be?
A standard recommendation is that the background section should comprise approximately 10-15% of the overall length of the research paper, thesis, or dissertation. For instance, if the total word count of the document is 10,000, then the background section should be around 1,000-1,500 words. Nevertheless, the length may vary depending on the project requirements and the preferences of the author or supervisor. It is crucial to emphasize quality over quantity and guarantee that the background section provides relevant information and context to the reader.
I suggest to read some research paper and thesis in order to get overall idea on writing. You can go to ResearchGate, Google Scholar, Sage Journals to find good article and thesis.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the background of the study is a crucial section in research paper, thesis or dissertation writing that provides an overview of the research issue, its significance, and the context in which it arises. It usually includes a introduction of variables, context of study with the support of previous studies on this field. It differs from the introduction and should be concise, relevant, and written in clear language that is easily understandable to a wide audience. It should also avoid personal opinions or anecdotes, detailed methodology, excessive information, irrelevant ideas, and technical jargon. By following these guidelines, researchers can effectively present the groundwork for their research and establish a clear understanding of the research issue.
