In helping people with their dissertation studies, I have noticed a central recurring issue: lack of appropriate in-depth research. Research is so fundamental to a study that students may sometimes overlook its importance. Or, someone may just not be strong researcher, which can be addressed by using resources and through the assistance of a school librarian. Obviously, sound research is crucial to the entire study, but in this blog series we will discuss the vital components of a study that rely on proper and in-depth research. In this blog, we begin the discussion with the Research Problem and the Background.
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First, let’s discuss the Research Problem. The Research Problem drives a study, and targeted, in-depth research is needed to fully develop the Research Problem. Research is important here because you need to know what researchers have done in the area on the topic to help set up and define a problem that exists in the research. You must answer the question, “what do we already know from the research?” to set up the issue of what we do not know. There is no magic number for how many sources it takes to show what is known from the research. Instead, you must make a convincing and comprehensive display of what is known based on the existing research. This helps to highlight what is not known and to adequately define the Research Problem. I often see students unable to adequately set up their Research Problem because they have not sufficiently researched their topics. They cannot convincingly show what is known about the topic and rush to the conclusion that there is little research in this area.
The Background also relies on sound research and a comprehensive approach. Whereas the Research Problem is designed to set up what is not known (i.e., a problem) in the research, the Background gives the reader a broad and often chronological view of the topic and the research that has been conducted on it to the present. Obviously, you cannot cover all the research on a topic in the Background, and you are not expected to. What is expected is that you cover major trends in the research and major conclusions, as well as capture how research on the topic has evolved over time. This leads the reader to the current state of the research and, ideally, to the Research Problem and the need for your study.
This blog only reiterates the importance of research. It does not provide information on how to conduct it. However, do not cut corners when conducting research, because it may cost you more time in the long run by having to go back and fill in gaps. Additionally, if you are not a strong researcher or if you have questions about or need help conducting research, ask a research librarian at your school for help. Part 2 of this blog covers the importance of research to the Literature Review and the Discussion.
The background of the study is one of the key aspects you need to get right when you are writing a research paper. It is the key to introducing your readers to the topic of your research, and it is different from the lead part. Here is how to write background of the study in research studies.
Source: Original
Here is all you need to know about what a science background of study is and how to write one.
Background of the study meaning: The background of the study is a part of a research provided in the introduction section of the paper. It is a compilation of adequate information that is based on the analysis of the problem or proposed argument, the steps and methods needed to arrive at the design, the implementation of the results achieved, and feasible solutions.
It is different from the introduction. The introduction only contains the preliminary information about your research question or thesis topic. It is simply an overview of the research question or thesis topic. But the background of your study is more in-depth - it explains why your research topic or thesis is worth the time of your readers.
The background of study will provide your readers with context to the information talked about throughout your research paper. It can include both relevant and essential studies.
The background of the study is used to prove that a thesis question is relevant and also to develop the thesis. In summary, a good background of the study is the work done to determine that your research question or thesis topic is a problem and that the method used is the one required to solve the issue or answer the question.
What is the importance of background of the study?
The background of the study helps your reader determine if you have a basic understanding of the research problem being investigated and promotes confidence in the overall quality of your analysis and findings.
Source: UGC
How to write background of the study in a research paper
- Stage 1. At the beginning stages of formulating your thesis, many of the issues are still very unclear, and you need to solidify your thoughts, so you should conduct preliminary research. This will help you to put forward a research question or thesis statement that will finally lead to more relevant and specific research. You can visit a library, check the internet and other electronic databases to find preliminary sources such as scholarly journals and books about your background of the study.
- Stage 2. Read and gather the info you need to develop - a thesis statement or research question that will guide your thesis. You should take notes and also keep an accurate track of the sources of information you have used up to this point. A lot of people use note cards, but it’s easier and better to use electronic note-taking programs in this electronic age. Just make sure to use a form that is comfortable and easier for you. Also, make sure you cite the source of every information you are using on each note so that you won’t forget where you got the information from, just in case you want to use it in your thesis.
- Stage 3. Develop and pen down the research question or thesis statement. Think about the things you’ve read and searched, and the issues or solutions that have been found by other people, and then formulate your stance or opinion on the issue. Write out your position or opinion as an authoritative statement. You may conduct more detailed research at this point and look for more sources that are more relevant to your research question or thesis.
- Stage 4. Complete your research using the thesis statement as your guide. Find sources that are relevant to your specific thesis and provide more insight into your research question using these sources. Your sources should provide information on the history and past researches related to your thesis.
- Stage 5. As you create your background study, create relevant sections. When you start writing, create five different sections that have the key issues, major findings, and the controversies that are surrounding your thesis, and also a section that provides evaluation and a conclusion.
- Stage 6. Identify the further studies that need to be done in the conclusion section. Also mention possible solutions to the issues that have not been put into consideration in the past.
- Stage 7. Revise and edit your background of the study carefully. You can write out several drafts of your work, revising, editing, and adding more information before coming up with the final one. Make sure each draft is better than the previous. You can also ask someone else to help you go through it.
Source: UGC
The writing format
You can follow this format when writing your background of the study:
- Start by giving a general overview of your thesis topic and introduce the key ideas you will be making use of throughout your thesis.
- Then, give precise information about all the methodologies used in the research. This can take up to several paragraphs depending on the individual and research question or thesis topic.
- Cite your sources where necessary to avoid plagiarism.
- Then you can introduce the experiment by describing your choice of methodology briefly, why you have decided to use this methodology instead of others, and the objective of the methodology.
What does a good background of the study example contain?
A good example of background of the study is one that:
- Contains reviews of the area being researched
- Has currently available information about the problem of the study
- Captures the previous studies on the issue
- Indicates the history of the issue of the study from previous researches done on the subject
A good background of the study sample has all these qualities.
How is the background of the study different from the literature review?
The section of the literature review follows the background of the study section. It is the second section of your thesis. The literature review basically supports the background of the study section by providing evidence for the proposed hypothesis.
Hopefully, this information on the background of the study has been helpful to you. Read other useful posts on our website to improve your writing skills.
READ ALSO: Can you start a sentence with but: A grammatical explanation
Legit.ng reported that one of the most deeply ingrained grammar rules involves the usage of the word 'but'. For a long time, teachers have told their students that they cannot use conjunctions at the beginning of sentences. If you asked your English teacher "Can you start a sentence with but?" you would be met with a resounding 'No!'
But where did this 'rule' even come from? And does it hold water? Find out by reading Legit.ng's take on the usage of 'but' at the beginning of a sentence.
Source: Legit.ng