A research rationale can be defined as an overall explanation for why you are conducting your research. This reasoning sets the context for your readers and includes the existing scenario and any identified gaps in your chosen field, which you are proposing to address through your research findings. In other words, a research rationale answers the “why” regarding your research. A good research rationale should be concise, persuasive, and clear and should sufficiently communicate your arguments for conducting the research.
A well-written research rationale can provide a justification to your readers about the novelty and relevance of your research. The research rationale should be able to convince your readers about the reasons for which you undertook the study and the methods you have undertaken. In addition, a persuasive rationale also indicates to readers your expertise and understanding of the specific subject and lends credibility to your study. This would in turn help other researchers in the future who may want to refer to your findings for further research.
This article discusses the importance of drafting a clear and convincing research rationale to help readers understand the significance of your study and the reasons for which you have conducted or propose to conduct the study.
A persuasive research rationale[1,2] is essential for communicating the novelty and importance of your research with readers. In a research paper, the rationale is usually included as a part of the introduction where the existing research and gaps are discussed. This section provides a background and sets the context for the readers. While a research rationale is also referred to as the research justification, it differs significantly from a problem statement, as shown in the table below.1
| Research rationale | Problem statement |
| Provides a reason or justification for undertaking a study by identifying the gaps and describing how the study can address these gaps | Provides a specific statement describing the research objective or the issue or challenge that the research aims to address. The research rationale is developed to solve the problem stated in the problem statement. |
| Answers the “why” about the research | Answers the “what” about the research |
| More general; provides an overall view, including the background, gaps, literature reviews, methods, etc. | More specific; stating only the issue at hand |
| Should be convincing, subjective, and longer | Should be specific and concise |
Research rationales are typically included in various academic literature, including research proposals, journal articles, dissertations, grant applications, and conference papers. A well-structured research rationale should be clear, concise, comprehensive, and relevant. Its length can vary depending on the type of academic text where it is included and the publisher guidelines. The rationale is usually positioned at the end of the introduction section or in the background section. The following table lists the typical length as a percentage of the total word count.[1]
| Academic text | Research rationale length (% of total word count) |
| Research proposals | 10-20% (part of the Introduction) |
| Dissertations | 5-10% (Introduction or Literature Review) |
| Journal articles | 5-10% (Introduction) |
| Grant applications | 10-15% (focuses on significance) |
| Conference papers | 5-10% (Introduction) |
A strong research rationale has the following elements:
Here are some of the key components of a research rationale.[1,2]
Answers the question, “What brings you here?” This section describes the research already done in the specific field. It sets the context for the rest of the rationale by summarizing observations from the literature review.
Here, the rationale clearly identifies the gaps in the existing research that need to be addressed and states the specific problem that needs to be solved or improved.
This section forms the crux of the rationale and explains why it is necessary to address the gaps mentioned in the preceding section. This can be done by describing the impact and significance of the research.
Based on the preceding sections, this section states the research objectives or what the research seeks to achieve. It answers the questions, “What will you investigate?” and “How are you going to approach it?”
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you write a well-structured research rationale.1
To better understand all that has been discussed so far, here are some examples of research rationales in different fields.1 Note how each rationale’s structure flows based on the different components discussed earlier in this article.
Title: The Effectiveness of Online Learning in Primary Education
The COVID-19 pandemic forced schools worldwide to shift to online learning. While many studies focus on university students, research on its effectiveness in primary education remains limited. Younger students require interactive learning environments, yet digital platforms often fail to replicate classroom engagement.
This study examines how online learning affects academic performance and social development in primary school students. It fills a critical gap by comparing learning outcomes in traditional and digital classrooms. Findings will help educators refine e-learning strategies, ensuring that technology supports rather than hinders early childhood education.
Title: The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Early Cancer Detection
Early cancer detection significantly improves survival rates. Traditional diagnostic methods rely on imaging and pathology reports, which can be subjective and prone to human error. Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) offer promising solutions for enhancing diagnostic accuracy.
Despite AI’s potential, few studies assess its real-world effectiveness in clinical settings. Most research focuses on algorithm development rather than patient outcomes. This study evaluates AI-assisted diagnostic tools in hospitals, comparing accuracy, efficiency, and patient impact. Findings will contribute to integrating AI into medical practice, ultimately improving early cancer detection rates.
Title: Sustainable Materials for Affordable Housing
Housing shortages and environmental concerns highlight the need for sustainable, affordable building materials. Traditional construction methods rely on resource-intensive materials like concrete and steel, which contribute to carbon emissions.
While alternative materials exist, research on their cost-effectiveness and durability is limited. This study evaluates the feasibility of using recycled and bio-based materials in low-cost housing. By assessing structural integrity, insulation properties, and environmental impact, this research aims to develop practical, sustainable solutions for affordable housing. Findings will support government policies and industry adoption of eco-friendly construction methods.
When writing a research rationale, authors may inadvertently omit important information. To avoid this, here’s a checklist of the common mistakes that authors may tend to make while writing a research rationale.3
Here’s a quick summary of all that we’ve learnt so far about writing a research rationale.
Q1. When is the research rationale written? [1]
A1. The research rationale can be written both before and after the research is conducted depending on the type of document. For proposals and grant applications, writing the research rationale before the research is conducted can help secure funding, grants, and approvals and provide a clear direction to all stakeholders. For dissertations and journal articles, writing the research rationale after the research is conducted helps justify the research with more clarity. Although an outline can be created before the research to set the objectives, it can be finalized after completing the research and corroborating the facts mentioned.
Q2. What is the difference between a research rationale and an introduction?
A2. The introduction section of a research paper is the first section, usually after the abstract. This section is divided into few subsections with or without headings but broadly covering the background of the research to set the context, a brief literature review covering the existing research done on the subject, and the research rationale. The research rationale is thus usually a part of the introduction section in the research paper.
Q3. Can I include personal opinions in my rationale?
A3. The research rationale should ideally include information that’s supported by established evidence. Personal opinions have the tendency to be biased so supporting your thoughts with factual evidence is essential. You could also check with your specific academic institution or publishing house to see if they have any rules about including personal opinions and whether they have included it in other papers.
Q4. Do I need to cite sources in my rationale?
A4. Yes, just like any other part of a research paper or academic document, it is essential to cite sources in the rationale as well. This is important to ensure the credibility and authenticity of your research and helps justify your research. It also helps readers cross-check your claims and refer to your study for further research.
Q5. How can I make my rationale more persuasive?
A5. For documents like grant applications and research proposals, writing a persuasive rationale is very important for securing funds and grants. To achieve this objective, you must ensure that the language used in your rationale clearly justifies and explains your objective and reasoning. Clarity, conciseness, and specificity are essential for communication. Here are some examples of phrases that you could use to write compelling arguments to include in your research rationale.[4]
Thus, research rationales are brief snapshots of your research, which you can use to convince your readers about the credibility and novelty of your research and explain its significance from a broader perspective.
We hope this article will help you write clear, compelling, and convincing research rationales to support your research objectives.
References
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