What is the Background of a Study and How to Write it (with Examples)

The background of a study is a critical component of any research paper. It acts as the foundation upon which the entire study is built. The purpose of the background is to provide context and rationale and to clarify the significance of the study. By explaining the importance of the study, the background of the study in research provides an overview of the relevant research and explains how your research will address any knowledge gaps. Did you know that the opening remarks of a research article can influence editorial decision outcomes and readership? A compelling background will encourage a reader to pay close attention to your paper.  

 A well-structured background reflects the author’s grasp of the research topic and the specific study. It should be concise and free of unnecessary details. It is advisable to write the background after completing the other sections of the manuscript, as this allows you to have all relevant information readily available, making it easier to create a thorough introduction to your paper.  

In this article, we will delve into how to write the research background, all about background of the study format and structure, and background of the study examples. You will also learn how to make the background of the study effective and impressive. 

What is the background of a study?

A simple answer to the question “What is the background of a study?” could be that it is a roadmap that guides readers through the origins of your research journey. More specifically, the background of the study in research refers to the introductory section of a research paper that outlines the context and significance of the research topic. It sets the stage for understanding why the study is necessary and what it aims to achieve. Thus, it is essential for readers to grasp the relevance and implications of the research findings. 

The main components of the study background are a general overview of the research area, clear statement of the problem or question, and review of the relevant literature. The background in research should not exclude relevant theories and concepts, claims and assumptions, historical data, and even controversies, if applicable. 

How is a background different from the introduction?

Now you must be wondering how a background differs from the introduction! In fact, it is common for people to mistakenly view the introduction and the background of a research paper as identical, often using the terms interchangeably. While this confusion is quite understandable, it is crucial to recognize that these two components are fundamentally different and fulfill separate roles within the paper. Table 1 shows the key differences between the background of the study and introduction. 

Table 1. Differentiating between the introduction and background of the study 

Aspect	Introduction of a study	Background of a study
Purpose	To capture the reader’s attention and provide an overview of the research topic	To present a detailed discussion on existing literature, identify research gaps, and justify the study
Content focus	General statement of the research problem, narrowing down to specific research questions	Historical, theoretical, and empirical context leading to the research question
Length	Typically shorter; concise summary of key elements	Generally longer; provides in-depth literature review and context for the study
Structure	Begins with broad statements and narrows down to specific objectives and question	Offers a comprehensive overview of the field, discussing gaps and controversies in existing knowledge
Integration	May include background information but focuses on introducing the study’s aims and scope	Often integrated into the introduction but serves as a standalone section in some papers
Reader engagement	Aims to entice readers to continue reading by summarizing what to expect from the paper	Establishes significance and relevance of the study by contextualizing it within existing research
Outcome	Ends with clear research questions, aims, and objectives	Highlights importance of addressing identified gaps in knowledge or unresolved issues

Background of the study structure

Next, let’s take a look at the structure of the background of the study. Format and style of the text may differ depending on the discipline and the journal. However, broadly, the background of the study content is structured as follows: 

• Brief introduction: Provide an introduction and outline of the chronological developments that led to the current topic of research.
• Literature review: Summarize the highlights of the main developments of the research topic and the main gaps that need to be addressed.
• In an interdisciplinary study, you may provide a description of how different disciplines are linked.
• In certain fields (social sciences), you might need to describe the theoretical framework.
• Study rationale: Justify the study, providing the scope and significance.
• Study objectives: Explain what the study seeks to accomplish.
• Hypothesis: Define the research hypothesis.
• Reiterate the importance: Finally, conclude the background of the study by explaining why this research matters.

You can see these aspects covered in a research background example in Figure 1. However, to reiterate, the background of the study format need not be exactly as depicted; the length, number of paragraphs, and order can be flexible, depending on the field and study type. 

How to write the background of the study in research papers

Coming to how to write research background: writing the background of the study involves several steps that ensure clarity and relevance. Here is a stepwise approach: 

Define your research problem

Begin the background of the study by clearly stating the problem your research addresses. This should include: 

• The specific issue or gap in knowledge that prompted your study.
• Why this problem is significant within your field.

For example: 

“Despite numerous studies on climate change impacts on agriculture, there remains insufficient understanding of how these impacts vary across different socio-economic contexts.” 

Summarize the relevant literature

Summarize relevant literature that pertains to your research problem. Include key findings from previous studies, methodologies used in past research, any controversies or debates within the field, etc. 

Highlight gaps in existing research

Identify specific areas where current literature falls short; note the lack of studies on a specific aspect, methodological weaknesses in previous studies, etc. 

For example: 

“Previous studies have primarily focused on large-scale agricultural operations, neglecting smallholder farmers, who may experience different challenges.” 

State your research objectives

The background of the study structure should include an outline of what your study aims to achieve. This should be directly linked to the gaps identified in your literature review. 

For example: 

“This study aims to explore how smallholder farmers adapt their practices in response to climate change impacts, providing insights into their resilience strategies.” 

Discuss the significance

Explain why your research is important. This could include potential implications for policy, practice, or further research. 

For example: “Understanding smallholder adaptations can inform agricultural policies aimed at enhancing resilience among vulnerable populations.” 

Read further to know how to make the background of the study more impressive without the typical mistakes many authors make. 

Tips when writing the background of the study

• Write this section after you have conducted a literature review and identified the research problem and objectives.
• Make sure you have carefully read and understood the literature. Background in research calls for clear grasp of what is known and what you need to add.
• Use note-taking apps and be sure to list the source so that you don’t miss citing a study or accidentally mis-reference a study.
• Ensure that the details presented in the background of the study are presented chronologically and organized clearly.
• After writing the section, take a step back and look at it after a short break. You might notice issues in flow or logic.
• Ensure the use of a formal, academic tone in your writing.
• Follow a consistent style for citations in your background of the study. Formatting should be in line with your target journal.
• Seek feedback from a peer or mentor.
• Consider receiving professional editing services to correct and polish background of the study content.

How to avoid mistakes in writing the background

Here are some pitfalls to avoid in your background of the study content: 

• Don’t be too vague. Ensure clarity by being specific about your topic and its significance.
• At the same time, avoid overloading the text with information. Unrelated and distracting information is a no-no.
• Don’t neglect the background of the study structure. Maintain logical flow throughout.
• Avoid using jargon that may confuse readers rather than making concepts accessible.

Where does the study background section go in a paper?

One may consider the background of the study as a contextual “bridge” in a research paper. The background of the study in research is typically the first part of the introduction section. The background of the study content puts the work in context, offering relevant information a reader requires to understand the study rationale. 

In a thesis, the background of the study may form an entire chapter. Meanwhile, the background of the study in a research proposal might also have a dedicated section within or separate from the introduction. 

Examples for background of a study 

You saw a sample background of the study in Figure 1. To illustrate how to write an effective background, here are some research background examples from different fields, as well as a background of the study in research proposal example. 

 1. Background of the study example: Public health

2. Research background example: Psychology

3. Background of the study in research proposal example

Key takeaways

The background of a study is an essential component of a research paper. It requires researchers to contextualize their work, justify its significance, and position it within existing knowledge. A well-written background not only enhances the perceived quality of the research but also engages readers’ interest in the study as a whole. Now that you have read about how to write the research background, as well as seen some sample background of the study examples, here is a quick glance at the key points to remember: 

• A well-organized background of a study structure typically includes an introduction, literature review, research gaps, research objectives, and significance.
• A compelling background can influence editorial decision outcomes and readership.
• Carefully read and understand the literature. Background in research should convey clearly what is known and what are the gaps.
• Follow a consistent style for citations in your background of the study; do not miss citing a study or accidentally mis-reference a study.
• Ensure an organized background of the study structure. Do not include unrelated and irrelevant information.
• Be sure to include relevant theories and concepts, claims and assumptions, historical data, and controversies as applicable.
• If needed, seek editorial assistance to correct and polish background of the study content.

Frequently Asked Questions