What is the significance of background descriptions

Background information provides the reader with the essential context needed to understand the research problem. Depending on the topic being studied, forms of contextualization may include:.

Background information can also include summaries of important, relevant research studies. The key is to summarize for the reader what is known about the specific research problem before you conducted your analysis. This is accomplished with a general review of the foundational research literature with citations that report findings that inform your study's aims and objectives.

NOTE : Research studies cited as part of the background information of your introduction should not include very specific, lengthy explanations.

This should be discussed in greater detail in your literature review section. Harvard University; Hopkins, Will G. How to Write a Research Paper. Physics Powerpoint slides. University of Illinois; Woodall, W. However, in a longer essay, it could be more than 10 sentences or even a full paragraph.

Generally it needs to be as long as necessary to inform readers on the topic. There are as many types of background information as there are types of essay , some of which are as follows:. But an effect can become a cause, reinforcing the original cause and producing the same effect in an intensified form, and so on indefinitely.

A man may take to drink because he feels himself to be a failure, and then fail all the more completely because he drinks. Covering these points in the literature review gives the readers a perspective on the significance and the novelty of the study. This can be accomplished by comparing and contrasting previous similar studies to abreast the reader with all the knowledge about the field.

Should be the first section of the study. Should be the section that follows the background of the study. Should provide the context of the study. Should provide a comprehensive overview of broad and specific literature in the field. Should provide a historical perspective and highlight the significance of the study. Should critically highlight the progress of research and gaps that need to be addressed.

Should not elaborate on background literature and only summarize it. Should provide a detailed review of the existing literature on the topic. For research papers, it is usual for the background and literature review to be combined and presented together without separate headings. For dissertations, the background and literature review may be presented as separate sections. For more helpful resources, check out the following:. Create a free account and access this bonus resource.

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Confirm that you would also like to sign up for free personalized email coaching for this stage. How to write the background of your study 7 min read. This is one place where a PI may include their own work and that of their research team related or preliminary to the proposed study. Preliminary data or pilot studies must relate directly to the hypothesis or aims, and show the reviewer that the aims are feasible and the team has the required experience and skills.

Data may or may not be published, but published data have more credibility. Next: Project Purpose.