BACKGROUND OF

THE STUDY
“Why did you conduct the study?”

BACKGROUND OF RESEARCH
 The background study for a
research includes a review of the
area being researched, current
information surrounding the issue,
previous studies on the issue, and
relevant history on the issue.
What is the “Background of Research?
The purpose of a background study
is to help the researchers prove
the relevance of the research
question to further develop the
research.

• This part describes why the study had

to be undertaken.
 HOW TO DESCRIBE THE
BACKGROUND OF RESEARCH
• Describe the field you will be researching
• Tell us why this field is important
• Describe the current (and relevant) “hot
topics” in the field
• Describe the specific area you will be
researching in the field
 HOW TO DESCRIBE THE
BACKGROUND OF RESEARCH
• Tell us how your research will add to the
field (explain why your work is important;
does it address any unanswered questions
in this field?)
• Describe your research as answers to
research questions.
 HOW TO DESCRIBE THE
BACKGROUND OF RESEARCH
• Explain what you will do in your research to
test your hypothesis or demonstrate your
model.
• Summarize the current research base in your
specific area of interest and highlight any
GAPS in the research that you plan to
address.
RESEARCH
QUESTIONS

SO WHAT?
 The fundamental core of a
research project is the research
questions. It focuses the study,
determines the methodology, and
guides all stages of inquiry,
analysis, and reporting.
What are Research Questions?
A Research Question is a statement
that identifies the phenomenon to be
studied.
This question, together with your
approach, will guide and structure the
choice of data to be collected and
analysed.
What are Research Questions?
 STEP ONE To develop a strong research questions from
your ideas, you should these things:

• Do I know the field and its literature well?

• What are the important research
questions in my field?
• What areas need further exploration?
• Could my study fill a gap?
How to State the Research Questions?
 STEP ONE To develop a strong research questions from
your ideas, you should these things:

• Has this study been done before? If so, is

there room for improvement?
• Is the timing right for this question to be
answered? Is it a hot topic, or is it
becoming obsolete?
How to State the Research Questions?
 STEP ONE To develop a strong research questions from
your ideas, you should these things:

• Would funding sources be interested?

• If you are proposing a service program, is
the target community interested?
• Most importantly, will my study have a
significant impact on the field?
How to State the Research Questions?
 A strong research idea should pass the “so
STEP TWO what” test.

You can think about the potential impact of the

research you are proposing. What is the
benefit of answering your research question?
Who will it help and how)? You have to make a
definitive statement of the purpose of your
research.
How to State the Research Questions?
 STEP THREE A research focus should be narrow, not
broad-based.

For example, “What can be done to prevent

substance abuse?” is too large a question to
answer. It would be better to begin with a more
focused question such as “What is the relationship
between specific early childhood experiences and
subsequent substance-abusing behaviours?”
How to State the Research Questions?