How to Write the Background of the Study

Writing the Background of the Study can be tricky if you’re not sure what goes into it. This part of your research paper or thesis sets the context for your topic, explains why the study matters, and connects it to existing knowledge.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to write the background of the study, what to include, how to structure it, and how to avoid common mistakes.

What Is the Background of the Study?

Before writing, it’s important to understand what this section does, especially if you’re learning how to write the background of the study for the first time.

The background of the study is the part of your research introduction that:

• Explains the context of the problem
• Introduces the topic clearly
• Presents relevant literature or existing knowledge
• Shows the research gap
• Justifies why the study is needed

It builds a bridge between general knowledge and the specific problem your research tackles.

Step-by-Step: How to Write the Background of the Study

The Background of the Study is the part of your research that takes readers from a broad topic to your specific research problem. This simple how to write the Background of the Study guide shows you each step so you can write it clearly and with purpose.

Before Writing: Preparation Steps

1. Understand the Purpose

Before you start writing, you need to know why this section is important. The background of the study:

• Sets the foundation for your entire research
• Gives context to your topic and explains why it matters
• Helps justify the relevance of your research problem
• Leads smoothly into your Statement of the Problem

Having clarity on its purpose ensures you stay focused while writing.

2. Do Your Background Research

Effective background writing begins with strong background reading. You must collect updated, credible, and relevant sources.

What to do:

• Read recent peer-reviewed articles, books, reports, and theses related to your topic.
• Identify trends, findings, contradictions, or debates in the field.
• Take notes on what has been solved, what remains a gap, and why those gaps are important.
• Pay attention to location-specific or population-specific information if your study has a defined scope.

Organize your references using tools like Google Scholar, Mendeley, Zotero, or even a basic spreadsheet.

3. Organize Your Content Logically

Before drafting, plan how your content will flow. Good background sections often follow this structure:

• Broad Introduction – define the field/topic
• Specific Context – local or applied setting
• Review of Existing Literature – key studies and findings
• Identification of Research Gap – what’s missing
• Justification/Relevance – why this gap matters
• Purpose of the Study – how your study addresses the gap
• Transition to Statement of the Problem – smooth flow to next section

You don’t need labeled subheadings, but mentally divide your content into these logical parts.

During Writing: Constructing the Section

4. Write a Strong Opening (Introduce the General Topic)

Start with broad context. Tell the reader what field or issue your study belongs to. Your goal is to ground the topic in a real-world or academic setting.

What to write:

• Define the general issue or topic
• Mention why this issue is relevant or timely
• Optionally define key terms if they are uncommon or technical

Example (Opening paragraph): Over the past decade, digital learning has redefined educational delivery methods worldwide. As access to online platforms grows, schools are increasingly integrating blended models that combine traditional and virtual learning.ith the rise of digital technologies and global shifts in teaching methods.

5. Narrow It Down: Provide the Specific Context

After the broad introduction, zoom in on the specific case or environment you’re researching. Make it clear where, who, or what you’re studying and why it matters there.

What to include:

• Geographic setting (e.g., country, region, school)
• Target population (e.g., high school students, public schools)
• Specific problems, trends, or conditions in that setting

Example: In the Philippines, the Department of Education has implemented blended learning models in public high schools to ensure continuity during pandemic-related disruptions. However, students in rural areas often struggle with internet access and availability of digital tools.

6. Review Existing Literature (Briefly)

Now, provide a short summary of what has already been studied. This builds academic credibility and shows that you know the field.

What to include:

• 2–4 strong studies related to your variables or issue
• Highlight findings, patterns, or theoretical views
• Show agreement, conflict, or inconsistency in prior work

Avoid:

• Listing too many sources
• Turning this into a full literature review

Use proper in-text citations following your required citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.).

Example: Several studies have shown that while online learning increases flexibility, it may reduce student engagement and academic performance if not implemented with proper support systems (Santos & Reyes, 2022).

7. Identify the Research Gap

Here’s where you explain what’s missing in the current knowledge or what problem hasn’t been fully explored.

What to include:

• A clear gap or limitation in past studies
• A specific issue or population that has been overlooked
• A contradiction or unresolved problem in the literature

Example: However, there is limited research focusing on how blended learning specifically affects public high school students in rural areas in terms of academic motivation and performance.

8. Justify the Need for Your Study

After identifying the research gap, you need to clearly explain why your study is worth doing, this is your justification. Show its value, timing, and impact.

What to include:

• Why this topic requires further exploration
• How your study can benefit key stakeholders (students, educators, policymakers)
• What practical solutions or theoretical contributions it can offer
• Why addressing this gap is urgent or relevant today
• How your findings could be applied in real-world educational, policy, or community settings

Example: Given the growing dependence on blended learning, especially in low-resource areas, it is essential to understand how this model affects student engagement and academic success. Insights from this study can help educators design more effective support systems, inform policy interventions to reduce digital inequality, and contribute to the broader discussion on equitable education in developing regions.

9. Connect Directly to Your Study

Now clearly state what your study will examine and how it fills the identified gap.

What to include:

• Your research aim or purpose
• Key variables or focus areas
• A lead-in to the next section (Statement of the Problem)

Example: This study aims to examine the effects of blended learning on student motivation and performance in rural public high schools, providing insights for educators and policymakers to improve digital education access.

10. Ensure Proper Citations

Throughout your writing, make sure:

• Every claim or finding is backed by a reliable source
• You use consistent citation formatting
• You include a reference list or bibliography at the end of the paper

Tip: Use citation managers (e.g., Zotero, Mendeley) to keep your sources organized and prevent accidental plagiarism.

11. Final Review — Logic, Clarity, and Chapter Alignment

Before finalizing your Background of the Study, review it thoroughly to ensure it is logically structured, clearly written, and properly integrated into the rest of your research framework.

Checklist for Revision:

• Does the content flow logically from general background to specific context, research gap, and study purpose?
• Does each paragraph build progressively toward the research problem?
• Are all citations accurate, consistent, and properly formatted?
• Is the tone objective, academic, and formal throughout the section?
• Have grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure been carefully checked?
• Does the section transition smoothly into the next components of Chapter 1:
  • Statement of the Problem
  • Research Objectives or Questions
  • Significance of the Study

Tips for Proofreading:

• Use professional editing tools such as Grammarly or Hemingway for clarity and grammar checks.
• Read the text aloud to identify awkward phrasing or unclear transitions.
• Ask a peer, research advisor, or mentor to review the section for coherence and clarity.

Purpose of this Review:

Your goal is to ensure that the Background of the Study is not only technically correct but also aligned with the logic, structure, and direction of your full research introduction. It should clearly justify the need for your study and lead the reader into your research problem without confusion or repetition.

Structure Summary (What Your Section Should Look Like)

Paragraph #	Content
1	General introduction to the topic
2	Specific context (location, group, issue)
3	Key existing studies (brief lit review)
4	Research gap or limitation
5	Justification for your study
6	Purpose of your study (lead-in to next)

Tips for Writing the Background of the Study

A strong background section sets up your research by explaining what’s already known, what’s missing, and why your study matters.

If you’re learning how to write the background of the study, use these tips to stay clear, focused, and academic:

1. Be concise – Include only relevant facts that lead to your research problem.
2. Use an academic tone – Stay formal, objective, and clear.
3. Cite key sources only – Save detailed reviews for the literature review.
4. Link to your topic – Make sure every part connects to your research focus.
5. Avoid repetition – Don’t restate the same ideas in multiple paragraphs.
6. Prioritize relevance – Exclude unrelated stats, facts, or history.
7. Maintain flow – Organize ideas from general to specific to research gap.
8. Cite properly – Use the correct style and only credible, updated sources.

Common Mistakes in Writing the Background of the Study

If you’re learning how to write the background of the study, avoid these common errors that weaken your writing:

• Writing too broadly or off-topic without narrowing the focus
• Turning the background into a full literature review
• Including unrelated facts or historical trivia
• Failing to cite credible or recent sources
• Repeating content that belongs in the literature review or other sections
• Using informal tone or personal opinions
• Jumping straight into the problem without building clear context

A clear, concise background starts by avoiding these missteps.

Coming soon: Common Mistakes in Writing the Background of the Study – what to fix and how to do it right →

Common Problems in Building the Background of the Study

Even when you know how to write the background of the study, these common writing problems can still hurt clarity and flow:

• Not understanding the research topic deeply enough before writing
• Lacking a clear structure or logical flow
• Overlooking the gap in existing knowledge
• Writing too little or too much (unbalanced detail)
• Not linking the background to the research problem
• Struggling to find or integrate relevant sources

Solving these problems leads to a stronger, more focused foundation for your research.

Coming soon: Common Problems in Writing the Background of the Study – practical solutions for student researchers →

Dos and Don’ts in Writing the Background of the Study

If you’re working on how to write the background of the study, these quick tips show what to do and what to avoid for a clear, focused section.

✅ Do This	❌ Avoid This
Start with a clear overview of your research topic	Jumping straight into details without context
Explain the relevance and importance of the topic	Writing general or off-topic information
Highlight gaps or problems in previous studies	Repeating information from your literature review
Use recent, credible sources to support your points	Using outdated or non-academic sources
Keep your writing formal, focused, and structured	Using a casual tone or writing like a personal essay
Clearly connect the background to the research problem	Writing background info that doesn’t lead into your study’s purpose
Keep it concise about 2–4 paragraphs is ideal	Making it too long, unfocused, or overloaded with citations
Revise and organize your ideas logically	Submitting a draft without editing or checking flow

Sample Paragraph (for Reference)

The rapid adoption of digital learning platforms has transformed traditional education globally. In the Philippines, the Department of Education introduced blended learning in public schools to sustain instructional delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, concerns persist about the effectiveness of this model, particularly in rural areas with limited access to stable internet and digital devices. While several studies have explored online learning in general, few have examined how blended learning affects public high school students in remote settings. This study addresses that gap by investigating the impact of blended learning on students’ academic motivation and performance in rural Philippine schools.

Breakdown of Sample Background Paragraph

Component	Excerpt from the Sample	Purpose / Highlight
General Introduction	“The rapid adoption of digital learning platforms has transformed traditional education globally.”	Introduces the broad topic and shows relevance.
Specific Local Context	“In the Philippines, the Department of Education introduced blended learning in public schools…”	Narrows the scope to the study’s location and setting.
Problem or Concern	“However, concerns persist about the effectiveness of this model, particularly in rural areas with limited access to stable internet and digital devices.”	Identifies the issue or challenge that needs attention.
Literature Gap	“While several studies have explored online learning in general, few have examined how blended learning affects public high school students in remote settings.”	Highlights the missing research or unexplored area.
Purpose of the Study	“This study addresses that gap by investigating the impact of blended learning on students’ academic motivation and performance in rural Philippine schools.”	States the study’s aim and how it fills the research gap.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Final Thoughts

Writing the Background of the Study isn’t just about filling a section it’s about laying the groundwork for your entire research. This part builds the case for why your study matters, where it fits in existing knowledge, and what gap it aims to address.

Stay focused. Keep your writing connected to the main research problem. Use credible sources, maintain a logical flow, and don’t rush this section it’s one of the most important foundations of your paper.

When done right, your background section sets the tone for everything that follows. Let it work for you.

Continue Writing: Chapter 1

Once the Background of the Study is outlined, continue writing the remaining sections of Chapter 1 to complete the introductory framework of the research paper:

• Research Introduction – Start by introducing the topic, context, and relevance
• Background of the Study – Write a focused summary of the topic’s history, trends, and gaps
• Statement of the Problem – Clearly define the issue your research addresses
• Research Objectives and Questions – Specify what the study intends to achieve
• Significance of the Study – Explain who benefits and why the research matters
• Scope and Delimitations – Establish boundaries and clarify what the study will and will not cover
• Definition of Terms – Provide operational definitions for key terms used in the study
• Summary/Conclusion – End Chapter 1 with a concise summary that transitions to Chapter 2

Each part builds a logical and structured introduction that prepares readers for the rest of the paper.

You can also explore related guides

• Chapter 2→,
• Chapters 3 → ,
• Chapters 4 →, and
• Chapters 5 →

to understand the whole research paper.

Note: We’re not your school’s official research coordinator, but our guides are designed to support and guide your writing process. Always follow your institution’s specific guidelines and formatting requirements.