https://libguides.usc.

edu/writingguide/background

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

 Background information identifies and describes the history and nature of a well-defined
research problem with reference to the existing literature.

 It generally supports the question, “what did we know about this topic before I did this
study?” Sufficient background information helps your reader determine if you have a basic
understanding of the research problem being investigated.

 Background information can also include summaries of important, relevant research studies .
This is particularly important if there is an essential or groundbreaking study about the
research problem or a key study that refutes or supports your thesis. The key is to
summarize for the reader what is known about the specific research problem before you
conduct the analysis. 

 Providing background information in the introduction of a research paper serves as a bridge

that links the reader to the topic of your study.

THE BACKGROUND INFORMATION SHOULD INDICATE:

1. The root of the problem being studied,
2. Appropriate context of the problem in relation to theory, research, and/or practice, its scope.
3. The extent to which previous studies have successfully investigated the problem,
4. Where gaps exist that your study attempts to address.