BACKGROUND TO THE PROBLEM

Definition
Background information identifies and describes the history and nature of a well-
defined research problem with reference to the existing literature. The background
information should indicate the root of the problem being studied,
appropriate context of the problem in relation to theory, research, and/or
practice, its scope, and the extent to which previous studies have successfully
investigated the problem, noting, in particular, where gaps exist that your study
attempts to address. Background information does not replace the literature review
section of a research paper; it is intended to place the research problem in a proper
context.
Importance of Having Enough Background Information
Background information expands upon the key points stated in the beginning
of your introduction but is not intended to be the main focus of the paper.  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 and promotes
confidence in the overall quality of your analysis and findings. This information
provides the reader with the essential context needed to understand the research
problem and its significance before moving on to the literature review.

Depending on the problem being studied, forms of contextualization may include one
or more of the following:

Cultural -- placed within the learned behavior of specific groups of people.


 Economic -- of or relating to systems of production and management of
material wealth and/or business activities.
 Gender -- located within the behavioral, cultural, or psychological traits
typically associated with being male or female.
 Historical -- the time in which something takes place or was created and
how that influences how you interpret it.
 Interdisciplinary -- explanation of theories, concepts, ideas, or
methodologies borrowed from other disciplines applied to the research problem
rooted in another discipline.
Philosophical -- clarification of the essential nature of being or of

phenomena as it relates to the research problem.
Physical/Spatial -- reflects the space around something and how that

influences how you see it.
Political -- concerns the environment in which something is produced

indicating it's public purpose or agenda.
Social -- the environment of people that surrounds something's creation or

intended audience, reflecting how the people around something use and interpret
it.
 Temporal -- reflects issues or events of, relating to, or limited by time.
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. This is accomplished
with a general review of the foundational research literature [with citations] that
document findings informing 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.

Background of the Problem Section: What do you Need to Consider?  Anonymous.

Harvard University; Hopkins, Will G. How to Write a Research Paper .
SPORTSCIENCE, Perspectives/Research Resources. Department of Physiology and
School of Physical Education, University of Otago, 1999; Green, L. H. How to Write the
Background/Introduction Section . Physics 499 Powerpoint slides. University of
Illinois; Woodall, W. Gill. Writing the Background and Significance Section . Senior
Research Scientist and Professor of Communication. Center on Alcoholism, Substance
Abuse, and Addictions. University of New Mexico.
 

LINK FOR THE ABOVE

https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/background#:~:text=The
%20background%20information%20should%20indicate,gaps%20exist%20that
%20your%20study

Background of the Problem

Remember all of that reading you did to choose your topic?  This
section of your proposal is where you share that knowledge with your reader.  In
this section you should:
 Demonstrate that you have thoroughly researched your topic; show this by
discussing the breadth and depth of prior work in this area
 Provide the foundation to support your specific hypothesis as the next
logical step in answering your research question  

LINK FOR THE ABOVE

https://thesis.extension.harvard.edu/background-problem