How to Write the Background of the Study in Research (Part 2)

Summary

This video provides a step-by-step guide on how to write the opening paragraphs of the background of a research study. It emphasizes the importance of starting with a clear overview of the research topic, explaining key concepts, and identifying the research gap. The script demonstrates how to articulate the research goal, present a strong thesis statement, and highlight the significance of the study. Using the example of mathematical anxiety in junior high school students in New Zealand, the video offers practical insights on structuring the introduction to effectively set the stage for the rest of the research.

Takeaways

• 😀 Begin the background of your study by providing an overview of your research topic, including key definitions and main developments.
• 😀 Clearly define key concepts in your research, especially if they are specialized terms that may not be widely understood by non-experts.
• 😀 Discuss the nature and dynamics of your research topic, explaining its manifestations and historical or recent developments.
• 😀 Identify the research gap or problem your study aims to address. This is a crucial step as no research can be conducted without a clear gap.
• 😀 State the goal of your research, explaining what you aim to achieve with the study and how it will contribute to the field.
• 😀 Include a thesis statement that presents the central argument or claim of your study, emphasizing its significance.
• 😀 The thesis statement should reflect the researcher’s personal argument or claim and guide the direction of the study.
• 😀 Provide citations when referring to existing definitions or ideas, ensuring proper attribution to the sources you are referencing.
• 😀 Articulate the potential outcomes of your research, showing the relevance and importance of addressing the identified gap.
• 😀 The opening paragraphs of the background should not only present the topic and gap but also explain the broader implications of your research findings.

Q & A

What is the first step in writing the background of the study?

The first step is to provide an overview of the research topic, which includes defining key concepts and highlighting the main developments related to the topic.

Why is it important to define terms like 'mathematical anxiety' in the background of the study?

It is crucial to define terms like 'mathematical anxiety' because they may be unfamiliar to non-specialists or readers outside the field. Providing a clear definition ensures that the reader understands the specific focus of the study.

What should be included after defining the key terms of the research?

After defining key terms, you should discuss the nature and dynamics of the concept, as well as some of its manifestations, such as depression, helplessness, nervousness, and fearfulness in this case.

What role does the research gap play in the background of the study?

The research gap identifies the problem that needs to be addressed in the study. It highlights what is missing in current research and justifies why the proposed study is necessary.

How can the research gap be articulated in the background of the study?

The research gap can be articulated by explaining the issue that has not been sufficiently studied or addressed, such as a lack of research on the mathematical anxiety of junior high school students in New Zealand.

What comes after presenting the research gap in the background of the study?

After presenting the research gap, you should state the main goal of your study, outlining what you aim to achieve or investigate. This is often followed by the research questions.

What is the purpose of the thesis statement in the background of the study?

The thesis statement presents the researcher’s argument or claim about the study. It explains why the research is significant and what contribution it will make to addressing the identified research gap.

What is an example of a research goal in a background of the study?

An example could be, 'This proposed thesis aims to determine the lived experiences of junior high school students in New Zealand and identify the factors that caused them to become disinterested in mathematics.'

How should the background of the study end?

The background of the study should conclude with the thesis statement, which highlights the main argument or claim of the research. It may also include the significance or potential contribution of the study to the field.

What are the five essential elements in the opening paragraph of the background of the study?

The five essential elements are: 1) A brief discussion of what is known about the topic, 2) Articulation of the research gap, 3) The research goal, 4) The thesis statement, and 5) The significance or contribution of the study.