Every research paper or essay needs to have background information. This helps to capture the attention and prompts the reader to continue reading. Various topics will have varied background information with different approaches or tones. Writing background information is something that most people struggle with. Some even confuse it with a literature review. You can also get more information by clicking on the link https://easyessay.us/custom-research-paper/order/ and ordering qualified writing assistance.
What is the background information?
This is a section in an essay or research paper that explains the beginning of your research journey and the reasons you’re interested in the subject. It helps give context to the reader and assists them in refining the specific topic. Background information will give a short overview of the subject’s history or the problem cause being addressed by the subject. After readers understand why you’re doing the research, including filling the missing gaps or providing solutions to some challenges, the next step is to formulate relevant research questions and a summary or description of what you’ll do next. Background information shouldn’t be detailed. Typically, it’s supposed to be 3-5 sentences. Remember, the aim is to capture the attention of the reader. When writing the background information, you should pay attention by ensuring the information presented defines the topic, is related to current events, provides some historical context, and even passages/ quotes from experts.
Importance of background information
The main role of background information is to help the reader understand the research problem. This helps increase the reader’s confidence in the general quality of findings and analysis of the research paper. This information can take various forms of contextualization, such as philosophical, economic, social, cultural, political, historical, and interdisciplinary. Secondly, background information also helps the reader get some knowledge of similar previous studies. Typically, you can include a summary of past studies to support your study. This way, the reader will easily comprehend your research problem before you do any analysis.
Where to get background information
Whether you’re writing an essay, research paper, or a presentation, you can find background information to support your document from the following:
– Internet
You can use the internet to search for background information to provide supporting evidence to your document. To get accurate facts, compare multiple sources on the internet.
– Newspapers
Newspapers can help you get background information related to current affairs/events. You can also consider looking at online newspaper sites to get historic articles depending on your topic.
– Journals
You can consider getting background information from expert and scientific journals. In this case, you’re required to cite the researchers or authors.
– Encyclopedias
There are many books that cover most topics widely. To get related information, you should narrow it down to specific books that focus on your topic or subject.
– Databases
These will help you get factual and numerical information, including statistics, predictions, percentages, and analysis.
– Library
Libraries located in schools or public places have books that can assist you in getting background information for your topic. If you’re facing difficulties narrowing down your search, you can ask for help from a librarian.
What to include in the background information
Before you decide to start writing your background information for your research paper or essay, it’s essential to understand what you should include as follows:
1. General overview
If you’re doing basic research to provide further knowledge on the topic or applied research to develop new solutions to problems, you must give a general overview of your topic. This general overview will make it easier for the reader to understand what you’re about to do and your specific intentions. For instance, if you want to conduct applied research to develop a new product, you must describe the process and summarize similar studies conducted previously. Depending on where you got the information, you should state the source by acknowledging the author or researcher.
2. Current state
It’s essential to provide the current state of your research topic by citing relevant studies similar to yours.
3. Controversies
If there are any controversies around your topic, you should mention and clarify them here accordingly.
4. Methodologies
This involves the techniques or procedures the researchers used and if you think you’ll also use similar approaches or not.
In conclusion, after you write the background information of your paper, you should revise and edit accordingly to remove possible errors and make it appealing to the reader.
Also Read: How Vulnerable Is Your Personal Information?
