meaning of justification of the study in research

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How to Write Justification of the Study in Research

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The justification of the study is also referred to as the rationale for the study . It is what inspired you to research a given topic. As students, it is very important to know that research writing is not just one of the things we do for leisure, research is a vital part of human endeavour, it is through research done in the past that a lot of improvements are seen today around the world. Research should be able to fill a gap and provide solutions to an existing problem, hence researchers must do due diligence in identifying the reasons for starting a research work and be able to justify their reasons for embarking on a research journey.

If a research project is to be carried out on “Introduction of Digital Libraries for Students in Nigeria Senior Secondary Schools” it is expected that the researcher has found some setbacks in the study pattern of students or the limitations of using the physical libraries on campus.

The researcher must be able to give the reasons behind his choice of research topic, the importance of digital library should outweigh the challenges it poses.

The researcher should be able to justify the reasons for selecting a chosen project topic and discuss why the research study is needed.

For research to be justified, four main criteria must be discussed to convince the supervisor or readers that a study is worthy of undertaking.

• The size or area involved in the study should be discussed, the researcher needs to show the geographical area or locations that the research would cover and provide reasons for the choice of area and what the outcome of the study will do for such area.
• The research gaps found in previous literature of similar studies should be discussed. The researcher must show the missing piece from other literature that needs to be bridged and the reasons for the endeavour. The importance of filling research gaps should be told including the necessary contributions to the body of knowledge that the study would project at the end of the investigations and findings.
• The researcher should be able to justice that there has been an improved methodology or the processes of carrying out the type of research undertaken and should show how the study intends to incorporate the enhanced methods of carrying out research in the selected field or subject to investigate.
• The researcher should discuss the main benefits of the research to the general public, profession, group, institutions, the government policies and practices in the concerned field of study and how these benefits will enable future researchers and authors to make or develop future theories, literature and additional inputs in the coming days.

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7 Examples of Justification (of a project or research)

The justification to the part of a research project that sets out the reasons that motivated the research. The justification is the section that explains the importance and the reasons that led the researcher to carry out the work.

The justification explains to the reader why and why the chosen topic was investigated. In general, the reasons that the researcher can give in a justification may be that his work allows to build or refute theories; bring a new approach or perspective on the subject; contribute to the solution of a specific problem (social, economic, environmental, etc.) that affects certain people; generate meaningful and reusable empirical data; clarify the causes and consequences of a specific phenomenon of interest; among other.

Among the criteria used to write a justification, the usefulness of the research for other academics or for other social sectors (public officials, companies, sectors of civil society), the significance in time that it may have, the contribution of new research tools or techniques, updating of existing knowledge, among others. Also, the language should be formal and descriptive.

Examples of justification

• This research will focus on studying the reproduction habits of salmon in the Mediterranean region of Europe, since due to recent ecological changes in the water and temperatures of the region produced by human economic activity , the behavior of these animals has been modified. Thus, the present work would allow to show the changes that the species has developed to adapt to the new circumstances of its ecosystem, and to deepen the theoretical knowledge about accelerated adaptation processes, in addition to offering a comprehensive look at the environmental damage caused by growth. unsustainable economic, helping to raise awareness of the local population.
• We therefore propose to investigate the evolution of the theoretical conceptions of class struggle and economic structure throughout the work of Antonio Gramsci, since we consider that previous analyzes have overlooked the fundamentally dynamic and unstable conception of human society that is present. in the works of Gramsci, and that is of vital importance to fully understand the author’s thought.
• The reasons that led us to investigate the effects of regular use of cell phones on the health of middle-class young people under 18 years of age are centered on the fact that this vulnerable sector of the population is exposed to a greater extent than the rest of society to risks that the continuous use of cell phone devices may imply, due to their cultural and social habits. We intend then to help alert about these dangers, as well as to generate knowledge that helps in the treatment of the effects produced by the abuse in the use of this technology.
• We believe that by means of a detailed analysis of the evolution of financial transactions carried out in the main stock exchanges of the world during the period 2005-2010, as well as the inquiry about how financial and banking agents perceived the situation of the financial system, it will allow us to clarify the economic mechanisms that enable the development of an economic crisis of global dimensions such as the one that the world experienced since 2009, and thus improve the design of regulatory and counter-cyclical public policies that favor the stability of the local and international financial system.
• Our study about the applications and programs developed through the three analyzed programming languages ​​(Java, C ++ and Haskell), can allow us to clearly distinguish the potential that each of these languages ​​(and similar languages) present for solving specific problems. , in a specific area of ​​activity. This would allow not only to increase efficiency in relation to long-term development projects, but to plan coding strategies with better results in projects that are already working, and to improve teaching plans for teaching programming and computer science.
• This in-depth study on the expansion of the Chinese empire under the Xia dynasty, will allow to clarify the socioeconomic, military and political processes that allowed the consolidation of one of the oldest states in history, and also understand the expansion of metallurgical and administrative technologies along the coastal region of the Pacific Ocean. The deep understanding of these phenomena will allow us to clarify this little-known period in Chinese history, which was of vital importance for the social transformations that the peoples of the region went through during the period.
• Research on the efficacy of captropil in the treatment of cardiovascular conditions (in particular hypertension and heart failure) will allow us to determine if angiotensin is of vital importance in the processes of blocking the protein peptidase, or if by the On the contrary, these effects can be attributed to other components present in the formula of drugs frequently prescribed to patients after medical consultation.

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How to Write the Rationale of the Study in Research (Examples)

What is the Rationale of the Study?

The rationale of the study is the justification for taking on a given study. It explains the reason the study was conducted or should be conducted. This means the study rationale should explain to the reader or examiner why the study is/was necessary. It is also sometimes called the “purpose” or “justification” of a study. While this is not difficult to grasp in itself, you might wonder how the rationale of the study is different from your research question or from the statement of the problem of your study, and how it fits into the rest of your thesis or research paper. 

The rationale of the study links the background of the study to your specific research question and justifies the need for the latter on the basis of the former. In brief, you first provide and discuss existing data on the topic, and then you tell the reader, based on the background evidence you just presented, where you identified gaps or issues and why you think it is important to address those. The problem statement, lastly, is the formulation of the specific research question you choose to investigate, following logically from your rationale, and the approach you are planning to use to do that.

Table of Contents:

How to write a rationale for a research paper , how do you justify the need for a research study.

• Study Rationale Example: Where Does It Go In Your Paper?

The basis for writing a research rationale is preliminary data or a clear description of an observation. If you are doing basic/theoretical research, then a literature review will help you identify gaps in current knowledge. In applied/practical research, you base your rationale on an existing issue with a certain process (e.g., vaccine proof registration) or practice (e.g., patient treatment) that is well documented and needs to be addressed. By presenting the reader with earlier evidence or observations, you can (and have to) convince them that you are not just repeating what other people have already done or said and that your ideas are not coming out of thin air. 

Once you have explained where you are coming from, you should justify the need for doing additional research–this is essentially the rationale of your study. Finally, when you have convinced the reader of the purpose of your work, you can end your introduction section with the statement of the problem of your research that contains clear aims and objectives and also briefly describes (and justifies) your methodological approach. 

When is the Rationale for Research Written?

The author can present the study rationale both before and after the research is conducted. 

• Before conducting research : The study rationale is a central component of the research proposal . It represents the plan of your work, constructed before the study is actually executed.
• Once research has been conducted : After the study is completed, the rationale is presented in a research article or  PhD dissertation  to explain why you focused on this specific research question. When writing the study rationale for this purpose, the author should link the rationale of the research to the aims and outcomes of the study.

What to Include in the Study Rationale

Although every study rationale is different and discusses different specific elements of a study’s method or approach, there are some elements that should be included to write a good rationale. Make sure to touch on the following:

• A summary of conclusions from your review of the relevant literature
• What is currently unknown (gaps in knowledge)
• Inconclusive or contested results  from previous studies on the same or similar topic
• The necessity to improve or build on previous research, such as to improve methodology or utilize newer techniques and/or technologies

There are different types of limitations that you can use to justify the need for your study. In applied/practical research, the justification for investigating something is always that an existing process/practice has a problem or is not satisfactory. Let’s say, for example, that people in a certain country/city/community commonly complain about hospital care on weekends (not enough staff, not enough attention, no decisions being made), but you looked into it and realized that nobody ever investigated whether these perceived problems are actually based on objective shortages/non-availabilities of care or whether the lower numbers of patients who are treated during weekends are commensurate with the provided services.

In this case, “lack of data” is your justification for digging deeper into the problem. Or, if it is obvious that there is a shortage of staff and provided services on weekends, you could decide to investigate which of the usual procedures are skipped during weekends as a result and what the negative consequences are. 

In basic/theoretical research, lack of knowledge is of course a common and accepted justification for additional research—but make sure that it is not your only motivation. “Nobody has ever done this” is only a convincing reason for a study if you explain to the reader why you think we should know more about this specific phenomenon. If there is earlier research but you think it has limitations, then those can usually be classified into “methodological”, “contextual”, and “conceptual” limitations. To identify such limitations, you can ask specific questions and let those questions guide you when you explain to the reader why your study was necessary:

Methodological limitations

• Did earlier studies try but failed to measure/identify a specific phenomenon?
• Was earlier research based on incorrect conceptualizations of variables?
• Were earlier studies based on questionable operationalizations of key concepts?
• Did earlier studies use questionable or inappropriate research designs?

Contextual limitations

• Have recent changes in the studied problem made previous studies irrelevant?
• Are you studying a new/particular context that previous findings do not apply to?

Conceptual limitations

• Do previous findings only make sense within a specific framework or ideology?

Study Rationale Examples

Let’s look at an example from one of our earlier articles on the statement of the problem to clarify how your rationale fits into your introduction section. This is a very short introduction for a practical research study on the challenges of online learning. Your introduction might be much longer (especially the context/background section), and this example does not contain any sources (which you will have to provide for all claims you make and all earlier studies you cite)—but please pay attention to how the background presentation , rationale, and problem statement blend into each other in a logical way so that the reader can follow and has no reason to question your motivation or the foundation of your research.

Background presentation

Since the beginning of the Covid pandemic, most educational institutions around the world have transitioned to a fully online study model, at least during peak times of infections and social distancing measures. This transition has not been easy and even two years into the pandemic, problems with online teaching and studying persist (reference needed) . 

While the increasing gap between those with access to technology and equipment and those without access has been determined to be one of the main challenges (reference needed) , others claim that online learning offers more opportunities for many students by breaking down barriers of location and distance (reference needed) .  

Rationale of the study

Since teachers and students cannot wait for circumstances to go back to normal, the measures that schools and universities have implemented during the last two years, their advantages and disadvantages, and the impact of those measures on students’ progress, satisfaction, and well-being need to be understood so that improvements can be made and demographics that have been left behind can receive the support they need as soon as possible.

Statement of the problem

To identify what changes in the learning environment were considered the most challenging and how those changes relate to a variety of student outcome measures, we conducted surveys and interviews among teachers and students at ten institutions of higher education in four different major cities, two in the US (New York and Chicago), one in South Korea (Seoul), and one in the UK (London). Responses were analyzed with a focus on different student demographics and how they might have been affected differently by the current situation.

How long is a study rationale?

In a research article bound for journal publication, your rationale should not be longer than a few sentences (no longer than one brief paragraph). A  dissertation or thesis  usually allows for a longer description; depending on the length and nature of your document, this could be up to a couple of paragraphs in length. A completely novel or unconventional approach might warrant a longer and more detailed justification than an approach that slightly deviates from well-established methods and approaches.

Consider Using Professional Academic Editing Services

Now that you know how to write the rationale of the study for a research proposal or paper, you should make use of Wordvice AI’s free AI Grammar Checker , or receive professional academic proofreading services from Wordvice, including research paper editing services and manuscript editing services to polish your submitted research documents.

You can also find many more articles, for example on writing the other parts of your research paper , on choosing a title , or on making sure you understand and adhere to the author instructions before you submit to a journal, on the Wordvice academic resources pages.

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Justification | Definition

Justification of a study refers to the rationale behind conducting research, explaining why the study is necessary and how it addresses a gap in existing knowledge.

Understanding the Justification of a Study

In social science research, the justification of a study is a key component that explains why the research is being conducted. It sets the stage for the research by providing the context and background for the study, answering the critical question: “Why is this research important?” The justification essentially argues for the significance of the research, demonstrating how it contributes to the body of knowledge and addressing gaps or limitations in previous studies.

The justification is crucial not only for convincing readers of the value of the study but also for securing funding, ethical approval, and support from stakeholders. It clarifies the broader impact of the research, showing how it will contribute to solving problems, advancing theoretical understanding, or informing policy and practice.

Key Elements of a Justification

A well-written justification typically includes several key elements, each of which helps to build a convincing case for why the study is necessary. These elements include:

1. Identifying a Gap in the Literature

One of the most common reasons for conducting a study is to fill a gap in the existing research. In many cases, researchers review the existing literature and identify areas where there is a lack of knowledge or where previous studies have been inconclusive or limited. The justification highlights this gap and explains how the new study will address it.

For example, a social science researcher might point out that although numerous studies have been conducted on the impact of social media on youth behavior, few studies have focused on how social media affects youth in rural areas. This gap in the literature provides a strong justification for conducting a new study focused on this specific population.

2. Addressing a Practical Problem

Another important element of the justification is demonstrating how the study will address a practical problem or challenge. Social science research often seeks to improve human behavior, social systems, or policies. When researchers can show that their study will contribute to solving a real-world issue, it strengthens the case for why the research is necessary.

For instance, a study that examines the effects of educational inequality in underprivileged communities can be justified by pointing to the practical need for more equitable education policies. The research might propose new interventions that policymakers could use to address these disparities.

3. Contributing to Theory Development

While many studies focus on practical problems, some research aims to expand or refine existing theories. In these cases, the justification explains how the study will contribute to the development of new theoretical frameworks or advance existing ones. This is particularly important in social science, where theories about human behavior, social systems, and cultural practices constantly evolve.

For example, a study might aim to explore how social identity theory can be applied to online communities. If previous research has focused primarily on offline interactions, the justification for the study could center on expanding the application of the theory to new, digital contexts.

4. Responding to Recent Changes or Emerging Trends

Another compelling reason for conducting a study is to respond to recent changes or emerging trends in society. Social science research is often influenced by current events, cultural shifts, or technological advances. When researchers can show that their study addresses a timely issue, it increases the relevance and urgency of the research.

For instance, a study examining the impact of remote work on employee mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic could be justified by pointing out the rapid shift in work environments and the lack of research on its long-term effects on well-being.

How to Write a Strong Justification

Crafting a strong justification is essential to persuading readers, funders, or reviewers of the study’s importance. Here are some strategies for writing an effective justification:

1. Start with a Clear Problem Statement

A strong justification begins with a clear and concise problem statement. This statement outlines the specific issue or question that the research seeks to address. The problem should be relevant, significant, and directly related to the study’s objectives.

For example, “Despite increasing awareness of mental health issues in the workplace, there is limited research on how remote work environments affect employees’ mental well-being, particularly in the context of global crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.”

2. Provide Evidence from the Literature

To justify the study, it’s important to build on the existing literature. This involves conducting a thorough review of previous studies and identifying gaps or areas that need further exploration. By citing relevant research, you can show how your study fits into the broader academic conversation.

For instance, you could state: “While several studies have examined the mental health impacts of traditional office work, research on remote work environments remains scarce, particularly regarding the effects of long-term isolation and digital communication.”

3. Explain the Study’s Contribution

After identifying the gap or problem, explain how your study will contribute to the field. This could involve filling a gap, providing new data, proposing a new theoretical framework, or addressing an unresolved issue. Be specific about how your research will add value to the existing body of knowledge.

For example: “This study will contribute to the field by providing empirical data on the long-term effects of remote work on mental health, offering insights that can inform workplace policies and mental health interventions.”

4. Highlight Practical or Social Relevance

In addition to academic contributions, it’s important to highlight the practical or social relevance of the study. This is particularly important in social science, where research often has real-world implications. Describe how your findings could be applied in practice or used to inform policies or interventions.

For example: “The findings from this study could guide the development of mental health support programs for remote workers and inform employers about best practices for fostering well-being in virtual work environments.”

5. Use Clear and Compelling Language

When writing your justification, use clear, compelling language to persuade readers of the study’s importance. Avoid vague or overly technical language that might confuse or alienate your audience. Instead, focus on making a strong, logical argument for why the research matters.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Justifying a Study

While justifying a study is an essential part of the research process, there are some common pitfalls that researchers should avoid:

1. Being Too Vague

A vague justification that doesn’t clearly explain the significance of the study can weaken your argument. Be specific about the gap in the literature, the practical problem you’re addressing, or the theoretical contribution you’re making. Avoid statements like “This study is important” without providing clear reasons why.

2. Overstating the Impact

While it’s important to highlight the significance of your study, avoid overstating its potential impact. Claims like “This study will solve the problem of inequality” can come across as unrealistic or exaggerated. Instead, focus on how your research will contribute to the broader conversation or provide valuable insights.

3. Failing to Link to the Research Objectives

Your justification should be closely linked to your research objectives. If the justification doesn’t align with what the study actually aims to achieve, it can confuse readers and weaken the overall argument. Make sure that the problem you’re addressing is directly related to the research questions or hypotheses.

4. Ignoring Ethical Considerations

In some cases, the justification for a study also needs to address ethical considerations. For example, if the study involves vulnerable populations or sensitive topics, it’s important to justify why the research is necessary despite potential risks. Failing to address ethical concerns can lead to problems with approval from ethics committees or institutional review boards.

The Role of Justification in Research Proposals

Justifying a study is not only important for academic writing but also plays a crucial role in research proposals. Funding bodies, ethical review boards, and other stakeholders need to understand why the study is worth pursuing before they provide approval or resources. In a research proposal, the justification helps to secure funding by demonstrating that the research is relevant, timely, and feasible.

When preparing a research proposal, the justification often forms part of the introduction or background section. It sets the tone for the rest of the proposal, convincing reviewers that the research is not only necessary but also well-thought-out and likely to succeed.

In conclusion, the justification of a study is a critical element of social science research. It explains why the research is necessary, identifies gaps in the literature, and highlights how the study will contribute to knowledge or address practical problems. A well-crafted justification enhances the credibility of the research and is essential for gaining support from academic peers, funders, and ethical review boards.

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Rationale for the Study

It is important for you to be able to explain the importance of the research you are conducting by providing valid arguments. Rationale for the study, also referred to as justification for the study, is reason why you have conducted your study in the first place. This part in your paper needs to explain uniqueness and importance of your research. Rationale for the study needs to be specific and ideally, it should relate to the following points:

1. The research needs to contribute to the elimination of a gap in the literature. Elimination of gap in the present literature is one of the compulsory requirements for your study. In other words, you don’t need to ‘re-invent the wheel’ and your research aims and objectives need to focus on new topics. For example, you can choose to conduct an empirical study to assess the implications of COVID-19 pandemic on the numbers of tourists visitors in your city. This might be previously undressed topic, taking into account that COVID-19 pandemic is a relatively recent phenomenon.

Alternatively, if you cannot find a new topic to research, you can attempt to offer fresh perspectives on existing management, business or economic issues. For example, while thousands of studies have been previously conducted to study various aspects of leadership, this topic as far from being exhausted as a research area. Specifically, new studies can be conducted in the area of leadership to analyze the impacts of new communication mediums such as TikTok, and other social networking sites on leadership practices.

You can also discuss the shortcomings of previous works devoted to your research area. Shortcomings in previous studies can be divided into three groups:

a) Methodological limitations . Methodology employed in previous study may be flawed in terms of research design, research approach or sampling.

b) Contextual limitations . Relevance of previous works may be non-existent for the present because external factors have changed.

c) Conceptual limitations . Previous studies may be unjustifiably bound up to a particular model or an ideology.

While discussing the shortcomings of previous studies you should explain how you are going to correct them. This principle is true to almost all areas in business studies i.e. gaps or shortcomings in the literature can be found in relation to almost all areas of business and economics.

2. The research can be conducted to solve a specific problem. It helps if you can explain why you are the right person and in the right position to solve the problem. You have to explain the essence of the problem in a detailed manner and highlight practical benefits associated with the solution of the problem. Suppose, your dissertation topic is “a study into advantages and disadvantages of various entry strategies into Chinese market”. In this case, you can say that practical implications of your research relates to assisting businesses aiming to enter Chinese market to do more informed decision making.

Alternatively, if your research is devoted to the analysis of impacts of CSR programs and initiatives on brand image, practical contributions of your study would relate to contributing to the level of effectiveness of CSR programs of businesses.

Additional examples of studies that can assist to address specific practical problems may include the following:

• A study into the reasons of high employee turnover at Hanson Brick
• A critical analysis of employee motivation problems at Esporta, Finchley Road, London
• A research into effective succession planning at Microsoft
• A study into major differences between private and public primary education in the USA and implications of these differences on the quality of education

However, it is important to note that it is not an obligatory for a dissertation   to be associated with the solution of a specific problem. Dissertations can be purely theory-based as well. Examples of such studies include the following:

• Born or bred: revising The Great Man theory of leadership in the 21 st century
• A critical analysis of the relevance of McClelland’s Achievement theory to the US information technology industry
• Neoliberalism as a major reason behind the emergence of the global financial and economic crisis of 2007-2009
• Analysis of Lewin’s Model of Change and its relevance to pharmaceutical sector of France

3. Your study has to contribute to the level of professional development of the researcher . That is you. You have to explain in a detailed manner in what ways your research contributes to the achievement of your long-term career aspirations.

For example, you have selected a research topic of “ A critical analysis of the relevance of McClelland’s Achievement theory in the US information technology industry ”.  You may state that you associate your career aspirations with becoming an IT executive in the US, and accordingly, in-depth knowledge of employee motivation in this industry is going to contribute your chances of success in your chosen career path.

Therefore, you are in a better position if you have already identified your career objectives, so that during the research process you can get detailed knowledge about various aspects of your chosen industry.

My e-book, The Ultimate Guide to Writing a Dissertation in Business Studies: a step by step assistance offers practical assistance to complete a dissertation with minimum or no stress. The e-book covers all stages of writing a dissertation starting from the selection to the research area to submitting the completed version of the work within the deadline.

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Entries a-z, subject index.

• Research Justification
• Edited by: Lisa M. Given
• In: The SAGE Encyclopedia of Qualitative Research Methods
• Chapter DOI: https:// doi. org/10.4135/9781412963909.n392
• Subject: Anthropology , Business and Management , Criminology and Criminal Justice , Communication and Media Studies , Counseling and Psychotherapy , Economics , Education , Geography , Health , History , Marketing , Nursing , Political Science and International Relations , Psychology , Social Policy and Public Policy , Social Work , Sociology
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Research justification refers to the rationale for the research, or the reason why the research is being conducted, including an explanation for the design and methods employed in the research.

Elements of Research Requiring Justification

Traditionally in research conducted within any paradigm, researchers have been expected to provide an explanation about why the research is necessary. To explain the overall purpose, aims, and objectives, a rationale is constructed and may illustrate how the research endeavor addresses gaps in the existing knowledge base, contributes a new dimension or perspective, or generates theory about a phenomenon that has not been explored previously.

Another aspect of research for which one might sometimes find justification in any description is the choice of methods employed to generate data; for example, the explanation for selecting interviews, focus groups, or participant observation. Such explanations might include the opportunity to orientate to the participant's perspective through in-depth responses, to [Page 781] probe and clarify, and to ask for examples in the case of interviews.

However, it is less common in accounts of research to find an explicit rationale for the choice of research paradigm (e.g., qualitative, quantitative, postmodern, critical/subtle realist). This may be because authors are less critically reflexive about the overriding perspective they bring to their research endeavor or simply because this has not historically been expected or required in accounts of research. Certainly, the word limits imposed by editors and publishers on contributors to some journals often preclude detailed consideration of one's ontological position.

Another area within qualitative research where explanation or rationale may sometimes appear to be lacking is choice of approach or methodology (e.g., grounded theory, narrative approach, discourse analysis). This is sometimes because the explanation is implicitly woven into the description of the methodology. For example, in writing about one's choice of grounded theory as the theoretical underpinning in a research project, one is likely to allude to the lack of prior research or theorizing about the social process being explored and to cite the work of Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss in explaining how theory will be created and that it will be rooted in, or “grounded” in, the data generated. Thus, the implicit justification for the choice of grounded theory may be that no theory currently exists to explain a particular social phenomenon or that changing cultures and practices mean that existing theoretical explanations need to be tested and challenged with reference to new data.

Why Justification is Considered Necessary

In posing the question “Why am I doing this research?,” perhaps the most obvious response is “In order to answer a particular research question,” and indeed the intellectual and/or and practical problem prompting the research endeavor should feature prominently in any account of it.

In considering why qualitative research particularly is being carried out, the explanation is likely to include reference to a social phenomenon requiring in-depth investigation that will provide rich, complex, and detailed information about not only the object of inquiry but also the context in which it occurs. The justification may include an acknowledgment that the exact form of the inquiry is likely to be flexible and at least partly dependent on emerging ideas and theories once the project has commenced.

Linda Finlay, for example, described how an interest in and a desire to learn more about the personal experiences of people with multiple sclerosis led her to adopt a phenomenological approach involving case studies with people diagnosed with this condition. The aim of the researcher working within an existential–phenomenological tradition is to ask “What is this kind of experience like?” Finlay carried out in-depth interviews with her participants. She believed that it was important to remain open to their stories as they emerged and used questions such as “Can you describe a typical day?” and “Can you describe that particular incident in more detail?” to elicit detailed personal accounts about how multiple sclerosis affects people's lives—their roles, their aspirations, their relationships, and ultimately their sense of self. Finlay showed how phenomenology can illuminate the depth of individual experience and provided a convincing justification for the use of qualitative research approaches in general and phenomenology in particular.

An important point here is that the way in which the research problem is described, the research question is framed, and the description of the subsequent methodology and methods is adopted to address the question should be ontologically coherent. For example, a discourse analyst is unlikely to be interested in exploring people's beliefs or attitudes but will be interested in how talk and text function in the social world to perform certain actions and the resources that inform how these texts are constituted.

In reality, the answer to the question of why someone is involved in a particular research project is likely to be complex. Jennifer Mason, for example, argued that it is important to include the sociopolitical context and moral/ethical dimensions in thinking about why research is being carried out. For example, research carried out as part of a master's or PhD program is undertaken in part to fulfill academic requirements and enable the researcher to gain the degree. Research carried out within a feminist or participatory framework is likely to have additional sociopolitical objectives around giving a voice to groups often disenfranchised in more traditional sorts of research. In acknowledging these additional motivations, Mason argued that one is more likely to recognize tensions and conflicts, to think reflexively about one's own role [Page 782] in the research, to plan systematically, and to behave ethically.

How the Case for Research is Made

The way in which research justification is provided depends to a large extent on the form of text in which it is required. One of the important considerations is the space or word length that one has available to create a rationale for research enterprise. However, there are different conventions about the sorts of material to include in constituting a rationale that are also contingent on the type of text being produced. This section addresses research justification in three types of documents: research proposals or plans submitted as part of funded grant applications, papers or articles, and dissertations or theses.

In each of these three types of documents, the literature review will play a key role in establishing the rationale for the research study to be undertaken. Shane Thomas identified a number of ways of achieving this. First, there is a need to demonstrate that the question the research project has been designed to answer has not been addressed previously. This can be achieved by demonstrating that one has carried out a systematic and thorough search of the literature, often using electronic resources. In this instance, it is usual to include the keywords used to search, the electronic databases included, and the years covered. Use of previous literature to demonstrate that other eminent researchers have considered the same area and topic to be worth investigating is also a compelling way to justify one's study. Researchers frequently identify areas for further research toward the conclusions of their studies, and these can be cited in support of one's own case.

A second form of justification used to support the case for research is to illustrate that a lot of people are affected by the problem to be investigated and that it consumes a lot of resources and/or has unfortunate consequences (e.g., creating a burden of disability, resulting in chronic pain). In research exploring older people's perceptions about falls, falling, and interventions to prevent falling, for example, most researchers in this area will cite the frequently quoted statistic that one in three people over 65 years of age falls every year. This may be accompanied by information about the potential consequences of a fall such as fractures, anxiety, and admission to a nursing home.

Another strategy that may be used in support of a particular research study is to show how, by addressing this one specific research question, insight might be provided into other problems of a similar nature. For example, evidence-based guidelines have recently been published on the Prevention of Falls Network Europe (ProFaNE) website ( http://www.profane.eu.org ), suggesting ways of increasing older people's uptake of and adherence to fall-prevention strategies. In making a case to investigate how and why older people respond to these suggestions, for example, it would seem reasonable to argue that such research might shed light not only on perspectives in relation to fall prevention but also on other public health issues affecting older people such as cardiovascular fitness and the benefits of regular exercise.

In addition to the practical benefits to be accrued from undertaking research, one can argue that important insights will be gained in terms of theory development, which in turn might also have a broader impact. To pursue the previous example, one could argue that by further developing theory around adherence to fall prevention interventions by older people, such as the barriers and facilitators to adherence, one might develop theoretical insights that would be useful in relation to other health interventions for older people such as medication.

Finally, Thomas described the case for improved services or treatment as a strategy to provide a justification for research. Much research in the public domain is funded through government bodies or charities. For example, in considering health research in the United Kingdom, the Department of Health, through its research and development initiative, has funded a considerable amount of health-focused research, as have the medical charities such as the Parkinson's Disease Society and Action Medical Research. The usual process of applying for research funding is to submit a grant application, often accompanied by a research proposal, in response to a call for proposals issued by the funding body. These may have specific remits and objectives or, alternatively, may ask applicants to identify their own focus, but they identify general criteria that the applications should fulfill.

In writing a grant proposal, one of the primary considerations that the funding body will be checking is that the application expressly meets the aims of the call for proposals. This is usually considered both by considering the aims and objectives of the proposal and by reviewing the introduction, background, and literature review to ensure that a well-argued, well-evidenced, [Page 783] and robust case has been made. The funding body will also scrutinize the proposed methods and funding details to ensure that the proposed process appears realistic, is likely to meet the objectives, and seems feasible. The experience of the researcher, particularly in managing previous funded research projects, is also pertinent.

The focus in applications for funded research, then, is on demonstrating that, as a researcher, one is familiar with the field of study, knows of relevant previous research and can see the potential to contribute a new and valuable perspective, has the capacity to successfully organize and conduct a research study, and is likely to disseminate findings effectively. These considerations will be closely linked with the funding organization's own mission and objectives. Because the reviewers might not have expertise in the specific methodology being proposed, the focus perhaps tends to fall on the practical use and application of the research and the capacity of the applicant rather than on more abstract theoretical concerns.

In written papers or articles, the researcher as author may be able to focus more on the justification for using a particular methodology to address a specific question and, depending on word length, may be able to expand on the previous literature in the field. Whereas experienced and well-resourced grant-awarding bodies may expect detailed critique and justification of the research approach to be adopted, editors of highly respected peer-reviewed journals will certainly expect these points to be addressed, albeit succinctly.

Research dissertations and theses clearly have longer maximum word limits, thereby permitting researchers/authors to write in depth. However, conventions surrounding how this is addressed in theses are also subtly different in comparison with the texts described previously. To clearly demonstrate to examiners that the authors/students clearly understand the nature of what they are doing and the traditions within which they are working, justification of all elements of the research is required, including the aim and purpose, paradigm, particular methodology adopted, methods used, and form of analysis. For students, therefore, the production of the literature review is a key opportunity to demonstrate a critical capacity and the ability to marshal one's arguments effectively.

• justification
• Social Sciences, Qualitative Research in
• Understanding

Further Readings

• Researcher Sensitivity
• Research Literature
• A/r/tography
• Action Research
• Advocacy Research
• Applied Research
• Appreciative Inquiry
• Artifact Analysis
• Arts-Based Research
• Arts-Informed Research
• Autobiography
• Autoethnography
• Basic Research
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• Discourse Analysis
• Document Analysis
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• Evaluation Research
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• Methodological Holism Versus Individualism
• Methodology
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• Phenomenography
• Phenomenology
• Place/Space in Qualitative Research
• Playbuilding
• Portraiture
• Program Evaluation
• Q Methodology
• Readers Theater
• Social Justice
• Social Network Analysis
• Survey Research
• Systemic Inquiry
• Theatre of the Oppressed
• Transformational Methods
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• Value-Free Inquiry
• Virtual Ethnography
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• Bricolage and Bricoleur
• Connoisseurship
• Dance in Qualitative Research
• Ethnopoetics
• Fictional Writing
• Film and Video in Qualitative Research
• Literature in Qualitative Research
• Multimedia in Qualitative Research
• Music in Qualitative Research
• Photographs in Qualitative Research
• Photonovella and Photovoice
• Poetry in Qualitative Research
• Researcher as Artist
• Storytelling
• Visual Research
• Association for Qualitative Research (AQR)
• Center for Interpretive and Qualitative Research
• International Association of Qualitative Inquiry
• International Institute for Qualitative Methodology
• ResearchTalk, Inc.
• ATLAS.ti"(Software)
• Computer-Assisted Data Analysis
• Diction (Software)
• Ethnograph (Software)
• Framework (Software)
• HyperRESEARCH (Software)
• MAXqda (Software)
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• SuperHyperQual (Software)
• TextQuest (Software)
• Transana (Software)
• Analytic Induction
• ATLAS.ti" (Software)
• Audience Analysis
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• Descriptive Statistics
• Discursive Practice
• Diversity Issues
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• Emic/Etic Distinction
• Emotions in Qualitative Research
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• Ethnostatistics
• Evaluation Criteria
• Everyday Life
• Experiential Knowledge
• Explanation
• Gender Issues
• Heteroglossia
• Historical Context
• Horizonalization
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• In Vivo Coding
• Indexicality
• Interpretation
• Intertextuality
• Liminal Perspective
• Literature Review
• Lived Experience
• Marginalization
• Membership Categorization Device Analysis (MCDA)
• Memos and Memoing
• Meta-Narrative
• Negative Case Analysis
• Nonverbal Communication
• Open Coding
• Peer Review
• Psychological Generalization
• Rapid Assessment Process
• Reconstructive Analysis
• Recursivity
• Reflexivity
• Research Diaries and Journals
• Researcher as Instrument
• Response Groups
• Rhythmanalysis
• Rigor in Qualitative Research
• Secondary Analysis
• Selective Coding
• Situatedness
• Social Context
• Systematic Sociological Introspection
• Tacit Knowledge
• Textual Analysis
• Thematic Coding and Analysis
• Theoretical Memoing
• Theoretical Saturation
• Thick Description
• Transcription
• Typological Analysis
• Video Intervention/Prevention Assessment
• Visual Data
• Visual Data Displays
• Writing Process
• Active Listening
• Audiorecording
• Captive Population
• Closed Question
• Cognitive Interview
• Convenience Sample
• Convergent Interviewing
• Conversational Interviewing
• Covert Observation
• Critical Incident Technique
• Data Archive
• Data Collection
• Data Generation
• Data Security
• Data Storage
• Diaries and Journals
• Email Interview
• Focus Groups
• Free Association Narrative Interview
• In-Depth Interview
• In-Person Interview
• Interactive Focus Groups
• Interactive Interview
• Interview Guide
• Interviewing
• Leaving the Field
• Life Stories
• Narrative Interview
• Narrative Texts
• Natural Setting
• Naturalistic Data
• Naturalistic Observation
• Negotiating Exit
• Neutral Question
• Neutrality in Qualitative Research
• Nonparticipant Observation
• Nonprobability Sampling
• Observation Schedule
• Open-Ended Question
• Participant Observation
• Peer Debriefing
• Pilot Study
• Probes and Probing
• Projective Techniques
• Prolonged Engagement
• Psychoanalytically Informed Observation
• Purposive Sampling
• Quota Sampling
• Random Sampling
• Recruiting Participants
• Research Problem
• Research Question
• Research Setting
• Research Team
• Researcher Roles
• Researcher Safety
• Sample Size
• Sampling Frame
• Secondary Data
• Semi-Structured Interview
• Sensitizing Concepts
• Serendipity
• Snowball Sampling
• Stratified Sampling
• Structured Interview
• Structured Observation
• Subjectivity Statement
• Telephone Interview
• Theoretical Sampling
• Triangulation
• Unstructured Interview
• Unstructured Observation
• Videorecording
• Virtual Interview
• Ethnography (Journal)
• Field Methods (Journal)
• Forum: Qualitative Social Research (Journal)
• International Journal of Qualitative Methods
• Journal of Contemporary Ethnography
• Journal of Mixed Methods Research
• Narrative Inquiry (Journal)
• Oral History Review (Journal)
• Qualitative Health Research (Journal)
• Qualitative Inquiry (Journal)
• Qualitative Report, The (Journal)
• Qualitative Research (Journal)
• Advances in Qualitative Methods Conference
• Ethnographic and Qualitative Research Conference
• First-Person Voice
• Interdisciplinary Qualitative Studies Conference
• International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry
• International Human Science Research Conference
• Publishing and Publication
• Qualitative Health Research Conference
• Representational Forms of Dissemination
• Research Proposal
• Education, Qualitative Research in
• Evolution of Qualitative Research
• Health Sciences, Qualitative Research in
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• Politics of Qualitative Research
• Qualitative Research, History of
• Confidentiality
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• Writing Tips

How to Justify Your Methods in a Thesis or Dissertation

4-minute read

• 1st May 2023

Writing a thesis or dissertation is hard work. You’ve devoted countless hours to your research, and you want your results to be taken seriously. But how does your professor or evaluating committee know that they can trust your results? You convince them by justifying your research methods.

What Does Justifying Your Methods Mean?

In simple terms, your methods are the tools you use to obtain your data, and the justification (which is also called the methodology ) is the analysis of those tools. In your justification, your goal is to demonstrate that your research is both rigorously conducted and replicable so your audience recognizes that your results are legitimate.

The formatting and structure of your justification will depend on your field of study and your institution’s requirements, but below, we’ve provided questions to ask yourself as you outline your justification.

Why Did You Choose Your Method of Gathering Data?

Does your study rely on quantitative data, qualitative data, or both? Certain types of data work better for certain studies. How did you choose to gather that data? Evaluate your approach to collecting data in light of your research question. Did you consider any alternative approaches? If so, why did you decide not to use them? Highlight the pros and cons of various possible methods if necessary. Research results aren’t valid unless the data are valid, so you have to convince your reader that they are.

How Did You Evaluate Your Data?

Collecting your data was only the first part of your study. Once you had them, how did you use them? Do your results involve cross-referencing? If so, how was this accomplished? Which statistical analyses did you run, and why did you choose them? Are they common in your field? How did you make sure your data were statistically significant ? Is your effect size small, medium, or large? Numbers don’t always lend themselves to an obvious outcome. Here, you want to provide a clear link between the Methods and Results sections of your paper.

Did You Use Any Unconventional Approaches in Your Study?

Most fields have standard approaches to the research they use, but these approaches don’t work for every project. Did you use methods that other fields normally use, or did you need to come up with a different way of obtaining your data? Your reader will look at unconventional approaches with a more critical eye. Acknowledge the limitations of your method, but explain why the strengths of the method outweigh those limitations.

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What Relevant Sources Can You Cite?

You can strengthen your justification by referencing existing research in your field. Citing these references can demonstrate that you’ve followed established practices for your type of research. Or you can discuss how you decided on your approach by evaluating other studies. Highlight the use of established techniques, tools, and measurements in your study. If you used an unconventional approach, justify it by providing evidence of a gap in the existing literature.

Two Final Tips:

●  When you’re writing your justification, write for your audience. Your purpose here is to provide more than a technical list of details and procedures. This section should focus more on the why and less on the how .

●  Consider your methodology as you’re conducting your research. Take thorough notes as you work to make sure you capture all the necessary details correctly. Eliminating any possible confusion or ambiguity will go a long way toward helping your justification.

In Conclusion:

Your goal in writing your justification is to explain not only the decisions you made but also the reasoning behind those decisions. It should be overwhelmingly clear to your audience that your study used the best possible methods to answer your research question. Properly justifying your methods will let your audience know that your research was effective and its results are valid.

Want more writing tips? Check out Proofed’s Writing Tips and Academic Writing Tips blogs. And once you’ve written your thesis or dissertation, consider sending it to us. Our editors will be happy to check your grammar, spelling, and punctuation to make sure your document is the best it can be. Check out our services for free .

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How to Write the Rationale for a Research Paper

• Research Process
• Peer Review

A research rationale answers the big SO WHAT? that every adviser, peer reviewer, and editor has in mind when they critique your work. A compelling research rationale increases the chances of your paper being published or your grant proposal being funded. In this article, we look at the purpose of a research rationale, its components and key characteristics, and how to create an effective research rationale.

Updated on September 19, 2022

The rationale for your research is the reason why you decided to conduct the study in the first place. The motivation for asking the question. The knowledge gap. This is often the most significant part of your publication. It justifies the study's purpose, novelty, and significance for science or society. It's a critical part of standard research articles as well as funding proposals.

Essentially, the research rationale answers the big SO WHAT? that every (good) adviser, peer reviewer, and editor has in mind when they critique your work.

A compelling research rationale increases the chances of your paper being published or your grant proposal being funded. In this article, we look at:

• the purpose of a research rationale
• its components and key characteristics
• how to create an effective research rationale

What is a research rationale?

Think of a research rationale as a set of reasons that explain why a study is necessary and important based on its background. It's also known as the justification of the study, rationale, or thesis statement.

Essentially, you want to convince your reader that you're not reciting what other people have already said and that your opinion hasn't appeared out of thin air. You've done the background reading and identified a knowledge gap that this rationale now explains.

A research rationale is usually written toward the end of the introduction. You'll see this section clearly in high-impact-factor international journals like Nature and Science. At the end of the introduction there's always a phrase that begins with something like, "here we show..." or "in this paper we show..." This text is part of a logical sequence of information, typically (but not necessarily) provided in this order:

Here's an example from a study by Cataldo et al. (2021) on the impact of social media on teenagers' lives.

Note how the research background, gap, rationale, and objectives logically blend into each other.

The authors chose to put the research aims before the rationale. This is not a problem though. They still achieve a logical sequence. This helps the reader follow their thinking and convinces them about their research's foundation.

Elements of a research rationale

We saw that the research rationale follows logically from the research background and literature review/observation and leads into your study's aims and objectives.

This might sound somewhat abstract. A helpful way to formulate a research rationale is to answer the question, “Why is this study necessary and important?”

Generally, that something has never been done before should not be your only motivation. Use it only If you can give the reader valid evidence why we should learn more about this specific phenomenon.

A well-written introduction covers three key elements:

• What's the background to the research?
• What has been done before (information relevant to this particular study, but NOT a literature review)?
• Research rationale

Now, let's see how you might answer the question.

1. This study complements scientific knowledge and understanding

Discuss the shortcomings of previous studies and explain how'll correct them. Your short review can identify:

• Methodological limitations . The methodology (research design, research approach or sampling) employed in previous works is somewhat flawed.

Example : Here , the authors claim that previous studies have failed to explore the role of apathy “as a predictor of functional decline in healthy older adults” (Burhan et al., 2021). At the same time, we know a lot about other age-related neuropsychiatric disorders, like depression.

Their study is necessary, then, “to increase our understanding of the cognitive, clinical, and neural correlates of apathy and deconstruct its underlying mechanisms.” (Burhan et al., 2021).

• Contextual limitations . External factors have changed and this has minimized or removed the relevance of previous research.

Example : You want to do an empirical study to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the number of tourists visiting Sicily. Previous studies might have measured tourism determinants in Sicily, but they preceded COVID-19.

• Conceptual limitations . Previous studies are too bound to a specific ideology or a theoretical framework.

Example : The work of English novelist E. M. Forster has been extensively researched for its social, political, and aesthetic dimensions. After the 1990s, younger scholars wanted to read his novels as an example of gay fiction. They justified the need to do so based on previous studies' reliance on homophobic ideology.

This kind of rationale is most common in basic/theoretical research.

2. This study can help solve a specific problem

Here, you base your rationale on a process that has a problem or is not satisfactory.

For example, patients complain about low-quality hospital care on weekends (staff shortages, inadequate attention, etc.). No one has looked into this (there is a lack of data). So, you explore if the reported problems are true and what can be done to address them. This is a knowledge gap.

Or you set out to explore a specific practice. You might want to study the pros and cons of several entry strategies into the Japanese food market.

It's vital to explain the problem in detail and stress the practical benefits of its solution. In the first example, the practical implications are recommendations to improve healthcare provision.

In the second example, the impact of your research is to inform the decision-making of businesses wanting to enter the Japanese food market.

This kind of rationale is more common in applied/practical research.

3. You're the best person to conduct this study

It's a bonus if you can show that you're uniquely positioned to deliver this study, especially if you're writing a funding proposal .

For an anthropologist wanting to explore gender norms in Ethiopia, this could be that they speak Amharic (Ethiopia's official language) and have already lived in the country for a few years (ethnographic experience).

Or if you want to conduct an interdisciplinary research project, consider partnering up with collaborators whose expertise complements your own. Scientists from different fields might bring different skills and a fresh perspective or have access to the latest tech and equipment. Teaming up with reputable collaborators justifies the need for a study by increasing its credibility and likely impact.

When is the research rationale written?

You can write your research rationale before, or after, conducting the study.

In the first case, when you might have a new research idea, and you're applying for funding to implement it.

Or you're preparing a call for papers for a journal special issue or a conference. Here , for instance, the authors seek to collect studies on the impact of apathy on age-related neuropsychiatric disorders.

In the second case, you have completed the study and are writing a research paper for publication. Looking back, you explain why you did the study in question and how it worked out.

Although the research rationale is part of the introduction, it's best to write it at the end. Stand back from your study and look at it in the big picture. At this point, it's easier to convince your reader why your study was both necessary and important.

How long should a research rationale be?

The length of the research rationale is not fixed. Ideally, this will be determined by the guidelines (of your journal, sponsor etc.).

The prestigious journal Nature , for instance, calls for articles to be no more than 6 or 8 pages, depending on the content. The introduction should be around 200 words, and, as mentioned, two to three sentences serve as a brief account of the background and rationale of the study, and come at the end of the introduction.

If you're not provided guidelines, consider these factors:

• Research document : In a thesis or book-length study, the research rationale will be longer than in a journal article. For example, the background and rationale of this book exploring the collective memory of World War I cover more than ten pages.
• Research question : Research into a new sub-field may call for a longer or more detailed justification than a study that plugs a gap in literature.

Which verb tenses to use in the research rationale?

It's best to use the present tense. Though in a research proposal, the research rationale is likely written in the future tense, as you're describing the intended or expected outcomes of the research project (the gaps it will fill, the problems it will solve).

Example of a research rationale

Research question : What are the teachers' perceptions of how a sense of European identity is developed and what underlies such perceptions?

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology , 3(2), 77-101.

Burhan, A.M., Yang, J., & Inagawa, T. (2021). Impact of apathy on aging and age-related neuropsychiatric disorders. Research Topic. Frontiers in Psychiatry

Cataldo, I., Lepri, B., Neoh, M. J. Y., & Esposito, G. (2021). Social media usage and development of psychiatric disorders in childhood and adolescence: A review. Frontiers in Psychiatry , 11.

CiCe Jean Monnet Network (2017). Guidelines for citizenship education in school: Identities and European citizenship children's identity and citizenship in Europe.

Cohen, l, Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2018). Research methods in education . Eighth edition. London: Routledge.

de Prat, R. C. (2013). Euroscepticism, Europhobia and Eurocriticism: The radical parties of the right and left “vis-à-vis” the European Union P.I.E-Peter Lang S.A., Éditions Scientifiques Internationales.

European Commission. (2017). Eurydice Brief: Citizenship education at school in Europe.

Polyakova, A., & Fligstein, N. (2016). Is European integration causing Europe to become more nationalist? Evidence from the 2007–9 financial crisis. Journal of European Public Policy , 23(1), 60-83.

Winter, J. (2014). Sites of Memory, Sites of Mourning: The Great War in European Cultural History . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

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• THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Over the years justification and significance of study has always been confusing to students especially the undergraduate students. I have seen lots of undergraduate research works that students write justification of the study thinking it was significance of the study. These mistakes are not only seen at undergraduate level but also with project supervisors.

        Justification of the study and significance of the study are always very important in all research works. There is no research work that does not contain significance of the study or justification of the study. The positioning might differ depending on the requirement or the format demanded by the tertiary institution a student finds his/her self. But the most important thing is that a student understands when and why having a significance of the study or justification of the study is very important.

        The justification of the study is mostly preferred by supervisors working with post graduate students during the MBA thesis or dissertation; though some supervisors still demand for justification of the study in place of significance of the study from their undergraduate students.

The Justification And Significance Of Study Nexus

The correlation between justification of the study and significance of the study is that they are both found on the chapter one of any research project work. We all know that all chapters one of any undergraduate research project work are numbered. You can see the position of justification and significance of the study as shown below:

Chapter one: Introduction

• background of the study
• statement of the problem
• aim and objectives of the study
• research questions
• statement of the hypothesis
• significance or justification of the study
• scope of the study
• limitation/delimitation of the study
• operational definition of terms

You can see from the table of content for the chapter one of a complete project/research work; the significance of the study or justification of the study is at number 1.6 though it might change depending on the topic you are working on. It can also change depending on the department upon which the project is carried out. The table of content of the chapter one presented above is basically for the project topics under the education departments ; but those from other departments might differ especially those under history and international relations .

The Difference Between Justification And Significance Of The Study

The justification of the study is basically why a particular research work was carried out. What was the problem identified that made a student want to carry out such research work. Here you will also capture why the methodology was adopted and also why the experiment was conducted; could it be practical or scholastic purposes.

        The significance of the study is actually all about what was found during the research work. The findings could be the nature of the relationship between one variable and the other. This result will be gotten by the use of statistical tools like chi-square, correlation, regression, MANOVA, ANOVA etc; then you back it up with some empirical findings.

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Home » Background of The Study – Examples and Writing Guide

Background of The Study – Examples and Writing Guide

Table of Contents

Background of The Study

Definition:

Background of the study refers to the context, circumstances, and history that led to the research problem or topic being studied. It provides the reader with a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter and the significance of the study.

The background of the study usually includes a discussion of the relevant literature, the gap in knowledge or understanding, and the research questions or hypotheses to be addressed. It also highlights the importance of the research topic and its potential contributions to the field. A well-written background of the study sets the stage for the research and helps the reader to appreciate the need for the study and its potential significance.

How to Write Background of The Study

Here are some steps to help you write the background of the study:

Identify the Research Problem

Start by identifying the research problem you are trying to address. This problem should be significant and relevant to your field of study.

Provide Context

Once you have identified the research problem, provide some context. This could include the historical, social, or political context of the problem.

Review Literature

Conduct a thorough review of the existing literature on the topic. This will help you understand what has been studied and what gaps exist in the current research.

Identify Research Gap

Based on your literature review, identify the gap in knowledge or understanding that your research aims to address. This gap will be the focus of your research question or hypothesis.

State Objectives

Clearly state the objectives of your research . These should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).

Discuss Significance

Explain the significance of your research. This could include its potential impact on theory , practice, policy, or society.

Finally, summarize the key points of the background of the study. This will help the reader understand the research problem, its context, and its significance.

How to Write Background of The Study in Proposal

The background of the study is an essential part of any proposal as it sets the stage for the research project and provides the context and justification for why the research is needed. Here are the steps to write a compelling background of the study in your proposal:

• Identify the problem: Clearly state the research problem or gap in the current knowledge that you intend to address through your research.
• Provide context: Provide a brief overview of the research area and highlight its significance in the field.
• Review literature: Summarize the relevant literature related to the research problem and provide a critical evaluation of the current state of knowledge.
• Identify gaps : Identify the gaps or limitations in the existing literature and explain how your research will contribute to filling these gaps.
• Justify the study : Explain why your research is important and what practical or theoretical contributions it can make to the field.
• Highlight objectives: Clearly state the objectives of the study and how they relate to the research problem.
• Discuss methodology: Provide an overview of the methodology you will use to collect and analyze data, and explain why it is appropriate for the research problem.
• Conclude : Summarize the key points of the background of the study and explain how they support your research proposal.

How to Write Background of The Study In Thesis

The background of the study is a critical component of a thesis as it provides context for the research problem, rationale for conducting the study, and the significance of the research. Here are some steps to help you write a strong background of the study:

• Identify the research problem : Start by identifying the research problem that your thesis is addressing. What is the issue that you are trying to solve or explore? Be specific and concise in your problem statement.
• Review the literature: Conduct a thorough review of the relevant literature on the topic. This should include scholarly articles, books, and other sources that are directly related to your research question.
• I dentify gaps in the literature: After reviewing the literature, identify any gaps in the existing research. What questions remain unanswered? What areas have not been explored? This will help you to establish the need for your research.
• Establish the significance of the research: Clearly state the significance of your research. Why is it important to address this research problem? What are the potential implications of your research? How will it contribute to the field?
• Provide an overview of the research design: Provide an overview of the research design and methodology that you will be using in your study. This should include a brief explanation of the research approach, data collection methods, and data analysis techniques.
• State the research objectives and research questions: Clearly state the research objectives and research questions that your study aims to answer. These should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
• Summarize the chapter: Summarize the chapter by highlighting the key points and linking them back to the research problem, significance of the study, and research questions.

How to Write Background of The Study in Research Paper

Here are the steps to write the background of the study in a research paper:

• Identify the research problem: Start by identifying the research problem that your study aims to address. This can be a particular issue, a gap in the literature, or a need for further investigation.
• Conduct a literature review: Conduct a thorough literature review to gather information on the topic, identify existing studies, and understand the current state of research. This will help you identify the gap in the literature that your study aims to fill.
• Explain the significance of the study: Explain why your study is important and why it is necessary. This can include the potential impact on the field, the importance to society, or the need to address a particular issue.
• Provide context: Provide context for the research problem by discussing the broader social, economic, or political context that the study is situated in. This can help the reader understand the relevance of the study and its potential implications.
• State the research questions and objectives: State the research questions and objectives that your study aims to address. This will help the reader understand the scope of the study and its purpose.
• Summarize the methodology : Briefly summarize the methodology you used to conduct the study, including the data collection and analysis methods. This can help the reader understand how the study was conducted and its reliability.

Examples of Background of The Study

Here are some examples of the background of the study:

Problem : The prevalence of obesity among children in the United States has reached alarming levels, with nearly one in five children classified as obese.

Significance : Obesity in childhood is associated with numerous negative health outcomes, including increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers.

Gap in knowledge : Despite efforts to address the obesity epidemic, rates continue to rise. There is a need for effective interventions that target the unique needs of children and their families.

Problem : The use of antibiotics in agriculture has contributed to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which poses a significant threat to human health.

Significance : Antibiotic-resistant infections are responsible for thousands of deaths each year and are a major public health concern.

Gap in knowledge: While there is a growing body of research on the use of antibiotics in agriculture, there is still much to be learned about the mechanisms of resistance and the most effective strategies for reducing antibiotic use.

Edxample 3:

Problem : Many low-income communities lack access to healthy food options, leading to high rates of food insecurity and diet-related diseases.

Significance : Poor nutrition is a major contributor to chronic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

Gap in knowledge : While there have been efforts to address food insecurity, there is a need for more research on the barriers to accessing healthy food in low-income communities and effective strategies for increasing access.

Examples of Background of The Study In Research

Here are some real-life examples of how the background of the study can be written in different fields of study:

Example 1 : “There has been a significant increase in the incidence of diabetes in recent years. This has led to an increased demand for effective diabetes management strategies. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a new diabetes management program in improving patient outcomes.”

Example 2 : “The use of social media has become increasingly prevalent in modern society. Despite its popularity, little is known about the effects of social media use on mental health. This study aims to investigate the relationship between social media use and mental health in young adults.”

Example 3: “Despite significant advancements in cancer treatment, the survival rate for patients with pancreatic cancer remains low. The purpose of this study is to identify potential biomarkers that can be used to improve early detection and treatment of pancreatic cancer.”

Examples of Background of The Study in Proposal

Here are some real-time examples of the background of the study in a proposal:

Example 1 : The prevalence of mental health issues among university students has been increasing over the past decade. This study aims to investigate the causes and impacts of mental health issues on academic performance and wellbeing.

Example 2 : Climate change is a global issue that has significant implications for agriculture in developing countries. This study aims to examine the adaptive capacity of smallholder farmers to climate change and identify effective strategies to enhance their resilience.

Example 3 : The use of social media in political campaigns has become increasingly common in recent years. This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of social media campaigns in mobilizing young voters and influencing their voting behavior.

Example 4 : Employee turnover is a major challenge for organizations, especially in the service sector. This study aims to identify the key factors that influence employee turnover in the hospitality industry and explore effective strategies for reducing turnover rates.

Examples of Background of The Study in Thesis

Here are some real-time examples of the background of the study in the thesis:

Example 1 : “Women’s participation in the workforce has increased significantly over the past few decades. However, women continue to be underrepresented in leadership positions, particularly in male-dominated industries such as technology. This study aims to examine the factors that contribute to the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles in the technology industry, with a focus on organizational culture and gender bias.”

Example 2 : “Mental health is a critical component of overall health and well-being. Despite increased awareness of the importance of mental health, there are still significant gaps in access to mental health services, particularly in low-income and rural communities. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a community-based mental health intervention in improving mental health outcomes in underserved populations.”

Example 3: “The use of technology in education has become increasingly widespread, with many schools adopting online learning platforms and digital resources. However, there is limited research on the impact of technology on student learning outcomes and engagement. This study aims to explore the relationship between technology use and academic achievement among middle school students, as well as the factors that mediate this relationship.”

Examples of Background of The Study in Research Paper

Here are some examples of how the background of the study can be written in various fields:

Example 1: The prevalence of obesity has been on the rise globally, with the World Health Organization reporting that approximately 650 million adults were obese in 2016. Obesity is a major risk factor for several chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. In recent years, several interventions have been proposed to address this issue, including lifestyle changes, pharmacotherapy, and bariatric surgery. However, there is a lack of consensus on the most effective intervention for obesity management. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of different interventions for obesity management and identify the most effective one.

Example 2: Antibiotic resistance has become a major public health threat worldwide. Infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria are associated with longer hospital stays, higher healthcare costs, and increased mortality. The inappropriate use of antibiotics is one of the main factors contributing to the development of antibiotic resistance. Despite numerous efforts to promote the rational use of antibiotics, studies have shown that many healthcare providers continue to prescribe antibiotics inappropriately. This study aims to explore the factors influencing healthcare providers’ prescribing behavior and identify strategies to improve antibiotic prescribing practices.

Example 3: Social media has become an integral part of modern communication, with millions of people worldwide using platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Social media has several advantages, including facilitating communication, connecting people, and disseminating information. However, social media use has also been associated with several negative outcomes, including cyberbullying, addiction, and mental health problems. This study aims to investigate the impact of social media use on mental health and identify the factors that mediate this relationship.

Purpose of Background of The Study

The primary purpose of the background of the study is to help the reader understand the rationale for the research by presenting the historical, theoretical, and empirical background of the problem.

More specifically, the background of the study aims to:

• Provide a clear understanding of the research problem and its context.
• Identify the gap in knowledge that the study intends to fill.
• Establish the significance of the research problem and its potential contribution to the field.
• Highlight the key concepts, theories, and research findings related to the problem.
• Provide a rationale for the research questions or hypotheses and the research design.
• Identify the limitations and scope of the study.

When to Write Background of The Study

The background of the study should be written early on in the research process, ideally before the research design is finalized and data collection begins. This allows the researcher to clearly articulate the rationale for the study and establish a strong foundation for the research.

The background of the study typically comes after the introduction but before the literature review section. It should provide an overview of the research problem and its context, and also introduce the key concepts, theories, and research findings related to the problem.

Writing the background of the study early on in the research process also helps to identify potential gaps in knowledge and areas for further investigation, which can guide the development of the research questions or hypotheses and the research design. By establishing the significance of the research problem and its potential contribution to the field, the background of the study can also help to justify the research and secure funding or support from stakeholders.

Advantage of Background of The Study

The background of the study has several advantages, including:

• Provides context: The background of the study provides context for the research problem by highlighting the historical, theoretical, and empirical background of the problem. This allows the reader to understand the research problem in its broader context and appreciate its significance.
• Identifies gaps in knowledge: By reviewing the existing literature related to the research problem, the background of the study can identify gaps in knowledge that the study intends to fill. This helps to establish the novelty and originality of the research and its potential contribution to the field.
• Justifies the research : The background of the study helps to justify the research by demonstrating its significance and potential impact. This can be useful in securing funding or support for the research.
• Guides the research design: The background of the study can guide the development of the research questions or hypotheses and the research design by identifying key concepts, theories, and research findings related to the problem. This ensures that the research is grounded in existing knowledge and is designed to address the research problem effectively.
• Establishes credibility: By demonstrating the researcher’s knowledge of the field and the research problem, the background of the study can establish the researcher’s credibility and expertise, which can enhance the trustworthiness and validity of the research.

Disadvantages of Background of The Study

Some Disadvantages of Background of The Study are as follows:

• Time-consuming : Writing a comprehensive background of the study can be time-consuming, especially if the research problem is complex and multifaceted. This can delay the research process and impact the timeline for completing the study.
• Repetitive: The background of the study can sometimes be repetitive, as it often involves summarizing existing research and theories related to the research problem. This can be tedious for the reader and may make the section less engaging.
• Limitations of existing research: The background of the study can reveal the limitations of existing research related to the problem. This can create challenges for the researcher in developing research questions or hypotheses that address the gaps in knowledge identified in the background of the study.
• Bias : The researcher’s biases and perspectives can influence the content and tone of the background of the study. This can impact the reader’s perception of the research problem and may influence the validity of the research.
• Accessibility: Accessing and reviewing the literature related to the research problem can be challenging, especially if the researcher does not have access to a comprehensive database or if the literature is not available in the researcher’s language. This can limit the depth and scope of the background of the study.

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

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