{"id":5238,"date":"2026-06-23T01:20:44","date_gmt":"2026-06-23T01:20:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/?p=5238"},"modified":"2026-06-27T13:31:30","modified_gmt":"2026-06-27T13:31:30","slug":"what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is the Background of a Study and How to Write It: Annotated Examples, Templates, and Checklists"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_68 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#Glossary_of_Key_Terms\" title=\"Glossary of Key Terms\">Glossary of Key Terms<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#Key_Takeaways\" title=\"Key Takeaways\">Key Takeaways<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#What_Is_the_Background_of_a_Study\" title=\"What Is the Background of a Study?\">What Is the Background of a Study?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#Why_Is_the_Background_So_Important\" title=\"Why Is the Background So Important?\">Why Is the Background So Important?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#How_Does_the_Background_Differ_from_the_Introduction_and_the_Literature_Review\" title=\"How Does the Background Differ from the Introduction and the Literature Review?\">How Does the Background Differ from the Introduction and the Literature Review?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#How_Does_Background_Length_and_Format_Vary_by_Document_Type\" title=\"How Does Background Length and Format Vary by Document Type?\">How Does Background Length and Format Vary by Document Type?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#Basic_Research_vs_Applied_Research_Does_the_Background_Look_Different\" title=\"Basic Research vs. Applied Research: Does the Background Look Different?\">Basic Research vs. Applied Research: Does the Background Look Different?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#The_Funnel_Structure_The_Core_Organizing_Principle\" title=\"The Funnel Structure: The Core Organizing Principle\">The Funnel Structure: The Core Organizing Principle<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#Synthesis_vs_Summary_The_Most_Critical_Writing_Distinction\" title=\"Synthesis vs. Summary: The Most Critical Writing Distinction\">Synthesis vs. Summary: The Most Critical Writing Distinction<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#What_Is_the_Difference\" title=\"What Is the Difference?\">What Is the Difference?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#How_to_Synthesize_in_Practice\" title=\"How to Synthesize in Practice\">How to Synthesize in Practice<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#How_to_Calibrate_Background_Depth_to_Your_Target_Audience\" title=\"How to Calibrate Background Depth to Your Target Audience\">How to Calibrate Background Depth to Your Target Audience<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#How_to_Write_the_Background_A_Step-by-Step_Guide\" title=\"How to Write the Background: A Step-by-Step Guide\">How to Write the Background: A Step-by-Step Guide<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#Step_1_Define_Your_Topic_and_Set_the_Scope\" title=\"Step 1: Define Your Topic and Set the Scope\">Step 1: Define Your Topic and Set the Scope<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#Step_2_Search_and_Organize_the_Literature_Thematically\" title=\"Step 2: Search and Organize the Literature Thematically\">Step 2: Search and Organize the Literature Thematically<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#Step_3_Identify_Key_Themes_Controversies_and_Gaps\" title=\"Step 3: Identify Key Themes, Controversies, and Gaps\">Step 3: Identify Key Themes, Controversies, and Gaps<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#Step_4_Draft_the_Background_Using_the_Funnel_Structure\" title=\"Step 4: Draft the Background Using the Funnel Structure\">Step 4: Draft the Background Using the Funnel Structure<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#Step_5_Write_an_Explicit_Specific_Gap_Statement\" title=\"Step 5: Write an Explicit, Specific Gap Statement\">Step 5: Write an Explicit, Specific Gap Statement<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#Step_6_Connect_the_Gap_to_Your_Study_Purpose\" title=\"Step 6: Connect the Gap to Your Study Purpose\">Step 6: Connect the Gap to Your Study Purpose<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#Addressing_Controversies_Claims_and_Assumptions\" title=\"Addressing Controversies, Claims, and Assumptions\">Addressing Controversies, Claims, and Assumptions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#Three_Annotated_Examples_Across_Disciplines\" title=\"Three Annotated Examples Across Disciplines\">Three Annotated Examples Across Disciplines<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#Example_1_Physical_Sciences_Environmental_Chemistry\" title=\"Example 1: Physical Sciences (Environmental Chemistry)\">Example 1: Physical Sciences (Environmental Chemistry)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#Example_2_Biomedical_Science_Clinical_Oncology\" title=\"Example 2: Biomedical Science (Clinical Oncology)\">Example 2: Biomedical Science (Clinical Oncology)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#Example_3_Social_Sciences_Education_Policy\" title=\"Example 3: Social Sciences (Education Policy)\">Example 3: Social Sciences (Education Policy)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#Four-Paragraph_Template_for_a_Journal_Article_Background\" title=\"Four-Paragraph Template for a Journal Article Background\">Four-Paragraph Template for a Journal Article Background<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-26\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#Background_section_for_a_narrative_review_scoping_review_or_systematic_review\" title=\"Background section for a narrative review, scoping review, or systematic review\">Background section for a narrative review, scoping review, or systematic review<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-27\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#Narrative_Review\" title=\"Narrative Review\">Narrative Review<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-28\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#Scoping_Review\" title=\"Scoping Review\">Scoping Review<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-29\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#Systematic_Review_and_Meta-Analysis\" title=\"Systematic Review (and Meta-Analysis)\">Systematic Review (and Meta-Analysis)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-30\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#Side-by-Side_Summary\" title=\"Side-by-Side Summary\">Side-by-Side Summary<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-31\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#How_to_Write_a_Background_Section_for_a_Qualitative_Study\" title=\"How to Write a Background Section for a Qualitative Study\">How to Write a Background Section for a Qualitative Study<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-32\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#What_Kind_of_Gap_Justifies_a_Qualitative_Study\" title=\"What Kind of Gap Justifies a Qualitative Study?\">What Kind of Gap Justifies a Qualitative Study?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-33\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#What_to_Include\" title=\"What to Include\">What to Include<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-34\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#What_to_Avoid\" title=\"What to Avoid\">What to Avoid<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-35\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#Gap_Statement_Example\" title=\"Gap Statement Example\">Gap Statement Example<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-36\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#Common_Mistakes_and_How_to_Avoid_Them\" title=\"Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them\">Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-37\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#Pre-Submission_Quality_Checklist\" title=\"Pre-Submission Quality Checklist\">Pre-Submission Quality Checklist<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-38\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#How_to_Choose_What_to_Include_Source_Selection_Criteria\" title=\"How to Choose What to Include: Source Selection Criteria\">How to Choose What to Include: Source Selection Criteria<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-39\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#Special_Considerations_for_Interdisciplinary_Studies\" title=\"Special Considerations for Interdisciplinary Studies\">Special Considerations for Interdisciplinary Studies<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-40\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" title=\"Frequently Asked Questions\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-41\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#Should_I_write_the_background_first_or_last\" title=\"Should I write the background first or last?\">Should I write the background first or last?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-42\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#My_supervisor_keeps_saying_my_background_is_%E2%80%98too_broad_What_does_that_mean_in_practice\" title=\"My supervisor keeps saying my background is &#8216;too broad.&#8217; What does that mean in practice?\">My supervisor keeps saying my background is &#8216;too broad.&#8217; What does that mean in practice?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-43\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#Can_I_reuse_the_background_from_one_paper_in_another_paper\" title=\"Can I reuse the background from one paper in another paper?\">Can I reuse the background from one paper in another paper?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-44\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#How_recent_is_%E2%80%98recent_enough_for_sources\" title=\"How recent is &#8216;recent enough&#8217; for sources?\">How recent is &#8216;recent enough&#8217; for sources?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-45\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#Is_it_acceptable_to_cite_review_articles_rather_than_original_studies\" title=\"Is it acceptable to cite review articles rather than original studies?\">Is it acceptable to cite review articles rather than original studies?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-46\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#How_do_I_handle_a_gap_that_my_own_prior_work_as_a_co-author_has_already_partially_addressed\" title=\"How do I handle a gap that my own prior work (as a co-author) has already partially addressed?\">How do I handle a gap that my own prior work (as a co-author) has already partially addressed?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-47\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#What_if_there_is_very_little_prior_literature_on_my_topic\" title=\"What if there is very little prior literature on my topic?\">What if there is very little prior literature on my topic?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-48\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#My_research_is_in_a_highly_technical_field_How_do_I_write_a_background_that_is_accessible_without_being_condescending_to_specialists\" title=\"My research is in a highly technical field. How do I write a background that is accessible without being condescending to specialists?\">My research is in a highly technical field. How do I write a background that is accessible without being condescending to specialists?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Glossary_of_Key_Terms\"><\/span>Glossary of Key Terms<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The following terms appear throughout this guide. Reviewing them before reading will help you navigate the content more efficiently.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table width=\"624\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"187\"><strong>Term<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"437\"><strong>Definition<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"187\">Background of a Study<\/td>\n<td width=\"437\">The opening section of a research paper or thesis that establishes existing knowledge, identifies what remains unknown, and justifies the need for the current study.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"187\"><a href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/identify-gaps-in-research-tips\/\">Research Gap<\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"437\">A specific area of knowledge that existing studies have not adequately addressed, measured, or explained, and that the current study aims to fill.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"187\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/what-is-literature-review-definition-types-and-examples\/\">Literature Review<\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"437\">A comprehensive, standalone analysis of all relevant prior research on a topic. Broader and more exhaustive than the background section.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"187\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/introduction-research-paper\/\">Introduction<\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"437\">The first major section of a paper. It encompasses the background, research question, objectives, and sometimes a brief methods overview.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"187\">Funnel Structure<\/td>\n<td width=\"437\">A writing approach that begins with a broad overview of the field and progressively narrows toward the specific gap and study purpose.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"187\">Gap Statement<\/td>\n<td width=\"437\">One or more explicit sentences that identify precisely what existing research has failed to establish, resolve, or study.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"187\">Synthesis<\/td>\n<td width=\"437\">The act of combining findings from multiple sources to support a single thematic point, as opposed to summarizing each source individually.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"187\">Summary (of literature)<\/td>\n<td width=\"437\">A brief account of what a single study found, without linking its findings to other sources or drawing a larger conclusion.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"187\">Basic Research<\/td>\n<td width=\"437\">Research aimed at generating new knowledge or understanding without an immediate practical application in mind.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"187\">Applied Research<\/td>\n<td width=\"437\">Research aimed at solving a specific practical problem or improving an existing process, product, or practice.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"187\"><a href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-a-problem-statement-in-research-how-to-write-it-with-examples\/\">Problem Statement<\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"437\">A concise description of the issue or question the study addresses. Usually a subsection within or immediately following the background.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"187\">Rationale<\/td>\n<td width=\"437\">The justification for undertaking the study, explaining why the identified gap matters to the field or to practice.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Takeaways\"><\/span>Key Takeaways<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Purpose: <\/strong>The background of a study establishes context, synthesizes relevant prior research, identifies a specific gap in knowledge, and justifies why the current study is necessary.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Structure: <\/strong>An effective background follows a funnel structure, moving from broad field context to specific prior findings to an explicit gap statement to the study purpose.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Synthesis, not summary: <\/strong>The single most important writing technique is synthesizing findings from multiple sources around a theme, rather than summarizing one study per paragraph.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Gap statement quality: <\/strong>The gap must be specific, verifiable, and stated explicitly. Vague phrases like &#8216;more research is needed&#8217; are insufficient.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Document type matters: <\/strong>Length and placement differ significantly between journal articles (2 to 5 paragraphs embedded in the introduction) and theses or dissertations (a standalone chapter of 3 to 10 pages).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Audience calibration: <\/strong>Specialist journals require less contextual setup than general or interdisciplinary journals, where readers need more grounding before they can follow the argument.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Source selection: <\/strong>Combine foundational seminal references with recent publications from the past 3 to 5 years. Aim for 15 to 25 well-selected citations in a journal article background.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Common failure mode: <\/strong>Listing studies one by one without connecting them is the most frequent error identified by peer reviewers and editors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_the_Background_of_a_Study\"><\/span>What Is the Background of a Study?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The background of a study is the opening section of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/how-to-write-a-good-research-paper\/\">research paper<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/thesis-structure-outline-writing-tips\/\">thesis<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/what-is-a-dissertation-best-practices\/\">dissertation<\/a>, or <a href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/how-to-write-a-research-proposal-template-outline-steps-examples\/\">proposal<\/a> that presents existing knowledge about the topic and explains why the current study is necessary. It typically appears at the start of the paper, either as a distinct section (common in theses and dissertations) or as the opening portion of the introduction (common in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/how-to-publish-research-paper-in-international-journal\/\">journal articles<\/a>). The background provides the scholarly foundation upon which the research question is built.<\/p>\n<p>A strong background does three things:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Establishes the general topic and its importance <\/strong>by citing foundational studies and current evidence.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Narrows the focus <\/strong>by showing how existing research has addressed the topic but left specific questions unanswered.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Transitions smoothly into the research purpose <\/strong>by making the gap explicit and connecting it to the objectives of the current study.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The background is not the place to present your own data, discuss your methodology in detail, or state your findings. Its role is entirely about what came before your study and why that body of work points toward the need for what you are about to do.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Is_the_Background_So_Important\"><\/span>Why Is the Background So Important?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Readers and editors need the background to make sense of your study. Without it, your research question appears unmotivated and your findings lose their significance. Manuscripts that fail to establish a clear rationale and a well-supported gap are among the most frequently desk-rejected submissions at peer-reviewed journals. A well-written background signals that you understand the field, have conducted a current literature search, and are contributing something genuinely new.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Does_the_Background_Differ_from_the_Introduction_and_the_Literature_Review\"><\/span>How Does the Background Differ from the Introduction and the Literature Review?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Yes, they are different, and confusing them is one of the most common early-career writing errors. The table below shows the key distinctions.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table width=\"624\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"120\"><strong>Feature<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"168\"><strong>Background<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"168\"><strong>Literature Review<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"168\"><strong>Introduction<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"120\">Purpose<\/td>\n<td width=\"168\">Establish context and identify the gap<\/td>\n<td width=\"168\">Comprehensive analysis of all relevant evidence<\/td>\n<td width=\"168\">Orient the reader; present the research question<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"120\">Scope<\/td>\n<td width=\"168\">Focused on immediate context of the study<\/td>\n<td width=\"168\">Broad and exhaustive coverage<\/td>\n<td width=\"168\">Covers context, gap, question, and study overview<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"120\">Depth<\/td>\n<td width=\"168\">Selective synthesis of key sources<\/td>\n<td width=\"168\">In-depth critical analysis of all relevant sources<\/td>\n<td width=\"168\">Moderate depth across multiple elements<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"120\">Placement<\/td>\n<td width=\"168\">Beginning of the paper or first part of the introduction<\/td>\n<td width=\"168\">Standalone chapter (thesis) or section (article)<\/td>\n<td width=\"168\">First section of the paper<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"120\">Typical Length<\/td>\n<td width=\"168\">2 to 5 paragraphs (article); 3 to 10 pages (thesis)<\/td>\n<td width=\"168\">3 to 8 pages (article); 15 to 40 pages (thesis)<\/td>\n<td width=\"168\">1 to 3 pages in journal articles<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"120\">Ends With<\/td>\n<td width=\"168\">Gap statement leading into study purpose<\/td>\n<td width=\"168\">Summary of what is known and what is not<\/td>\n<td width=\"168\">Research question, aims, and <a href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-are-research-objectives-how-to-write-them-with-examples\/\">objectives<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>In a journal article, the background is usually embedded within the introduction. In a thesis or dissertation, the background often appears as a distinct section or chapter before the literature review. Understanding this distinction helps you avoid writing a literature review when you need a focused background, and vice versa.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Does_Background_Length_and_Format_Vary_by_Document_Type\"><\/span>How Does Background Length and Format Vary by Document Type?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Length and placement differ considerably depending on the type of document you are writing. The table below gives practical guidance for the three most common document types.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table width=\"624\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"133\"><strong>Document Type<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"127\"><strong>Typical Length<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"153\"><strong>Placement<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"211\"><strong>Key Characteristics<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"133\">Journal article<\/td>\n<td width=\"127\">2 to 5 paragraphs (approximately 400 to 800 words)<\/td>\n<td width=\"153\">Embedded as the opening portion of the Introduction section<\/td>\n<td width=\"211\">Highly selective; focuses only on the most directly relevant prior work; must establish the gap concisely<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"133\">Thesis or dissertation<\/td>\n<td width=\"127\">3 to 10 pages; sometimes an entire chapter<\/td>\n<td width=\"153\">Distinct section or chapter, usually before the formal literature review<\/td>\n<td width=\"211\">More expansive; may include historical context, theoretical frameworks, and interdisciplinary connections<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"133\">Research proposal<\/td>\n<td width=\"127\">1 to 3 pages<\/td>\n<td width=\"153\">Dedicated section, sometimes integrated into the introduction<\/td>\n<td width=\"211\">Must establish urgency and feasibility; often read by funding bodies with limited subject-area expertise<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The guiding principle across all document types is to include enough context for the reader to understand the gap and the study purpose, without providing an exhaustive review of every source you read.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/all-access-pricing?utm_source=contentmarketing&amp;utm_medium=rblog&amp;utm_campaign=what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it-aap-banner1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-9684 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/AAP-Banner-1-1024x410.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"256\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/AAP-Banner-1-1024x410.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/AAP-Banner-1-300x120.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/AAP-Banner-1-768x307.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/AAP-Banner-1-1536x615.png 1536w, https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/AAP-Banner-1-2048x820.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Basic_Research_vs_Applied_Research_Does_the_Background_Look_Different\"><\/span>Basic Research vs. Applied Research: Does the Background Look Different?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Yes. The framing of the background depends on whether the study is basic or applied, and mixing the two framings creates confusion.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table width=\"624\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"133\"><strong>Dimension<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"245\"><strong>Basic Research<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"245\"><strong>Applied Research<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"133\">Primary purpose<\/td>\n<td width=\"245\">Generate new knowledge or test theoretical propositions<\/td>\n<td width=\"245\">Solve a specific practical problem or improve a process, product, or practice<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"133\">Background focus<\/td>\n<td width=\"245\">Review of prior studies in the field; synthesis of what is theoretically established<\/td>\n<td width=\"245\">Description of the process, practice, or product that is problematic or inadequate<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"133\">Gap framing<\/td>\n<td width=\"245\">What the existing body of theory or evidence has failed to demonstrate or explain<\/td>\n<td width=\"245\">Where current practice, technology, or policy falls short and why that matters<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"133\">Example opening<\/td>\n<td width=\"245\">Studies of the genetic regulation of circadian rhythms have established&#8230;<\/td>\n<td width=\"245\">Current hospital triage protocols in low-resource settings rely on&#8230;, a process that has been associated with&#8230;<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>For interdisciplinary studies, the background should also clarify how the two or more disciplines connect, and which specific aspects of each discipline the study draws on. This prevents readers from assuming the study belongs entirely within one field.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Funnel_Structure_The_Core_Organizing_Principle\"><\/span>The Funnel Structure: The Core Organizing Principle<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The funnel structure is the single most widely recommended approach to organizing a background section across disciplines. The principle is straightforward: start broad, then narrow systematically.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table width=\"624\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"120\"><strong>Layer<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"384\"><strong>Content<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"120\"><strong>Approximate Length<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"120\">Layer 1: Broad context<\/td>\n<td width=\"384\">General overview of the field or phenomenon; why the topic matters globally or in the discipline<\/td>\n<td width=\"120\">1 to 2 sentences<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"120\">Layer 2: Specific context<\/td>\n<td width=\"384\">What prior studies have established about the specific aspect your study addresses; key findings, methods, and debates<\/td>\n<td width=\"120\">2 to 4 sentences per theme; often 2 to 3 paragraphs total<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"120\">Layer 3: Gap statement<\/td>\n<td width=\"384\">What the existing body of work has not resolved, studied, or adequately measured<\/td>\n<td width=\"120\">1 to 3 sentences; must be explicit<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"120\">Layer 4: Study purpose<\/td>\n<td width=\"384\">How the current study addresses the gap; transition to research question or objectives<\/td>\n<td width=\"120\">1 to 2 sentences<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The reader should feel, after reading the background, that your study is the logical and necessary next step given everything that has come before it.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Synthesis_vs_Summary_The_Most_Critical_Writing_Distinction\"><\/span>Synthesis vs. Summary: The Most Critical Writing Distinction<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Synthesis is the single skill that separates a strong background from a weak one. Most peer reviewers and editors recognize the difference within the first paragraph.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_the_Difference\"><\/span>What Is the Difference?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A summary describes what one study found. A synthesis combines findings from multiple studies to make a single thematic point.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table width=\"624\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"100\"><strong>Type<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"344\"><strong>Example<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"180\"><strong>What It Signals to the Reader<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"100\">Summary (weak)<\/td>\n<td width=\"344\">Smith (2019) found that air pollution is associated with increased hospital admissions. Jones (2020) found a similar association. Lee (2021) also reported this pattern.<\/td>\n<td width=\"180\">The author has read the papers but has not thought about what they mean together.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"100\">Synthesis (strong)<\/td>\n<td width=\"344\">Multiple prospective cohort studies have consistently demonstrated that short-term exposure to particulate matter is associated with increased respiratory hospital admissions (Smith, 2019; Jones, 2020; Lee, 2021), although effect sizes vary by age group and baseline lung function.<\/td>\n<td width=\"180\">The author understands the literature as a body of evidence and can identify patterns and nuances within it.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Synthesize_in_Practice\"><\/span>How to Synthesize in Practice<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Organize your sources thematically before writing, not source-by-source.<\/li>\n<li>For each paragraph, identify the main point the evidence collectively supports.<\/li>\n<li>Write the point first, then cite the sources that support it: &#8216;X has been consistently associated with Y (Author, Year; Author, Year; Author, Year).&#8217;<\/li>\n<li>Where sources disagree, note the disagreement and explain why it matters: &#8216;While most studies report X, two <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/randomized-controlled-trial-rct\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">randomized trials<\/a> found no significant effect (Author, Year; Author, Year), possibly due to differences in population age and follow-up duration.&#8217;<\/li>\n<li>Never dedicate a full paragraph to one paper unless that paper is a seminal work whose specific details are essential to understanding your study.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Calibrate_Background_Depth_to_Your_Target_Audience\"><\/span>How to Calibrate Background Depth to Your Target Audience<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The same study can require very different background sections depending on where it will be published. Before you write, ask: who will read this, and what do they already know?<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table width=\"624\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"167\"><strong>Journal Type<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"200\"><strong>Assumed Reader<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"257\"><strong>Background Implication<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"167\">Highly specialized (e.g., Journal of Membrane Biology)<\/td>\n<td width=\"200\">Domain experts with deep familiarity with the sub-field<\/td>\n<td width=\"257\">Less foundational setup needed; focus on the specific gap within current specialist literature; technical terms do not need defining<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"167\">General science (e.g., Nature, Science, PNAS)<\/td>\n<td width=\"200\">Broad scientific audience across disciplines<\/td>\n<td width=\"257\">More contextual setup required; assume the reader knows your broad field but not your specific sub-field; define sub-field terminology<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"167\">Interdisciplinary (e.g., PLOS ONE, Science Advances)<\/td>\n<td width=\"200\">Researchers from adjacent disciplines<\/td>\n<td width=\"257\">Define the problem in field-neutral language; explain disciplinary connections; avoid heavy use of sub-field jargon<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"167\">Policy or practitioner-facing (e.g., BMJ, Lancet Public Health)<\/td>\n<td width=\"200\">Clinicians, policymakers, and researchers<\/td>\n<td width=\"257\">Emphasize real-world implications early; contextualize the gap in terms of public health or practice impact, not only academic contribution<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>A practical rule: if your target journal publishes review articles aimed at non-specialist readers, your background should be pitched at a similar level of accessibility.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Write_the_Background_A_Step-by-Step_Guide\"><\/span>How to Write the Background: A Step-by-Step Guide<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The following six steps take you from a blank page to a complete, well-structured background section.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_1_Define_Your_Topic_and_Set_the_Scope\"><\/span>Step 1: Define Your Topic and Set the Scope<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Before writing a single sentence, clarify what your study is about and what the background will and will not cover. An overly broad scope produces an unfocused background that wastes space and frustrates reviewers.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Write one sentence stating the core topic.<\/li>\n<li>Write one sentence stating the boundaries: time period, population, geographic focus, methodological scope.<\/li>\n<li>Use these two sentences as a compass for every source selection decision that follows.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Example: The core topic is &#8216;the effect of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) on childhood asthma exacerbations.&#8217; The scope is restricted to low-income urban settings in South and Southeast Asia from 2005 to the present.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_2_Search_and_Organize_the_Literature_Thematically\"><\/span>Step 2: Search and Organize the Literature Thematically<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Conduct a targeted literature search using academic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, or Google Scholar. Focus on:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Foundational studies that established key concepts in the field.<\/li>\n<li>Recent studies (past 3 to 5 years) that represent the current state of knowledge.<\/li>\n<li>Studies most closely related to your specific research question, population, and methodology.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Organize your sources thematically, not chronologically. Group them by subtopic, methodology, population, or finding. This thematic organization becomes the structural backbone of your background paragraphs.<\/p>\n<p>How many sources to include: For a journal article background, aim for 15 to 25 well-selected sources. A background with 50 sources that are not synthesized is weaker than one with 20 that clearly support a coherent argument. For a thesis background chapter, 40 to 80 sources may be appropriate depending on the discipline.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_3_Identify_Key_Themes_Controversies_and_Gaps\"><\/span>Step 3: Identify Key Themes, Controversies, and Gaps<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Read through your collected sources and identify:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>What the evidence consistently shows across multiple studies.<\/li>\n<li>Where findings conflict or where the evidence is weak or inconsistent.<\/li>\n<li>What methodological approaches dominate, and whether any approaches are missing or flawed.<\/li>\n<li>What populations, settings, or time periods have been understudied.<\/li>\n<li>What theoretical or conceptual questions remain unresolved.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These themes become your paragraph topics. Controversies and methodological weaknesses in prior work are particularly important because they directly feed into your gap statement.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_4_Draft_the_Background_Using_the_Funnel_Structure\"><\/span>Step 4: Draft the Background Using the Funnel Structure<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Open with the broad context, then narrow systematically toward the gap.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Paragraph 1: Broad context. <\/strong>Establish the field and why the topic matters. Cite 2 to 4 sources.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Paragraphs 2 to 3: Specific context. <\/strong>Synthesize what is known about the specific aspect of the topic your study addresses. One paragraph per major theme. Each paragraph should end with a limitation or unresolved question.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Paragraph 4: Gap statement. <\/strong>State explicitly what is unknown. See Step 5 below.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Paragraph 5: Study purpose. <\/strong>Connect the gap to your study. See Step 6 below.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_5_Write_an_Explicit_Specific_Gap_Statement\"><\/span>Step 5: Write an Explicit, Specific Gap Statement<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The gap statement is the most important single element of the background. It must be explicit (stated directly, not implied) and specific (about a defined population, phenomenon, or type of evidence).<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table width=\"624\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"133\"><strong>Gap Quality<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"491\"><strong>Example<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"133\">Vague (insufficient)<\/td>\n<td width=\"491\">More research is needed on this topic.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"133\">Too broad<\/td>\n<td width=\"491\">The relationship between air pollution and health has not been fully studied.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"133\">Specific and explicit (strong)<\/td>\n<td width=\"491\">No prospective study has examined the association between PM2.5 exposure and asthma exacerbation frequency in children under five living in low-income urban neighborhoods in South Asia.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"133\">Methodological gap<\/td>\n<td width=\"491\">Existing intervention studies have relied exclusively on self-reported outcomes; no trial has used objective biological markers to measure the effect of the intervention.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"133\">Population gap<\/td>\n<td width=\"491\">Prior trials have enrolled primarily adult males; the effect of the intervention in women of reproductive age remains unknown.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"133\">Contextual gap<\/td>\n<td width=\"491\">Although the phenomenon has been studied extensively in high-income countries, no data exist for low- and middle-income country settings.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Useful gap-statement phrases:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>&#8216;However, no study has examined&#8230;&#8217;<\/li>\n<li>&#8216;Despite this evidence, the relationship between X and Y remains unclear&#8230;&#8217;<\/li>\n<li>&#8216;Existing research has focused predominantly on Z, leaving the question of W unanswered&#8230;&#8217;<\/li>\n<li>&#8216;Previous trials have not evaluated&#8230; over a sufficient follow-up period&#8230;&#8217;<\/li>\n<li>&#8216;No randomized controlled trial has tested&#8230; in a [specific population or setting]&#8230;&#8217;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_6_Connect_the_Gap_to_Your_Study_Purpose\"><\/span>Step 6: Connect the Gap to Your Study Purpose<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The final paragraph of the background should transition from the gap to the purpose of your study. The connection must be explicit.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>&#8216;Therefore, this study aims to&#8230;&#8217;<\/li>\n<li>&#8216;To address this gap, the present research examines&#8230;&#8217;<\/li>\n<li>&#8216;This study was designed to test whether&#8230;&#8217;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The reader should feel that your study is the inevitable and logical response to the gap you have just identified.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Addressing_Controversies_Claims_and_Assumptions\"><\/span>Addressing Controversies, Claims, and Assumptions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A strong background does not only describe what is known; it also acknowledges complexity.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Controversies: <\/strong>If your research topic involves politically, ethically, or scientifically contested claims, acknowledge them directly. Ignoring them signals to reviewers that you are unaware of the debates in your field.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Competing claims: <\/strong>If different research groups or institutions have made conflicting claims about the phenomenon you study, summarize the debate and indicate which position your study is designed to test or resolve.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Untested assumptions: <\/strong>If prior work rests on assumptions that may not hold in your population or setting, state them explicitly. This is particularly important in applied research, where findings from one context are frequently assumed to generalize to another.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Methodological critiques: <\/strong>If the dominant methods in your field have known limitations relevant to your study, note them here. This prepares the reader to understand why your methodological choices represent an improvement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW98044883 BCX0\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/all-access-pricing?utm_source=contentmarketing&amp;utm_medium=rblog&amp;utm_campaign=background-of-a-study\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"TextRun Highlight Underlined SCXW98044883 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW98044883 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\"><em><strong>Get <\/strong><\/em><\/span><em><strong><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW98044883 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">exclusive discounts on <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW98044883 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">e<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW98044883 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">xpert-led editing to publication support with <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW98044883 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">Researcher.Life\u2019s<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW98044883 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\"> All Access Pack. Get yours now!<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/a><em><strong><span class=\"EOP SCXW98044883 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559685&quot;:-20,&quot;335559737&quot;:-20,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/?utm_source=contentmarketing&amp;utm_medium=r-blog&amp;utm_campaign=hero-article-background-of-the-study-paperpal-banner1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-5462 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/RPaperpal_BlogBanners-1_01_.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"139\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/RPaperpal_BlogBanners-1_01_.png 640w, https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/RPaperpal_BlogBanners-1_01_-300x65.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Three_Annotated_Examples_Across_Disciplines\"><\/span>Three Annotated Examples Across Disciplines<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Each example below is annotated to explain the structural choices made at each stage.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Example_1_Physical_Sciences_Environmental_Chemistry\"><\/span>Example 1: Physical Sciences (Environmental Chemistry)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Topic: The role of dissolved organic matter in modulating the toxicity of engineered nanoparticles in freshwater ecosystems.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table width=\"624\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"100\"><strong>Paragraph<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"333\"><strong>Text<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"191\"><strong>Structural Function<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"100\">1: Broad context<\/td>\n<td width=\"333\">The production and environmental release of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) have increased substantially over the past two decades, with annual production estimated to exceed 300,000 metric tons globally (Keller et al., 2013; Piccinno et al., 2012). ENPs enter freshwater ecosystems through wastewater effluent, agricultural runoff, and atmospheric deposition, where they interact with complex matrices of inorganic ions, suspended solids, and dissolved organic matter (DOM) (Lowry et al., 2012).<\/td>\n<td width=\"191\">Establishes the global relevance and scale of the problem. Two citations support each factual claim.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"100\">2: Specific context<\/td>\n<td width=\"333\">The toxicity of ENPs to freshwater organisms is highly sensitive to water chemistry. Laboratory studies have consistently demonstrated that DOM reduces ENP toxicity by adsorbing to nanoparticle surfaces, altering surface charge, and reducing bioavailability (Fabrega et al., 2011; Diegoli et al., 2008; Gunsolus et al., 2015). However, these studies have been conducted in controlled laboratory conditions using commercially sourced DOM, which differs substantially in molecular weight and composition from DOM in natural freshwaters.<\/td>\n<td width=\"191\">Synthesizes across three sources; introduces the first limitation at the end of the paragraph.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"100\">3: Gap and purpose<\/td>\n<td width=\"333\">No study has examined whether the protective effect of DOM on ENP toxicity holds across the range of DOM compositions found in natural river systems, particularly in humic-rich northern peatland waters. This study addresses that gap by exposing Daphnia magna to silver nanoparticles in waters collected from five rivers spanning a gradient of DOM composition and molecular weight.<\/td>\n<td width=\"191\">Gap is explicit and specific (population: Daphnia magna; setting: natural river waters; gap: DOM composition variability). Study purpose follows directly.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Example_2_Biomedical_Science_Clinical_Oncology\"><\/span>Example 2: Biomedical Science (Clinical Oncology)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Topic: The effect of preoperative nutritional optimization on postoperative complications in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table width=\"624\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"100\"><strong>Paragraph<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"333\"><strong>Text<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"191\"><strong>Structural Function<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"100\">1: Broad context<\/td>\n<td width=\"333\">Malnutrition at the time of surgery is associated with increased postoperative morbidity, prolonged hospital stays, and higher 30-day readmission rates across surgical specialties (Correia &amp; Waitzberg, 2003; Norman et al., 2008). In colorectal surgery, preoperative malnutrition prevalence has been reported at 15 to 40 percent depending on the diagnostic criteria used and the patient population studied (Van Bokhorst-de van der Schueren et al., 2014).<\/td>\n<td width=\"191\">Broad context established with quantitative data from multi-source synthesis.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"100\">2: Specific context (interventions)<\/td>\n<td width=\"333\">Preoperative nutritional optimization strategies, including oral nutritional supplements, enteral tube feeding, and immunonutrition, have been evaluated in randomized controlled trials. Meta-analyses report that preoperative oral nutritional supplementation reduces total postoperative complication rates by approximately 20 percent in patients with confirmed malnutrition (Hiesmayr et al., 2009; Gustafsson et al., 2019). However, the majority of included trials enrolled mixed surgical populations, and subgroup analyses for colorectal surgery alone have been inconsistent.<\/td>\n<td width=\"191\">Synthesizes across multiple meta-analyses; identifies a methodological gap (mixed populations).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"100\">3: Gap and purpose<\/td>\n<td width=\"333\">No randomized trial has evaluated a standardized preoperative nutritional optimization pathway specifically designed for colorectal surgery patients undergoing elective resection for cancer. The present study evaluates whether a structured two-week oral immunonutrition protocol, initiated at the point of surgical listing, reduces the incidence of Clavien-Dindo grade II or above complications compared with standard preoperative care.<\/td>\n<td width=\"191\">Gap names the specific population (colorectal surgery, elective, cancer), the missing intervention type (standardized pathway), and the outcome of interest. Study purpose is precisely stated.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Example_3_Social_Sciences_Education_Policy\"><\/span>Example 3: Social Sciences (Education Policy)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Topic: The effect of school breakfast programs on academic attendance and cognitive performance in low-income urban elementary schools.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table width=\"624\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"100\"><strong>Paragraph<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"333\"><strong>Text<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"191\"><strong>Structural Function<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"100\">1: Broad context<\/td>\n<td width=\"333\">Food insecurity affects approximately 13 percent of children under 18 in the United States, with higher rates concentrated in urban low-income communities (Coleman-Jensen et al., 2023). Children experiencing food insecurity are significantly more likely to exhibit deficits in attention, working memory, and academic achievement compared with food-secure peers (Jyoti et al., 2005; Shanafelt et al., 2016).<\/td>\n<td width=\"191\">Opens with national-level data to establish scope; connects food insecurity to educational outcomes using two independent sources.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"100\">2: Specific context (program evidence)<\/td>\n<td width=\"333\">School breakfast programs (SBPs) represent one policy lever for reducing food insecurity during the school day. Experimental and quasi-experimental studies have found that SBP participation is associated with improved attendance (Bartfeld et al., 2009; Frisvold, 2015) and higher scores on standardized mathematics assessments (Murphy et al., 1998; Kleinman et al., 2002). However, most of this evidence predates the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, which substantially changed program nutritional standards, and the post-2010 evidence base remains sparse.<\/td>\n<td width=\"191\">Synthesizes four sources into one coherent point; flags a policy-relevance gap (pre-2010 evidence dominates).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"100\">3: Gap and purpose<\/td>\n<td width=\"333\">No study has examined whether SBP participation under current USDA nutritional guidelines is associated with attendance rates and academic performance in high-poverty urban elementary schools in the post-2015 period. This study addresses this gap using a difference-in-differences design applied to administrative school records from 187 elementary schools across three urban districts, comparing attendance and third-grade reading and mathematics proficiency rates between schools that expanded their SBP reach through universal free breakfast and matched control schools that did not.<\/td>\n<td width=\"191\">Gap specifies the regulatory period (post-2015, current guidelines), setting (high-poverty urban), and outcomes. Method and scope are concisely described in the purpose statement.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Four-Paragraph_Template_for_a_Journal_Article_Background\"><\/span>Four-Paragraph Template for a Journal Article Background<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Use the following template by replacing the bracketed placeholders with your own content. Each placeholder describes what kind of information belongs in that position.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table width=\"624\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"107\"><strong>Paragraph<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"367\"><strong>Template Text<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"151\"><strong>Notes<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"107\">Paragraph 1: Broad context<\/td>\n<td width=\"367\">[General topic or phenomenon] is recognized as [state its significance, prevalence, or global impact] across [relevant field, population, or geographic scope] ([Citation]; [Citation]). Research over the past [time period] has established that [key finding or consensus in the field] ([Citation]; [Citation]).<\/td>\n<td width=\"151\">Aim for 2 to 4 supporting citations. Do not go further back than 20 years unless citing a foundational landmark study.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"107\">Paragraph 2: Specific context<\/td>\n<td width=\"367\">Within this body of evidence, [specific aspect of the topic most relevant to your study] has received particular attention. Studies have demonstrated that [specific finding 1] ([Citation]), and [specific finding 2] ([Citation]). However, [state the limitation or inconsistency in the evidence that makes your study necessary] ([Citation]).<\/td>\n<td width=\"151\">This is often 2 paragraphs rather than 1. Each paragraph covers one major theme. End each paragraph with a limitation or unresolved question.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"107\">Paragraph 3: Gap statement<\/td>\n<td width=\"367\">Despite these advances, [specific gap] remains unaddressed. No study has [state what is specifically missing], and [state the consequence of this gap for the field, for practice, or for the population affected]. Existing research has focused predominantly on [what has been studied], leaving [what has not been studied] unexplored.<\/td>\n<td width=\"151\">The gap must be verifiable: a reader who searched the literature should be able to confirm that the missing study does not exist. Avoid vague language.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"107\">Paragraph 4: Study purpose<\/td>\n<td width=\"367\">To address this gap, the present study [state the specific aim: examines, tests, evaluates, investigates]. By [briefly state the approach or design], this research contributes to the existing evidence base by [state the specific contribution: providing the first data on X, establishing whether Y is effective in Z population, etc.].<\/td>\n<td width=\"151\">This paragraph is a bridge to the research question or objectives. Keep it to 2 to 3 sentences. Do not preview your findings here.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Filled example (Psychology, workplace burnout):<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table width=\"624\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"107\"><strong>Paragraph<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"517\"><strong>Filled Content<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"107\">Broad context<\/td>\n<td width=\"517\">Workplace burnout is recognized as a significant occupational health concern, affecting approximately 67 percent of all workers at some point in their careers (Gallup, 2023; Maslach &amp; Leiter, 2016). Research over the past three decades has established that burnout is associated with reduced productivity, increased absenteeism, and elevated risk of depression and cardiovascular disease (Salvagioni et al., 2017; Ahola et al., 2017).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"107\">Specific context<\/td>\n<td width=\"517\">Within this body of evidence, organizational-level interventions such as workload redistribution and supervisor training have received particular attention. Studies have demonstrated that supervisor support reduces emotional exhaustion by 15 to 25 percent (Halbesleben, 2006) and that flexible work arrangements lower burnout risk in knowledge workers (Kossek et al., 2020). However, the effectiveness of these interventions in healthcare settings, where workload flexibility is structurally limited, remains inconsistent (West et al., 2016).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"107\">Gap statement<\/td>\n<td width=\"517\">Despite these advances, no randomized controlled trial has evaluated a combined individual and organizational burnout intervention specifically designed for emergency department nurses, a population with burnout rates exceeding 40 percent (Adriaenssens et al., 2015). Existing studies have tested individual-level or organizational-level interventions in isolation; the potential additive effect of combining both approaches in this clinical context has not been examined.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"107\">Study purpose<\/td>\n<td width=\"517\">To address this gap, the present study evaluates a 12-week combined intervention comprising cognitive-behavioral stress management training for individual nurses and a structured workload review process for department leadership, measured against usual care in a cluster-randomized trial across six emergency departments.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Background_section_for_a_narrative_review_scoping_review_or_systematic_review\"><\/span>Background section for a narrative review, scoping review, or systematic review<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The core purpose of a background section is the same in all three: establish why the review is needed. But what you emphasize, how you frame the gap, and how much methodological context you include varies considerably.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Narrative_Review\"><\/span>Narrative Review<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The background of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/narrative-review-literature-synthesis\/\">narrative review<\/a> reads most like that of an empirical study. You are making an argument that the topic is important and that a synthesis is needed, typically because the evidence is fragmented, contested, or has not been brought together for a particular audience.<\/p>\n<h4>What to emphasize:<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Why the topic matters (clinical, policy, or theoretical significance)<\/li>\n<li>That existing evidence exists but is scattered, inconsistent, or lacks a unifying interpretation<\/li>\n<li>The specific angle or question your narrative will address (narrative reviews are inherently selective, so be explicit about your framing)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Gap framing:<\/h4>\n<p>&#8220;Although studies on X exist, no synthesis has examined Y from the perspective of Z&#8221; or &#8220;The literature has been reviewed separately within disciplines A and B, but the connections between them have not been explored.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h4>Watch out for:<\/h4>\n<p>Overstating the gap. A narrative review does not claim to fill a gap the way a new empirical study does; it claims to offer a new interpretation or synthesis of existing evidence. Reviewers will push back if you frame it as &#8220;nothing is known.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Scoping_Review\"><\/span>Scoping Review<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/scoping-review\/\">scoping review<\/a> maps the extent, range, and nature of evidence on a topic. Its background needs to justify the mapping exercise itself, which means demonstrating that the boundaries of the literature are genuinely unclear.<\/p>\n<h4>What to emphasize:<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>That the topic is broad, emerging, or poorly defined in the literature<\/li>\n<li>Uncertainty about how much evidence exists, what types of study have been done, or how the field has defined key concepts<\/li>\n<li>That a scoping review (rather than a systematic review) is the appropriate methodology. This usually means the field is too heterogeneous for meta-analysis, or the question is about breadth rather than a specific effect<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Gap framing:<\/h4>\n<p>&#8220;The extent and nature of the literature on X has not been mapped&#8221; or &#8220;Key concepts in this field are inconsistently defined across disciplines; a scoping review is needed to chart how the evidence base uses these terms.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h4>Methodological note:<\/h4>\n<p>The background should briefly explain why a scoping review was chosen over a systematic review. Most journals and the PRISMA-ScR reporting guidelines expect this justification somewhere in the opening section.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Systematic_Review_and_Meta-Analysis\"><\/span>Systematic Review (and Meta-Analysis)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The background of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/conducting-and-reporting-systematic-reviews\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">systematic review<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/meta-analysis\/\">meta-analysis<\/a> is the most constrained of the three. It needs to establish a specific, answerable question that is typically framed in PICO or a similar structure (Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome). It also needs to justify why a systematic synthesis of that question has not yet been done or why an existing review needs updating.<\/p>\n<h4>What to emphasize:<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Evidence that the intervention, exposure, or phenomenon has been studied empirically, so there is a body of literature to review<\/li>\n<li>Why the evidence is uncertain, conflicting, or outdated. This is your primary justification<\/li>\n<li>Whether any prior systematic reviews exist, and if so, why a new one is needed (new trials published since, methodological weaknesses in the prior review, a different population or outcome)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Gap framing:<\/h4>\n<p>&#8220;Three systematic reviews have examined X, but none has restricted its analysis to [population]; two include trials published before [year] and do not capture [intervention variant]; and none has evaluated [specific outcome] as a primary endpoint.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h4>Watch out for:<\/h4>\n<p>Claiming there are no prior reviews when there are. Reviewers will find them. If prior reviews exist, your job is to explain what yours adds, not to pretend the field is a blank slate.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Side-by-Side_Summary\"><\/span>Side-by-Side Summary<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Feature<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Narrative Review<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Scoping Review<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Systematic Review<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Primary justification<\/td>\n<td>Need for synthesis or reinterpretation<\/td>\n<td>Need to map extent and nature of evidence<\/td>\n<td>Need to answer a specific empirical question with pooled evidence<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Gap framing<\/td>\n<td>Fragmented or uninterpreted literature<\/td>\n<td>Unmapped or poorly defined evidence base<\/td>\n<td>Conflicting, outdated, or incomplete prior synthesis<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Mention prior reviews?<\/td>\n<td>Optional but good practice<\/td>\n<td>Yes: note what mapping has or has not been done<\/td>\n<td>Required: explain what yours adds beyond existing reviews<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Methodology justification needed?<\/td>\n<td>Rarely<\/td>\n<td>Yes: explain why scoping rather than systematic<\/td>\n<td>Yes: explain eligibility criteria logic and PICO framing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Typical length<\/td>\n<td>Similar to empirical study background<\/td>\n<td>Slightly longer: needs conceptual framing<\/td>\n<td>Often shorter: the methods carry more weight than in other paper types<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>One rule applies to all three: the background should end with a clear statement of the review&#8217;s aim, and that aim should follow logically from the gap or need you have just described. The reader should feel that the review is the necessary next step, whether that step is synthesis, mapping, or systematic evidence pooling.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Write_a_Background_Section_for_a_Qualitative_Study\"><\/span>How to Write a Background Section for a Qualitative Study<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A qualitative study background follows the same funnel structure as any other, but the nature of the gap you are establishing is different. You are not claiming that no data exists: you are claiming that existing data does not capture lived experience, meaning, process, or context adequately.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Kind_of_Gap_Justifies_a_Qualitative_Study\"><\/span>What Kind of Gap Justifies a Qualitative Study?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The gap must be epistemological, not just empirical. Common qualitative gap types:<\/p>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Gap Type<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Example Framing<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Experience gap<\/td>\n<td>&#8220;Quantitative studies have established prevalence, but how patients understand and manage their diagnosis in daily life remains unexplored.&#8221;<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Process gap<\/td>\n<td>&#8220;Existing research documents outcomes of the intervention but not how or why participants engage with it.&#8221;<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Context gap<\/td>\n<td>&#8220;Prior studies have examined this phenomenon in Western clinical settings; its meaning in community and family contexts in low-income countries is unknown.&#8221;<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Voice gap<\/td>\n<td>&#8220;Research on this population has been conducted about them rather than with them; their own accounts are absent from the literature.&#8221;<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_to_Include\"><\/span>What to Include<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Establish that the topic matters:<\/strong> Cite quantitative or epidemiological evidence to show the phenomenon is significant. This is often where a qualitative background borrows most from conventional background writing.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Summarize what existing research has established:<\/strong> Acknowledge prior quantitative and, where relevant, prior qualitative work. Do not ignore existing qualitative studies: explain what yours adds.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Name the epistemological gap explicitly:<\/strong> State that numbers, frequencies, or associations do not answer the question you are asking. Reviewers of qualitative work expect this justification to be made clearly.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Briefly justify the methodology:<\/strong> One or two sentences explaining why a qualitative approach, and which specific tradition (<a href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/phenomenology-types-methods-examples\/\">phenomenology<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/grounded-theory-in-research-types-steps-examples\/\">grounded theory<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-thematic-analysis-and-how-to-do-it-with-examples\/\">thematic analysis<\/a>, etc.) fits the question.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_to_Avoid\"><\/span>What to Avoid<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Do not frame the gap as purely quantitative absence.<\/strong> Saying &#8220;no RCT has tested this&#8221; does not justify a qualitative study. The gap must be about depth, meaning, or perspective, not just study design.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Do not over-cite theory in the background.<\/strong> Theoretical frameworks belong in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/methods-section-research-paper\/\">the methods section<\/a>. The background is about empirical context, not philosophical positioning.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Do not ignore prior qualitative work.<\/strong> A common reviewer complaint is that qualitative backgrounds cite only quantitative literature, then claim the topic is &#8220;unexplored.&#8221; If qualitative work exists, engage with it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Gap_Statement_Example\"><\/span>Gap Statement Example<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Weak: &#8220;Qualitative research on this topic is limited.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Strong: &#8220;While survey data indicate that 40 percent of caregivers report high burden, no study has examined how caregivers themselves construct and negotiate the meaning of burden within family relationships, or how that meaning shapes their decisions about seeking support.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The background for a qualitative study should leave the reader understanding not just that something is unknown, but why a quantitative answer would be insufficient: the question requires interpretation, not measurement.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Common_Mistakes_and_How_to_Avoid_Them\"><\/span>Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table width=\"624\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"173\"><strong>Mistake<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"200\"><strong>Why It Is a Problem<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"251\"><strong>How to Fix It<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"173\">Listing studies one by one without synthesizing them<\/td>\n<td width=\"200\">Signals that the author has not engaged with the literature as a body of evidence. Immediately recognizable to reviewers as a weak background.<\/td>\n<td width=\"251\">Organize sources thematically before writing. Each paragraph should make a single point supported by multiple citations, not describe one paper per paragraph.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"173\">Starting too broad (&#8216;Since the dawn of time&#8230;&#8217;, &#8216;Technology has changed everything&#8230;&#8217;)<\/td>\n<td width=\"200\">Wastes word-count budget and frustrates readers. Reviewers in specialist journals find it condescending.<\/td>\n<td width=\"251\">Start with the specific field or phenomenon your study addresses. The first sentence should be about your topic, not about the universe.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"173\">Failing to state the gap explicitly<\/td>\n<td width=\"200\">If the gap is not stated, the reader has no reason to believe the study is necessary. The most common reason for weak manuscript rationale, per peer reviewer surveys.<\/td>\n<td width=\"251\">Include at least one sentence that directly states what no prior study has done, measured, or established. Use the phrase templates in Step 5 above.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"173\">Including your own results in the background<\/td>\n<td width=\"200\">Disrupts the logical flow of the paper (background = prior work, not your work). Confuses reviewers about the paper&#8217;s structure.<\/td>\n<td width=\"251\">Save all results for the Results section. Save all interpretation for the Discussion. The background discusses only prior work.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"173\">Relying only on outdated sources<\/td>\n<td width=\"200\">Suggests the author has not conducted a current literature search. Signals to editors that the study may not be positioned in the latest state of knowledge.<\/td>\n<td width=\"251\">Combine seminal foundational references with recent publications from the past 3 to 5 years. If a key concept was first described in 1995, cite the original; also cite recent work showing it still holds or has been refined.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"173\">Overloading with jargon or undefined terms<\/td>\n<td width=\"200\">Alienates readers from adjacent disciplines or general audiences. Can mask conceptual vagueness.<\/td>\n<td width=\"251\">Define sub-field-specific terms on first use. For general or interdisciplinary journals, write as if the reader is an intelligent scientist in a neighboring discipline, not a specialist in your exact sub-field.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"173\">Ignoring controversies or competing claims in the field<\/td>\n<td width=\"200\">Creates the impression that the field is simpler or more settled than it is. Reviewers who are aware of existing debates will flag this immediately.<\/td>\n<td width=\"251\">Acknowledge major debates explicitly. If your study is designed to resolve a controversy, say so. If it takes one side of a debate, acknowledge the other side and explain your position.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"173\">Writing the background before completing the literature search<\/td>\n<td width=\"200\">Produces an incomplete background that misses key sources. Often requires substantial revision after additional sources are found.<\/td>\n<td width=\"251\">Complete the literature search and organize sources thematically before writing a single sentence of the background. The background is the product of your reading, not the plan for it.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pre-Submission_Quality_Checklist\"><\/span>Pre-Submission Quality Checklist<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Use this checklist to evaluate your background section before submitting to a journal or presenting to a supervisor.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table width=\"624\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"47\"><strong>Check<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"311\"><strong>Criterion<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"267\"><strong>Notes<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"47\">[ ]<\/td>\n<td width=\"311\">Topic clearly defined: the background opens by identifying the specific topic and its significance within the field.<\/td>\n<td width=\"267\">The first sentence should identify the topic, not just the broader domain.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"47\">[ ]<\/td>\n<td width=\"311\">Scope appropriately bounded: the section covers relevant literature without being overly broad or excessively narrow.<\/td>\n<td width=\"267\">If your background extends to topics more than one conceptual step removed from your research question, it is too broad.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"47\">[ ]<\/td>\n<td width=\"311\">Sources are synthesized: evidence from multiple studies is integrated thematically, not listed one study at a time.<\/td>\n<td width=\"267\">If any paragraph opens with an author name (e.g., &#8216;Smith (2020) found&#8230;&#8217;), check whether it can be rewritten around the finding rather than the study.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"47\">[ ]<\/td>\n<td width=\"311\">Funnel structure followed: the section moves from broad context to specific context to the research gap to the study purpose.<\/td>\n<td width=\"267\">Read only your opening and closing sentences. Do they move from broad to specific? If not, restructure.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"47\">[ ]<\/td>\n<td width=\"311\">Gap explicitly stated: at least one clear sentence identifies what remains unknown, unresolved, or underexplored.<\/td>\n<td width=\"267\">The word &#8216;however&#8217; or &#8216;despite&#8217; often signals the gap sentence. If it is absent, the gap is probably implied rather than stated.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"47\">[ ]<\/td>\n<td width=\"311\">Gap is specific and verifiable: the gap statement names a specific population, setting, outcome, or type of evidence that is missing.<\/td>\n<td width=\"267\">Could a reviewer verify the gap by searching a database? If not, make it more specific.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"47\">[ ]<\/td>\n<td width=\"311\">No vague &#8216;more research is needed&#8217; language: gap statements are concrete, not generic.<\/td>\n<td width=\"267\">Scan for: &#8216;more research is needed,&#8217; &#8216;further studies should investigate,&#8217; &#8216;little is known.&#8217; Replace with specific gap statements.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"47\">[ ]<\/td>\n<td width=\"311\">Study purpose connected to the gap: the final paragraph transitions explicitly from the gap to the aim of the current study.<\/td>\n<td width=\"267\">The phrase &#8216;to address this gap&#8217; or equivalent should appear in the final paragraph.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"47\">[ ]<\/td>\n<td width=\"311\">No results or methods included: the background focuses exclusively on prior work and does not preview the current study&#8217;s findings or design in detail.<\/td>\n<td width=\"267\">If you find sentences like &#8216;Our study found&#8230;&#8217; or &#8216;We used a randomized design&#8230;&#8217;, move them to the appropriate section.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"47\">[ ]<\/td>\n<td width=\"311\">Recent and foundational sources included: the section cites both seminal studies and recent publications from the past 3 to 5 years.<\/td>\n<td width=\"267\">Check that no major development in your field from the past 3 years has been omitted.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"47\">[ ]<\/td>\n<td width=\"311\">Appropriate length maintained: the background is long enough to establish context but concise enough to maintain reader engagement.<\/td>\n<td width=\"267\">For journal articles: 2 to 5 paragraphs. For theses: 3 to 10 pages. For research proposals: 1 to 3 pages.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"47\">[ ]<\/td>\n<td width=\"311\">Controversies and competing claims acknowledged: where debates exist in the field, the background notes them and explains their relevance.<\/td>\n<td width=\"267\">Absence of acknowledged controversy in a contested field is a red flag to experienced reviewers.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"47\">[ ]<\/td>\n<td width=\"311\">Target audience considered: depth and jargon level are appropriate for the journal&#8217;s readership.<\/td>\n<td width=\"267\">If submitting to a general journal, have a colleague from an adjacent discipline read the background. If they cannot follow it, revise.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"47\">[ ]<\/td>\n<td width=\"311\">Citations are complete and consistent: every factual claim is cited; citation style matches the journal&#8217;s requirements.<\/td>\n<td width=\"267\">Use reference management software to verify completeness and format consistency.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Choose_What_to_Include_Source_Selection_Criteria\"><\/span>How to Choose What to Include: Source Selection Criteria<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Not every source you encountered during your literature search belongs in the background. The background is selective, not comprehensive. Include a source if it meets at least one of the following criteria:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>It established foundational knowledge that the reader needs to understand why your topic matters.<\/li>\n<li>It represents the current consensus on a key claim you are making.<\/li>\n<li>It directly addresses the specific topic, population, or methodology of your study.<\/li>\n<li>It highlights a gap, limitation, or controversy that your study is designed to address.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Exclude a source if it:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Is tangentially related to your topic but does not directly inform your research question.<\/li>\n<li>Reports findings that are already covered by other included sources.<\/li>\n<li>Is more than 10 to 15 years old and has been superseded by more recent work (unless it is a seminal reference).<\/li>\n<li>Would require extensive explanation that takes the reader away from the main thread of the background.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Special_Considerations_for_Interdisciplinary_Studies\"><\/span>Special Considerations for Interdisciplinary Studies<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Interdisciplinary research requires additional care in the background because readers may come from only one of the relevant disciplines.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Identify each discipline your study draws on and explain what it contributes to your research question.<\/li>\n<li>Define concepts from each discipline in field-neutral language before using them.<\/li>\n<li>Show how the disciplines connect: what question can only be answered by combining them?<\/li>\n<li>Be explicit about which disciplinary tradition your methods and theoretical framework come from.<\/li>\n<li>Cite key sources from each discipline, not only from one.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Example: A study combining atmospheric chemistry and public health epidemiology to examine pollution exposure and respiratory outcomes must separately establish (a) the chemistry of pollutant formation and persistence, and (b) the epidemiological evidence on exposure-response relationships. The background should explain why neither discipline alone can answer the research question, then show how the two disciplines are connected in the design of the study.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The questions below address angles commonly raised by researchers, particularly by graduate students and early-career researchers on academic forums and discussion communities.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Should_I_write_the_background_first_or_last\"><\/span>Should I write the background first or last?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Write it last, or at minimum after completing your literature search and after drafting your methods. Most experienced researchers find that they cannot write a strong background until they know exactly what their study found and how it contributes to the field. Writing the background too early often results in a section that later needs substantial revision because it frames the wrong gap or fails to set up the actual findings.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"My_supervisor_keeps_saying_my_background_is_%E2%80%98too_broad_What_does_that_mean_in_practice\"><\/span>My supervisor keeps saying my background is &#8216;too broad.&#8217; What does that mean in practice?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>It usually means one or more of the following: (1) you are citing sources that are more than one conceptual step removed from your research question; (2) you are spending multiple paragraphs on historical context that is not needed for the reader to understand the gap; or (3) your opening paragraph is about the general domain (e.g., &#8216;health&#8217;) rather than the specific field (e.g., &#8216;occupational exposure to fine particulate matter in textile workers&#8217;). Fix: state your core topic and scope in one sentence, then check every paragraph against that sentence. If a paragraph does not directly support that sentence, cut or condense it.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_I_reuse_the_background_from_one_paper_in_another_paper\"><\/span>Can I reuse the background from one paper in another paper?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Not without substantial revision. The background must be tailored to the specific gap and purpose of each study. Directly reusing text from a prior paper also constitutes self-plagiarism under the policies of most journals. You can use your own prior work as a source, citing it as you would any other, but the writing itself must be original to each manuscript.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_recent_is_%E2%80%98recent_enough_for_sources\"><\/span>How recent is &#8216;recent enough&#8217; for sources?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>For most journals, aim to include publications from the past 3 to 5 years alongside foundational references. In fast-moving fields (e.g., genomics, machine learning applications in medicine, climate science), reviewers may expect sources from the past 1 to 2 years. In slower-moving fields (e.g., historical linguistics, classical sociology theory), a 10-year window may be acceptable. The key question is not the date but whether the source reflects the current state of the field. If a highly cited review from 7 years ago is still the definitive synthesis of the evidence, include it; just also check whether anything material has changed since it was published.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_it_acceptable_to_cite_review_articles_rather_than_original_studies\"><\/span>Is it acceptable to cite review articles rather than original studies?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, and in most cases it is preferable for broad contextual points. Review articles and meta-analyses represent the synthesized state of the evidence on a topic, and citing them is more efficient than citing 10 to 15 original studies to make the same point. Cite original studies when: (a) the specific finding from that study is essential to your argument, (b) the review article is old and the original study is more recent, or (c) you are critiquing that specific study&#8217;s methodology as part of establishing a gap.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_I_handle_a_gap_that_my_own_prior_work_as_a_co-author_has_already_partially_addressed\"><\/span>How do I handle a gap that my own prior work (as a co-author) has already partially addressed?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Cite your prior work as you would any other source. Be transparent: if your previous study partially addressed the gap and the current study extends it, say so explicitly (&#8216;Building on our previous finding that X (Author et al., Year), this study extends that work to examine Y&#8217;). Do not omit your prior work from the background; reviewers may be aware of it, and omitting it looks like an attempt to overstate the novelty of the current study.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_if_there_is_very_little_prior_literature_on_my_topic\"><\/span>What if there is very little prior literature on my topic?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>This is common in emerging fields and for highly specific research questions. In this case: (1) broaden one layer of the funnel by spending more time on the adjacent literature that your study builds on; (2) be explicit that the literature is sparse, and frame that sparseness itself as part of the gap (&#8216;Very few studies have examined X; to our knowledge, only two published reports address this question, both with significant limitations&#8217;); and (3) cite theoretical frameworks or conceptual models that motivate your study even in the absence of direct empirical precedent.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"My_research_is_in_a_highly_technical_field_How_do_I_write_a_background_that_is_accessible_without_being_condescending_to_specialists\"><\/span>My research is in a highly technical field. How do I write a background that is accessible without being condescending to specialists?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Use the target journal as your calibration standard. Read the introduction sections of 3 to 5 recent articles in the journal you are submitting to, paying attention to which terms are defined and which are assumed. Match that level. If the journal publishes across sub-disciplines (e.g., a broad chemistry journal), define the most specialized terms on first use. If the journal is tightly specialized (e.g., a journal dedicated to single-crystal X-ray diffraction), assume specialist knowledge and do not define basic disciplinary terminology.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Further Reading<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Creswell, J. W. &amp; Creswell, J. D. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. 6th ed. Sage Publications, 2023.<\/li>\n<li>Cargill, M. &amp; O&#8217;Connor, P. Writing Scientific Research Articles: Strategy and Steps. 3rd ed. Wiley-Blackwell, 2021.<\/li>\n<li>American Psychological Association. Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. 7th ed. APA, 2020.<\/li>\n<li>Tavakol, M. &amp; O&#8217;Brien, D. The importance of crafting a good introduction to scholarly research. International Journal of Medical Education, 14, 84-87, 2023.<\/li>\n<li>Giltrow, J. Academic Writing: Writing and Reading in the Disciplines. 4th ed. Broadview Press, 2014.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Editage All Access<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> is a subscription-based platform that unifies the best AI tools and services designed to speed up, simplify, and streamline every step of a researcher\u2019s journey. The <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/?utm_source=contentmarketing&amp;utm_medium=rblog&amp;utm_campaign=what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it-boilerplate\"><b><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">Editage All Access Pack<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/a> <i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">is a one-of-a-kind subscription that unlocks full access to an AI writing assistant, literature recommender, journal finder, scientific illustration tool, and exclusive discounts on professional publication services from Editage.<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Based on 22+ years of experience in academia, <\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Editage All Access<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> empowers researchers to put their best research forward and move closer to success. Explore our top AI Tools pack, AI Tools + Publication Services pack, or Build Your Own Plan. Find everything a researcher needs to succeed, all in one place \u2013\u202f<\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/all-access-pricing?utm_source=contentmarketing&amp;utm_medium=rblog&amp;utm_campaign=what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it-boilerplate\"><b><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">Get All Access now starting at just <\/span><\/i><\/b><b><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">$14<\/span><\/i><\/b><b><i><span data-contrast=\"none\"> a month<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/a><b><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">!<\/span><\/i><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\"><em><strong>This article was originally published on February 27, 2023, and updated on June 23, 2026.<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Glossary of Key Terms The following terms appear throughout this guide. Reviewing them before reading will help you navigate the content more efficiently. &nbsp; Term<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":5239,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_editorskit_title_hidden":false,"_editorskit_reading_time":0,"_editorskit_is_block_options_detached":false,"_editorskit_block_options_position":"{}","footnotes":""},"categories":[488,1],"tags":[12,535,91,48,34,508],"class_list":["post-5238","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academic-writing","category-researcher-life","tag-academic-writing","tag-background-of-a-study","tag-literature-search","tag-research-discovery","tag-scholarly-publishing","tag-tips-for-researchers"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What Is the Background of a Study and How to Write It: Examples, Templates, and Checklists | Researcher.Life<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how to write the background of a study: funnel structure, synthesis vs. summary, gap statements, templates, and examples across disciplines.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What Is the Background of a Study and How to Write It: Examples, Templates, and Checklists | Researcher.Life\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn how to write the background of a study: funnel structure, synthesis vs. summary, gap statements, templates, and examples across disciplines.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-06-23T01:20:44+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-06-27T13:31:30+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/open-flying-old-books.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Mary Oommen\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Mary Oommen\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"36 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Mary Oommen\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/2ef8da84141081f885b574480e023345\"},\"headline\":\"What Is the Background of a Study and How to Write It: Annotated Examples, Templates, and Checklists\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-06-23T01:20:44+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-06-27T13:31:30+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/\"},\"wordCount\":7803,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/open-flying-old-books.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Academic Writing\",\"background of a study\",\"Literature search\",\"Research discovery\",\"Scholarly publishing\",\"tips for researchers\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Academic Writing\",\"Researcher.Life\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/\",\"name\":\"What Is the Background of a Study and How to Write It: Examples, Templates, and Checklists | Researcher.Life\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/open-flying-old-books.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-06-23T01:20:44+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-06-27T13:31:30+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/2ef8da84141081f885b574480e023345\"},\"description\":\"Learn how to write the background of a study: funnel structure, synthesis vs. summary, gap statements, templates, and examples across disciplines.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/open-flying-old-books.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/open-flying-old-books.jpg\",\"caption\":\"Open flying old books\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Researcher.Life\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/category\/researcher-life\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"What Is the Background of a Study and How to Write It: Annotated Examples, Templates, and Checklists\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"\",\"description\":\"Educational resources and simple solutions for your research journey\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/2ef8da84141081f885b574480e023345\",\"name\":\"Mary Oommen\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/4ea8df00b8c3ff28466dcfad3db498366e144f3c5c160cd8eede1a9ddf328038?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/4ea8df00b8c3ff28466dcfad3db498366e144f3c5c160cd8eede1a9ddf328038?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Mary Oommen\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/author\/mary-oommen\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"What Is the Background of a Study and How to Write It: Examples, Templates, and Checklists | Researcher.Life","description":"Learn how to write the background of a study: funnel structure, synthesis vs. summary, gap statements, templates, and examples across disciplines.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"What Is the Background of a Study and How to Write It: Examples, Templates, and Checklists | Researcher.Life","og_description":"Learn how to write the background of a study: funnel structure, synthesis vs. summary, gap statements, templates, and examples across disciplines.","og_url":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/","article_published_time":"2026-06-23T01:20:44+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-06-27T13:31:30+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/open-flying-old-books.jpg","width":1,"height":1,"type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Mary Oommen","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Mary Oommen","Est. reading time":"36 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/"},"author":{"name":"Mary Oommen","@id":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/2ef8da84141081f885b574480e023345"},"headline":"What Is the Background of a Study and How to Write It: Annotated Examples, Templates, and Checklists","datePublished":"2026-06-23T01:20:44+00:00","dateModified":"2026-06-27T13:31:30+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/"},"wordCount":7803,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/open-flying-old-books.jpg","keywords":["Academic Writing","background of a study","Literature search","Research discovery","Scholarly publishing","tips for researchers"],"articleSection":["Academic Writing","Researcher.Life"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/","url":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/","name":"What Is the Background of a Study and How to Write It: Examples, Templates, and Checklists | Researcher.Life","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/open-flying-old-books.jpg","datePublished":"2026-06-23T01:20:44+00:00","dateModified":"2026-06-27T13:31:30+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/2ef8da84141081f885b574480e023345"},"description":"Learn how to write the background of a study: funnel structure, synthesis vs. summary, gap statements, templates, and examples across disciplines.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/open-flying-old-books.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/open-flying-old-books.jpg","caption":"Open flying old books"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-the-background-of-a-study-and-how-to-write-it\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Researcher.Life","item":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/category\/researcher-life\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"What Is the Background of a Study and How to Write It: Annotated Examples, Templates, and Checklists"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/","name":"","description":"Educational resources and simple solutions for your research journey","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/2ef8da84141081f885b574480e023345","name":"Mary Oommen","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/4ea8df00b8c3ff28466dcfad3db498366e144f3c5c160cd8eede1a9ddf328038?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/4ea8df00b8c3ff28466dcfad3db498366e144f3c5c160cd8eede1a9ddf328038?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Mary Oommen"},"url":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/author\/mary-oommen\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/open-flying-old-books.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5238","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5238"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5238\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13154,"href":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5238\/revisions\/13154"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5239"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5238"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5238"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5238"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}