Writing Research Background

Research background introduces the research area, whereas the literature review critically examines it.

Research Background Explained Simply

Imagine you are telling a story about how a particular business problem developed over time. For example, if your dissertation explores the impact of artificial intelligence on employee performance, you would first explain how technology has evolved in workplaces, how organisations have increasingly adopted AI systems, and why researchers have become interested in studying the consequences of this trend. Only after providing this context would you introduce your specific research problem.

In simple terms, research background explains how the reader arrived at your research question.

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What is Research Background?

Research background refers to the contextual information that introduces the research topic and explains the circumstances that led to the research problem. It provides a concise overview of major developments, theories, concepts, events, and previous studies relevant to the area under investigation.

The purpose of research background is to help readers understand why the research topic is important and how the current study fits within the broader body of knowledge. A well-written research background usually demonstrates:

• the importance of the topic
• historical developments in the field
• major theories and concepts
• current issues and trends
• the emergence of the specific research problem

Research background is normally written after completing the literature review because researchers need a thorough understanding of existing knowledge before they can explain the context of their study effectively.

Research Background vs Literature Review

Students frequently confuse research background with literature review because both sections discuss previous studies. However, their purposes differ significantly.

Research background provides a broad overview of the research area and explains how the topic developed over time. It introduces readers to the subject and prepares them for the research problem. A literature review goes much further by critically evaluating previous studies, comparing viewpoints, identifying contradictions, and highlighting gaps in existing knowledge.

In simple terms, research background tells readers what happened, whereas literature review evaluates what researchers have discovered about it.

Key Components of Research Background

An effective research background generally contains several important elements. The section often begins by introducing the broader research area and explaining its significance. This is followed by a discussion of major historical developments, important theories, influential models, and key trends that have shaped the field.

Researchers then gradually narrow the discussion towards the specific topic being investigated. This narrowing process helps demonstrate how the research problem emerged naturally from existing developments within the field. Finally, the background section should establish a clear connection between existing knowledge and the current study.

How to Write Research Background

Writing a strong research background usually involves a logical sequence of steps. First, identify the broad research area and explain why it is important. Next, discuss the major developments that have occurred within the field over time. These developments should generally be presented in a logical or chronological order.

After outlining historical developments, introduce the major theories, models, and concepts that are most relevant to the research topic. Brief explanations are usually sufficient because detailed discussions belong in the literature review chapter.

Finally, narrow the discussion towards the specific issue that your dissertation aims to investigate. Readers should be able to see clearly how the research problem emerged from the broader context presented earlier.

Research Background: an Example

Suppose your dissertation topic is:

“The impact of artificial intelligence on employee productivity in the UK banking sector.”

A suitable research background might begin by discussing the increasing role of digital technologies in financial services over recent decades. The discussion could then explain the emergence of artificial intelligence applications in banking, including automated customer service, fraud detection systems, and predictive analytics.

Next, the section could briefly introduce theories related to technology adoption, organisational change, and employee performance. Finally, it would explain why understanding the impact of AI on employee productivity has become an important research issue for modern financial institutions.

Advantages and Limitations of Research Background

A strong research background helps readers understand the significance of the study and provides a logical foundation for the research problem. It improves coherence throughout the dissertation and demonstrates that the researcher understands the wider context surrounding the topic. Research background also helps establish credibility by showing how the study relates to previous developments within the field.

However, the section should not become excessively detailed. One common challenge is deciding how much information to include. If too much detail is presented, the research background may begin to overlap with the literature review. Conversely, if insufficient context is provided, readers may struggle to understand the significance of the research problem.

Common Mistakes When Writing Research Background

One common mistake is turning the research background into a mini literature review. Students sometimes begin critically analysing studies instead of providing context and historical developments. Another frequent issue is presenting information without a logical flow. Research background should gradually move from broad context to the specific research problem rather than jumping between unrelated topics.

Students also often include too much information about theories and models. Detailed theoretical discussions should generally be reserved for the literature review chapter. Finally, some researchers fail to explain how the background relates directly to the research problem. Readers should always be able to see a clear connection between the context provided and the purpose of the study.

Research Background in Business Research

Research background plays a particularly important role in business and management studies because business environments change rapidly. Economic conditions, technological innovations, regulatory developments, globalisation, sustainability concerns, and changing consumer behaviours continuously reshape business practices.

For example, a study investigating employee engagement may require discussion of changing workplace structures, remote working trends, and developments in leadership theory. Similarly, research into digital marketing may need to explain the evolution of social media platforms and online consumer behaviour. Providing this context helps readers understand why the research question is relevant in contemporary business environments.

Research Background in the Age of AI and Digital Research

The growing influence of artificial intelligence and digital technologies has changed how research backgrounds are written. Many research topics now involve rapidly evolving technologies, making it necessary for researchers to incorporate recent developments into their contextual discussions.

AI-driven innovations often create entirely new research questions that did not exist only a few years earlier. As a result, research backgrounds increasingly include discussions of digital transformation, automation, machine learning, data analytics, platform economies, and emerging technological trends.

At the same time, researchers must be careful not to focus exclusively on recent developments. A strong research background still requires discussion of the historical evolution of the topic and the theoretical foundations that underpin contemporary issues.

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Dudovskiy AI Research Assistant. can help structure your introduction chapter and ensure each section serves a clear academic purpose.

When to Write Research Background

Research background should usually be written after completing a substantial portion of the literature review. You should write the research background when:

• you understand the major theories and concepts in the field
• you have identified key developments in the research area
• you have a clear research problem
• you know how your study relates to previous research
• you are drafting the introduction chapter

Completing the literature review first makes it much easier to produce a focused and well-structured research background.

Dissertation Example

The concept of employee engagement has attracted considerable attention from researchers and practitioners over the past two decades. Early studies focused primarily on job satisfaction and organisational commitment, whereas more recent research has examined psychological engagement and employee wellbeing. The emergence of remote and hybrid working arrangements following the COVID-19 pandemic has further increased interest in understanding factors that influence employee engagement. At the same time, organisations have increasingly adopted digital communication technologies that have transformed workplace interactions. Against this background, the present study investigates the impact of remote working practices on employee engagement within the UK financial services sector. The study seeks to contribute to current discussions regarding effective workforce management in digitally enabled work environments.

Exam Tip

A useful way to structure your research background is to move from broad to narrow. Start with the wider research area, discuss major developments and theories, then gradually focus on the specific research problem your dissertation addresses. This creates a logical flow and makes it easier for readers to understand the rationale behind your study.