How to Write a Powerful Background of the Study (With Examples)

Step 1: Research Before You Write

Before you write a single word, gather your sources. For each layer of the funnel, you need relevant literature.

• For undergraduate: Aim for 8-15 sources total

• For master’s: Aim for 15-25 sources total

• For PhD: Aim for 25-40 sources total

Use Google Scholar, university library databases, and the African Journals Online (AJOL) platform. Keep track of your sources using a simple spreadsheet or a reference manager like Mendeley or Zotero.

Step 2: Start With the Global Context

Your opening paragraph should establish that your topic matters internationally. What global trends, statistics, or studies are relevant?

Example of a global context paragraph (Education topic):

“Globally, digital literacy has become an essential competency for success in the 21st century. According to the International Telecommunication Union (2023), approximately 67% of the world’s population now uses the internet, up from just 30% a decade earlier. Studies from developed countries have consistently demonstrated a positive relationship between digital literacy and academic achievement (Smith & Chen, 2022; Williams et al., 2021). However, these studies have primarily focused on high-income contexts, leaving questions about applicability in developing nations.”

Notice how this paragraph:

• Starts with a broad global statement

• Provides a recent statistic with a citation

• Cites multiple international studies

• Ends with a hint of the gap (applicability in developing nations)

Step 3: Narrow to the African/Regional Context

Your second paragraph should zoom in on Africa. What is happening on the continent? What studies have been conducted in African countries?

Example of an African context paragraph (continuing the education topic):

“In Africa, the digital divide remains a significant challenge. A report by the African Development Bank (2022) indicates that only 40% of sub-Saharan Africa’s population has access to the internet, with significant disparities between urban and rural areas. Several African countries have made notable progress in digital literacy initiatives. In South Africa, Omondi and Njoroge (2021) found that schools with robust digital literacy programs saw a 25% improvement in student performance. Similarly, in Ghana, research by Mensah (2020) demonstrated that teacher training in digital tools positively affected classroom engagement. Despite these contributions, the African context remains understudied relative to global counterparts.”

Step 4: Focus on the Kenyan Context

Now zoom in further to Kenya. What do we know specifically about your topic in Kenya? Cite Kenyan studies, government reports, and local data.

Example of a Kenyan context paragraph (continuing the education topic):

“Kenya has positioned itself as a regional leader in digital transformation. The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS, 2023) reports that internet penetration reached 45% in 2023, driven largely by mobile technology. The government’s Digital Literacy Programme (DLP) has distributed over 1.2 million digital devices to primary schools across the country (Ministry of Education, 2022). Several Kenyan studies have examined digital literacy in educational settings. Wanjiku and Otieno (2021) found that digital literacy among Nairobi secondary school students was positively correlated with academic performance. However, their study was limited to urban private schools. Kamau (2020) investigated teacher preparedness for digital learning in Kiambu County and identified significant gaps in training. Despite these valuable contributions, no study has specifically examined digital literacy’s impact on student performance in Nairobi’s public secondary schools.”

Notice how this paragraph:

• Cites Kenyan sources (KNBS, Ministry of Education)

• Mentions specific Kenyan researchers

• Builds toward a clear gap (no study on public secondary schools in Nairobi)

Step 5: Zoom Into Your Specific Context (Optional but Powerful)

For master’s and PhD students, adding a fourth layer about your specific institution, county, or community adds credibility and demonstrates deep local knowledge.

Example of a local context paragraph:

“This study focuses on public secondary schools in Nairobi County. According to the Nairobi City County Education Directorate (2023), there are 85 public secondary schools in the county, serving approximately 120,000 students. These schools vary significantly in terms of resources, with some having well-equipped computer laboratories and others lacking basic infrastructure. Preliminary observations suggest that digital literacy instruction, where it exists, is inconsistent across schools. This variation provides an ideal setting for investigating the relationship between digital literacy and student performance.”

Step 6: Identify and State the Research Gap

After presenting what is known, you must clearly state what is not known. This is the research gap—the justification for your entire study.

Common phrases to signal the gap:

• “However, no study has examined…”

• “Despite this, little is known about…”

• “A notable gap in the literature is…”

• “What remains unclear is…”

• “Previous research has not addressed…”

Example of a gap statement:

“Despite the growing body of literature on digital literacy in Kenyan schools, a notable gap remains. No study has specifically investigated the impact of digital literacy on student performance in public secondary schools within Nairobi County. Furthermore, existing research has not examined the moderating role of school resource levels on this relationship.”

Step 7: Write the Transition Sentence

Your final sentence should lead directly into your problem statement. This creates a smooth flow between sections.

Example transition sentence:

“Therefore, this study seeks to address this gap by investigating the impact of digital literacy on student performance in public secondary schools in Nairobi County.”