2

DESCRIBING BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

1. identify articles that can prove the existence of the research gap of your study
2. determine the international, national and local context that may present the research gap of
your study
3. describes background of research study

Background information expands upon the key points stated in the beginning of your introduction but
is not intended to be the main focus of the paper. It generally supports the question, what did we know
about this topic before I did this study? Sufficient background information helps your reader determine
if you have a basic understanding of the research problem being investigated and promotes confidence
in the overall quality of your analysis and findings. This information provides the reader with the
essential context needed to understand the research problem and its significance before moving on to
the literature review.

DEFINITION OF BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The background of the study is basically an overview of the research study and explains why
you, as researchers, are doing the study. It provides information that is important or essential to
understand the main body of the research investigation, which could be an offshoot of any one of the
following:
1. historical developments
2. cultural developments
3. academic developments
4. scientific findings
5. debates or arguments and a host of others.
 These developments could give rise to your research questions. The background of the study
locates or situates your study in the context of your specific field (Accounting, Business,
Management, Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Social Science, Technical
Vocational) and other related fields.
You’re linking up of your research study to recent developments, as well as your mentioning
whether certain issues relevant to your field of investigation had been addressed in any form,
followed by the research questions you intend to seek answers for, can make your reader deduce the
originality of your study.
Basically, the background of your study should be able to present the research gap (that is
either the problem, issue or concern that you want to address) from the international, national and
local context. The goal is to prove that the research gap you have seen is also present in:
1. other countries (internationally),
2. in our own country outside our city (nationally),
3. and in our own city (locally).

Thus, the format of the background of your study should follow this pattern:

Number of
Part Section Content
Paragraphs
Must give a brief description
Introductory Composed of 1 to
First Part about the topic
Statement 2 paragraphs
Must cite an event or any
Second International Composed of 2 to
evidence that the research gap
Part Context 4 paragraphs
happened in other countries
Must cite an event or any
Third evidence that the research gap Composed of 2 to
National Context
Part happened in the country 4 paragraphs
outside our city
Must cite an event or any
Fourth Composed of 2 to
Local Context evidence that the research gap
Part 4 paragraphs
happened in our city
Must give a closing statement
about wrapping up the
Concluding Composed of 1 or
Fifth Part discussion and emphasizing
Statement 2 paragraphs
that there is really a research
gap that needs to be addressed.

Note: All sources from where your articles are taken which you included in this part of your research
paper must be cited properly. A table for list of articles with sources is attached at the end of
this lesson for you to fill in.
In the following example, the first paragraph is the researchers’ introductory statement while the last
paragraph is their concluding statement.
EXAMPLE OF A BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY SECTION FROM AN ACTUAL
RESEARCH PAPER:

Research Title: Leadership Styles and Student Leader’s Performance of the Senior High School
Department of Jose Maria College (Davad et.al, 2020)

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Leadership style is a key determinant of the success or failure of any organization. Effective

leadership is essential for every organizational management and leadership style is an important

variable having significant impact on the success of the organization. In practice, there are many

problems facing an organization and the causes of the problems can often be traced to the leaders.

Some of them may have insufficient competencies or their traits may not fit with the nature of their

work. Besides, they may use inappropriate leadership styles in dealing with subordinates on

projects. Effective performance and great work outcomes from subordinates are always desirable,

but they do not always happen. People normally respond well only to appropriate types of

leadership. The best style would lead them to work effectively (Likhitwonnawut, 2000).

International Context

The growth of leadership among students according to Humphreys (2011) is perceived to

be a key goal for any academic institution. This is because schools provide fertile grounds for

students to cultivate and improve their leadership potentials. As stated also by Astin & Astin (2000)

that one may perhaps even claim that student councils are arms institutionalizing leadership in the

academic setting, since discourses of and about the creation of leaders are situated in the way

student leadership is created and communicated.

However, Hougaard (2018) stated that there is real crisis in leadership. He said that being

trustworthy, selfless, truthful and compassionate are wonderful qualities leaders must possess.

But not all leaders exhibit these qualities. Rasmus Hougaard together with Jacqueline Carter and

a global research team from Potential Project conducted a two-year study on 35,000 leaders, to

unravel the state of leadership in organizations.

 The study found that only 18% of leaders demonstrate a high level of talent for

managing others, meaning 82% of leaders are not very good at leading people. Dacher

Keltner (2018), a professor of psychology at University of California, Berkeley and frequent

contributor to Harvard Business Review said that “when many leaders start to feel powerful,

their more benevolent qualities like empathy start to decline.”

In light of this problem, Journal of Human Resources Management Research piloted a

study Last October 2018 in Lincoln University College to know how leadership styles can

improve organizational performance. Khajeh (2018) concluded that the coaching and

democratic leadership styles have a positive influence on organizational performance,

whereas, authoritative leadership style was found to have a negative impact on the

organizational performance in the organizations taken for study. Khajeh (2018) also

recommended that organizations should focus on using the democratic leadership style to

improve the organizational performance. Whitlock (2018) supported this claim and said that

by focusing on adopting a style of leadership, serving others may eventually lead to benefits

not only for the leader, but also for the organization or school district at large.

National Context

Velasco (2005) stated that there has always been a claim in the Philippines that the

drive toward the much-needed change in government will be ushered by youthful aspirations.

In a report by United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the Department of

Interior and Local Government (DILG) in 2007, the Filipino youth is part of a collective body

which is slowly shaping the political sphere of the world. A report by United Nations Children’s

Fund (2007) said that training young Filipino leaders is part of an emerging movement

worldwide to give the youth a direct role in shaping policies and programs.
 Moreover, a study by Felerina Ellamil (2008) examined the concept of leadership. It shows

that Filipinos want a leader who is makatao or someone who is easy to talk to, listens with

understanding and compassion, and cares about the members’ professional and personal

welfare. If the leader is not makatao, it will not bring people together as a team and may get

negative results for the organization. According to Ellamil (2008), there seems to be a “scarcity

of leaders who embody the characteristics of being makatao.”

In line with this, Polytechnic University of the Philippines Paranaque Campus also

conducted a study entitled Impact of Leadership Styles on the Student Organizational

Performance of PUP-Paranaque Campus last November 2016 to determine the impact of

leadership skills on the student organizational performance. This study found out that if the

leader possesses a high-level degree of transformational leadership styles, it means that leaders

have a positive influence to the members of the organization.

Local Context

A student leader from Ateneo de Davao High School Unit has cited the role of the youth in

addressing challenges of the 21st century during the 3rd Mindanao Young Leaders Congress. Datu

Pax Ali Sangki Mangudadatu, the 2014 President of the Mindanao Young Leaders said that the

theme “Empowering the 21st Century High School Student Leaders”, was timely. Mangudadatu

(2014) stated that youths have the power to lead the future and transforming them into effective

leaders with utmost responsibility to serve the people of Mindanao and the country.

The researchers wanted to pursue this study because the researchers observed that student

leaders are fundamental in building teamwork, camaraderie and unity in the school community.

The researchers were motivated to do this study to learn if there is a relationship between

leadership styles and the student leaders’ performance specifically here in the Senior High School

Department of Jose Maria College.

Follow this citation format:

Basic Types of When to Use Sample
Citation
In-text If you will Hougaard (2018) stated that there is real crisis in leadership.
Citation paraphrase the He said that being trustworthy, selfless, truthful and
article from your compassionate are wonderful qualities leaders must possess.
source. But not all leaders exhibit these qualities.
Parenthetical If you will retain Effective performance and great work outcomes from
Citation the original subordinates are always desirable, but they do not always
statement of your happen. People normally respond well only to appropriate
source. types of leadership. The best style would lead them to work
effectively (Likhitwonnawut, 2000).