Q: How to write the background to the study in a research paper
Can you please help me by explaining what is the background to the study when writing a research paper? I'm writing a research paper on "The guarantor’s risk under hire purchase law. Legal analysis on the role and responsibilities of banking institutions".
Dear Author,
The background to a study in a research paper explains the context that led to the research problem. It introduces the broader legal, social, and/or economic settings from or in which the issue arose and helps the reader understand the importance and value of the work. This section usually outlines key concepts, existing practices, and general developments in the field, without detailed analyses. Essentially, through this section, you are orienting the reader, gradually narrowing the discussion toward the specific problem your research addresses.
In relation to hire purchase law, the background should briefly explain how hire purchase arrangements operate, the involvement of multiple parties (e.g., hirer, owner, guarantor, and banking institutions), and why guarantors are commonly required in these transactions. You can also mention the increasing role of banks and financial institutions in hire purchase agreements, especially in consumer and commercial financing. This will set the stage for understanding how guarantors become legally bound and exposed to financial risk.
Most importantly, the background should highlight the problem that motivates your study; in this case, that guarantors often assume significant legal and financial risk, sometimes without full awareness of their responsibilities or protections under the law. You can point out concerns such as unequal bargaining power, inadequate disclosure by banking institutions, or unclear legal safeguards for guarantors.
