1. Conduct preliminary research to help formulate a research question or thesis statement. Visit the library, internet, and databases to find preliminary sources like books and journals. 2. Take notes on sources and develop a research question or thesis statement to guide the thesis. Be sure to cite sources accurately. 3. Write a thesis statement expressing an opinion on an issue, problem, or solution based on research conducted so far.

1. A Step-by-Step on How
to Do a Background
Study for a Thesis

2. 1. Conduct preliminary research in the beginning
stages of formulating a thesis, when many issues
are unclear and thoughts need to be
solidified. Conducting preliminary research on
your area of study and specific topic will help
you to formulate a research question or thesis
statement that will lead to more specific and
relevant research. Visit your library, the
internet and electronic databases to find
preliminary sources, such as books and
scholarly journals, for your background

3. 2. Read the information and develop a research
question or thesis statement that will guide your
thesis. You will need to take notes and keep
accurate track of the sources that you used up to
this point. Many people use note cards, but with
current technology there many electronic note
taking programs available. Use a method of
recording source information that you are
comfortable with. Be sure to cite the source of the
information on each note so you don't forget
where each piece of information came from,
should you decide to use it in your thesis.

4. 3. Write a thesis statement or research question.
Think about what you've read and look for
issues, problems or solutions that others have
found and determine your own opinion or
stance on the issue. Write out your opinion as a
authoritative statement on the issue, problem or
solution. At this point, you can do more detailed
research and find sources that are more relevant
to your thesis or research question.

5. 4. Complete your research using your
thesis statement and research question
as your guide. You will find relevant
sources that will provide insight into
your specific thesis issue or problem.
Make sure that your sources provide
details on the history and past research
related to your research question.

6. 5. Create relevant sections as you write
the background study. As you evaluate
your research and begin to write the
background study, create five separate
sections that cover the key issues, major
findings, and controversies surrounding
your thesis, as well as sections that
provide an evaluation and conclusion.

7. 6. Conclude by identifying any
further study that needs to be
done in that area, or provide
possible solutions to the issue that
haven't been considered before.

8. 7. Revise and edit your background
study. Complete several drafts of your
work, revising and filling in
information as you go. Each time that
you read over your work, try to leave
it better than it was before. It's also a
great idea to have someone else look
it over as well.