Research

Difference between Background of the Study and Literature Review in Research

Ferdinand Ellis

19th January 2026

Ferdinand | EducationGhana | January 19 | Difference between Background of the Study and Literature Review in Research

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY AND LITERATURE REVIEW

(PhD Thesis Writing Explained Clearly)

1. Purpose: What Each Section Is Meant to Do

Background of the Study The background explains why the study exists. It introduces the problem in its real-world, historical, policy, or disciplinary context and guides the reader toward the research problem.

Literature Review The literature review explains what is already known about the problem, what debates exist, and what is missing in scholarly knowledge. In simple terms:

Background answers: Why is this study necessary?
Literature Review answers: What do scholars already know and not know?

RELATED RESEARCH LESSONS

2. Nature of Content

Background of the Study

Broad and contextual
Descriptive but focused
Uses selected references sparingly
Builds a logical narrative from general to specific

It discusses:

The setting of the problem
Policy, institutional, or social relevance
Practical concerns that motivated the study
Trends, challenges, or changes over time

Literature Review

Narrow and scholarly
Analytical and critical
Heavily referenced
Organized by themes, theories, or variables

It discusses:

Key theories and models
Major empirical findings
Methodological approaches used by other researchers
Contradictions, gaps, and limitations in prior studies

3. Position in the Thesis Argument

Background of the Study

Comes early in the thesis
Leads directly to the problem statement
Sets the intellectual and practical stage
Persuades the reader that a problem exists

Literature Review

Comes after the problem is established
Justifies the study academically
Shows mastery of the field
Positions the study within existing scholarship

Think of it this way:

The background opens the door
The literature review maps the room

4. Use of Sources

Background of the Study

Uses fewer sources
Sources are used illustratively, not exhaustively
References may include reports, policies, and key studies

Literature Review

Uses many sources
Sources are compared, contrasted, and evaluated
Emphasis on peer-reviewed journals and seminal works

A background that reads like a long list of citations is doing the literature review’s job.

5. Level of Critical Engagement

Background of the Study

Minimal critique
Focuses on explanation and context
Rarely debates authors against each other

Literature Review

Strong critical engagement
Compares scholars’ positions
Identifies weaknesses and gaps
Challenges assumptions and methods

At PhD level, lack of critique in the literature review is a serious weakness.

6. Relationship to the Research Gap

Background of the Study

Points toward the existence of a problem
Hints at inadequacies in practice or knowledge
Prepares the reader emotionally and intellectually

Literature Review

Explicitly identifies the research gap
Shows how existing studies fall short
Demonstrates exactly where the current study fits

Examiners expect the gap to be proven, not assumed, in the literature review.

7. Common Examiner Complaints

Background of the Study

Too long and unfocused
Repeats the literature review
Lacks a clear problem direction

Literature Review

Becomes a summary of studies
Lacks critical synthesis
Fails to connect to the research questions

8. One-Sentence Distinction (Very Important)

Background of the Study: Explains the context and motivation for the research problem.
Literature Review: Explains the scholarly conversation surrounding that problem and exposes the gap.

Final Advice to PhD Students

If your:

The background reads like a journal article summary; it is misplaced.
The literature review reads like a story of context; it lacks rigour.

A strong PhD thesis keeps the two sections conceptually separate but logically connected.

Join Our Official Revision WhatsApp Channels

For daily Teachers Promotions, Research, mock questions, explanations, and supervision insights:

🔗 https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va8kqLX47XeFdyJ0nT3b

Related Internal Links

How to write and address any form of Letter to the Ghana Education Service HERE

How to write and address an Application for Car Maintenance Allowance as a Teacher HERE

How to write and address an Application for Responsibility Allowance as a Teacher HERE

Check This Out: Top 10 Steps to Register and Write Exams in KATon Computing Training Workshop

Check the SHS Grading System HERE

Download the 2022 basic and SHS Academic Calendar HERE

Check This Out:JUST IN: Coalition of Concerned Teachers sacks acting President King Ali Awudu

Prospective students can also check out the Admission Deadlines for Tertiary Institutions in Ghana as well as their Entry Requirements before Applying.

They can also check the institutions’ cut off pointsandHow to Applyto the various Tertiary Institutions in Ghana as well as the institutions’ Fees Schedulesfor any particular Semester or Year.

ELLIS FERDINAND IS THE 2024 EDUCOM BLOGGER OF THE YEAR

SEND US YOUR STORIES FOR PUBLICATION VIA WHATSAPP NUMBER0206361048

Get the WAEC Marking Schemes HERE

Get theNaCCA/GES Standard-Based Lesson Plans HERE

Get the Ghana Education ServiceNew Standard–Based Scheme of Learning (SOL)HERE

Get the Ghana Education Service New Standard–Based Curriculum HERE

Get the WAEC BECE, WASSCE, NTC Licensure Exam, and Teachers’ Promotion Exam Past Questions HERE

Download the Teachers Guide on SBCand CCP Curriculums HERE

♥Copyright Notice: Content on This Website is Copyright Protected. No Part of this Content should be reproduced without the Consent of the Author(s) or Recognition of the source of the content. © 2025 Ellis Multimedia: EducationGhana.org: All Rights Reserved