Prospectus: Background

In the prospectus background section, it is common to have literally a list of relevant studies. However, keep in mind if you choose to do it this way, it must include information as to how each article relates to your study. You need to provide a representative list of scholarship and findings that support the main assertions in the problem statement, highlighting their relationship to the topic (e.g., “This variable was studied with a similar sample by Smith (2010) and Johnson (2008),” or “Jones’s (2011) examination of industry leaders showed similar trends in the same key segments.”). 

Think of this section as a way to demonstrate that you have done your homework on the topic and are demonstrating it to the reader. Make sure that you include references that you have cited earlier in the paper and how they relate to your study. 

When the reader finishes this section they should feel convinced that you have done a good preliminary literature check and have identified the most relevant research for your study. 

Next time we take a look at the Prospectus: Framework. Do you have an issue or a question that you would like me to discuss in a future post? Would you like to be a guest writer? Send me your ideas! leann.stadtlander@waldenu.edu