Write Theoretical Framework/Background

[Zediwan]

• Embed research problem within a theoretical framework, academic literature, or a broad ‘background’ that situates the puzzle in terms of its social relevance.

[Zediwan]

The research question (s) should, ideally, be linked to an established field of literature. To allow for greater flexibility in the choice of a research problem, however, students can also explore a socially relevant topic to which their empirical analysis could contribute. A review of the topic-specific literature is still needed, but students can also make use of journalistic sources to provide a background to their research problem. The key point is that students situate their initial puzzle and empirical analysis within a broader framework.