Writing the Research Plan Section: Background and Significance

Slide 1: Background and Significance

• In writing this section, keep in mind that you are writing for a general audience that is %u201Cuninformed (about your topic) but intelligent, so you should write this section in non-technical language.
• Length: 3 pages

Slide 2: Significance

• After reading the aims and hypotheses, the reviewer should have a pretty clear picture of what you plan to do.
• Now, they want to know why you want to accomplish these aims.
• This is where many applications fall flat.
• They fail to make a compelling case for their research project, leaving reviewers with no answer to the big question: SO WHAT?
• Describe the signficance of your research at the beginning of the Background and Significance section. Do not be subtle %u2013 deliver your message fast.
• State the importance of the problem.
  • If the aims of the application are achieved, how will scientific knowledge or clinical practice be advanced?
  • What will be the effect of these studies on the concepts, methods, technologies, treatments, services, or preventative interventions that drive this field?
• Emphasize what is innovative about your research.
  • Examples: Challenging existing paradigms, testing novel hypotheses, using newly developed state-of-the-art measurements.
• Discuss the potential impact of your research; Relate your anticipated results to the longer-term, big picture scientific objectives and to the betterment of health.

Slide 3: Background

• This section is important because it shows reviewers that you understand the field and have a balanced and adequate knowledge of it.
  • Reveal that you are aware of gaps or discrepancies in the field.
  • When identifying gaps in the literature that are relevant to your research project, always indicate how your specific aims will address these gaps.
  • Remember to cite the literature that supports your hypotheses.
  • Identify the next logical stage of research beyond your current application.

Slide 4: Background(contd)

• Writing tip:
  • Use bolded subheadings that convey the main point of each section (i.e., a "topic sentence" subheading rather than just a "topic" subheading). For example:
    • Topic subheading: HIV infection and atherosclerosis.
    • Topic sentence subheading: Patients with HIV infection develop premature or accelerated atherosclerosis.
• Thus, by reading only the bolded topic sentence subheadings, reviewers can understand the basic argument you are trying to make.
• They also make it easier to write a short, cogent background section.