Sometimes a separate chapter is required to contain the background to the thesis. This will provide the reader with information which will contextualise the study in a number of possible ways. A background can provide the :

• Geographical context: Has the research taken place in a particular geographical environment which makes it significant?
• Historical context: Do the issues addressed in the research have a history? Have they been relevent over time?
• Political context:Have particular political policies had an impact on the issue that you have studied?
• Social context: Has your research related to a particular social context, eg: the public education sector, the private education sector, or particular socio-economic groups?