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The 8 Steps in Writing the Justification of the Study

In your academic research paper, the justification of the study explains why your research is needed and why it is worth conducting. It provides a rationale for your study and demonstrates its importance and relevance. Let us walk you through a step by step article that will guide you on how to formulate a good justification.

Step 1. Need for the Study: First of all, clearly state why the research is necessary. Explain the problem or gap that your study addresses and why it is important to investigate this issue. Discuss any pressing issues or challenges that make your study relevant.

For example; “There is a growing concern about childhood obesity and poor dietary habits among students in urban areas. School gardening programs have been introduced as a potential solution, but their effectiveness in improving nutrition knowledge and dietary habits has not been adequately studied. This research is necessary to evaluate these programs and provide evidence-based recommendations for schools.”

Step 2. Relevance to Field: Describe how your study will advance knowledge in your specific field. Explain why your research topic is pertinent to current trends, debates, or developments in the field. Highlight how your study aligns with ongoing research or fills a specific niche.

For example; “This study will contribute to the field of educational research by exploring the impact of experiential learning on nutrition education. With increasing interest in sustainable living and health education, this research aligns with current trends and debates, providing valuable insights into effective educational practices.”

Step 3. Addressing Gaps: Identify and explain the gaps or limitations in existing research that your study will address. Discuss any areas where current knowledge is lacking or where previous studies have fallen short. Emphasize how your research will provide new insights or solutions.

For example; “While previous studies have shown that hands-on learning can enhance student engagement, there is limited research on the long-term impact of school gardening programs on students’ nutrition knowledge and dietary habits. This study will address this gap by providing comprehensive data on the effectiveness of these programs over an academic year.”

Step 4. Practical Benefits: Explain the practical benefits of your research. Discuss how your findings could be used to solve real-world problems, improve practices, or benefit specific groups or organizations. Highlight any potential applications of your research results.

For example; “The findings of this study can help educators and school administrators design more effective gardening programs that promote healthier eating habits among students. By understanding what works best, schools can improve their curriculum and make informed decisions about program implementation.”

Step 5. Theoretical Contributions: Discuss the theoretical significance of your study. Explain how your research will contribute to or challenge existing theories or frameworks. Highlight any new theoretical perspectives or concepts that your study will introduce.

For example; “This research will contribute to educational theories by exploring the role of experiential learning in nutrition education. It may refine existing theories on hands-on learning and provide a new framework for understanding how practical activities like gardening can influence students’ knowledge and behaviors.”

Step 6. Policy and Practice Impact: If relevant, describe how your research could influence policy or practice. Explain any recommendations or implications your study might have for policymakers, practitioners, or organizations. Highlight the potential impact on decision-making processes or policy development.

For example; “The study’s results could inform educational policies by highlighting the benefits of incorporating gardening programs into the standard curriculum. Policymakers might consider mandating or funding such programs in urban schools to combat childhood obesity and promote healthier eating habits.”

Step 7. Innovation and Originality: Describe any innovative or original aspects of your study. Explain what makes your research unique or novel compared to previous studies. Highlight any new methodologies, approaches, or perspectives that your research will bring.

For example; “This study is innovative in its comprehensive approach to evaluating school gardening programs, using both qualitative and quantitative methods to assess their impact. It will provide a holistic view of how these programs influence students’ nutrition knowledge and dietary habits, offering new insights and methodologies for future research.”

Step 8. Stakeholder Interest: Identify the stakeholders who have an interest in your research. Explain why your study is important to these groups and how it aligns with their needs or concerns. Discuss any collaborations or support you have from relevant stakeholders.

For example; “Stakeholders including school administrators, educators, parents, and policymakers have a vested interest in the outcomes of this research. Understanding the effectiveness of school gardening programs can help these groups support and advocate for initiatives that promote healthier lifestyles among children.”

Step 9. Timeliness: Discuss why your research is timely and relevant at the present moment. Explain any current events, emerging trends, or recent developments that make your study particularly significant now. Highlight the urgency or immediate relevance of your research topic.

For example; “With increasing concerns about childhood obesity and poor dietary habits, this research is particularly timely. The growing interest in sustainable living and healthy eating further underscores the relevance of studying school gardening programs now. Addressing these issues promptly can help mitigate long-term health consequences for the current generation of children.”

Now that we are done with the steps, let us add the above examples and come up with our justification:

Justification of the Study: “There is a growing concern about childhood obesity and poor dietary habits among students in urban areas. School gardening programs have been introduced as a potential solution, but their effectiveness in improving nutrition knowledge and dietary habits has not been adequately studied. This research is necessary to evaluate these programs and provide evidence-based recommendations for schools. This study will contribute to the field of educational research by exploring the impact of experiential learning on nutrition education. With increasing interest in sustainable living and health education, this research aligns with current trends and debates, providing valuable insights into effective educational practices. While previous studies have shown that hands-on learning can enhance student engagement, there is limited research on the long-term impact of school gardening programs on students’ nutrition knowledge and dietary habits. This study will address this gap by providing comprehensive data on the effectiveness of these programs over an academic year.

The findings of this study can help educators and school administrators design more effective gardening programs that promote healthier eating habits among students. By understanding what works best, schools can improve their curriculum and make informed decisions about program implementation. This research will contribute to educational theories by exploring the role of experiential learning in nutrition education. It may refine existing theories on hands-on learning and provide a new framework for understanding how practical activities like gardening can influence students’ knowledge and behaviors. The study’s results could inform educational policies by highlighting the benefits of incorporating gardening programs into the standard curriculum. Policymakers might consider mandating or funding such programs in urban schools to combat childhood obesity and promote healthier eating habits.

This study is innovative in its comprehensive approach to evaluating school gardening programs, using both qualitative and quantitative methods to assess their impact. It will provide a holistic view of how these programs influence students’ nutrition knowledge and dietary habits, offering new insights and methodologies for future research. Stakeholders including school administrators, educators, parents, and policymakers have a vested interest in the outcomes of this research. Understanding the effectiveness of school gardening programs can help these groups support and advocate for initiatives that promote healthier lifestyles among children. With increasing concerns about childhood obesity and poor dietary habits, this research is particularly timely. The growing interest in sustainable living and healthy eating further underscores the relevance of studying school gardening programs now. Addressing these issues promptly can help mitigate long-term health consequences for the current generation of children.”