2.1. Definition of Key Concepts

This section introduces and explains the key concepts related to the research topic. Students should identify the main terms in their research titles and questions and find appropriate definitions from reliable academic sources, such as scholarly books and peer-reviewed journal articles. They should compare and synthesize definitions from different scholars rather than simply listing them. Students should also explain how the key concepts are understood and applied in the context of their own studies. All definitions and theoretical claims taken from other sources must be properly cited.

2.2. Theoretical Foundations

This section presents the theories or models that provide the foundation for the research. Students should identify the scholars who developed the selected theories, explain their main principles and components, and discuss their relevance to the research topic. The selected theories should be directly related to the research objectives and questions. For example, studies on English speaking anxiety may draw on Horwitz et al.'s (1986) framework of foreign language classroom anxiety, while studies on discourse analysis may adopt Systemic Functional Linguistics. Students should explain how the selected theories help them understand the research problem and guide their analysis. They should avoid including theories that are not clearly connected to the study.

2.3. Previous Studies Related to the Topic

This section reviews previous studies related to the research topic. Students should describe the aims, research methods, participants, and major findings of relevant studies. They should also compare and synthesize the findings to identify similarities, differences, and issues that require further investigation. Rather than summarizing each study separately, students should organize the discussion logically around relevant themes or research questions. At the end of the section, they should explain how previous studies inform the present research and identify aspects that the current study intends to investigate further. All information about previous studies must be supported by accurate academic references.

2.3.1. International Studies

This subsection presents relevant studies conducted in international contexts. Students should select studies that are closely related to their research topics and explain their main findings and contributions. They should compare the studies to identify common findings, differences in research approaches, and issues that remain unresolved. The discussion should demonstrate how international research contributes to the theoretical understanding of the topic and provides a foundation for the present study.

2.3.2. Studies in Vietnam

This subsection reviews relevant studies conducted in Vietnam, particularly those involving Vietnamese learners, teachers, or educational contexts when these are relevant to the research topic. Students should describe the main objectives, methods, and findings of these studies and compare them with findings from international research where appropriate. They should explain how the Vietnamese context relates to the present study and identify aspects that may require further investigation. If there are insufficient relevant Vietnamese studies, students should not force this subsection into the chapter.

2.4. Conceptual Framework (if applicable)

This section presents the conceptual framework developed for the study, where appropriate. A conceptual framework illustrates the main concepts or variables and the relationships proposed between them. Students should explain how the framework is informed by the theories and previous studies discussed in the earlier sections. They should justify the selection of the main concepts or variables and clarify how these relate to the research objectives and questions. If a diagram is included, it should be accompanied by a clear explanation. A conceptual framework is not compulsory for every study; its inclusion depends on the research design and the requirements of the university.

2.5. Chapter Summary

This section summarizes the main points discussed in Chapter 2. Students should briefly review the key concepts, theoretical foundations, and relevant findings from previous studies. They should explain how these elements establish the theoretical basis for the present research and provide a foundation for the next chapter. The summary should be concise, coherent, and limited to information already discussed in the chapter. Students should not introduce new theories, concepts, or arguments in this section.

General Writing Requirements

Throughout Chapter 2, students should use clear, formal, and concise academic English. Ideas should be organized logically, and paragraphs should be connected through appropriate transitions. Students should demonstrate critical understanding by comparing, synthesizing, and evaluating acade

mic sources rather than merely reproducing information from other authors. All borrowed ideas must be properly cited, and all references must be accurate and follow the referencing style required by the university, such as APA 7th edition.

Before submitting the chapter, students should check that the theoretical background is consistent with the research title, objectives, research questions, methodology, and data analysis. They should remove unnecessary information, avoid repetition, and ensure that every theory and concept included contributes to the study. The final chapter should provide a coherent theoretical foundation for the research rather than simply presenting a collection of definitions and summaries.