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Context of the Study – Writing Guide and Examples

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The context of the study is a critical section in academic and research writing that provides background information about the research topic, situates it within a broader field, and explains the factors influencing the research. This section helps readers understand why the study is significant, the problem it addresses, and the environment in which the research is conducted.

This article offers a comprehensive guide to writing the context of a study, with examples to illustrate its importance and structure.

Context of the Study

The context of the study describes the setting, circumstances, and background that frame the research. It outlines the broader area of inquiry, introduces the research problem, and highlights the factors influencing the study. This section ensures readers understand the relevance and scope of the research.

For example:

In a study on remote work productivity, the context might include the rise of remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the challenges of virtual collaboration, and the global shift toward flexible work environments.

Importance of the Context of the Study

Provides Background: Offers readers a clear understanding of the research problem’s origins and significance.
Establishes Relevance: Demonstrates how the research fits into the broader academic, social, or practical landscape.
Clarifies Scope: Defines the boundaries and limitations of the research topic.
Engages Readers: Highlights the importance of the study, making it relatable and compelling.
Guides the Reader: Acts as a roadmap for understanding the rationale behind the research objectives and methodology.

Key Components of the Context of the Study

1. background information.

Provide general information about the topic and the key issues.
Include relevant historical, social, or academic developments.

Example: In a study on climate change communication:

“Climate change has become a global concern, with rising temperatures and extreme weather events highlighting the urgency of mitigation and adaptation strategies. Effective communication plays a pivotal role in raising public awareness and driving action.”

2. Research Problem

Identify the gap or issue that your research addresses.
Explain why this problem is important.
“Despite the widespread dissemination of climate-related information, public engagement remains low, and misinformation continues to hinder collective action.”

3. Geographic, Cultural, or Social Context

Specify the location, population, or cultural setting relevant to the research.
“This study focuses on the rural communities in Southeast Asia, where access to accurate climate information is limited, impacting local adaptation efforts.”

4. Academic Context

Reference existing studies and theoretical frameworks related to the topic.
Highlight gaps or unresolved questions in the literature.
“Previous research has examined the role of social media in disseminating climate information, but few studies have explored its impact in low-resource settings.”

5. Practical Implications

Discuss how the study contributes to solving real-world problems or advancing knowledge.
“By understanding communication barriers, this study aims to inform strategies for improving climate literacy and fostering community resilience.”

Steps to Write the Context of the Study

1. understand the research topic.

Conduct a thorough literature review to understand the background and key issues.
Identify knowledge gaps and contextual factors.

2. Define the Research Problem

Clearly articulate the problem your study addresses.
Explain its significance within the chosen context.

3. Highlight the Setting

Provide details about the geographic, cultural, or demographic setting.
Describe the environment in which the research takes place.

4. Relate to Existing Studies

Reference relevant theories, frameworks, and prior research to situate your study academically.

5. State the Relevance

Explain why the research is important and how it contributes to the field.

6. Keep It Concise and Clear

Avoid unnecessary details while ensuring the context is comprehensive and accessible.

Example of the Context of the Study

Title: The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health Among Teenagers

Context of the Study: “In recent years, the widespread adoption of social media has transformed how people communicate, connect, and consume information. While social media offers numerous benefits, such as fostering global connections and providing platforms for self-expression, concerns about its impact on mental health have grown significantly. Studies have highlighted a potential link between excessive social media use and issues such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, particularly among teenagers who are among the most active users of these platforms.

This study focuses on high school students in urban areas of the United States, where social media penetration is exceptionally high. It aims to explore how different patterns of social media use influence teenagers’ mental health, building on previous research that has primarily focused on adults. By examining this relationship, the study seeks to provide insights that can inform interventions to promote healthier online habits and improve adolescent well-being.”

Tips for Writing an Effective Context of the Study

Tailor to Your Audience: Write in a way that is accessible and engaging for your intended readers.
Use Reliable Sources: Back up statements with credible data or references.
Avoid Jargon: Use clear, straightforward language.
Focus on Relevance: Only include details that directly relate to your research problem.
Maintain a Logical Flow: Start with broad information and narrow down to specific details about your study.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Being Too Vague: Provide specific information instead of broad, generic statements.
Overloading with Details: Avoid including excessive historical or theoretical information unrelated to your study.
Ignoring Existing Literature: Failing to reference prior studies can weaken the academic grounding of your research.
Lack of Relevance: Ensure all included information directly supports your research objectives.
Overemphasizing Practical Aspects: Balance practical implications with theoretical and academic significance.

The context of the study is a crucial section that situates your research within a broader framework, helping readers understand its relevance and scope. By providing background information, defining the problem, and situating the study in a specific setting, you create a strong foundation for your research. Following the guidelines and examples provided in this article, you can craft a compelling and coherent context of the study that enhances the impact of your work.

Creswell, J. W. (2018). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches . Sage Publications.
Kumar, R. (2019). Research Methodology: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners . Sage Publications.
Bryman, A. (2015). Social Research Methods . Oxford University Press.
Flick, U. (2018). An Introduction to Qualitative Research . Sage Publications.
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About the author

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Thinking About the Context: Setting (Where?) and Participants (Who?)

First Online: 28 March 2017

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Kenan Dikilitaş 3 &
Carol Griffiths 4

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In recent years, context has come to be recognized as a key element which influences the outcomes of research studies and impacts on their significance. Two important aspects of context are the setting (where the study is taking place) and the participants (who is included in the study). It is critical that both of these aspects are adequately considered and explained so that meaningful conclusions can be drawn from the data. The role of the action-researcher as an active participant in the context also needs thought and explanation.

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Faculty of Educational Sciences, Bahçeşehir University, Istanbul, Turkey

Kenan Dikilitaş

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Dikilitaş, K., Griffiths, C. (2017). Thinking About the Context: Setting (Where?) and Participants (Who?). In: Developing Language Teacher Autonomy through Action Research. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-50739-2_4

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DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-50739-2_4

Published : 28 March 2017

Publisher Name : Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

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Reader's guide

Entries a-z, subject index.

Research Setting
Edited by: Lisa M. Given
In: The SAGE Encyclopedia of Qualitative Research Methods
Chapter DOI: https:// doi. org/10.4135/9781412963909.n398
Subject: Anthropology , Business and Management , Criminology and Criminal Justice , Communication and Media Studies , Counseling and Psychotherapy , Economics , Education , Geography , Health , History , Marketing , Nursing , Political Science and International Relations , Psychology , Social Policy and Public Policy , Social Work , Sociology
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The research setting can be seen as the physical, social, and cultural site in which the researcher conducts the study. In qualitative research, the focus is mainly on meaning-making, and the researcher studies the participants in their natural setting. The contrast with postpositivist, experimental, and quantitative research settings lies in the fact that here the investigator does not attempt to completely control the conditions of the study in a laboratory setting, instead focusing on situated activities that locate her or him in the context.

For example, in traditional ethnographic studies, the observer becomes immersed in the community that she or he is studying. Historically, through the colonial project, such settings were where the “natives” lived in the study of “other” cultures conducted by missionaries and state-sponsored researchers, a tradition continued later by Western anthropologists. However, Indigenous research practices are now framed against imperialist oppressive research, raising questions of power and privilege at the intersection of race, gender, caste, class, and sexuality. These play a significant role in determining the subject of study, the participants, and thereby the setting. Ethnographic research now emphasizes the embeddedness and reflexivity of the researcher in the cultural setting of the participants. In such studies, the influence of cultural behavior in the understanding of a phenomenon gets recognized and, therefore, is central in defining the setting.

Linda Tuhiwai Smith, among others, has redefined research practices through challenging who studies whom and where. Research setting, then, can refer to a geographical site where the participants of a study reside. Or, it could be a group that is being studied. It could be the everyday lives that we live and study, the films that we watch, the texts that we analyze, the feelings that we interrogate, the bodies in which we reside, and the myriad interpretations and constructions of reality and the world that we, as researchers, are constantly trying to negotiate and “re-present.” More recently, performance (auto)ethnography has introduced the idea of the self as the context and setting for [Page 788] research. Through the use of “mystory” and other formats, researchers such as Norman Denzin have talked about their selves, turning points in their lives, their epiphanies, and their times of trouble in reflexive ways using various techniques of telling. They have situated their selves and their bodies as the sites of research and study.

Participatory collaborative research now considers the setting as beyond the group that is performing and conducting the research in dialogue with the researcher and has moved toward including the larger sociocultural field in which we lie embedded as researchers and participants with the goal of social change. Global ethnographies talk about how the global is embedded in the local; thus, when we talk of a specific local research setting, we also need to acknowledge that the setting is now truly global. These local–global studies, illustrated in the work of Michael Buroway and others, now emphasize the need for multiple sites and settings in understanding larger issues that challenge our world and remain the focus of qualitative research practices.

Ethnography
Indigenous Research
Naturalistic Inquiry
Naturalistic Observation

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