Here's a breakdown of key aspects:
* Emphasis on context: The primary focus is on understanding how the context (social, cultural, physical, technological, etc.) shapes the phenomenon being studied. It's not just about *what* is happening, but *why* and *how* it's happening in that specific environment.
* Naturalistic setting: Research takes place where the phenomenon naturally occurs, avoiding artificial environments that might alter behavior or perspectives.
* Qualitative methods: Contextual research typically employs qualitative methods like ethnography, participant observation, interviews, and case studies. These methods aim to capture rich descriptive data and uncover the underlying meanings and interpretations of participants.
* Holistic perspective: It seeks to understand the interconnectedness of different factors influencing the phenomenon. It's less about isolating individual variables and more about grasping the whole picture.
* Iterative and flexible: The research design is often iterative and flexible, allowing researchers to adapt their approach as they learn more about the context and the phenomenon.
Examples:
* Studying how teachers use technology in a specific classroom to understand the challenges and opportunities related to technology integration in education.
* Observing customer behavior in a retail store to understand shopping patterns and preferences.
* Investigating the impact of a new healthcare policy on patients' experiences in a particular community.
In short, contextual research is about going beyond surface-level observations to deeply understand a phenomenon by immersing oneself in its natural context and utilizing qualitative methods to uncover the intricate web of factors that influence it.