RSE4801
Assignment 2
Open date: Wednesday, 14 May 2025
Due date: Due: Thursday, 3 July 2025
2025
Learning Unit 2: Contexts of Research
Section A: Short Answer Questions
1. Define what ‘context’ means in research.
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, RSE Assignment 2
Open date: Wednesday, 14 May 2025
Due date: Due: Thursday, 3 July 2025
Learning Unit 2: Contexts of Research
Section A: Short Answer Questions
1. Define what ‘context’ means in research. (2)
In research, the word context means the background or setting in which the study
happens. It includes things like the place, time, people, culture, or situation
related to the research. Understanding the context helps the researcher know
why something is happening and how different factors affect the problem. For
example, a study on school attendance in a rural area will have a different context
from one in a city. Context helps explain results better and makes the findings
more meaningful (Leedy & Ormrod, 2015, p. 103). It also helps other people
understand where and how the research fits in real life.
Reference:
Leedy, P.D. & Ormrod, J.E. (2015). Practical Research: Planning and Design. 11th
ed. Pearson Education.
2. Based on the literature you have read, explain in some detail why
understanding ‘context’ in research is important. (8)
Understanding context in research is very important because it helps the
researcher see the full picture of the problem being studied. Context includes
things like the environment, culture, time, and people involved in the study.
When a researcher understands the context, they can ask the right questions and
choose the right methods to collect data. According to Leedy and Ormrod (2015,