Summary: Contextualize Methods

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Let us recap the Goal – Contextualize the Methods:

Remember that Contextualize the Methods is used to provide information on the context of the study. The content may include any general information in the field or about the study that the reader needs to know to understand the step-by-step procedures of the study. These details set the scene for the study.

1. To achieve this Goal, there are three main Strategies: Provide Background, Identify Pre-study Details, and Rationalize Pre-study Decisions.
2. We know that Provide Background helps to orient the reader to the specifics of the study and link information in the field to the reported study. Referencing is also great for supporting methodological decisions.
3. Identify Pre-study Details may include description of the methodological approach (or experimental design), the setting, and/or the subjects/participants
4. Rationalize Pre-study Decisions is where we justify any methodological choices leading up to the main study. This will help establish credibility of your work.
5. Like stated before, you are not obligated to use all of these strategies, but you will see which are frequently used by analyzing writing in your discipline.