Theoretical Lenses on Context

Abstract

The concept of context is central to many fields and streams of research. How we understand and define context as a theoretical concept matters in relation to research questions, design, our approach to the philosophy of science, and thus our results. This chapter presents an overview of where readers can find further discussions of the concept of context, as well as debates on how best to analyze and study context empirically within specific scholarly fields. Further, the chapter defines and discusses context as a theoretical construct, relates these discussions to the Framework for Studying Context in Action, and reflects upon the analytical consequences of the choices this approach entails.