Ethnography key concepts

Generally, to contextualize an idea, statement or event is to place it within its larger setting in which it acquires its true and complete meaning. Contextualization aids comprehension. For example, an arithmetic problem may not seem very practical until it is seen within a story problem; the real-life situationcontextualizesthe math problem and makes it more understandable. In Christian evangelism, to contextualize is to tailor the presentation of the gospel to the wider sociological context in order to achieve greater understanding and, therefore, greater acceptance of the message.

Contextualization is the use of language and discourse to signal relevant aspects of an interactional or communicative situation

• Contextualization (computer science), an initialization phase setting or overriding properties having unknown or default values at the time of template creation.
• Contextualization (sociolinguistics), the use of language and discourse to signal relevant aspects of an interactional or communicative situation.
• Contextualism, a collection of views in philosophy which argue that actions or expressions can only be understood in context.

the act or process of putting information into context; making sense of information from the situation or location in which the information was found.

Contextualization may refer to:

• Contextualization (Bible translation), the process of contextualising the biblical message as perceived in the missionary mandate originated by Jesus
• Contextualization (computer science), an initialization phase setting or overriding properties having unknown or default values at the time of template creation
• Contextualization (sociolinguistics), the use of language and discourse to signal relevant aspects of an interactional or communicative situation
• Contextualism, a collection of views in philosophy which argue that actions or expressions can only be understood in context

Contextualization in sociolinguistics refers to the use of language and discourse to signal relevant aspects of an interactional or communicative situation. Basil Bernstein (1990 [1971]) uses contextualization when referring to the reformulation of scientific knowledge in pedagogical contexts, for instance in textbooks. John Gumperz (1982a, 1982b) and others in interactional sociolinguistics study subtle "contextualization cues", for instance intonation, that allow language users to infer contextually adequate meanings of discourse.

Contextualization is a central framework for all qualitative research. Through contextualization, a researcher is able to take small instances or variables and extrapolate the variables to define or comment on a larger social problem.

For example, if a researcher interviews drug addicts and gang members within an inner city area, the researcher may be able to use their insights and experiences to describe social phenomena. The commentary may lead to an explanation of how the urban center creates or condones certain lifestyle choices, or how political corruption and lack of investment has led to the decay of cities.

• Contextualization (Bible translation), the process of contextualising the biblical message as perceived in the missionary mandate originated by Jesus
• Contextualization (computer science), an initialization phase setting or overriding properties having unknown or default values at the time of template creation
• Contextualization (sociolinguistics), the use of language and discourse to signal relevant aspects of an interactional or communicative situation
• Contextualism, a collection of views in philosophy which argue that actions or expressions can only be understood in context

The process of contextualization takes these facts about culture into account. It involves “presenting the unchanging truths of the gospel within the unique and changing contexts of cultures and worldviews.

 contextualization is the process of assigning meaning as a means of interpreting the environment within which a text or action is executed.