Contextual Factors
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Contextual Factors
The simplest understanding of the contextual factors is first to begin with the understanding of context. Context refers to that which surrounds or which an object exist within (Buchanan & Bryman, 2007). From that understanding, it is, therefore, easier to demonstrate the breadth and depth of the contextual factors in the dissertation investigating what surrounds it and what it exist within regarding literature and the field of study. Therefore, the contextual factors in the discourse give reference to what preceded it, the latest events and any future events and, therefore, it is important to begin with the core as it expands externally.
It is important that the dissertation relates to the existing research and factors within its field in an attempt to advance knowledge and progress the concepts within the field (Little, Bovaird & Card, 2012). The contextual factors hold a research within its field and enable the research to offer continuity in the area by relating to the already existing literature and any possible future events in the area. Contextual factors weave together the aspects of the study, beginning with the researcher activities, the school requirements, the specialty requirement, the available literature and the status of the mid-sized companies in Singapore. The study will link together these factors to ensure that they are well connected to produce a valid study.
Connecting contextual factors help in creating new knowledge that combines with the already existing knowledge while addressing the specific needs in the field (Schatz, 2003). The research can connect with the existing knowledge through commenting on or offering opposition and not necessarily supporting what is already in place, the same way the study will be subjected to the conditions. Any research qualifies in its area of practice when the knowledge it contribute firmly locates within the field (Valsiner, 2009). It is through proper connection within the contexts of the field that a study may subject to critical review and professional interrogation.
The best way to understand the context is to begin internally and progress externally bridging through what is closest to the internal factor moving out to the general factors (Valsiner, 2009). On this research, the student, the college, the field (regarding literature) and the society that includes mid-sized companies, Singapore and the world as a whole, will understand the context factors. Relating the context factors for the dissertation gives an affirmation on what has been done before, the status in the field and the contribution that the study provides within its scope of study (Little, Bovaird & Card, 2012). The context factors may facilitate or hinder the research processes, and some may have been mentioned before, others never said.
The target of the research is also an important aspect since the study is set to influence the field as well as policies and practices (Buchanan & Bryman, 2007). Therefore, some context factors can hinder the utilization or support the use of the results generated from the study, and such exist in the external environment. It is worth noting that all those factors that relate to the research context can facilitate or hinder the research process throughout the cycle (Schatz, 2003). Some of the events and the situations that constitute the context factors are beyond the researcher and, therefore, requires strategies to eliminate or cope with them to progress.
However, well dexterity of the context factors will ensure that the research has an impact beyond the researcher or the administrating institution. It ensures that every aspect and domain relevant to the study is taken into consideration to increase the understanding of the concepts of the survey of historical and contemporary perspectives (Little, Bovaird & Card, 2012). The historical perspectives particularly have to do with the already existing knowledge from the research and the accounts of the previous status of the mid-size companies in Singapore (Schatz, 2003). The relevant information, therefore, has to be picked that relates to the field and critically evaluating them for relevance and significance to the dissertation process and the field of study.
Level of Context
At the student level, proper knowledge of the dissertation process, availability of resources and funds, characteristics that affect the work process and appropriate identification of the study area are some examples of the contextual factors. At the institutional level, having a team within the process, obtaining clear guidelines and the availability of the supervisor to coordinate the process can be factors as well (Alexander, Cronholm, Donahue…, & Wise, 2013). The institutional policies and guidelines on research and dissertation are essential elements that widely influence a study. At the superficial level, availability of external financial support, the relevant literature and the status of the companies in Singapore may come into play.
There are also contexts factors that are overarching such as the changes that have taken place in the field of study and the motivations and drivers to change at different levels (Schatz, 2003). It is worth noting that the contextual factors influence the progress of research and its outcomes and can give quality and purpose to the study. Scholars can identify researchable items raised from the identified issues to structure them from an informed perspective and generate interaction with the available research to make the study understandable. Identification of context factors is critical at the beginning of a study, based on history and multiple perspectives.
Context factors facilitate the collection and analysis of contextual data at different points during a study and, therefore, it is important to report how different context factors affect different processes and outcomes (Buchanan & Bryman, 2007). This involve approaches to study design and methods, implementation, analysis and use of the current methods and concepts. The contextual factors continually relate with another throughout the research process. Therefore, a study must recognize such contexts and interactions throughout its cycle (Valsiner, 2009). A study must coordinate and connect the contextual factors appropriately to influence its process.
The contextual factors may keep changing during the study, and, therefore, it requires close attention and giving consideration on what needs to be known. After identifying the context factors, data will be collected and analyzed to ensure their relevance and accuracy to the study (Alexander et al., 2013). The relevant context factors are reported through the conveyance of the domains assessed that influence on the research that will help the study pay attention to factors that are overlooked. Reporting context factors and giving their interpretation give meaning to reviews in the interaction of their processes to the study. For this reason, there is need to summarize and report the context factors and present their interaction with the study.
Depending on the methodology relevant to the study, context factors can either be manipulated or used to gain a deeper understanding. This study tries to use the factors reported to gain a deeper understanding of the field and the subject of the study other than manipulating them to fit the topic (Schatz, 2003). This study will go beyond to investigating the developmental interventions to succession planning and seek to understand how the succession plan have been taking place in the mid-size companies and the strategies developed to progress the agenda in the companies. It can also investigate the status of the succession planning and what the companies feels is appropriate for their needs and tries to relate them to the literature.
Context factors will help the researcher to understand the research process, explore the outer environment in which the research will take place and consider the situation that the outcome of the study will influence (Buchanan & Bryman, 2007). The study must take into consideration the regional and the general areas that it will affect and review the implication of the study in advancing the knowledge, policies and practice. Context factors are important in positioning the research to contribute to the advancement of knowledge and the progress of the relevant field it is undertaken, to continue impacting process and influencing future studies.
Conclusion
Context is often not part of research itself and just that exploring more about them could boost the quality and progress of the study. Getting to demonstrate the breadth and the depth of the contextual factors will help determine the effectiveness of the study and the importance of its findings in the advancement of knowledge and the field of practice (Alexander et al., 2013). The factors give the research higher degree of certainty of the relevance of the study to its scope of knowledge, how it gets to relate to the already existing literature and influence future studies (Valsiner, 2009). The knowledge generated from the research must be valid in its field and can be applied within its scope of study or any other spheres.