Describe the setting/site(s) in which the study was conducted, the reason(s) why the setting/site(s) was selected, and the salient cultural, political, historical, economic and/or other external factors that influence the study.
“When synthesising evidence, context helps me work out how and why different studies and findings fit together (or don’t)”Lorna Ellis - Evidence Synthesiser
Additional context may be reported with findings (i.e., the Results section) to add evidence for interpretations and to enhance discussion of transferability.
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Why readers need this information
This helps readers interpret the meaning and significance of the study findings by situating them in social, cultural, temporal and other relevant contexts.
Example
We conducted the study among hospital-based clinical teachers of students in years 4 to 6 of a six-year undergraduate medical program at Maastricht University Medical School. Years 4 to 6 are devoted to clerkships in the academic hospital and affiliated regional hospitals. Rotations differ in duration depending on the type of rotation and the discipline, and the sequence of rotations differs among students. During rotations, students spend time in the wards, the outpatient clinics, and the accident and emergency department. Clerkships in years 4 and 5 last between 4 and 10 weeks (“regular clerkship”), whereas students in year 6 undertake an 18-week “senior clerkship” in a discipline of their choice.
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