Contextual Study
A study of the interactions between a judge and the defendant in a courtroom hearing is an example of a contextual setting providing elements of a research study. From the provisions of a contextual study, the courtroom setting provides an excellent example to review the contextual elements of a research paper. From the courtroom setting, everything in the courtroom is the context of the study including the nonverbal expressions and exchanges that take place. For instance, the exchanges that take place between the judge and the defendants over a case form an intriguing basis for contextual elements. The judge needs clarification from the defendant over a case he or she is accused. The questions are part of the context in the courtroom because they seek to extract information from the defendant to clear their name on the matter. The judge’s decision on whether to sentence the defendant will depend on the information from the contextual elements of response from the defendant (Bovaird & Todd, 2007, p 144).
On the other hand, the defendant hold the tag that he or she is innocent until the contrary is proved and that is what forms the contextual basis of the argument in the courtroom. The defendant seeks to provide information that defends their argument to prove their innocence over the case and any other attendant in the courtroom. Thought the conversations and exchanges in the courtroom, nonverbal cues and expressions like gesture and facial expressions abound and they too comprise elements of the contextual information. The elements of or the research with regard to the contextual elements in the courtroom resemble those of the research paper that include measurement and design of the contextual study just like the exchanges in the court room form the design and measure of defense and trial (Mitchell, 2000, p 201).
References
Bovaird, J. & Todd, D. (2007). Modeling Contextual Effects in Longitudinal Studies. New York,
NY: Routledge
Mallette, M. & Nell, K. (2011). Literacy Research Methodologies. London: Guilford Press
Mitchell, E. (2000). Elements of Research. New York, NY: American Psychiatric Pub
