What is contextualize?

Contextualize refers to the act of placing something within its wider context, in order to better understand its meaning or significance. This can involve looking at factors such as the time period, cultural background, social norms, political situation, or geographic region in which something occurred or was produced. Contextualizing helps to give a more complete picture of an event, object, or concept, and allows for a deeper understanding of how it fits into the larger historical or cultural narrative. In academic research, contextualizing is often a key step in analyzing and interpreting data or sources, and can help to avoid misunderstandings or misinterpretations.