# Context and generalizability in health policy and systems research: a plea for an integrative praxis of theorizing

## TL;DR

This paper argues for a better understanding of context in health policy research to improve program implementation across different settings.

## Contribution

The paper introduces a theorizing praxis based on realist inquiry to integrate context analysis for broader applicability.

## Key findings

- Non-linear paradigms are used to better account for context in causal explanations.
- A realist inquiry-based praxis is proposed to enhance context-sensitive research and policy-making.
- The approach allows drawing lessons from one setting to be applied in others.

## Abstract

In this article, we address the conundrum of context in health policy and systems research, zooming in on research on implementation of programmes, policies, and interventions. We review how the field draws on non-linear paradigms to better take into account ‘context’ in causal explanation, and we compare paradigms and the way in which they can inform more context-sensitive research, policies, and programmes. We propose a theorizing praxis that is based on the principles of realist inquiry and that allows researchers to draw lessons applicable to other settings by integrating a comprehensive analysis of context in their research.