Generalization in Qualitative IS Research - Approaches and their Application to a Case Study on SOA Development

Abstract

In qualitative information systems research, little methodological support has been provided so far for the generalization from empirical data. Generalizability, however, is a major concern in this field. It has been subject to a number of publications in recent years, but commonly accepted conceptualizations of generalizability and methodological guidance for the process of generalization are still missing. In order to address this problem, this paper investigates if and how generalization approaches from the literature and abstraction mechanisms from the field of conceptual modeling can be utilized to generalize from case study data. An explorative single case study on the development of service-oriented architectures provides the raw data for an exemplary application. The paper shows that abstraction mechanisms from the field of conceptual modeling can be usedin conjunction with generalization approaches from the literaturefor the generalization of case study data and provides guidance on how to use these mechanisms. This increases transparency, traceability, and reliability of the generalization and might help to improve other qualitative research endeavors as well.

Pluralist Theory Building: A Methodology for Generalizing from Data to Theory*

“…Building is unique within the IS field in offering theoretical and practical guidance on how to move from empirical description to theoretical statements through an iterative theory building process of creation and synthesis. As such, it is aligned with (Rivard, 2014) advocating the practice of alternating between abstractions and specific instances when developing theoretical statements from empirical data, and it addresses the identified lack of methodological frameworks and guidance on IS theory building in general (Weber, 2003(Weber, , 2012 and the generalization process specifically (Goeken & Börner, 2012;Seddon & Scheepers, 2012). While others adopt an abstract perspective and offer little help in terms of how to theorize (Eisenhardt, 1989), Pluralist Theory…”

“…In our own efforts to build theory about politics during process innovation (reference omitted), we found Lee and Baskerville's (2003) four types of generalization very useful. However, their framework does not address the process of moving from one type to another, and universally agreed-upon conceptualizations and methodological guidance on the process of generalizing are still missing (Goeken & Börner, 2012). This has led some authors to characterize the treatment of generalization in IS as unsatisfactory (Seddon & Scheepers, 2012).…”

“…This has led some authors to characterize the treatment of generalization in IS as unsatisfactory (Seddon & Scheepers, 2012). Goeken and Börner (2012) call for methodological frameworks that provide researchers with practical guidance, and, although Seddon and Scheepers (2012) present a framework for justifying generalizations in IS research, including eight pathways for justifying knowledge claims, practical guidance of a less abstract kind is still needed. Hence, we have developed Lee & Baskerville's (2003) generalization framework into a practical process for theory building that leverages the power of multiperspective inquiry.…”

Decision Making Model for Business Process Outsourcing of Enterprise Content Management

“…One of the main limitations in this paper is the generalization of the decision-making model, concerning representativeness and transferability of cases (Goeken & Börner, 2012). The two cases studied are both from Southern China and relate to the construction industry.…”

The logics of and strategies to enhance generalization of mixed methods research findings

“…It is seen as one of the criteria of the rigor of quantitative research more so than qualitative research (Norman, 2017;Polit and Beck, 2010). Authors have also dis cussed some approaches to generalization of research findings in qualitative (Firestone, 1993;Larsson, 2009;Levitt, 2021;Levitt et al, 2018;Maxwell, 2021;Mayring, 2007) and case study research (Goeken & Börner, 2012;Tsang, 2014). The generalization of qualitative research is often assessed in terms of the trustworthiness criteria, entailing credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability (Lincoln & Guba, 1985).…”