Why do we always generalize in qualitative research?

Roald, Tone; Køppe, Simo; Jensen, Torben Bechmann; Hansen, Jannik M.; Levin, Kasper

doi:10.1037/qup0000138

Cited by 23 publications

(50 citation statements)

References 24 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Either demonstrating that a phenomenon contains variation that was thought to be impossible, or showing variation where it was not thought to exist, raises paradigmatic questions about the nature of that phenomenon. Across these strategies, investigators bring to light new possibilities or options that were unavailable previously, which are central ways to make contributions in qualitative research (Roald et al, 2021). This process leads to an understanding of the phenomenon that is more complete and strengthens the ability of a field to generalize from what is known.…”

Section: How Methodological Integrity Advances Qualitative Generaliza...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Qualitative generalization, not to the population but to the phenomenon: Reconceptualizing variation in qualitative research.

Levitt¹

2021

Qualitative Psychology

108

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A question that qualitative researchers are asked frequently is how they justify generalizing their finding to populations. In this article, I argue that this question results from a misunderstanding of generalization that conflates of the logic and mechanics of statistical generalization with that inherent in the process typically used in qualitative methods, which does not rely on probability sampling procedures. To clarify the differences in these processes, I propose the concept of qualitative generalization. It is built upon the work of scholars who have identified the logic of qualitative research as rooted in a cycle of inferential processes that identify forms of stability and variation in their data. Instead of using probability sampling to capture variability in samples which reflects that in a population, qualitative researchers use this cycle to develop a map of variation in their data, which reflects the practice and experience of the phenomena under study-a logic describing generalization to the phenomenon, not the population. The initial application of this self-correcting cycle of inferences underpins the later stage of transferability of findings by readers. The framework of methodological integrity is considered to explain how research goals, epistemological perspectives, and study characteristics (e.g., diversity) influence the identification of variation and, ultimately, qualitative generalization. This framework orients researchers to identify variation that can increase fidelity and utility, supporting qualitative generalization. The formulation of qualitative generalization proposed is seen as congruent with existing practices across a variety of qualitative traditions and with reasoning intrinsic to qualitative methods.

show abstract

Section: How Methodological Integrity Advances Qualitative Generaliza...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Qualitative generalization, not to the population but to the phenomenon: Reconceptualizing variation in qualitative research.

Levitt¹

2021

Qualitative Psychology

108

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Quantitative analysis logic is inappropriately applied to qualitative analysis (Levitt, 2021). Qualitative methods and research often involve investigating only a few instances of a phenomenon in many different environments (Roald et al, 2021). Data saturation was reached after the seventh interview; consequently, data collection was discontinued at this point.…”

Section: Data Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How Personality Impacts Remote Workers in Mainland China: A Qualitative Study

Ham

2022

AM J QUALITATIVE RES

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The present study identifies and discusses the impact of personality factors on remote workers in China, using a phenomenological methodology to understand participants' lived experiences. The sample population is comprised of Chinese citizens born in China. Data were collected through one-on-one, online semi-structured interviews using WeChat. The interview questions are structured to allow participants to explain personality traits found in productive and unproductive remote workers. In addition, the questions explore traits positively associated with developing trust and how the psychological needs of autonomy, competency, and relatedness impact remote workers. After data collection, the data were analyzed and coded to develop themes used to answer the core research questions. This study's findings offer benefits to companies using remote workers and employees new to remote work or those aiming to become remote workers since the data collected provides a holistic picture of remote work from actual workers' perspective. The information gathered from the research participants allowed the researcher to determine that one of the most beneficial aspects of remote work is autonomy and the ability to set one's schedule. Confidence directly impacts feelings of competency among remote workers, and relatedness is negatively impacted by being a remote worker because of decreased opportunities for face-to-face interactions.

show abstract

“…The third argument, or type of generalization, identified by Firestone is case-to-case transfer (or transferability), which occurs when the findings of one inquiry are applied to different group or setting. This form of generalization differs from the other two primarily in that the "main work" is done by readers and consumers of researchers (as opposed to by researchers) in "transferring" (i.e., applying) the results from a given study to new situations (Polit & Beck, 2010, p. 1453 In the current issue, Roald et al (2021) extend Flyvbjerg's (2006) contrasting of "formal" generalization within the natural sciences with generalizability from case studies to distinguish six types of generalization: formal, informal, naturalistic, statistical, analytical, and reader/ researcher. Other distinctions among different types of generalization have been proposed by Mayring (2007); Vicsek (2010); Dick (2014); Lee and Baskerville (2003), and Cook (2015), among others.…”

Section: Generalizations In Scientific Discoursementioning

confidence: 99%

Scientific generalization in psychological inquiry: A concept in need of clarification.

Slaney¹,

Tafreshi²

2021

Qualitative Psychology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Although generalization is typically described in the methodological literature as both a goal and achievement within quantitative research traditions, qualitative research is often presumed to be incapable of and, in some cases, unconcerned with generalization. However, the concept of generalization is much less bounded than it might appear at first blush. In fact, it has multiple senses and applications, some of which are more applicable in some areas of research than in others. In this article, we present a conceptual analysis of generalization and related concepts. We begin with an analysis of ordinary language uses and then move to more "technical" uses within scientific discourse. We highlight accounts given in the general philosophy of science literature as well as prescribed and actual uses in psychological research within domains in which quantitative and qualitative methods, respectively, have historically been privileged. Finally, drawing from the different kinds of generalizations that feature within and across quantitative and qualitative research, we sketch some points that researchers might keep in mind when considering whether and how generalization plays out in their research.

show abstract

Why do we always generalize in qualitative research?

Cited by 23 publications

References 24 publications

Qualitative generalization, not to the population but to the phenomenon: Reconceptualizing variation in qualitative research.

Qualitative generalization, not to the population but to the phenomenon: Reconceptualizing variation in qualitative research.

How Personality Impacts Remote Workers in Mainland China: A Qualitative Study

Scientific generalization in psychological inquiry: A concept in need of clarification.

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About