Generalizing Qualitative Research: Challenges & Opportunities - Essay Sample

Introduction

The possibility of generalizing a past precise context of information production among qualitative oriented researchers is sometimes in question. However, a solid argument on generalization seems challenging because it is not easy to find literature that substantially defines how to make valid generalizations in an actual methodological level (Mayring, 2007). In communications research, valid generalizations usually are considered a significant component in qualitatively oriented analyses. A researcher often uses a mix of three extensive opinions to generalize an outcome of findings. This paper defines generalization, its purpose, and to demonstrate that it is possible to make generalized interpretations from study results in qualitatively oriented research.

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Qualitative Generalization

A generalization is an act of thinking that comprises of drawing broader conclusions from specific observations that are extensively recognized as contentious in qualitative research (Sternberg, 2017). The findings depend on the maximum variations in selective sampling (Smith, 2018). It constructs an arrangement that makes its composition to reflect the essential evaluation characteristics that are relevant to the study. The procedures used for information gathering depends on the kind of query the analyst desires to clarify (Polit & Beck, 2010). Qualitative research involves interpreting a study based on their natural situations about the values that people deliver to them (Huberman & Miles, 2002). The purpose of qualitative research is to comprehend the general reality of persons and groups closer to the feelings of the participants. Thus; the individuals are reviewed in their regular location. Additionally, the ability to make interpretative generalizations based on qualitative information depends on a variety of scientific decisions, presentations, and argumentations.

For generalization to yield relevant conclusions in qualitatively oriented research, it is essential for a researcher to have a strong position in the study conducted (Firestone, 1993). He or she needs to be selective of the words to describe the research. Some words may indicate a firm conclusion on a scientific theory from an analyst to other researchers based on generalizations (Ritchie, Jane Lewis, Carol McNaughton Nicholls, and Rachel Ormston, 2013). Additionally, another important subject is the stand taken by the analyst in a scientific theory. It is common to find that researchers who adhere to a variety of societal constructivism based on data collection. Some designs of researches are considered educative, which specifies that there is an adjustable relation between factual categories and intellectual concepts (Lewis & Ritchie, 2003). However, such investigations sometimes explain some general impressions concretely in a simple style, pretending to understand precisely the information to look for in an empirical field (Payne & Williams, 2005).

It is possible to read explanations of qualitative data which ends with analytical reports or a general conclusion and do not generate a logical sense (McCusker & Gunaydin, 2015). However, it becomes a different element if a combination of approaches is selected, debated, and conducted. They directly regard generalization and several theories of science situations that tend to create different goals depending on the information interests (Mayring, 2007). Generalization involves an illustrative ambition. It is due to a hypothesis that, on continuity from a tangible to the intellectual that all classifications are considered factual (Smith, 2018). In this case, a goal of systematic generalization explains existing events in sharing information using additional theoretical mechanisms (Sarma, 2015). Moreover, within some components of societal constructivism, generalization comprises of extra informative and thoughtful expressive ambition. The assumptions derive closer to the anticipation of what is factual.

In the substantial middle range, perceptions from the theoretical methods are combined (George, 2019). Communication analysts put themselves in different positions along with a continuum between structural realism and radical constructivism. It defines the adequate view of the standard logical praxis more sufficiently than it does in locating either camp. Perhaps it is due to less conflict between the locations at the justification and methodological stages than at the ontological stage (Mccusker & Gunaydin, 2015). Various studies based on scientific theories claim that substantial phenomena do not exist separate from our understandings. However, numerous people agree that physical events can be evaluated without the inclusion of interpretations (Huberman & Miles, 2002). The goal of generalization is both expository and descriptive where the explanatory section does not have robust casual mechanisms but shows more exposed and unpredictable dynamics.

Qualitative research demonstrates why people change their behavior concerning their feelings. The study is used to assess thoughts of human beings that may assist the analysts in figuring out the research instruments to apply in qualitative research (Sutton & Austin, 2015). Moreover, it is possible to use various models of study in a mixed method tactic. Additionally, the responsibility of an analyst is to evaluate the sensations of a research participant. It might be a challenging task since a volunteer can be emotional to provide information (Sutton & Austin, 2015). Generalization in qualitative research is possible. However, the criteria applied to determine generalizability is different from the quantitative study. In both evaluations, the aim is to transform the concept and transfer the acquired skills by using demographic features (Morse, 1999).Finally, new volunteers and analysts should seek advice from a proficient qualitative researcher to undertake a project.

Examples of Qualitative Generalization

There are three different established examples of generalization that are already published. They are derived from similar qualitative information material in a single research project (Brannen, (2017). The paper illustrates various generalizations how they can arise from a unique and the same project. Qualitative data are frequently rich in information and can be used in several interpretations that are not conflicting but somewhat corresponding.

Ideal Types

Sociology relates adversely to the standards than general science does because people apply different concept about theory. However, it does not imply that the ideals remain significant as prevailing orientations and as foundations of theoretical motivations. The ideal type of subject is addressed by defining two different academic empirical operations (Skehan, 2016). According to sociologist Max Weber, ideal type means something distinct from the outstanding or the moderate (Swedberg, 2018). He assumed that historians of his time never emphasized the distinctiveness of social sensations.

Weber was not content with over generalizations that took place in search of arrangements, styles, and tendencies of social impressions. For example, in constant capitalism, the economies of the United States of America, Japan, Peru, and Australia are not similar (Swedberg, 2018). However, if we concentrate on what makes each country unique, we would not learn the things they have in common. The generalization here is that all the states have capitalist economies. Another example, if a sociologist wants to figure out the conduct and principles of the people born between 1946 and 1964. An ideal category of this generation would be used to test them and ascertain their similarities and differences. Moreover, it would provide them with actual world resemblances as well as the variances between them (Swedberg, 2018). Additionally, an ideal type permits the comparison of significant similarities and variations between similar social phenomenon with time.

Variables

The term is applied to reflect how qualitative generalization goes through the variables, and it can be used in the title as shorthand for a particular component of communal and cultural classifications (Bryman, 2017). This type of generalization focuses on a single aspect of the outcome of a research and parts of qualitative overview. A particular variable generalization acts a significant role in comparative research and case studies. The method is critical in clarifying the matter that is being compared if the aim is to generalize rather than detailing (Bryman, 2017). For example, various confined case stories. A person can attempt a task by creating ideal sorts even though the case and comparative researches have extensive information material. It makes it challenging to keep up the standards in every variable that is characterized and evaluated individually (Bryman, 2017). At the extent of particular features of the data material, the analyst chooses whether the patterns of the distinct aspects demonstrate the attributes adequately equal, to be officially recognized as one classification.

This paper suggests that to supplement qualitative logical coding, and thematic classification using a conceptual framework that can mentally visualize the difficulties of the perspective of one's variables (Bryman, 2017). It could be a way of evading meticulous ways of applying variables in qualitative generalizations. Working inductively, it would be a section of the procedures for illustrating and contextualizing particular features of data. Therefore, it is essential to see the precise aspects of information patterns as being in alignment with other directions of the circumstances. There are various types of qualitative generalization in qualitative research.

Narratives

Narratives are types of qualitative generalization that are caused by the inspiration of researchers by different forms of social constructivism. (Lewis, 2015). They have altered various ways of making the ideal and variable generalizations by creating representations that amplify the solidity of their occurrences and relations. For example, if an analyst can exhibit empirically, the people using the language practically in deviating complex social-cultural environments create sensations and associations (Lewis, 2015). Additionally, the probable plurality should be echoed better in generalizations we make.

Practical procedural suggestions for generalizing are constructing positions. They talk about probabilities rather than descriptions and making representations as speeches. There are two standard features of these suggestions. First, they merge the complexity of practical information with logical systematics, which arranges patterns in a story form rather than its features (Lewis, 2015). This characteristic is the cause the labeling such generalizations as narrative. Second, they consider and balance the symbolic strength of scientific illustrations to express the participating matters that are illustrated directly. However, it is not done to claim genuineness, but to acknowledge the arrangement involved in the first sequence. It then creates the social-cultural procedures in question leading to the construction of the second order (Lewis, 2015). These models of qualitative overviews illustrate that it is possible to make generalizations in a scientific and qualitative research project.

Aims of Generalization

Traditionally, generalization was regarded as a fundamental objective of science and a way of formulating theories for further applications. However, some people disapprove due to the inadequacy of inductive arguments (Parker & Northcott, 2016). The process of generalization is the focus of all scientific tasks. There are two central p...