Teaching the Scope and Limits of Generalizability in Qualitative Research

Abstract

Generalizability is a concern in qualitative research as qualitative research may not offer sufficient data for statistical generalization. Analytical generalization is possible with richer qualitative evidence. I show that a case-based discussion can enable doctoral students to understand the scope and limits of analytical generalizability of qualitative research beyond the context studied. The case was an ethnography of the socialization of U.S. medical school students, where the author uncovered three insights about their life and priorities. Doctoral students were tasked to analytically generalize these insights beyond the medical student group studied. Students succeeded in generalizing insights to other medical students in that U.S. medical school, other medical schools in the U.S. and medical students in other countries with similar medical education. They faced logical limits in generalizing to practicing doctors, other life-saving professions, and non-medical students. This classroom exercise helped doctoral students build understanding and confidence in generalizing qualitative research.