Generalizability and Its Challenges in Qualitative Research

Empirical research contains generalizability، but generalizability is not merely restricted to statistical generalizations; rather، it is the final step in the process of qualitative and quantitative research. There are different views about the kind and way of generalizability in qualitative research. One of the approaches of generalizability is naturalistic approach in which generalization is made on the basis of similarity. Another kind of generalizability is communicative generalizability. In this case، the question is who decides that the research findings can be generalized. The other kind of generalizability is balanced generalizability which is used as distinct from absolute generalization and Williams holds that this kind of generalization is mostly made in qualitative research. Therefore، it can be said that this kind of generalizability is inevitable. According to balanced generalizability، what is regarded true in certain place or time is true in another time and another place، as well. This kind of generalizability is not intended to generalize sociological propositions to a long period or other cultures; rather، the researcher makes inference on the basis of specific existing cases to understand the features of larger society.