Hi,

I was wondering if its possible to claim generalisability of a small qualitative study?

I interviewed 20 participants and the sample population is relatively homogeneous (a small group of professionals). My supervisor thinks that I could claim some form of generalisability but I'm not sure I can, and more importantly, how?

(only 20 participants because data saturation was reached and a very difficult to recruit for interview)

Hi Chococake. I don't think you can use this to generalise to a larger sample or population in a straightforward sort of manner. However, you can suggest that the themes emerging from your data or case study raise questions regarding x, y or z and would indicate a fruitful area for further research or study. Or (if this is a case study-or collective case study) that the findings in this case clearly point to such and such trends arising within this context-and in this specific case and are worth considering in term's of the broader picture and understanding of the issue or research problem.

I think if you were doing grounded theory (but not as sure here as I am not doing this myself), your findings would be generating theory that (again) could be tested on broader populations or assist with generating models or approaches that might be useful with the broader populations or groups. So the findings are really useful and interesting in that they present an in-deoth look at a specific problem or professional concern and this highlighting and deep exploration of the topic has provided further insight or an enlightening perspective on a topic that suggests that further research in this area that took more of a quantitative approach would be warranted.
Sorry very wordy sentence above (probably needs a warning statement before you read it).

Hi Chococake,

I agree with Pjlu. You might be doing yourself a major disfavour if you try to generalise qualitative results from such a small population, even if it is relatively homogenous. It will definitely open you up for a much harsher critique in your examination, it's very easy to critique generalisability.

Thank you both!
Pjlu, that was very well explained :)

In a book I'm reading at the moment (on IPA, a qualitative research method) there's a small section about how generalisation may not be possible but you can look at theoretical transferability instead. This is kind of similar to what Piju wrote and is about comparing your findings to existing work, or making connections between your results and current theory, so you are still connecting your work to a bigger picture without making claims that your results can be generalised.

Chickpea, thank you loads! May I ask your a favour please? Are you able to take a picture of that section and post it here or send it to me please? Or give me the name of the book please?

Thanks!