Generalizability of research findings - Essay Example

Generalizability of research findings Generalizability of Research Findings There have been critics in Qualitative research and hostility as well as suspicion has emerged. It is because of lack of understanding in the general characteristics in Qualitative research. The potential of Qualitative research has not yet developed irrespective of the numerous positive features in the research. The research however is criticized due to the lack of generalizability and also objectivity (Check & Schutt, 2012).

Generalizability is used by scientists in the academic field. It gets the definition as an extension in the research findings as well as conclusions in a research that has been conducted on a sample group of people to the whole population at the ground. The dependability of the generalizing aspect is not absolute, statistically it is probable. Since generalizability needs data on large populations, qualitative research results to the best foundation of generalizability (Ercikan & Roth, 2009).

The criteria for evaluating generalizability of qualitative research include various steps. First an ethical research needs to be carried out, and the importance of the research well defined. There should also be coherence and clarity of the report. The methods used in the research should be rigorous and appropriate. It is important to consider the reflexivity and also establish the validity of the research. Lastly, the researcher needs to understand the reliability of the data (Patton, 2004).

In conclusion, Qualitative research cannot get described as a unified field. The reviewers are not experts in qualitative research. They also fail to appreciate the set criteria relative to the qualitative approach that has been reported. It is significant that researchers get aware of the tendency and also educate health care researchers about the suitable criteria in evaluating qualitative research.ReferencesCheck, J. W., & Schutt, R. K. (2012). Research methods in education. Thousand Oaks, Calif: Sage Publications.

Ercikan, K., & Roth, W.-M. (2009). Generalizing from educational research: Beyond qualitative and quantitative polarization. New York: Routledge.Patton, M. Q. (2004). Qualitative research & evaluation methods. Thousand Oaks, Calif. [u.a.: Sage.