Qualitative Research in Sport Exercise and Health· 2017Q1
Generalizability in qualitative research: misunderstandings, opportunities and recommendations for the sport and exercise sciences
- 1,168citations
- Q1SCImago
- 2017year
Short summary
Qualitative research in sport and exercise sciences can achieve generalizability, but not through statistical methods; instead, it relies on concepts like naturalistic generalization, transferability, analytical generalization, and intersectional generalizability.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Key points
- Statistical generalizability, common in quantitative research, is not applicable to qualitative research in sport and exercise sciences.
- Qualitative research can achieve generalizability through naturalistic generalization, transferability, analytical generalizability, and intersectional generalizability.
- The paper provides practical strategies for researchers to consider generalizability in their work and for publication.
- Recommendations are offered to journal editors and reviewers to support rigorous qualitative research.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Generalisation in relation to qualitative research has rarely been discussed in-depth in sport and exercise psychology, the sociology of sport, sport coaching, or sport management journals. Often there is no mention of generalizability in qualitative studies. When generalizability is mentioned in sport and exercise science journals it is often talked about briefly or highlighted as a limitation/weakness of qualitative research. The purpose of this paper is to provide a detailed discussion of generalisation in order to dispel any misunderstandings or myths about generalizability in qualitative research and offer guidance about how researchers might consider generalisation. It is emphasised that it is a misunderstanding to claim that qualitative research lacks generalizability. It is highlighted that statistical types of generalizability that inform quantitative research are not applicable to judge the value of qualitative research or claim that it lacks generalizability. Reasons as to why researchers might consider generalizability in qualitative research are then offered. It is emphasised that generalisations can be made from qualitative research, but just not in the same way as quantitative results are. To help guide how generalisation might be considered, four different types of generalizability are presented: naturalistic generalisation, transferability, analytical generalizability and intersectional generalizability. Practical strategies are also offered for considering generalizability when seeking to publish qualitative research or reflect on already published work. The paper concludes with a set of recommendations to support high quality and rigorous qualitative research for scholars – including journal editors and reviewers – in relation to generalizability.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Qualitative Research in Sport Exercise and Health, 2017 · DOI ↗
Continue with a free account
Ask the paper: 3 free questions a day about this paper; save it, get its citation, new summaries every day for your field. Takeaways are Premium.
Continue free on the webSign in with Google or Apple; no card needed. You come back to this paper.
On your phone:
Field: Developmental and Educational Psychology
Developmental and Educational PsychologyPsychology